The story begins with the cold sensation of handcuffs being secured on wrists. She doesn't know it yet, but she's about to spend ten days in a federal detention center. In the moment, every minute feels like an eternity as she tries to process what's happening.

In prison, she struggles to adhere to her vegetarian diet, most of the church services are held in Spanish, and she never seems to have enough blankets to keep out the cold, but somehow she finds contentment. God sends angels in the form of her fellow inmates, translating sermons for her and offering her food that she can eat.

Donna Chipman wrote this book for those women and for any woman who feels trapped by the judicial system. She believes that deep-rooted faith is what carried she through, helping her follow all the rules and regulations and placing compassionate people in the courtroom for her.

I Stepped out into Nothingness is about family, love, and the concept of freedom, with pearls of wisdom tucked into Chipman's poetry, vignettes, and descriptions of prison life. However, ultimately, this book is a testament to the power of prayer-and gratitude for God's love.