I was raised in dysfunction. Abuse was what I knew, saw, and was subjected to from a young age. I ran away from home at 11, was addicted to drugs at 13, became a mom at 14, and emancipated at 15. My childhood was stripped away, and the void was a gaping wound. I had a loving mother and was guided to God by my great grandmother. Despite that I was lost. I tried to make it, but the addiction was too great.

When my child died at the age of 15, I didn’t know how to manage another deep wound. I abandoned my family and went to the depth of heavy drugs to mask all the pain. I lost my three other children, and began making meth to survive. My mom prayed for a change in my life and God answered. I was picked up and charged with 25 years in federal prison. For two years I sat angry and depressed in my cell, and medications did not work.

I knew the only way I could get through this was to get back to Christ. I finally took myself to the chapel and gave my life over to Christ. I was faithful to read, study, and build a relationship with God to become who I needed to be. With God’s favor, after 13.5 years I was released. I maintained sobriety, drug free living, and a life with Jesus for two years. I began making poor choices and decisions that were destructive, lost my way, and took drugs once again. I stopped checking in with my Parole Officer and was on the run. God stepped in again. I got pulled over and was in jail for four months, and four more months in prison followed. I knew I had to get it right this time. I quickly dug into the resources of Chaplain Jerry, volunteers, Bible classes, and in the Word to find myself in Christ again. I was eventually released and am now focused on building my solid foundation in Jesus.

I am working while seeking direction on how I can continue to encourage others in Christ. I want to share my testimony on how God has been faithful and working all things out for my good and His glory.