My little Grande adventure, Part 1: Planning and anticipating!

Hello everyone! The verdict is in...so here is what I'm going to be doing this summer:

-I will be meeting my biological father face to face for the very first time!

-He has been serving a life sentence in Maximum Security Prison since before my 1st birthday for murder.

-He has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as being physically and mentally absive and manipulative.

-God has given me so much healing, wholeness, forgiveness, wisdom and understanding, and new identity in Him that is no longer subject to the bondage and brokenness of my family's past.

-This is something I feel that the Lord is asking me to do, and I believe He has a bigger purpose for it than what I can see right now.

-My dad has writen me letters throughout the years, some were good, some were really hurtful and mean spirited, but God used it to strengthen me and to enable me to speak truth into his life with boldness and dignity.

-Because of my refusal to be manipulated by his words, and the grace God has given me to show to him, it has established an understanding on his part that if he wants any kind of relationship with me it has to be on mine and God's terms, not his. My confrontations with him have been very blunt, and slightly abrassive, but I believe that the senserity and truth God poured out through me in those letters have lead him to a place of searching!

-At this time I am fully confident that this will be an incredible experience, and that so much shaping and upbuilding of my faith and character will come out of it.

-And...who knows what will happen for my dad because of it! God is perfectly capable of doing something miraculous in his life!

-So with that being said, this will be quite a trip for me! After my visit with my dad I will be running away to the beach for a week alone with Jesus! Here's a little look at my "itinerary":

STOP #1:

Oregon State Penitentiary, Salem, OR.

Inmate #4304945, Marvin Sherman

STOP #2:

To: Coastal HWY 101!!

STOP #3:

To be decided as I go!!:)

STOP #4:

My Hotel!!!!!!!!!:

LOBY

PIANO ROOM!!:)

MY ROOM!

MY VIEW!!

Please keep me in your prayers as I allow God to prepare my heart for what is to come!

And Melinda...keep that couch warm for me just in case!!;)