Poppa* received this missive on November 13, 2012...
"Dear Bill, Jan 16, 2016
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord! Grace and peace be with you from the Father, whom is good all the time! Greetings also from the Neal Unit. I wanted to drop you a line and thank you, one, for your correspondence and remembering me on holidays and such, two, for your work with your company TFF. I can see good things in the future should the Lord continue to bless your efforts.
Things have changed somewhat (most things not at all!) here. We've no Chaplain since Chaplain Houska retired in October. We're in a state of flux you might say. Warden Baker left right after Chap, and we've a new warden that is nothing like her.
As I said, some things change, some things, however, do not. We never have an empty bunk for more than a few hours, we're always short staffed, there's been no craft shop since last December ('14), church gets cancelled (I should be there right now! but it was canx) a lot, work never gets cancelled, the food is pretty much the same, etc., etc. You already lived the rest of it.
Still other things do not change, the church is still the church. I'm still a worship leader, singer, teacher in the wing. Not telling you so to brag, this is just who we are. Let our Master find us so doing upon His return.
Mrs. Leighton (Margaret) and I have been corresponding for over 2 1/2 years now. She is very special to me and has filled a need in my life, praise be to God. I realize that you were the one that encouraged her to write me in the first place. I believe God's will was accomplished through this. She is still working on editions of Good News (currently on Ed. 61 due out 1Q16) serving in the capacity to which she was called.
I read through your accounts on life in "the out". Sometimes, I wonder if I should be better off in here. I'll be close to 60 when I discharge... and from the stories I hear. whew! But the Lord shall be with me even then! My faith is ever tried with the trials and troubles, but God has never failed me! He is faithful!
Be encouraged Poppa, you're about his work. He will see to it. Rely on His strength and do not look at what is in the now. Only trust what he will accomplish in and through your obedience.
I realize the old adage is still true..."my very worst day out there , is better than my best day in here." But I wonder if it's not getting to be a change. For as Paul, I have learned in whatsoever state I'm in, to be content. So, old friend, (I mean we go way back! not that we're old. :-) ) things are going to be good, because He is working it all out for that purpose.
Bless you, Bill, may the Lord grant you grace to know Him better and better, trust Him more and more, and live the abundant life He promises to those who abide in Him. May He bless the work of your hands, as He guides you to service for His sake, provides for all that He's put in your heart, and protects you from the evil one.
In Christ,
Gregory"
"Poppa, 10/18/13
Praise and glory to God our Savior! Thanks for the birthday greeting. Watch out for all that cake! I hope you've got a staff to help you eat it all.
I've enclosed a quick sketch I did for the contest. I was shut out of the craft shop again today (grrr) so I did it on what I had.
Things are well here. Church is going great. Bro. Owens, Ishman and I have been sharing the load on preaching - but Chap has actually given a sermon or two. (yeah! He's better than he was doing.)
We've a new warden, Warden Baker finally arrived. I know, I heard rumors of her coming since '04 when she left! But, now she really is here. It's a good thing because she listens. The jury is still out on all the others. :-)
Mrs. Leighton from England is sending 50 copies of her " Good News" newsletter to the unit. A very nice lady. I've written to her a few times.
Just had Kairos #31. There were so many ex-offenders working this time!! Jerry Potter, Little Eddie, Jeff Fisher, Chartane (spelling?), Adam Vela, Bro. Tom, Derek White, Todd Early - just to name a few. All in all, it was a great weekend.
I am doing fine. Keeping very busy. Our theme is : "Witnessing and Teaching on the Neal Unit in 2013". Well, I teach every night except Monday and Tuesday, because I work 12 hr. shifts those two days. I've two guys on Wed, two on Thurs, a group of 5 on Friday, then one on Sat. and Sunday.
All that is just what I do in my "free" time. Of course, I'm still a worship leader, still singing with the Praise Team and I try to make it to the craft shop during the week! Don't forget Kairos on Sat morning where I teach at our table. I praise God for using me in this capacity - I believe this is my gift because I have a blast doing it. :-)
Once again, thank you and keep up the good work. May the Lord Jesus bless you and keep you and use you greatly to bless His people.
In Christ,
Greg"
After 6 months, Poppa* moved to "O" wing in 5 Building. However, Poppa* and Greg stayed in touch. Gregory was one of the Spiritual Leaders in the Unit's Church. Poppa* would see Gregory in Church every Sunday and would occasionally see him around the unit..........
"Dear Bill, Nov. 5, 2012
Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and The Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, I remember you, even though I am terrible with names. God is truly good and I'm happy to hear that you're out and doing all right.
I must say, I don't remember any of the guys from "O" wing since I never lived in 5 building. I do remember Puerto Rico, "Ricky" however. Hopefully, he is well too.
My goodness, the halfway house does sound like a dump! But, it must be better than in here. It's not prison! The only redeeming value apparently. It must be a popular stop since this is the second letter I've received from the same address.
I have no doubt you'll be employed soon. The Lord will see you through. I may be going the same route as you when I exit this place. I come up in 2014 for the first time.
I am well, Bill. We had walk #29 this past October. Doug Davis is now the Rector. Of course, only 4 of the 42 showed up at church the following Sunday. It's something I look for because if Kairos really had an impact - shouldn't these guys be in church?
My family is well. They have been and continue to be supportive of me. Not so much on my wife's side of the family, but that is what it is too. Thank you for the birthday greeting. Only one other brother remembered my birthday. It was Michael Bradford. William "Bill" McGuire came and told me "Happy Birthday" and I was shocked. I asked him how he remembered and he lied and said he always remembered. Mikey asked him to tell me Happy B-Day for him. Mc-Liar didn't even mention the message! Some people's children!
I did blow $27.70 on a "snack-pack" that the commissary is selling. It has small bags of chips that we can't normally get. I love salty snacks rather than sweets. So, I splurged and have been snacking a bunch! :-)
There are so many new faces here at the Neal. I've been here nearly 9 years now. I'm happy though because I'm active at church/Kairos. I'm preaching again this coming Sunday and have been still singinging.-hehe I love to serve. I have a few students that I teach in the wing as well. Bro. Owens preached two consecutive sermons on the book of Ephesians. Chap. Houska had surgery this past week on some skin cancer on his head. He should be okay, but it's scary for him.
Indian Summer, my good man. Nice and hot and very little precipitation. I don't think we've made it below 30 degrees yet! Bizarre, right? But everyone is expecting a big snow year. We'll see.
"Junebug" is probably referring to Donald Henley from Dallas. He recently moved back to 5 Building and is in "N" wing. I don't think I know Henry. As I said, I'm terrible with names. I should try harder if the Lord intends to use me in ministry. After all, we all must deal with lots of people!
There's not much new going on here. We just got word that cell-phones are now okay for us to call from here. They opened up a separate list for phone use as well - one that is different from one's visitor list. That should allow people to call more people. We finished ACA in September and then went on lock-down right afterward. It was a quick one - 8 days. They were supposed to serve fried chicken that week - phbblt - so much for that! This is definitely not Goree.
It's mid-football season, and it's really loud on the weekends. Of course, everyone loves this time of year because time seems to accelerate. We all know that it's not going any faster but it seems like it. You just blink and it's December!
So, are you gonna be walkin' still when it gets cold? Are you and John getting back together? Is he lookin' out for you, or are you pretty much on your own? I hope someone will be there to help soon, because it's gonna be gettin' cold. Is there busses in Dallas anymore?
I'm sure it has changed a lot. Everything has. I've never even seen a HDTV!! Or a smartphone. I have a 21 year old son that's gonna school me on all the technology out there. He's a great kid. I miss him terribly. My 20 year old daughter is still my little princess, even though I don't hear from her. She was 5 when we last spoke to each other.
Well, sir - Godspeed to you. May he bless you with wisdom, guidance and peace in your transition to the free world. Write any time. Don't worry about me, I've got care from family. It's hard enough out there - thanks for the thought. Bless you Bill!
In Christ,
Greg~~~"
Poppa* met Gregory shortly after arriving at the Neal Unit in Amarillo, TX in December of 2006. Gregory was also housed in the same wing in 2 Building as Poppa*.
Greg is a few years younger than Poppa*. However, he is very wise. And Poppa* was always impressed by how mature Gregory is in his Spiritual Growth.
God is GOOD!~~~
Gregory Allen Watson's Home Page
...After Poppa* got back to Dallas* and was living at the Halfway House,Poppa* wrote Mr. Watson and reconnected with him...
You may write Gregory at:
Gregory Allen Watson
01099374 Wallace
1675 South FM 3525
Colorado City, TX 79512
Gregory was born on October 25th. He is a Scorpio. He is known for his loyalty and his deep and profound passion. Material rewards don't normally interest Scorpios as much as emotional and symbolic rewards.