tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50455573441076591062012-02-09T18:16:31.852-05:00The Jail Ministry Support Winning Group Blog.Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.comBlogger361100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-32824831022619980002008-09-17T15:46:00.002-04:002008-09-17T16:05:46.938-04:00

I just got back from the most incredible experience! I had the honor of being invited to a State Dinner at the White House! It was an absolutely surreal experience. I got a chance to meet and have my picture taken with the President and First Lady. They were so kind and gracious. I met Condoleezza Rice and Vice President Cheney. I sat next to the owner of the Cincinnati Reds. There were a

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-23314795537265456332008-07-17T09:50:00.002-04:002008-07-17T09:58:42.047-04:00

I received the following letter from an inmate at the Allen County Jail. This is what makes all of the trials and challenges worth it!"Tomi, thank you for your inspiration, your kindness and your love. For giving all of us kind words and laughs. For the prayers and guidance as we take our journey through life. You are an inspiration to me that with God all things are possible. You are so

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-66676945653718394942008-07-01T10:18:00.002-04:002008-07-01T10:21:46.713-04:00

I know my last few posts have been kind of down, but I'm happy to say things are getting back on track for me. I did lose my way a little bit but I thank God for His mercy and grace for helping me see where I was lacking before anything too bad or negative happened. I still have some quality time to spend in prayer to be fully restored to my right and focused state of mind. But I am happily on

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-11547911653458151182008-06-26T11:09:00.003-04:002008-06-26T11:26:56.537-04:00

I've been feeling emotionally run down lately. And that in turn, tends to make me a little vulnerable. I seem to be going and going and going in so many different directions that I lose focus on me. My priorities get blurred and even put on the back burner. Then when I'm not focused, old ways of thinking can creep in and that is just plain scary! It amazes me that no matter how long a person

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-83983813097515658952008-06-17T17:13:00.002-04:002008-06-17T17:20:47.021-04:00

We have 2 new Winning Groups starting this semester and I am so excited about them! They are focused on serving the ministry and community. The first is the Handy Mans Group led by Mike Priester. They will be ministering to families and individuals in the ministry and community who need help with the basics around the house. Things like cleaning up the yard, taking out storm windows, leaky

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-13750500924945542952008-06-16T08:41:00.002-04:002008-06-16T08:59:42.738-04:00

Over the last 3+ years I've been a volunteer chaplain at the Jail, I realize that I have most of the time felt 'in over my head.' It may sound silly, but I'm serious. I've nearly always had doubts about why on earth God would choose me to do this work. I finally came to realize that He meant it when He chose me and I accepted my call and stopped doubting Him, but that didn't come easy either.

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-24319215515218750452008-03-04T08:45:00.002-05:002008-03-04T09:06:01.860-05:00

Yikes...my blog has been collecting dust! I've kinda had tons of stuff going on and I actually did forget about it. But I'm back now to shake the dust off and get things updated. So far 2008 has been incredible! On New Year's Eve I chose to stay home and spend some time by myself and with God...it was the best decision I could have made. During the count down to midnight I started to think

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-12761361890740113112007-12-11T10:45:00.000-05:002007-12-11T11:16:04.681-05:00

I trust everyone had an excellent Thanksgiving! And I really hope you are as excited as I am for Christmas! As the holiday season is passing I am reallizing that I've never been more thankful for my life, my family and my friends. It's quite an amazing feeling really. I have the awesome priviledge of ministering to and fellowshipping with some of the most incredible people on the planet (I

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-1889056336145828612007-11-02T10:05:00.000-04:002007-11-02T10:21:33.908-04:00

Today is my birthday, my 32nd birthday! Praise God! I am so blessed I almost can't contain myself, but at the same time I still have to fight through the temptation to dwell on the things I don't have yet and the things I haven't achieved yet. Isn't that kinda funny? I know it may sound silly, but I'm just keeping it real. I am amazed daily at the things God is doing through me and I'm still

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-72996542440080712572007-10-31T10:49:00.000-04:002007-10-31T11:14:38.327-04:00

As many of you have heard, the Rebuilding Women Winning Group is bearing much fruit. We are experiencing some phenomenal things and we are having a blast! We are experiencing Amos 9:13 where is says "Yes indeed, it won't be long now." God's Decree. "Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won't be able to keep up. Everything will be

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-86859482252376816732007-09-28T10:22:00.000-04:002007-09-28T10:38:37.694-04:00

The ladies in my Winning Group are experiencing what I like to call Favor Overdrive! Their prayers are being answered right and left! I already shared about how the one lady got that incredible job last week. Well that same lady had some fines to pay that totaled about $500. She had been working really hard to earn the money but despite all her efforts she was $60 short the night before it was

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-16079066416246164272007-09-26T10:10:00.000-04:002007-09-26T10:35:00.693-04:00

Something really neat happened to me last week at the jail. One of the young ladies came up to me at the start of class and said she wanted to talk to me because she had something she wanted to ask me. So we sat down at the back of the room and she explained to me that they had watched a video in class that talked about Spiritual Parents and she wanted me to be her Spiritual Mother. She went on

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-57576880639649770182007-09-22T10:49:00.000-04:002007-09-22T11:07:12.314-04:00

We started the new Winning Group semester on Tuesday and I just wanted to share that our Rebuilding Women group is off to a great start! I had 6 different women who were in my classes at the jail call and want to come to group, 5 of which needed rides. After many calls I finally secured rides for all 5. Three of the ladies had their schedules change at the last minute but we ended up having 3

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-42450717392808954582007-09-06T12:27:00.000-04:002007-09-06T12:38:43.871-04:00

Wow...the ladies have really been keeping me busy lately! Don't get me wrong, I love it and I wouldn't change anything about it (except to have maybe one or two more of me)! Keeping busy with the ladies means that more and more of them are coming around and needing/wanting me to be a part of their lives. I have been able to take them to and from court appointments, to visits with their children,

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-61680565875918007812007-08-01T09:55:00.000-04:002007-08-01T10:10:58.252-04:00

I had the priviledge of leading Chapel (or Church) Service last night at the jail. Each time I get to do this I always bring my D. Montrell CD and play it for the ladies. One of our favorite songs is "God Can't Fail." For the last month I have been telling the ladies that I had a big suprise for them the next time I do Chaoel Service and they were so excited they were acting like it was

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-50174379598208291862007-07-20T11:02:00.000-04:002007-07-20T11:12:51.956-04:00

In November of 2006 I was sentenced to 38 days in the Allen County Jail. I felt so alone. Somehow I ended up going to church with some of the inmates, mostly just to be able to get out of my cell. When I got there I thought "oh, boy!" This young beautiful woman was there. All smiles and I'm thinking ok, she's never been in trouble a day in her life! When she gave her testimony I was kind of

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-58134885246380472412007-07-18T16:40:00.000-04:002007-07-18T16:56:06.291-04:00

Over the last few monthes I have noticed that I keep getting told the same or a similar version of same story. Sometimes by members of Summit sometimes by people that work at the Jail and sometimes by strangers. The story, in a nutshell, goes like this...people keep running into people that have either been in my classes at the jail or know someone who has been. And the overwhelming majority

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-84886417090432912192007-07-12T11:00:00.000-04:002007-07-12T11:07:54.369-04:00

I have been filled with tremendous joy lately due to the fact that a number of my ladies have reemerged into my life over the last month! I have had the privilege of bringing 2 of them to church with me. One has started attending my Winning Group. Another 3 I am in almost daily contact with over the phone. They are just coming from every direction and I couldn't be more pleased. Continue to lift

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-5888491045618748222007-06-22T17:52:00.001-04:002007-06-22T18:04:29.485-04:00

I got a wonderful yet bitter-sweet answer to my prayers this week. Remember last month when I was honored as Volunteer Chaplain of the year and how earlier that day I was kind of depressed because one of my ladies had gone back to the streets. Well as you know I had a rather rough time when that happened but I purposed to pray over her continually and I knew I would see her again one day. I

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-72963133289287611122007-06-17T15:27:00.000-04:002007-06-17T15:36:30.767-04:00

I disappeared one morningLeft without a warningSome thought I was finally gone for goodBut those doubters just got rattles'Cause I'm back in the saddleDoing better than a body should.Suprise, suprise I'm back againWho says I've lost too much to winThat wouldn't be too safe a betNo you can't count me out yet.My self-seteem diminishedThey said that I was finishedJust a washed up piece of historyBut

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-17333788174644017372007-05-30T16:40:00.000-04:002007-05-30T16:48:12.168-04:00

Tomi,I wanted to say somethings to you. I appreciate you sharing your story, it really meant alot to me. Everyday you were in class I look at you and think how much of a beautiful person you are inside and out. I also think I want to become like you, full of confidence and love for yourself as well as God. I never thought you'd been where I was, cause you'd never guess by looking at you or

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-82149015660539688902007-05-18T08:59:00.000-04:002007-05-18T09:03:44.277-04:00

I am a member of Tomi's Winning Group. I've been received into the group by grace. I am seeing new revelations of God's word. I have a feeling of belonging. We experience touching and agreeing through corporate prayer. And we are inspired to experience more intimacy with God.

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-44932882877615459442007-05-15T22:16:00.000-04:002007-05-18T08:59:02.694-04:00

I, Michelle Morton, am a member of Ms. Tomi's Winning Group. I've learned being in Ms. Tomi's Winning Group that God loves me whatever comes in my pathway as long as I have faith and believe in Him.

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-71139997620299823002007-05-11T19:32:00.000-04:002007-05-11T20:35:37.000-04:00

This week has been packed full of blessings. I have to say that it has been one of the most rewarding weeks of my life so far. The outpouring of support and encouragment regarding my being selected as the ACJ Volunteer Chaplain of the Year has been tremendous. This experience reminds me of two of my favorite scriptures that I often meditate on for encouragement. Psalm 92:4 (New Living

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-39855702604201265602007-05-08T22:21:00.000-04:002007-05-11T19:31:42.424-04:00

Miss Tomi:I just want you to know how proud I am of you and I'm so happy I was with you tonight at the Chaplains jail banquet. For those of you who aren't aware of what happened tonight at the ceremony, I'll fill you in. Miss Tomi was presented with a plaque tonight and chosen as Honorary Chaplain of the Year, she was chosen out of 53 other chaplains. Tomi is the youngest female that goes to the

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-59209348319252810842007-05-08T13:42:00.000-04:002007-05-08T14:01:08.061-04:00

A few hours ago I was questioning myself as a leader and mentor and second-guessing myself and my abilities to help people in the things of God. As I was sitting there crying my phone rang and it was one of the very 1st ladies I had the privilege of ministering to at the jail. She wanted to let me know that she just finished her finals was about to get her degree from college. She wanted me to

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-67991044338055006832007-05-08T08:36:00.000-04:002007-05-08T09:26:58.103-04:00

I found out this morning that one of my ladies went back out to the street (that's how we say that she went back to her old life or that she back-slid). This isn't the first time that something like this has happened, actually it happens more frequently than I would like. But the thing is...it hurts me so bad when this happens. I know that I can't make the changes that need to be made for them

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-1917506429340260492007-05-06T17:37:00.000-04:002007-05-06T19:01:30.566-04:00

I apologize for the long break since my last post; I will do my best not to let it happen again! But just because I haven't posted anything new doesn't mean that nothing exciting has been happening. Here are some of the high points from the last few weeks...On Tuesday, April 24 I had the privilege of overseeing Chapel service. There were two services and I am please to say that every woman in

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-74735939462934572152007-04-19T12:09:00.000-04:002007-04-19T15:24:40.385-04:00

"Sometimes I wonder if God is punishing me," that was the question asked last night at Bible Study that really got our discussion going. We were in the middle of our lesson that was based on Deut 30:19. That scripture talks about choosing life not death, blessing not cursing. In response to the question asked I was able to show her that many of the tests and trials that she has faced in her

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-86235220296552444292007-04-15T19:36:00.000-04:002007-04-15T22:14:09.947-04:00

Last Wednesday at Bible Study we had a Dream Session. I do this periodically with the ladies and every time I am so inspired and encouraged by what they have to say. After we finished our lesson I had them close their eyes and imagine their dream life. A life where money is no issue, education is limitless and there is no criminal record to take in to account. Then we went around the table and

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-22799442380108961702007-04-09T10:26:00.000-04:002007-04-09T10:40:24.944-04:00

At the bible study last week I had a chance to explain unconditional love to the ladies through demonstration. As we were finishing up our lesson we were sitting there laughing and fellowshiping and this incredible urge came over me to tell the ladies how much I loved them. I stopped everyone from talking and asked them to listen to me I had something important to say. Everybody was quite.

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-22320308760266607872007-04-09T10:21:00.000-04:002007-04-09T10:26:11.772-04:00

Last week I took about 50 TOS flyers to the jail and the ladies devoured them! They were really excited about it and the fact that it is free was a huge blessing to them. The ladies that know they won't be out at that time took flyers to mail to their family members. I am taking more back this week to distribute to the men and guards. I believe we will see awesome things happen as a result of

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-72700908253501317452007-03-28T21:43:00.000-04:002007-03-28T22:34:51.350-04:00

As I was sitting with the ladies on Q Block tonight discussing our lesson on obedience one lady stopped me and said she had a question. She looked me straight in the eye, her eyes were filled with tears and she asked me point blank, "Is it really possible?" I assumed she was talking about obedience to the word of God so I started to answer her along those lines but she stopped me and asked

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-30806997839415745722007-03-25T18:17:00.000-04:002007-03-25T18:33:26.912-04:00

Last week I shared a little nugget with the ladies @ the jail that I had been meditating on for the last few weeks and something PA said today at church reminded me of it. Not too long ago I watched Mission Impossible 2 on TV. There was a part in that movie that has stuck with me every since and I still receive comfort and encouragement from it. Well here goes: Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-82731305043553078222007-03-23T14:26:00.000-04:002007-03-23T14:44:57.013-04:00

This week I was given the opportunity to show the video teaching Pastor Al did on Success Secrets from the Life of Joseph at the Substance Abuse and Recovery Class (or better known as Drug Class) at the Allen County Jail (ACJ). There are about 40 ladies in this class and I can say with confidence that nearly every single one of them really enjoyed the video. Only a few of them had ever seen the

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5045557344107659106.post-10675229777589140282007-03-23T14:10:00.000-04:002007-03-23T14:13:34.282-04:00

This is my first foray into the world of blogging...and I must say I'm kinda excited. And a bit overwhelmed. I have to continually remind myself to take a deep breath and give all the information time to sink in. I see this blog as an excellent tool to enhance the effectiveness of our Winning Group. Let the fun begin....

Tomi Cardinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317222287642788591noreply@blogger.com2