As the verdict was announced and broadcast, I oddly found myself thinking about Nehemiah.  It’s a bit of an obscure little story, tucked away amid long records of the history of kings and beautiful poetry from David and others.  But Nehemiah, especially what is recorded at the very beginning of his story, is very intriguing to me.  Let me explain …

What we have recorded as the first chapter shows clearly a man of integrity, compassion, humility, and prayer.  The prayer he offers is one of connection with the past of his own countrymen, regardless of the fact that he was either very young when Jerusalem was leveled or never even lived there.  Word has reached him that people are suffering and his heart breaks.  He gives up what seems to be a pretty well-placed job in the palace and goes back to architect one of the greatest motivational campaigns I’ve ever read.

Enter Jocelyn Zichterman.  A woman of integrity, compassion, and resolve that seems to match Nehemiah.  And like him, she has a heart that breaks for others who have suffered.  Her encouragement went so far as to travel the length of our country to be there for Tina Anderson during this trial.  I know prayer has been a major component all along the way and will continue to be the same.

In my way of thinking, you can’t read Nehemiah without turning to the story of Esther.  And, in our saga this week, that would be Tina herself.  Resilient, firm, and brave all the way to the finish.  Regardless of the verdict, she allowed herself to become a headline for the cause and saw this thing through.  Her reliance on justice is based in her Father, not necessarily in a jury or judge.  Yet, in this case, I have to believe that character came shining through as the men and women charged by the State of New Hampshire with dispatching this case took only about five hours to render their verdict of guilty.

In both Nehemiah’s and Ester’s stories, there are antagonists as well.  You know them as do I.  Again, there are some parallels here to the cast of characters we’ve seen come and go from the witness stand.  Ms. Leaf, Mr. Phelps, and Mr. Willis all had their say and, as I noted to a friend just yesterday, I’d wager Ernie Willis wishes now he had taken the plea bargain offered a while back.  All that awaits him is the formal sentencing and what looks to be an extended stay courtesy of the Federal Board of Prisons.  Perhaps there he can find repentance – I do believe it is within the reach of everyone.

As I close, I want to thank Chuckles Travels for the opportunity to write and provide my perspective along the way.  It has been a unique journey for all involved and I share in that experience.  I’ll be around to post from time to time, but this will be the end of my dissertation on the Tina Anderson case.  Justice has been served in more ways than one … and I know both Joc and Tina will be on to the next case.  You just can’t come through something like this without your heart being changed.  I know mine has been.  Thank you, ladies.  You are heroes in my book

Bidding your Grace and Peace in our Lord,

C.P. Traveler