Rachel – 2015 Graduate

I grew up on a small farm with a very loving Christian family. My life was great, but I always struggled with fitting in at school. I often endured subtle forms of bullying from my peers. I began to find my identity in 4-H and FFA, and found that I excelled in showing and judging livestock. I traveled all over the United States to compete. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best because I longed for approval. Yet, my best never seemed good enough, so I strived harder to be even better. Due to the pressure I put on myself, I eventually began restricting my food. I lost a lot of weight, and I grew very unhappy. I received a full-ride scholarship to college to join a livestock judging team. At college I began drinking heavily, over-exercising, and self-harming in addition to my worsening eating disorder. I was also taken advantage of at a party while drinking. After graduation I was placed in an inpatient hospital for my weight. I was given several diagnoses that doctors told me I would have to deal with for the rest of my life. This started a four-year cycle of going in and out of treatment centers and being pumped with medication. I lost all hope for life when I discovered a close family member’s suicide attempt. A few months later I overdosed and was again placed in the hospital.

I learned about Mercy from another Mercy graduate. When I applied, I felt like Mercy was my last option. I had tried so many things to find help, but realized God was the only thing that I hadn’t tried. When I arrived at Mercy I was angry and scared. I never talked because I was scared of myself and everyone around me.

Things started to turn around for me at Mercy when I saw that the staff was not going to give up on me. I realized they were not like the others who have walked out on me in the past.

During my time at Mercy, God has brought so much freedom into my life. He has truly redeemed every area of my life. He has taught me to have discernment in relationships by showing me the types of people I can trust. He showed me that He loves me and He likes me. God has restored my body to health. Through it all He restored my faith in Him and in the world around me.

After graduation I plan on getting involved in a local church. I also plan on making some lasting friendships and never settling for less than what I know I deserve in my relationships. God has shown me the right way to live, and I will never go back to what I did before Mercy.

I praise God every day for having the opportunity to allow Him to redeem and transform my life. I am so thankful to every faithful servant of God that has sown into this ministry. You made restoring my life possible. I will never be the same. Thank you so much!!!!