Taylor – 2015 Graduate

I was adopted at three days old by two wonderful parents. At a young age I began being molested by someone close to our family. A few years later I was molested again by someone else. This secret left me with a lot of shame I didn’t know what to do with at such a young age. At 14 I began partying, abusing alcohol, cutting, and I became very promiscuous. At 16 I entered what would become a six-year, codependent relationship. When things ended I became very suicidal and depressed. I began cutting, partying and became promiscuous again. I attempted to take my life two weeks before Christmas. I just wanted the pain to go away.

I knew about Mercy because a friend of mine is a graduate, and her life was changed through the program. I applied because I didn’t know how to live life anymore. When I got to Mercy I was a complete mess, mad at the world, and very depressed.

A huge turning point for me, while at Mercy, was learning it was okay and healthy to grieve. I began to learn how to feel and control my emotions.

At Mercy I learned who I am in Christ. I learned I have a purpose. I now know how to lean into God for all my needs. God gave me the verse Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I believe this summarizes my time at Mercy. I have been given a softened heart and a new spirit.

Upon graduation from Mercy I will return home with my parents. I will start working part-time both in a day care and doing hair. I plan on opening my own salon. I also pray that God sends me a Godly man to marry someday!

Thank you, Nancy, for following the calling on your life. You have impacted my life and the lives of my future family. Through you I learned how important it is to follow my calling and trust in the plan God has for my life.