I grew up in a tense home environment with an emotionally absent father and a physically ill mother and I felt it was my job to play peacekeeper. Over time, I began to isolate myself. I rarely received affirmation from my father so I convinced myself that I didn’t want or need it. I felt my worth was in performing well in music and academics. I developed an eating disorder at 12, began cutting at 16, and became alcoholic at 19. I spent years in the vicious cycle of these addictions until I was so hopeless that I wanted to die. I purchased Nancy’s book Starved and decided instead to apply to Mercy.

During my time at Mercy, God has brought me back to life! I had no hope before Mercy, but God has given me new hope and shown me that He has a plan for my life that is so much more amazing than anything I could dream of. I know that He created me for a purpose and I have learned what balance looks like in every area of life.

In the very near future, I plan on working Dave Ramsey’s baby steps to financial peace, so that I can pay off my debt and go back to school to pursue a degree in nursing. I love Mercy! I am so thankful for this place!