I grew up in a dysfunctional family with hidden sexual abuse being a devastating part of my childhood. The pain from the abuse caused me to distrust everyone around me. Abandonment was another huge part of my younger years, which led to people-pleasing behaviors and acting in unhealthy ways to get attention. I was adopted at 8 years old into a Christian family who loved me, but the pain of my past followed me. I fell into the trap of self-harm and an eating disorder, and both controlled me until I came to Mercy and allowed the Lord to show me what freedom looked like.  
 
Through Mercy, I was shown what it looked like to be loved by the Lord and what it meant to love myself. I was able to move past the shame that had consumed me and love myself despite my past choices. The Lord also helped me to forgive the many people who had hurt me, and today I am free from the chains of unforgiveness! I understand what the Lord has forgiven me for and am now able to give the gift of forgiveness to others. My past hurts do not define me, and the choices I made in the past have no say in the person I am today. I am a new creation!  
 
After Mercy, I dream of helping other girls who struggle with eating disorder behavior and all young people who live with the need to self-harm. I also plan to go into creative writing, but my biggest desire is to have a family and children of my own that I can pour what I’ve learned into. God saved my life, and now I am free to live a life I love and enjoy. 
 
Without the help of our generous donors, I never would have acquired my newfound freedom! Thank you so much for helping keep Mercy a place where girls can come free of charge to find healing and wholeness in the Lord!