SANITY Support Group Network - Setting Boundaries: Six Steps to Hope & Healing for Struggling Parents

Christopher & Allison, 2006
(Scroll down for more photos of Allison and Christopher over the years...)

If you feel led to pray for my son, his name is Christopher.

If you feel led to write to him, or send money for postage stamps or envelopes, his address is below.

Thank you for keeping him in your prayers.
Your prayers and written communication are making a difference
in the life of my son as he walks a new journey with the Lord.

To: Family and Friends

From: Allison Bottke

Re: How to Contact My Son, Christopher J. Smith

My heart is overflowing with gratitude and praise. Since Christopher's sentencing, I have received literally dozens of emails from family and friends asking how to reach him. Thank you so very much for your continued support, encouragement, and prayers. As many of you know, this has been an ongoing saga for many years. However, this time was where the rubber met the road. Christopher will be spending the next three years in a State Prison in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Please know that Chris greatly appreciates the cards, letters, and money so many of you have sent to him over the past months. I know he has responded to many of you personally. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the effort you have made to connect with Chris. To let him know that he has a Faith Family that does not judge. A Faith Family that is praying for him. A Faith Family who love him unconditionally. It's been pretty amazing to watch God at work in the heart of my son. It took this recent journey to bring Chris closer to God than he has ever been. I'm so proud of how far he's come. God is truly at work!

I know he would be more than grateful if you were to send him cards and letters. There is an awful lot of "down time" in prison and communication with the outside world is vital. Especially from people like you. Thank you, again, and God bless you for taking my son into your heart as you have. Your communication is making a difference in his life - I know this for a fact.

Bless you!

Christopher can receive cards, letters, postal money orders, and books sent directly from the publisher. He can also get magazine subscriptions.

DO NOT SEND: postage stamps, envelopes, paper, magazines, or books.

If you would like to send money to Chris for postage stamps, envelopes, or hygiene supplies, you may do so in the form of a United States Postal Money Order, Cashiers Check, or Certified Bank Check. You MUST clearly identify Christopher's information and address on the Money Order or Check, as well as your own name and address. You cannot use a postal box for your address on the money order or it will be returned.

Note the TWO different addresses.

To Send Money:

Christopher J. Smith, # 226003

MCF - Stillwater

P.O. Box 1000

Moose Lake, MN 55767

To Send Cards or Letters:

Christopher J. Smith, # 226003

MCF - Stillwater

970 Pickett Street, N.

Bayport, MN 55003-1490

Chris will remain at this facility for the duration of his sentence. Again, I know he greatly appreciates your cards and letters. Thanks again for remembering him (and me) in your prayers.

Christopher & Allison, 1972

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Christopher Smith and his son, Conner John, 2004

To You

By Christopher J. Smith
� 2008

To you Mom, this is true ~ there is only one l that is you.

I�m sorry for the things I did ~ I should have listened when you said ~ reach for your goals and your dreams and the stars ~ l and not for money, girls, and fast cars.

But I did not listen, so now I must pay ~ sitting behind these walls
made of granite and clay.

Topped with razor wire ~ these walls are quite high ~ like a bald eagle,
I wish I could fly.

Up and over these walls I would soar ~ then, start a new life ~ and that is for sure.

But I can�t fly ~ though I wish that I could ~ so, I�ll do my time ~ and learn
my lesson for good.

So, let�s not ponder ~l let�s choose to move on ~ because life�s too short ~ and it�s not very long.

And when I come out from inside this place ~l I know I will live in God�s
redeeming Grace.

I�ll never put you through this hell again ~ and I�ll be the best son ~ you�ll be
proud of me then.

So I wrote this poem especially to you, Mom ~ and this sure is true ~ there is
only one ~ and that one is you.