Just A Little Something To Think About!




I have a buddy here I talk to quite often. He is a good guy and he is usually a fairly cheerful person. But when he starts talking about his case and his prison sentence, he becomes the victim that feels he shouldn't be here and that he got way to much time. And if he were somebody else this never would have happened and on and on.


So, we started talking about what he did when he was on the outside. Then we got on the subject of all the things we both had gotten away with and the danger around those situations. It makes you really think about how both of us were on our way to prison long before we were arrested.


 It brings me back to the snowball effect. Those little decisions that don't seem lie that big of deal at the time always lead to bigger things and soon those things don't seem so bad either. Once we start on any kind of a criminal mindset, we are constantly desensitizing ourselves until nothing matters or scare us anymore. Remember that the next time you are in a situation and you tell yourself, "Its not that big of deal, nobody will even know." That's only the beginning. It never starts out big. Maybe someone cheats their work hours today and ends up facing Tax Fraud charges a few year later from now.
Just something to put some thought into when you tell yourself, "Its not that big of deal, nobody will ever know."


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A Quick Thank You!

Thanks Ma

Thanks Ky

I wanted to write a quick thank you to our outside support of P.P.R. They are so much more than support, they are the only reasons why we are able to do this at all. First my Mom, Colleen Rogness. She has always supported me and is constantly reminding me to help others and to give everything up to God. Of course I like to refer to that as nagging. I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you have always done for me. Without you there would be no P.P.R.

You are the backbone of us. Second I would like to thank my best friend Kylie Hakinson. She thinks that she  doesn't do near enough and that nobody notices her work. So let her know that you see it. Kylie, I have gotten to know you better than anyone and you definitely know me better than anybody else does. I think you know me better then I know myself. And your never afraid to call me on m crap. You are so special to me and you truly are an amazing person. You can't even understand how much you help me everyday. So, to mama and to Kylie I love you both, and I pray that people see how much both of you do, when so many people think you shouldn't. Bot of you are way more than I deserve to have around me. Thank you so much for being there for me everyday. Love you both. Anybody who reads this they should compliment mom and Kylie, they are the ones who do all the work to make sure people see it. So tell them they are doing a good job.

Thanks again.

Jon Rogness

C0-founder- P.P.R.

Journeys

Through my whole life I've had my mom , dad, and three brothers. Two younger and one older. We have been through what some would think as unlikely, others will think, "well my life was some of the same as his." But the question is what have you done with what you experienced in life.

My brothers and I were in and out of Foster Care. My mom was an alcoholic, dad was abusive, and most of the time working on the road...

My father has been in prison as well. My brothers and I were in four different Foster Cares that I can remember. In the fourth grade we were in Foster care in a place where we are supposed to feel safe. I was sexually assaulted by my so-called seventeen-year-old "foster brother". My older brother, only in the seventh grade at the time, tried stopping it from happening. We tried reporting it and no one believed us.

At the age of eleven or twelve my mom quit drinking but by that time I had already quit caring. I already started drinking and getting high. I got put on probation at the age of twelve for vandalism of a historical monument. Thought that didn't stop me from any drug use. It actually got worse. The first time I tried hallucinogens was a the age of fourteen as well as pills. You can say that I picked up some bad habits. I also got arrested at fourteen for marijuana. I sat in J.D.C. got out and then ran away from home. Lived with a couple of college guys and my drug use gradually got worse.

At fifteen I dropped out of High School. My P.O. said that I was worthless and would end up in prison someday. Man she was right. I was very suicidal and depressed all through my teenage years. In other words a coward. I tried killing myself by overdosing, hanging myself and crashing my truck at eight miles per hour. Yet I am still alive. (Thank you God!) All because the Lord has a different plan for me. I didn't see it though.

At sixteen I got arrested and went through three different drug rehabs. Then I came to prison in February of 2009. Lost my mandatory parole and then had a change on C.T.P. in 2010. I came right back with a new felony all due to my drug use. It caused me to do what I did but in the long run I choose to use drugs in he first place.

I haven't been out of prison since. It's been four years. My own fault....I passed my initial parole two years ago because while I was in M.D.S.P. I was doing drugs and fighting constantly. I presented myself as a Christian when I was doing these things. Now I've been on the Hill for a little over two years. I have made a complete change. I've walked away from every fight that has come my way. I have  realized that it;s not worth it.

Through my family and I have been through Hell we are as close as ever. My mom and m dad have been married for twenty-four years now. I have two nephews and nieces. They all come to see me as soon as possible. I'd do absolutely anything for my family. I wouldn' t have made the changes that I have if I didn't have them.

My point is with all this that I've gone through is that I've realized I don't need to prove anything to anybody. And all that I've gone through made me a better person. God has shown me (guided) to pull a positive out of a negative. I can do that. That is why I am a S.T.A.R.T. member. 

My life may not be very different from others. Ive lived a very challenging life though it has made me who I am today; A very strong individual, respectful, kind, a man of values, and a man of character. I thank God for my life story, my journey  that made me a M.A.D. man.

Written By: Chris Campbell

Memories

Few words can bring many Tears, but also many Joys.

June has been a difficult month for my son Jon... Well he is serving his  time in prison,  life outside of prison doesn't stand still. Life goes on without him.  Family and events do change...My son being in prison doesn't only effect him, it effects everyone in his family

 that love him. 

Many changes have happened since he has been there. Brother, and sisters have graduated from highschool, and college. Illness's have happened with family members that he couldn't be there for. His son has grown up and has been involved with several events that Jon would have loved to be there for him and encourage him.  Changes have been made on his family farm, and he missed out on, and he would like to be part of the changes. Family trips have happened that he missed out on. One person for many years will be missing in the family trips album.

Holidays have happened with him not at the  table enjoying in the family time, and celebration. But choices were made. And we go on from here.
 God holds us up and makes each time we see him a joy and a time to make more memories. 

Last week Jon's brother Tyler was married to a great gal..This made Jon  really sad that he couldn't be there for him. He wasn't able to stand up for his bother, and show him that he loves him and is proud of the decisions he has made. But it made him happy that his younger brother found a great girl to spend the rest of his life with.   Jon was made a Honorary Best Man because he is Tyler's brother and someone Tyler loves very much.. The botherly bond will always be there. They have shared many sweet times together growing up.  Jon's son was a Jr. groomsmen so was able to be part of the wedding.  But Jon missed it all...Tears happened at times thinking about Jon, a son and brother couldn't be there with us and help us celebrate this wonderful time. 

It meant allot to Jon to have his son Preston and himself included in the wedding celebration. This is such an exciting time for Tyler..  Jon's words and thoughts he wanted to share to Tyler and Rebekah are " He is so sorry he couldn't join in this special day. He is so very happy for his brother that he found a special girl. And he will be thinking about them and praying for them all the time. He wished them the best, and he knows good things will come to them, because their relationship and marriage is based on biblical values and their  putting God first. "

Jon wasn't able to be there with his presence, but he was there in our thoughts.  And we will be a ble to share all the excitement of the day with him through pictures and stories. Jon will always be a important part of our family. And someday will be able to be with us for these wonderful occasions.

But for now Jon continues to grow in God's grace, and love. And plays an important role in reaching other to Christ. And helping others with his thoughts and prayers on this blog.  God has given him a ministry in the situation he is in..Thank You Jesus!

Jon's grandma years ago wrote an artical about marriage and I would like to share it with you.

You Me and Us!

Martin Luther observed that "It is the very nature of God to make something out of nothing." It is not hard then to understand that in marriage two become one- that a new living being is created.

God does not say that the two people who come in marriage cease to exist- only that as they dedicate themselves to each other there becomes a newly created One.

Is it possible then, that like any newborn, this newly created "marriage" needs attention, time and nourishing? it's been said that most marriages are successful, its the living together afterwards that get difficult! it takes a long time for that newly created One to mature- like any child growing up is a process. That third person in the marriage, born a t the wedding (after a period of gestation we callcourtship) is, like a baby fragile and immature. If a newborn child is nourished and cherished it will grow healthy and indestructible and will take on a personality all it's own. It is not just a combination of the two who fostered it, but more than that, more than either of them.

In marriage, too, this newly created One, is intended to become a One all it's own, with more strength and wisdom and caring than either of it's partners. With caring and nuturing it becomes strong and giving. Both can draw from it and lean on it and find joy in it.

But if the newly created "marriage" is not nourished and given time and attention, it, like an undernourished child, becomes sick and sometimes dies. Perhaps thats why divoce is so sad. Devorce is the killing of that person who was created at the  wedding wirh so much love and hope and potential. And those left to morn, need much healking: for even though the two original people go on, that third persson in the relationship has died.

Perhaps we've misunderstood when we've thought of marriage as two peole giving up their indentities to become only one.  Perhaps it's rather two people, giving of themselves to become three!

And perhaps that's why the death of a marriage partner is so very traumatic. Not only is the visible half of the partnership gone, but for the one left, two-thirds of the "you, me and us" it has become, is gone! When a spouse is lost, so is that thrid person that One, who has become the two people together - and more. And all that is left is one of the thirds!

What a privilege it is to be part of God's creating a new person in marriage. What an awesome long term responsibility to feed and nourish andcare for that newly created third One which God creates when we marry. What a joy to see that One, that "marriage", grow and mature and flourish and blossom into a thing of beauty and strength giving  so much pleasure and joy to so many people.

Written By:  Mavis Rogness

Eph. 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. so that Christ may dwell in your hearts throught faith. And I pray that you, being rooted nd established in love may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ , and to know tht love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen