Ally – 2010 Graduate

Before coming to Mercy, I struggled to get up each morning and survive the day. I tried to deal with life by numbing myself. I considered myself a burden to those around me. I spent most of my life trying to please others, attempting to live up to the expectations I felt I couldn’t meet. I learned to wear masks and self-harmed to cope with my pain. I could no longer afford seeing my Christian counselor, so when I heard about Mercy and that I could go there FREE of charge, I thought there might be hope for me.

While at Mercy, I decided to give my life to Christ. I learned that God is not the author of pain and that He loves me despite the choices I have made. He showed me His unconditional love and how much He values me. I began to see all the miracles He has done in my life.

The past five years, since graduating from Mercy, have been a journey more adventurous than I could have ever expected. I never would have imagined this would be my life after Mercy, but now I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. This journey has allowed me to discover the power that God has placed in me and has led me to chiropractic school, which has been one of the biggest challenges I have faced. During this time I have faced difficulties that I could have never expected and each has challenged my relationship with Christ. Although most of my days are spent at school, I have built lasting relationships that have continued to shape me into the person that I am today. Through loss, compromise, and frustration I have gone back to the truths that I learned at Mercy and declare that for myself. The most crucial thing that I have learned is that Mercy wasn’t the destination, it was the beginning of facing challenges in a new way, and it is up to me to walk this life out the way I have been equipped. My relationship with God is always changing, at times challenging, and generally full of questions, but this life with Him is far better than anything in the past. I am now a year away from completing my Doctorate of Chiropractic Medicine and recently began seeing patients. My patients are a great reminder of the journey I have been on and the future I have ahead of me. I hope to open my own practice in the near future and look forward to serving my community through chiropractic care.