~SEE new NOTE added at the end of our "Public Statement" directly below, then scroll almost halfway down for the latest post dated February 16, 2016
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| Samuel's Life Verse |
On February 17th, 2014, our son, Samuel Lee Shelton was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the state of Wisconsin.
The purpose for this blog is threefold:
1) To tell the story of our family - Sinners who are Saved by Grace
2) To give God the glory for GREAT things He hath done
3) To share with others our journey through Letters From Samuel
2) To give God the glory for GREAT things He hath done
3) To share with others our journey through Letters From Samuel
This is the Public Statement we released on March 23, 2014
Dear
Facebook Friends and Family~ When
our son, Samuel, was a minor, he got involved in some sexual sin that
continued on into his 17th year – which in Wisconsin – one is no
longer a minor, but considered to be an adult. At age 17 he was
charged and convicted as an adult with one count of a felony charge.
As usual, the newspapers do not bring a full and/or accurate picture.
Having said that, let there be no mistake, Samuel is in prison
because Samuel did wrong. It was just that it was such a harsh sentence. It is our intent to make this public –
not to be an offense, but to share the great mercy and grace of our
loving God.
As
soon as this came to light, we handled it correctly with the
authorities, and, consequently, we also immediately had to leave the
ministry, our home, our church, and had no job. Samuel repented and
made things right with the Lord, with us, and as much as he was
legally able – with the others involved. This last year has been
one of the most painful, yet incredible years of our lives. Painful
because sin is a robber – a robber of all of our hopes and dreams,
as well as the name of Christ, the testimony of believers, and much
much more. Our sin never, ever affects just us alone.
But
this year has also been incredible – as our Heavenly Father has
shown us so much love, mercy, compassion, and kindness. Much of it
has come through God's people. We all have grown this year and are
closer to the Lord and each other than we've ever been. Leaving the
camp and having a “normal” life, growing in the Lord, joining
Reformer's Unanimous (a faith-based addictions program) and the love
and counsel of God's people has had a tremendous impact on our
family. It has been a precious gift from the Lord.
On
Monday, February 17th, the court system sentenced Samuel to 10 years
in prison and 10 years of extended supervision after that. We were
all stunned by the harshness of the sentencing. We already knew our
county was extremely hard on this type of thing, but were honestly
shocked with a sentence like that. Our Public Defender pointed out a
few reasons he believed the sentencing went the way it did – and
humanly speaking, he may be right. Time does not allow at this moment
to go into great detail about all of that, but we shared with our
attorney that we believe God is sovereign, that He is in control, and
that He is in the details, and that none of this surprised Him. It
was also the answer to prayer that we had been seeking – to have an
opportunity to thoroughly witness to this man. Praise the Lord.
Although
we are grieving so deeply and missing our boy so much – he became a
man this year. A man that we are proud of in his response to the Lord
and to the law. Samuel faced his consequences bravely and without
blame shifting from the very first moment. He refused to feel sorry
for himself – nor would he let us feel sorry for our selves. He
went to work full time his last year of high school to help support
his family because he felt responsible for us losing our home and
job. He refused to keep any of the money he made.
We
have been so encouraged as we have visited Samuel – for his great
peace that he is exactly where the Lord would have him! Today was the
first time we have been allowed to hug and kiss and touch him in over
a month. This has been so heartbreaking but God has been so faithful.
Samuel has had some amazing opportunities already! We are looking at
this as a 10 year mission field for all of us! God is already using
us and what a privilege! God has been preparing us this whole past
year for such a time as this, and we have been encouraging Samuel to
be a "Joseph" in prison - serving and encouraging others.
He currently is in a "holding" place while they assess and
evaluate him, but in a couple of months he will be moved to a
permanent place and will get to work and take classes, learn a trade,
go to chapel, be involved in Bible studies, and continue with our
Reformers Unanimous program. Even if God uses this for that ONE
reason, to get a RU program started in the prison he will be moved
to...then PRAISE God it will be worth it! We are hurting, but there
is also a joy bubbling up within our souls to be used by God to
further His Gospel and share His love no matter WHERE our "corner"
is that He wants us to brighten!! Can you think of a more needy
mission field than prison? We wouldn't have necessarily reached out
to this “people group” otherwise. God is wise and good and will
take our sin and turn it around and use it for His glory! This is
truly beauty out of ashes, yes?
We
have learned much over this last year. We have learned how to love
others greater and deeper than we ever have before. We have learned
to “lay our Isaac down” and relinquish all of OUR hopes, all of
OUR dreams, and let God be God in our lives and use us however He
chooses. We know that not everyone will be able to handle hearing
this and our family will be a stumbling-block to some because of this
– and will need to “separate” from us. To you, we humbly ask
forgiveness. To many more of you, we realize that you believe
Galatians 6:1 - “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” We already know
this to be true because we have experienced both.
In
closing, we want to warn you, Mothers and Fathers – guard your
children. We live in a very pornographic, secret-life type of
society, and our christian son – raised in a christian home – was
exposed to pornography as a young teen through TWO VERY “SAFE”
avenues – through the son of christian friends, and through a
public computer on a very “safe” christian Camp.
Our
prayer is that others will learn through us. God has given us much
grace and we are trying to honor Him through this “For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Cor 2:14
There
is sorrow mingled with joy – the joy keeps the sorrow from
overtaking us, and the sorrow tempers the joy so we can learn much
about our loving Lord – as “into the heart of Jesus deeper and
deeper we go.”
Please
pray for us, we know we have a long road ahead of us, but we live it
one day at a time. Samuel would want us to tell the young people,
“You can choose your sin, but you can't chose your consequences.”
and – for those who have grown up in a Christian home – “For
unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”`Luke
12:48.
Our
hope is in God. There will be an “Afterwords” - and God is good –
all the time.
“And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28.
~Lee,
Cyndie & Samuel Shelton**NEW NOTE (added 2016) - There are other aspects that we haven't shared up to this point, but felt these facts would help answer some questions people have had. Many people have asked us why we think the judge's sentence was so harsh. Here is a summary of our public defender's thoughts:
1. The judge had in the previous year had a case where the neglect of a mother had caused her baby's death. He gave her 1 year probation and some fines. He came under a firestorm of criticism for being too "lenient." Then, the Sunday night before Samuel's sentencing to be held the following Monday morning, that same lady had been picked up for probation violation which included drugs. Once again he came under a firestorm of criticism...and he was reeling. Samuel's case was the first on the docket the next morning, and our attorney believes it was more of a knee-jerk reaction to the criticism from his previous case-gone-bad.
2. The second thing that happened that morning, is we could all tell it was not going good for Samuel. As a last-ditch effort to get the judge to be balanced in his outcome, our attorney reminded him of a previous case he had just sentenced recently involving another man (whom we actually knew) who was much older than Samuel, was a repeat offender, didn't have family and a support network (we had 20+ people in the courtroom with us that day showing support, along with dozens and dozens of letters of support from friends, family, and employers), and reminded the judge Samuel was being faithful to church, getting counseling and finishing a faith-based program to help him, and was faithful at his job (as a matter of fact, his boss who was reticent to give him the job (he had just been recently convicted of being a sexual offender) loved and appreciated him so much...she visits him in prison to this day and is actually holding his job for him). I am only saying all this to show the contrast between these two cases. Travis (our attorney) reminded the judge that he had sentenced this other person to 10 years IN prison and 10 years probation, and seeing that Samuel's case was much milder and this was a "first offense" etc, he was asking the judge for more leniency.
As soon as Travis was finished speaking...my husband and I looked at each other...and we knew it was over. The judge took offense, squirmed on his bench and looked at Travis over the top of his glasses as if he was an errant school boy and immediately put Travis "in his place." I don't remember what the judge said at that moment...I just remember thinking that was the nail in the coffin. And it was. The judge gave him the EXACT same sentence that he had given that other man. AND he gave it in such a way (called bi-furcate - meaning that because the length in time IN prison matched exactly the time OUT for probation) that it could never be shortened. Not for good behavior. Not for finishing programs. Not for anything. A piece of me died that day.
***One final comment I would like to make is, that while what Samuel did was wrong...he and many other young men that are incarcerated for "sexual crimes" are still virgins and somewhat sexually innocent. They do NOT belong in prison with hardened sexual perverts and deviants. Where is the help for these young men? We lock them up and ruin their lives without trying to help them. Most, like Samuel will have their whole lives pre-determined by being labeled as a sexual offender for the REST OF THEIR LIVES. This will affect where they can live, work, and resort...not to mention never being able to own a gun and hunt, or vote...Seriously?? I am not saying that that is not necessary for some... or that there should be no punishment or rehabilitation....I am saying that there are thousands of young boys that did very stupid stuff (much like me and you, by the way....) and are paying for it the rest of their lives. That is an overreach by our judicial system. Where's the balance?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~End of New Note~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is one of Samuel's favorite songs. He identified with every aspect of it. When Lee found out about it he spent a week memorizing it so he could sing it to his "buckaroo" when we visited Samuel in prison. Even though all the prisoners are visiting in the same room, they were oblivious as they sang the song softly to each other with tears pouring down their faces. It was one of the most beautiful moments of our lives.
Rodney Atkins - Watching You
First Letter Received - From Walworth County Jail
Dear Mom & Dad, 2/26/14
Thank you for writing me. I loved the letter. You mean so much to me. I love you guys so much.
Hope all is going well for you guys. If you get a chance, please tell Missy she was the best boss I ever worked for. Hopefully when I get out I will be able to work for a landscaping company.
My dreams are to learn how to landscape, and to manage my own business someday. And, to start an R.U. in my hometown of Whitewater, WI. ♥
Mom, you are my hero and I love you so much. Thank you for all you have done for me over the past 18 years. You are a true hero of the faith. Thank you so much. I love you.
Dad, you are the ONLY Super Man! No one can compare to you. You have shown me how to hunt and live off the land. You have been a good leader in this family. I love you both so much.
Your Loving Son,
Samuel Lee Shelton Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 3:5-7
This song came out not too long before Samuel went to prison.
It was a great comfort and encouragement to all of us.
It was a great comfort and encouragement to all of us.
Alone Yet Not Alone
This is a copy of the letter we sent to the District Attorney:
Dear District Attorney Grube, September 16th, 2013
We are the parents of Case No. 13CF74. Who, otherwise, is known to us as, Samuel Lee Shelton.
We understand that in the normal course of your job, you rarely “see” the faces behind the case number. We thought we might take this opportunity to introduce you to our son, Samuel.
Actually, we aren't going to take the time here to tell you all about him necessarily – there were letters of repute to do that. We just thought you should know that when and if Samuel is put on probation, or electronic monitoring, or locked up in prison or jail – that you should lock us up too. For you see, we got here together – as a family.
When we adopted Samuel 18 ½ years ago – we realized that God entrusted him to us – that we were to be good stewards in this thing called “parenting.” We took that very seriously, and were very sincere in raising him to be a godly, responsible, respectful, and hard-working young man. So then, the question that must bear asking is, “What went wrong?”
Well, first of all, our first response is – there are no excuses. None. And that is what Samuel would tell you as well. But, there are pieces – pieces that help us put together this puzzle of how we got here.
You see, we were very sincere in our efforts in raising our boy, but in some areas we were sincerely wrong. We, his parents, both came from rough backgrounds – filled with ugliness of sin and wrong choices. But then in 1990 we both became Christians and God systematically has been transforming us ever since. So, when we picked up Samuel from the hospital, our first instinct was to “protect.” We didn't want him exposed to much of the garbage that we had lived through most of our lives. That sounds good, right? But in the very thing we were trying to protect him from – and by living in a little protective “bubble” at camp, we didn't teach him very well how to deal with the shadier side of things – and how to deal with things that he would be exposed to “one day.”
We were very careful about movie choices, what we read, magazine choices, etc etc, being very careful to not allow him to be “exposed” to anything detrimental, such as say, pornography. What we should have been doing all along is teaching him what to do WHEN confronted with pornography. After all our children are being assaulted with it every where they turn – TV, movies, music, internet, billboards, school curriculum, checkout lines at the grocery store, nudity all around us (we live in a college town), iPods, iPads... need I go on? We just read a statistic this morning that said that today alone there will be 2.5 billion pages of pornography that will be circulated via email – and that you, I, and our children can access these by clicking away on our smartphones in as little as three seconds.
Not to mention, one forgets what it is like to be 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and dealing with all of the hormones and the curiosity that goes with “it.” Samuel wasn't exposed more or less necessarily than any other young person, and just “couldn't help himself.” This was where we failed. Instead of Samuel getting his information from us – he got it everywhere else – from a world that is delighted to give him an education. So, in a society where 5th and 6th graders are being given condoms and being instructed in how to “use them,” and school nurses are treating STD's on a regular basis, where 17 year old kids are getting their 13 year old girlfriends pregnant and nobody cares, and where that same girl can be quietly transported to have an abortion without her parents knowledge, Samuel is facing a class B felony charge. What Samuel did is wrong. But when our children are acting upon the very things our society is conditioning them to do – we decide that some of them should be put away – or be a registered sexual offender for the rest of their lives. Which is very ironic, since these very same children will grow up to live in an adult society that is rife with adultery, licentiousness, and illicit behavior.
Statistics also show that kids want to learn about sex, love, relationships, and most everything else from their mom and dad before their peers – or anyone. But somehow we get fearful, or busy, or think they'll “get it” by association and it will all work out okay. Fail.
Or we don't make it feel very “safe” for our children to talk to us about these things and other things, because we “hyperventilate” and “freak out” when they ask uncomfortable questions or tell us they want to pierce their nose, tongue, and eyebrows. Fail.
Or we are busy trying to make a living, serve others, keep our marriage together, pay the bills and just don't take the time to look into our children's eyes. Deeply. And see where they are hurting. And let them know they are unconditionally accepted. Fail.
Or we didn't teach him how to interact with girls. At the time these things happened Samuel was 16 and 17, but more a 1ike a 13 or 14 year old in maturity and social cues. Samuel is now 18 years old, and as we observed him the other day with a girl that is 20, he still acts like a junior high kid in some ways towards the opposite sex and is missing some of the social cues and graces. Fail.
So you see, District Attorney Grube, we are guilty too. Samuel will not let us accept any of the blame. He refuses to feel sorry for himself, and refuses to let us feel sorry for ourselves as well. One of his favorite Bible verses says, “To whom much is given, much more will be required.” Samuel will tell you that he knew right from wrong. That he made choices that were wrong. And that you “can chose your sin, but you can't chose your consequences.”
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Lee and Cyndie Shelton
First Letter Sent From Holding Prison:
On our first visit with Samuel after not being able to see him for a couple of weeks, I had an encouraging pep-talk ready because I knew that spending so much time thinking and thinking and thinking...it could become easy to be bitter - rather than better. :) As I began, he held up his hands and said, "Wait. Before you say anything I have something to say." He then turned to Dad and said, "Dad, I believe, like Job, God has allowed your health to be taken (heart attack and abdominal surgery), and that He has allowed your job to be taken (Camp, etc), and has allowed your son to be "taken." He went on, "Now are we as a family going to 'curse God and die' or are we going to be faithful in this thing to the very end?" So much for going there to encourage him! WE are always the ones that leave encouraged!! Praise the Lord!
First Letter Sent From Holding Prison:
Dear Mom & Dad, 3/5/2014
You already know that I have been moved today. Here is my temporary address:
Dodge Correctional Institution
Dodge Correctional Institution
Samuel Shelton 612941
P.O. Box 700
Waupun, WI 53963
I love you guys very much and God is good all the time.
If you send money to Dodge they will not take any out yet for court costs, that will happen at the next place. They will also take out and save 10% for when I get out.
I hope everything is going well for you. Things are fine here.
May the Lord richly bless you and dad through this journey. God knows the end from the beginning.
With Love in Christ,
Samuel L. Shelton Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 3:5-7
On our first visit with Samuel after not being able to see him for a couple of weeks, I had an encouraging pep-talk ready because I knew that spending so much time thinking and thinking and thinking...it could become easy to be bitter - rather than better. :) As I began, he held up his hands and said, "Wait. Before you say anything I have something to say." He then turned to Dad and said, "Dad, I believe, like Job, God has allowed your health to be taken (heart attack and abdominal surgery), and that He has allowed your job to be taken (Camp, etc), and has allowed your son to be "taken." He went on, "Now are we as a family going to 'curse God and die' or are we going to be faithful in this thing to the very end?" So much for going there to encourage him! WE are always the ones that leave encouraged!! Praise the Lord!
One of our favorite songs as a family:
Bow The Knee
Dear Family, 3/6/2014
I love you guys so much. Hope this gets to you by Thursday. It is Tuesday night. Please save all these letters in a folder for me.
I can't wait till Saturday to see you guys.
For canteen this week I got 5 sodas and 12 envelopes. Hope all is going good.
Miss y'all.
Love,
Samuel
Lee
Shelton
Me: "Wow, Samuel! This is awesome handwriting! All of
your letters should look like this!"
Samuel: "Mom! That took me THREE days to write that like that!" :-)
Me: "Wow, Samuel! This is awesome handwriting! All of
your letters should look like this!"
Samuel: "Mom! That took me THREE days to write that like that!" :-)
My Testimony - Samuel L. Shelton
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Hi, My name is Samuel L. Shelton, and this is my story.
I was born in 1995 in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. Some say my birth is a miracle in itself, because my birth mom did not even know that she was pregnant with me until the day I was born. Had she known, she probably would have aborted me. God had a different plan.
Right away I was put into a foster home because my mother was unable to fully take care of me. The foster home that I was put in was the family that would soon adopt me as well. I was their only child. They are the best parents any kid could ever want.
They also are a christian family, so I went to church every Sunday and Wednesday from the moment they took me in. When I was three we moved to NJ for my dad to work as a maintenance man for a christian school and for our family to work part time at a christian camp. During that time we lived on the farm of friends from church and helped them there some. At that farm they had an in-ground pool with a fence around it. One winter when I was six years old I just couldn't resist sneaking open the gate and playing on the ice. I had been warned repeatedly to stay off of it because of the danger of falling through, but I thought I would be okay. Of course I was wrong, and I broke through the ice. All I could remember was looking up and seeing nothing but ice, and asking God to help me get out and make it home. God was so gracious to allow me to find that same hole, pull myself out of the freezing water and make it back across the farm to safety at home. Imagine my mother's shock when she answered a knock on her door to have it be me soaking wet and freezing cold. My snowsuit and boots were filled with icy water, and I knew even at that young age it was a miracle that God allowed me to survive.
When I was seven years old my family attended a small church in upstate New York on the weekends during the summer. It was there I made my first “profession of faith.” Looking back, I do not believe I understood fully what it meant to be “saved.” Being saved simply means that a person recognizes that they are a sinner (we all are) and that there is no hope of getting to heaven on our own merit; that Jesus Christ came to the earth and lived a sinless life and that He paid the price for mine – and all mankind's- sin on the cross. There He died, was soon buried, but then was gloriously raised again from the dead to have victory over sin and death! A person is “saved” (saved from hell and given eternal life in heaven with God forever), when he or she places their trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross alone. Salvation is belief + NOTHING.
When I was nine we moved to Wisconsin to work at another camp, this time my dad being the cook. I was 13 when I heard and accepted the gospel – this time with understanding, and placed my faith in Jesus Christ. The years we worked at camp I was home-schooled and had many opportunities to help around the camp.
When I turned 15 I got my driver's license and first truck and began rebelling against all authority – but I did it quietly. Soon I would be involved in some very serious sin. During my 11th grade of high school I was finally caught in my sin. Looking back, I am so glad that I got caught, because it stopped me dead in my tracks. My sin required the police getting involved and I spent a night in jail and would be charged with a felony. I willingly confessed and cooperated fully with the investigation and interviews.
I not only confessed my sin to my parents and the authorities, but I also confessed it to God and repented (or turned away) from my sin. This past year God has given me grace to peacefully face whatever punishment would be required. On February 17, 2014, I was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
So far I have served almost two months and again God has given me grace to stay strong in him. May God be glorified through my life as I share my story – and I hope it will be used to help others see that He can miraculously turn around a person's life – no matter what their sin is.
My life verse is Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.”
Just remember two things:
1) God's eyes are in every place beholding the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3) – There is no where you can hide from God, and
2) You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose your consequences (or punishment). Sin is only “pleasurable for a season” and will end up hurting you (and others) or maybe even destroying or killing you. One thing I hope you get from this is that you only get ONE second chance, and that “every saint has a past, but every sinner has a future.”
That future can only be found in Jesus Christ. Nothing you can do can save you – you need to believe in Jesus Christ alone. Even if you were the only person to ever live on the earth, Jesus Christ would still have come to save you. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” We “perish” or die, because we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” And in Romans 6:23, “For the wages (payment) of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” It is a GIFT. You can't work for it. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
May this help you see and accept God's FREE gift of salvation. Romans 10: 9-10, 13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
O The Joy of Knowing Jesus
~Samuel L. Shelton
March 8, 2014
O the joy of knowing Jesus
O the bliss that fills my soul
Just to know He's always with me
Never - am I alone.
In the light or in the darkness
I have not to fear the foe
There is One behind me
That none can overthrow.
Though I am weak - He is strong
No matter what is going wrong.
He will never, no never leave me.
If my heart is clean within
And I give to Him my best
He will always keep and guide me
To the place of perfect rest.
O the bliss that fills my soul
Just to know He's always with me
Never - am I alone.
In the light or in the darkness
I have not to fear the foe
There is One behind me
That none can overthrow.
Though I am weak - He is strong
No matter what is going wrong.
He will never, no never leave me.
If my heart is clean within
And I give to Him my best
He will always keep and guide me
To the place of perfect rest.
From This Point On - Letters are Posted as Most Recent First
