Stormy – 2015 Graduate

My biological parents severely used drugs, and as a result, my two older siblings and I were placed for adoption. During my childhood I experienced physical, emotional and sexual abuse. My depression began to intensify in middle school, and by the time I started high school, I developed an eating disorder. After being sexually abused again, this time by a stranger, I started to self-harm and dissociate. By 18 I had attempted suicide six times and was admitted numerous times to a psychiatric hospital. I was given several diagnoses and placed on several medications, but none of it helped. My home life was difficult, and I was distant from my family. I moved out of my family’s home, and moved in with a friend and her mom who were Christians. I started seeing a Christian counselor. Around the same time I was raped at a party. I then found out that my mother was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. My self-harming worsened, and I became violent towards those supporting me, but they never gave up on me. Not long after, my mother died, and I started to act out. I numbed the pain with sex and alcohol and continued to binge and purge. I put myself and others in dangerous situations with little thought. I began to hate myself more and more. I just did not know what to do.

I heard about Mercy Ministries from both my friend’s mother and my counselor. I decided to go to Mercy because I wanted to die and just didn’t care anymore, yet I knew that my actions were hurting my family. When I first arrived at Mercy, I hated the world. I had decided that I was not going to allow anyone to tell me what to do, nor was I going to respect anyone. I was mad and wanted the whole world to know it.

During my time at Mercy, God really revealed Himself to me. Before that, I didn’t believe there was a God. I had a massive turning point after going home for Christmas break. I realized that if I didn’t truly stop my negative behaviors, I was going to die.

God transformed me while I was at Mercy. He showed me who I am in Christ and that I am worthy of healing and love. He proved to me that I am truly loved by what Jesus Christ did for me on the cross. He showed me that I don’t have to hide from Him, and that He will never leave my side. He helped me realize that He is a trusting God and that I am His daughter—and no one can take that from me. He revealed to me my strengths, and also that He loves my weaknesses because that is where He is strong for me.

After Mercy I plan on going back to school to get a criminal justice degree. I want to go to law school and help kids who don’t have rights. I’m going to continue studying the Bible, and I want to work in the nursery at church. Eventually I would like to get married and have children.

To all the Mercy supporters, you made my transformation possible, and I am so grateful. Thank you for being obedient to God’s call on your life. Thank you so much for your love, support and generosity. Being at Mercy, I have never felt so much love, nor thought that I deserved it. Thank you for helping me realize that I can choose life and that I am free!