“When my will to live outweighed my will to die, everything changed,” Donna* shared. “I finally realized I was spiritually sick. I needed God in my life.” * Her real name is used with permission. When My Addiction Started Donna’s parents divorced when she was twelve. By thirteen, she was smoking pot and drinking alcohol…
Stephanie’s* transformation wasn’t an overnight change. She wanted to be clean and sober, but alcohol controlled her. “I liked drinking,” she shared. “I liked the smell and the taste. And how it made me feel. But I didn’t like how it controlled me.” The generational curses of addiction were real. Stephanie fought hard to break…
Defeating pancreatic cancer – the cancer with the lowest survival rate – takes a woman who is strong and courageous. And Mary Anne* IS that kind of woman. * Her real name is used with permission. Wasn’t Always Strong and Courageous But Mary Anne wasn’t always strong and courageous. For 22 years, she lived with…
Ann’s* childhood on the family farm was uneventful until the morning she woke up unable to move from her neck down. She cried out to her parents. Her dad rushed into her room and quickly realized the family doctor needed to come to the house. * Her real name, used with permission. Ruled Out Spinal Meningitis…
If you haven’t read part 1 of Dianne’s story, please read it here first. God Protected Her One night after moving into her own apartment, Dianne invited a friend over to hang out. When Dianne heard footsteps outside the door, she opened it to find a man with a gun instead of her friend. He…
Dianne* met a couple of strip club dancers when she was 17 who encouraged her to dance, but she told them she wasn’t interested. So they encouraged her to turn tricks instead. * Her real name, used with permission. “I was too screwed up to get a job, and I needed money for drugs,” Dianne…
When the majority of couples say I do, their intentions are to stick together for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Divorce is the last thing on their minds when they seal their vows with a kiss. But, divorce unfortunately happens to some married couples. It’s never an easy…
The phone call regarding her dad being transported to the hospital with chest pains happened a few hours after the headache that started Cara* down a path she’s still on today – 8 years later. Thankfully, her dad recovered from his mild heart attack. Cara, however, still lives daily with a severe headache. * Her…
Studies are replete linking gang involvement with children from dysfunctional families. Gangs prey on individuals who lack self-esteem, strong father figures, and family closeness. Looking back, Maureen* agrees she fit the profile to a T. “I had such a longing in my heart for acceptance,” she shares. * Her real name, used with permission. An…
As Alyssa* shared her story with me, I couldn’t help but think of Francine Rivers’ book. It should have been no surprise when at the end of the interview, I asked if any books had impacted her during her journey of overcoming and she said, “Redeeming Love. Do you know it?” I smiled and…