Thanks to everyone who has sent such kind messages or inquired how I was doing. The truth is, I’ve been “thinking Jacob” for so long, it’s been hard to know what to write next. So, I took the easy way out, which was to write nothing at all. Then, a few weeks ago, a talented writer friend of mine (Heather King) contacted me to say she was starting a new bookstore in my tiny town of New London, Minnesota. She was hosting a “Story Show and Bookraiser” to announce the name, reveal the space, and collect a few used books for the store. She also invited me and a few other local writers to share an original story based on the theme, “Beginnings.” I was incredibly happy to support her in this venture, so I responded with an enthusiastic, “Yes, I’d love to!”I wrote my story on the day I got back from our annual vacation to Longboat Key, Florida. It’s the place this blog was born. That irony was not lost on me as I worked on my new story for Heather’s upcoming event. As often is the case with my writing, what I thought I was going to write about is not at all what turned up on the page. After a while, the story began to take on a life of its own, and by the time I had finished, I realized how much I had missed writing. The entire process was incredibly revealing and cathartic. The Story Show took place last Tuesday. By the time I got up to speak, the small coffee shop where the bookstore will be co- located was completely packed with people and donated books. Heather was in her element, surrounded by all her favorite people and things, and I was so completely inspired by her for taking this leap of faith, that she reminded me of myself a few years back. By the time I had finished writing this little ditty for her Story Show last week, I knew exactly what I needed to do. ![]() Biggest Siterips, Pornstars and MDH Porn Archive. BadMilfs – SiteRip. Growing up, there’s always that one hot milf in the neighborhood.I needed to take the leap. So, with all that in my head and heart, I submitted my resignation at the hospital where I have worked as a marketing manager for the past four and a half years. I have no idea what’s next, but more than anything, I just want to write. That’s all I really know for now. Once again (and I can’t say it enough), thanks to all of you who have followed me on this crazy journey over the past seven years. I hope you’ll continue to follow along as I venture off on the next trail. ![]() Beginnings. By Joy Baker. It’s hard to talk about beginnings without first talking about endings. After all, isn’t one the result of the other? Isn’t there a beginning for every ending? An alpha for every omega? It’s taken me a while to figure out that my alphas and omegas do not always line up in a neat succession. In fact, sometimes I have several alphas going on at the same time, with various betas, deltas, and gammas all mixed in. And no matter how much you plan for them, organize them, or put them off for a better time, sometimes God, life, and the universe just kick you right into a new beginning without you having any say in the matter at all. At least, that’s what happened to me. ![]() ![]() Back in 2. 01. 0, I was dreaming of a new beginning. It was fuzzy and unfocused, and I couldn’t quite make it out. But, I could FEEL it.
Those feelings came in many forms, including unease, discontent, curiosity, and even anger. So, for a long time, I kept that new beginning at bay, ignoring it or pushing it back with a sensible slew of “No ways” and “Never gonna happens.” And then, one day, that pesky beginning answered back, “What if?” And, “Why not?”I realized I had no reply. And while my original intent was to use my blog as a simple tool to keep me writing on a regular basis, something else began to emerge. I hadn’t seen it there before. But there it was. And though it had no directional sign, I knew in my heart it would lead me to the next place. ![]() 106010776 94609 1/1/2015 12/31/2015 1/1/1946 1/1/1946 140000014 15 9 13 6001401000 140000015-122.26747 37.837220000000002 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 8809 30855 23 8395 421. InformationWeek.com: News, analysis and research for business technology professionals, plus peer-to-peer knowledge sharing. Engage with our community. Yesterday, my husband Ross and I attended Danny Heinrich’s sentencing at the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis. I wasn’t sure if I could do it again not. Tickets for Concerts, Sports, Theatre and More Online at TicketsInventory.com. ![]() But, I had a choice to make. Do I venture off on the new path? Or do I continue down the road I’m already on? I decided to stick with what I knew. So, off I went again on my familiar, well- traveled road, until one day, I passed that narrow, tangled path again. I stopped, suddenly confused. I looked behind me. ![]() ![]() What the heck? After all these years, are you telling me my familiar, well- traveled road just goes in a circle? It was a lot to take in. And so, after a few more loops around the roundabout for old times sake, I veered off. I hadn’t been on it very long before the path started to narrow so much that I was worried I had hit a dead end. It was then I met someone along the path. He introduced himself to me and shared some of his story. We walked along together for a while until the path started to get a little dark and scary. When I noticed a side trail that looked a little wider and better- lit, I decided to take that path instead. Jacob and I said our good- byes at that point and I continued along by myself. The new trail was fun and exciting, but before too long, I realized it was just a spur off the main trail. I turned around and went back the way I had come. Jacob was waiting for me again when I got back to the main trail, but still, I wasn’t ready to head down the dark and scary part of the path. Instead, I found another side trail that kept me busy for a while. I went a little further along on this one and picked up some new skills, but again, the trail was a dead end. I headed back and there was Jacob again, smiling from ear to ear in his bright yellow sweater. This way!” he said, darting ahead down the dark and scary trail. I peered after him and he stopped to wait for me. Let’s go!”And so. Again. I followed Jacob into the darkness, and just like he had promised, we met others along the way who helped light the path. Each time we met someone new, that person added to the light so that the path became brighter and easier to navigate. We continued along this path for years. At times it became so tangled with overgrowth that it was hard to see. Other times, we met trolls along the path who were mean and unhelpful. They sent us down side trails that were even darker and more tangled than the previous ones. Each time that happened, we returned to the main trail scratched and exhausted, vowing not to venture off- path again. And then, one day. At first, it seemed so close, we raced ahead, our hearts thumping with exhilaration. But, soon we realized the end was farther away than we thought. It would take time, strength, patience, and willpower to get there. But, with one last burst through the dark and tangled overgrowth. He bolted into the light while the rest of us hung back and waved. And while I had always imagined there would be much joy and happiness when we finally got to the end of this trail, in reality, that wasn’t the case at all. Relief maybe. Never happiness. And so, here I am now, standing with these other amazing people I met along the path. We are left reeling from that jarring ending and still wondering how to start our next new beginning. It’s hard, because none of this is neat or tidy. It’s messy, and confusing, and often, we feel profoundly sad and lost. But, I know there’s another pesky beginning waiting off in the distance. I can feel it. The trick is, to be ready when it pops out of the big messy middle. Read comments. Posted by joy. Nov 2. 2, 2. 01. 6 in Jacob . Federal Courthouse in Minneapolis. I wasn’t sure if I could do it again. That day was truly a nightmare, and even after all these weeks, I still struggle to push those awful images from my head. But yesterday. This time, the victims were in the driver’s seat, and each one had a chance to speak their own truth. Jared, Aaron, Trevor, Carmen, Amy, Jerry, and Patty each delivered victim impact statements that were soul crushing, raw, and real. But it wasn’t all sad. The statements were also powerful, awe- inspiring, and strong. Many times, when I wasn’t choking back tears, I had to check myself so I wouldn’t jump up and clap. Ross and I met the rest of the group in the caf. We waited as a U. S. Marshal checked our names off a list that the Wetterlings had provided for them. After passing through a metal detector and having our bags and belts checked, we took the elevator to the 1. Patty and Jerry’s siblings were there, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and close family friends. Aaron’s parents, Vic and Fran, were both there, along with Alison and Jane from the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center. I said hi to Jacob’s friend, Tim, from the Wilderness Trek, as well as Rochelle, the babysitter, who was watching Carmen the night the boys went to rent their video from the Tom Thumb. Jared’s siblings were also there in full force. Beside them, six of the Paynesville victims/survivors had also come to show their support. They stood in quiet solidarity, waiting for their opportunity to not only catch a glimpse of Danny Heinrich, but also to begin their own journey toward healing. About quarter to nine, a U. S. Marshal escorted us into the courtroom. Ross and I filed into the third bench on the left, surrounded by Jared’s siblings to the right of us and the ladies from JWRC on the left. Behind us, the Paynesville survivors and their significant others filled the entire row. Once we were seated, members of the media were invited in and took their seats in the two benches directly in front of us. Law enforcement officers and other members of the media filled in the remaining benches along the back wall of the courtroom. Just minutes before 9am, a door behind the judge’s bench opened and a U. S. Marshal led the Wetterling family, Jared, Aaron, and their significant others to the first bench on the right. Immediately after that, Danny Heinrich was escorted in from a door on the left and took his seat at a table in front of us, next to his attorneys.“All rise.” Judge Tunheim entered and took his seat at the bench. He pounded his gavel, bringing the court in session. He greeted the attorneys, then spoke directly to Danny Heinrich. THE COURT: Mr. Heinrich, how are you today? THE DEFENDANT: Fine. Judge Tunheim then went through the sentencing guidelines for the child pornography charge and briefly addressed the details of the plea agreement.
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