Will to Live

Will to Live

“When my will to live outweighed my will to die, everything changed,” Donna* shared. “I finally realized I was spiritually sick. I needed God in my life.” * Her real name is used with permission.

When My Addiction Started

Donna’s

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7 Responses to Will to Live

  • Donna, Thank you for sharing your story. My prayer is that God will continue to use you in helping others change their lives. Stay strong, dear overcomer!

  • Wow! What an incredible overcomer you are! Love that you’re helping others now too! God bless you!

  • Amazing overcomer story! Without God it was impossible to kick the addiction. Thank you for allowing Melony to share your story. God has , is and will continue to use your story to point others towards him.. you are brave and vulnerable….two very powerful attributes for God to use in changing lives.. Not only lives of other addicts but all of overcomer lives

  • Donna, How wonderful that you beat addiction after so many years! May God continue to bless you as you help others. Blessings, Maureen

  • I can’t imagine losing that many years of my life. I’m glad the program worked for her and now she is helping others. What a long way to come.

  • Such a compelling overcomer story and it showcases the restoration process. Praise God for programs such as The Healing Place to bring full restoration: mental, physical, and spiritual. My favorite line from this powerful journey is the wisdom on Donna’s sponsors “If you miss the spiritual piece of this process, you’ve missed the whole thing.” This one sentence changes everything. Donna, I wish you continued blessings in your ministry as you guide others into restoration @ The Healing Place. Remarkable to see the canvas of God in your journey. POWERFUL breaker of chains, I thank you for Donna and her journey

  • Donna, thank you so much for sharing your testimony, bringing God so much glory and continuing to live such a fruitful life while blessing and encouraging others! I was addicted to nicotine for 30 yrs and have been free of cigarettes now for 24 yrs. God gave me a miracle by releasing me from being a slave to nicotine and it was because I was sooooo grateful to God for my salvation and all the things he had done and was doing for me, in my life! I also have served in jails since 2004, telling ladies what God has done in my life. I look forward to meeting you someday at one of our Overcomer celebrations! Blessings, Ann

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Transformation

Transformation

Stephanie’s* transformation wasn’t an overnight change. She wanted to be clean and sober, but alcohol controlled her. “I liked drinking,” she shared. “I liked the smell and the taste. And how it made me feel. But I didn’t like how

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0 Responses to Transformation

  • I think it’s quite awesome this young lady can be a spokes person for such transformation. Many young women struggle with addictions such as this or maybe more extreme and can come over and conquer. I think it’s quite awesome to share such story of GREAT TRANSFORMATION.

  • Stephanie I’m so Proud of you and The STAND you took over the demon of Alcohol?God Thank You For Loving My Child Back Into Your Kingdom??I Will Forever Love You ?In Jesus Name?

  • Reading this just gave me an insight to why Ms. Stephanie’s faith is so strong and to why she cares so much for everyone. I do not take her advice for granted, without reading this I will swear on my life she’s never had alcohol, one thing I know Ms. Stephanie for is her love for God, her children and everyone around her. She’s not just my colleague at work, she is a mentor and a friend.

  • We overcome by the “blood of the Lamb, and the words of our testimonies” (Rev 12:11). God has given me an opportunity and pleasure of knowing Stephanie Pearson and family since the birth of Solomon. Over the years our paths have taken a different turn but God keep our spirits together. Past few years Stephanie and I reconnected and I’m blessed to see the transformations in her life. Rejoicing and praising God with Stephanie for her victory to overcome all of life challenges, hurts, pain and disappointments and allow that “born again seed” to remain inside of her.

    It’s my prayer for anyone who reads or listens to Stephanie’s testimonies will be inspired to know “God is the same, yesterday, today and forever”. Her solid foundation in God and the inspiration of her journey is showing other that there is nothing (NO THING) too hard for God to overcome.

    Stephanie, eyes have not seen, neither ears have heard the things He (God) has in stored for you, because He loves you with an every lasting love. We appreciate you being candid, honest and open to share with others….THANK YOU!

    Love you Stephanie!

  • I’m so proud of you Step! You are truly an amazing person and the definition of a warrior. I love you and encourage you to keep on keeping on. Sending all my love, light, and warm vibes.

  • Caryn,
    Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouragement, love, light that shines ever so brightly, and warm vibes that energizes the core of a person in all the best ways… Much love to you my friend.

  • Milady,
    It has been a pleasure knowing you all of these years (then and now). I am so glad that God can never change who he is, neither did he stoop to my level when I changed who I was.

  • Conquering,
    I agree, there are more women out there that are going through situations and some worse than other. Also, that the Lord will continue to polish us until we become who He purposed us to be.

  • Mother,
    I am so proud to be your daughter. I know it was very difficult seeing me go through some of these situations…but I thank God everyday for a “Praying Mother” like yourself, that even though it was rough, the prayers of the righteous availeth much!!

  • God is good! I will continue to pray and support your transformation. Always remember “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13 You have been a wonderful inspiration and you will continue to be. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. the old has gone; behold a new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

  • Stephanie, So glad to hear that Jesus set you free! Your past does not define you – your future is bright! Blessings!

  • I have had the utmost pleasure of meeting and getting to know Stephanie through a mutual friend. When I was going through things with my husband, she, with God’s guidance, led me to approach things in a different way. When I did that, the outcomes became less and less intense. I had gotten to the point where I couldn’t cry anymore and filed for divorce immediately after an embarrassing outburst at Grady hospital from my husband. With her help and the guidance of God, things are slowly getting better…but trying to trust my husband again is very hard. It is truly a process. God has me in his life for a reason.

  • Stephanie…what an incredible transformation! Like the caterpillar transforms its body and emerges as a butterfly, you, with God, totally transformed your life and emerged with authenticity, truth and love! You embraced God’s love and faithfully trusted HIM to transform you. That, my friend, is sustaining faith! It’s no wonder, you are such a mountain of strength when faced with obstacles! You KNOW God has you covered! You KNOW God will do exactly what needs to be done when you activate your faith, trust, and obedience! Waiting patiently on God is no easy task, yet you do it with such grace and ease! God loves and admires you and so do I!! Continue to let your FAITH be bigger than any fear! You are more than a conqueror through HIM! Your metamorphosis is just beginning! Wonderful blessings are here! Romans 8:37

  • Payne,
    Your response left me speechless and grateful to God. It is a pleasure working alongside of you and the fact that we can share on a business and personal level speaks volumes. You continue to live your life in congruence to God’s will for you and your daughter’s life.

  • Maureen,
    Thank you for the encouragement. Freedom is a feeling/lifestyle that is indescribable!! God is good.

  • Mr. Hunter,
    Thank you for noticing God transforming my life, and supporting the changes. I will never forget you told me that God is chiseling off the rough edges in my life…and that I will always remember on my life’s journey.

  • Anisha,
    You have been nothing less than a blessing in my life. We are here for each other not only in the good times but also in the times of need. We just have to be sensitive to know what season it is in other people’s life and not just ours. Stay blessed, God honors the prayers of the righteous.

  • Stephanie!…this is truly a great transformation. Life has given you a “test” that is now your testimony. Redemption is truly YOURS! I am so proud that you have come to know and ‘inner’stand that you were born on purpose, with a purpose and for a purpose. I encourage you to keep moving forward, onward and upward to being and believing in a better, bigger, braver, bolder, brighter and badass expression of yourself.

  • Ryan,
    Thank you for such meaningful words of encouragement, as you are an inspiration to me. I thank God for people like you for motivation.

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Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer

Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer

Defeating pancreatic cancer – the cancer with the lowest survival rate – takes a woman who is strong and courageous. And Mary Anne* IS that kind of woman.

* Her real name is used with permission.

Wasn’t Always Strong and

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30 Responses to Strong and Courageous: Defeating Pancreatic Cancer

  • Mary Anne is truly an example of how faith, courage, attitude and gratitude can see you through many obstacles. She never gives up and it brings joy to me to watch her gain her strength and be able to do the little things she could not do months ago. She is, indeed, an overcomer!

    • I love you so much! You are my sister and you never fail to come to my aid when I need you!
      Thank you for loving me and giving the BEST advise whether as friend, nurse or doctor! You are so smart!

  • Love your story of faith and courage Mary Anne. As a cancer warrior myself, I can relate to your inspiring journey. So happy for you! God is so good!

  • I believe that you are one of the most inspiring and courageous people I know. You bring my heart such joy and happiness. I am so thankful to have met you, and that you are my friend. I have learned so much from you, and I too am blessed because of you. My love always…

    • Wendy, I have always been so proud of you! As my friend, customer, and the incredible mother you have become. I love you and wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

  • Mary Anne your strength is so beautiful!!! I thank God for your healing and your life!!! You are absolutely amazing!!!!

  • Rejoicing with you! Thank you for sharing your journey of healing. Bless You!

  • Dear Mary Anne,
    This is a beautiful testimony and we have seen you live out your faith in God and be strong and courageous! You have touched our lives and the lives of many others in this journey. We give praise to God for your witness and strength!
    Love, Travis and Donna

    • Dearest Donna and Travis, I love you both so much! Your friendship and support have meant so much to me! Thank you for everything! May God Bless You both and Merry Christmas!

  • Mary Anne you are truly a blessing to everyone you meet. You have inspired so many people by sharing your story, your journey, and most importantly your faith. You have touched so many lives with your courage and positive attitude. God be with you as you continue to heal. God is not done with you my friend. God bless you always. Love Barbara

  • What an upbeat person you were and still are. I’m glad that you chose to put God back in your life. Of course he was part of your healing physically and emotionally. May God continue to give you a clean bill of health and keep you strong in your faith and your health.

  • What an incredible story of brokenness, faith, redemption, and healing!!!!!!

    • Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to read my story and for your blessing! God Bless You and Merry Christmas

  • You are an amazing woman and I am blessed to know you and love you. What an inspiration and so happy to call you family. I will be passing your story on to some of my family. Thank you for being Patti and Mikes friend and now mine. We can all learn something from your strength and faith journey. Love you so much!
    BTW what are you doing for Christmas?

    • Nancy, I am so blessed to be able to call you my family! You and Scott have welcomed me with open arms along with your incredible children, Lacy and Michael! I love you all so much and am so proud of your family and faith in the Lord. I do have plans for Christmas Day and I thank you for thinking of me! God Bless You and your family and Merry Christmas!

  • So happy you are well again. God is good! Thank you for sharing your amazing story with us. I pray you will continue to have good health and will continue to live the life you want.

  • Mo, What a wonderful story to the road of healing ,And what you taught me. The Power of Prayer. And when feeling down, just turn to the person next to you and say: Neighbor, Everything is going to be Alright. ( Key West ) 2018. Love you to the moon and back and more.

    • To my sweet Samich!
      I love you so much and thank you for always taking such good care of me when we travel. I feel so safe and I love your bear hugs! I also love our love of sports that we share. Neighbor, everything will be alright!

  • You are a remarkable person! Your positive uplifting spirit amazes and inspires me. You are a true testament of embracing life and “living”. I am so grateful I have been blessed to know you. Love you

  • MaryAnne- thanks for telling your story! Melony, thanks for sharing it! It is truly inspiring! The work of the Holy Spirit in your life amazes me!! You are a source of love and light in my life! Love you!!!❤️

  • Mary Anne is such an inspirational person. We have had the pleasure of getting to know her personally and she truly is a wonderful person that lets the light of Jesus Christ shine through her smile and affection for others. Her story has and will be a gift to many because it teaches us several things: 1. It’s never too late to come back to the Lord; 2. Never give up; and, 3. God is faithful. We love you Mary Anne and consider your love and friendship a tremendous blessing!!! Here’s to a cancer-free 2019! May God continue to richly bless you and yours!!!

  • You are the most amazing person i know and I’m so grateful to have you in my life. You inspire me and I love you very much..

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No Favorites

No Favorites

Ann before polio

Ann’s* childhood on the family farm was uneventful until the morning she woke up unable to move from her neck down. She cried out to her parents. Her dad rushed into her room and quickly realized

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6 Responses to No Favorites

  • I am reminded that God will make a way for you! God Bless You.

    • Thank you so much and yes, God is always faithful to us, all the time! Blessings to you and yours, too! thanks for reading!

  • What an inspiring story. I am so glad she was able to give up smoking. This is good for her body and her soul. I’m Happy to know that my daughter is serving in a prison ministry. So much good can come from this contact with inmates.

    • Thanks!!! So glad your daughter is serving in prison/jail ministry! Yes, they need us and I know God uses us but we never forget it is Him, He prompts us all !!!

  • Ann, you are a woman of strong faith and God has used you to touch many lives. I feel honored to call you my friend. I pray that God will continue to guide and bless you. Love, Judi.

    • Thanks Judi! I treasure your friendship, too, and cherish many memories we have made! We need to make some more and I hope we can! God uses your gifts He has blessed you richly with and I am thankful you have shared some of them with me!!! Love, Ann

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Grateful, Part 2

Grateful, Part 2

If you haven’t read part 1 of Dianne’s story, please read it here first.

God Protected Her

One night after moving into her own apartment, Dianne invited a friend over to hang out. When Dianne heard footsteps outside the

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0 Responses to Grateful, Part 2

  • Thank you Dianne for sharing your story and for your dedication with Victoria’s Friends. May God continue to bless you.

  • What an amazing testimony, Dianne! God allows our past circumstances to equip us to help others in the future. I wouldn’t know the first thing to say to someone who struggles with these situations, but because you’ve been there, you can relate and you can help! There’s always a quick connection when you’ve gone through the same situation as someone else. God gives us the choice on how we use our life circumstances. We can choose to dwell on the horrific details of the past OR we can use it to give light and hope to those who desperately need it and may not hear it otherwise. I am so thankful that your friend shared the love of Jesus with you and that you have accepted it fully! His love has allowed you to come out of the darkness and allowed you to share it with others. What a blessing! The mercy and love that Jesus gives us is nothing short of amazing!

    • Wow LeAnn…well said!!! Thank you for your beautiful comment. I’m so thankful God is a God of hope, restoration and new beginnings. I love how He turns our situations and circumstances around and uses them for His glory. I thank God everyday for Angela; for the way she allowed His unconditional love to flow through her. Experiencing His love truly set me free! It is a wonderful, glorious feeling to be free in Christ Jesus! I’m so grateful! You are blessed and loved by the Greatest Lover of all. 🙂

  • Rejoicing with you for a life restored!

  • I am so happy for you Dianne!!! Happy for Mike, too!!! God has transformed you both and given you new life by His grace through our Savior Jesus Christ, just like His word says!!! Thank you God and thank you Dianne for sharing your life with so many!!!

    • Thank you Amelia Ann!!! I’m so grateful for God’s transformation in Mike and myself! I’m so grateful for His never-ending, patient love that continues to pursue us even when we aren’t worthy. I’m so grateful that He sees us as worthy in Christ Jesus because of the finished work of the Cross. Thank you Jesus! It is such a blessing to be able to enjoy life with Mike with Jesus at the center of our relationship. We wouldn’t want it any other way. 🙂 I appreciate you taking time to leave such a sweet, encouraging comment. It’s a blessing we are sisters in Christ! Love and blessings to you and yours…Dianne

  • So touched by the depth and beauty of this story. Redemption and now generational blessings flow from The Lord through Dianne. What a gift to so many lives. Honored to call Dianne my friend!!

    • Thank you sweet precious Rachael! I love you and I’m blessed and honored to call you my friend. We are sisters forever!!! woohoo Praise the Lord! 🙂 <3

  • I am blessed to never have had an addiction. I can’t imagine what a hard life.

  • I am in tears!!! Your testimony Dianne is sooooooooo Amazing!!!!! I thank God for His protection over you! As dark as your first half was it was so amazing to see how God kept you, kept your mind and your body! I am so grateful for you and God’s awesomeness in your life!!! It takes a lot of courage to spread the love of Christ at strip clubs! You are awesome sauce!!!

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Grateful, Part 1

Grateful, Part 1

Dianne* met a couple of strip club dancers when she was 17 who encouraged her to dance, but she told them she wasn’t interested. So they encouraged her to turn tricks instead.

* Her real name, used with permission.

“I

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0 Responses to Grateful, Part 1

  • I can in no way comprehend this kind of life. It’s tragic. I pray in part two she turned her life around and is serving our Jesus.

    • Thank you for your comment Glenda! Yes…there is wonderful restoration, victory and joy in part 2. God is amazing and there is no place dark enough, low enough, far enough to keep God’s love, light, grace, mercy and compassion from reaching us.

  • Dianne, I am so sorry for all you went through. No matter how deep the pit is that we find ourselves in, Jesus extends His hand to pull us out. He is a God of restoration!

    • Thank you for your comment Maureen! You are so right! There is no pit dark enough nor deep enough to keep the hand of Jesus from reaching us. And I have personally found that His precious nail scared hand is always extended. He is AMAZING! I love how God is a God of restoration. He can take the broken pieces of our lives and make something so beautiful! Only God! I love how everything the enemy meant for evil and harm, God uses for His glory if we allow Him to. Part two reveals His grace, love, restoration, and healing!

  • Wow-I always knew there was something extra special about you and now I see a little bit more into why. Thank you for sharing what you’ve shared thus far. Incredibly powerful testimony and genuine to the core.

    • Rachael you are so sweet and so kind. I still have the earrings you made for me. That gift was from you heart and it truly touched my heart. You are a beautiful and amazing woman. I am glad that we are sisters in Christ and get to hang out for eternity! I love you girl!

    • God can sure take a bunch of mess and make one amazing story out of it. I am so grateful today to be free in Him!!! Thank you for taking the time to read part 1 and commenting. Blessings to you…Dianne

  • Knowing Dianne personally–I’m pretty much speechless for appropriate words that can describe the EXTRAORDINARY SUPERNATURAL RESTORATION that Jesus has done in her and for her–she is absolutely a NEW creation in Christ, and a wonderful friend and sister in Christ to me! Thank you (!!!) Dianne and Melony for so boldly sharing your victorious story, so that many others can be greatly encouraged.

    Jesus’ heart of love and forgiveness is the SAME toward every person (Rom 2:11), and since He did such mighty things for Dianne, He greatly desires to do the same great miracles for anyone else who’s reading! Just say “Amen, Jesus!” =)

    • Amanda I love you! You are such a wonderful friend and sister to me! You are such an amazing teacher of the Gospel…The GOOD news! I have received and continue to receive so much from you. Your commitment to sharing and teaching God’s Word is amazing. You are relentless. If anyone is in the Marietta area and would like to learn more about our wonderful, gracious, loving Father, you are welcome to come to Amanda’s Bible study at the Marietta library off the square on Monday nights at 7. You can go to http://www.freelyforgivenforever.com to find out more.

  • Dianne, you have an incredible testimony of God’s unrelenting love in your life. I am so encouraged, to the point of tears.

    • Thank you Bridget! You are so precious! I feel so blessed and honored that Melony wanted to share my journey. I love what the enemy meant for harm, God took and used for His glory! I am so grateful today that His love is unrelenting! His love is everything! After having an encounter with LOVE/GOD…everything in my life changed! Our Papa is amazing and I thank Jesus continually for the finished work of the Cross! All I can say is…Only God! 🙂

  • Dianne, what courage you have. I know your confession brings you healing. I pray it helps others find release from the grips of Satan.

    • Jennifer, I want you know that I am eternally grateful for you. You were a “key player” used in God’s plan to redeem, deliver, restore, and heal me. I don’t even want to think about what life would have looked like without you being a part of it. I love you!

  • I am soooo glad we got you two hooked up! Your story needs to be shared, Dianne! There are so many lost and hurt and abused and emotionally scarred girls and women out there that need an exit and need a glimpse of hope! But you are more than a glimpse of hope–you are a light of rescue and restoration in a dark place! I love you!

    • Kiera you made me cry! I love you so much and I’m so grateful for our friendship! You are such an inspiration and light to all! You continually inspire me. I am so grateful that God divinely hooked us up and that you are a part of my life! Let’s Rock it here and in eternity 🙂 <3

  • HELP!!! I’m stuck at the cliff-hanger. I can’t figure out how to,get to part 2 So I can read about the redeeming power of Christ through your story.!

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Looped Like a Cassette Tape

Looped Like a Cassette Tape

When the majority of couples say I do, their intentions are to stick together for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Divorce is the last thing on their minds when they seal their

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3 Responses to Looped Like a Cassette Tape

  • Wonderful story with such powerful encouraging words!

  • She tried hard to keep them together. It goes to show you that it takes both partners to make a marriage work. Each giving 100%. I’m glad she replaced all this sadness with putting God in her life.

  • You are a brave woman, Jenna! I am SO PROUD of you!

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Chasing My Dr. House

Chasing My Dr. House

The phone call regarding her dad being transported to the hospital with chest pains happened a few hours after the headache that started Cara* down a path she’s still on today – 8 years later. Thankfully, her dad recovered from

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4 Responses to Chasing My Dr. House

  • Cara – I relate to your story. I too have chronic pain. Like you, I made a choice to lean on God’s grace to complete His purpose for my life. I’m so glad that you have set boundaries and margin for your day. You are an overcomer – thanks for sharing your story!

  • Cara,

    Philippians 4:6-7 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

    Wow, what strength, and trust, and your overall optimistic view on life speaks volumes about you.
    During our darkest days, we tend to give up or throw in the towel, and turn away from our faith.
    I’m so touched by your ability to push through and still see God as your savior. You are the true definition of an OVERCOMER. I’m so glad you shared your story, and I wish you continued strength. I pray your pain or what ever God’s plan is for you continues to give you the courage to make the journey.
    God Bless,
    Angie Thomsen
    Overcomer

  • I hope that you can get relief from such intense pain. It is amazing that you have chosen to not let this completely limit your life. Hopefully more research in this area will bring an answer. God bless you. Glenda

  • This is an amazing story of enduring faith. I cannot imagine living with severe head pain for any length of time, let alone eight years.

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An Orphan Heart

An Orphan Heart

 

Maureen while in the gang

Maureen while in the gang

Studies are replete linking gang involvement with children from dysfunctional families. Gangs prey on individuals who lack self-esteem, strong father figures, and family closeness.

Looking back, Maureen* agrees she fit the profile to a

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6 Responses to An Orphan Heart

  • This is a testimony that would be beneficial to so many woman. Thank you for sharing.

  • Knowing several young girls who are in similar situations, this story gives me renewed hope for them! Thank you for sharing your life story!

  • Isn’t it amazing what we’ll do for acceptance. She’s an true miracle of God. Thanks Mel

  • What courage strength.. thanks for sharing this story..
    So many people can benefit from this amazing story of overcoming

  • Beautiful testimony!??? The Love of our Lord Jesus is truly “Amazing Grace”

  • I’m glad that Maureen realized that her life was not going in the right direction. I’m also glad she found a Godly man to help her through life.

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Redeeming Love

Redeeming Love

 

As Alyssa* shared her story with me, I couldn’t help but think of Francine Rivers’ book. It should have been no surprise when at the end of the interview, I asked if any books had impacted her during her

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6 Responses to Redeeming Love

  • Mel- awesome article! Alyssa is an inspiration for all, she is such a testimony about how God pursues us, even when we don’t want (or don’t think we want) Him to. God is awesome, so is Twyla!

  • Thank you for sharing Alyssa’s overcoming story! Redeeming Love is one of my favorite books and I highly recommend it.

    Well written and very encouraging to me – saved by God’s grace.

    Blessings, Maureen

  • Like many, I have read hundreds of wonderful books over the years, and when anyone asks what’s my favorite, I always respond with Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love. Everyone should read! So proud of you Alyssa, one day at a time, overcoming so many challenges, living in His redeeming love. God Bless and thank you for sharing your story.

  • Wow! Great testimony! Thanks for sharing your story!

  • Kristi, Maureen, Cindy, and Shannon,

    Thanks for encouraging Alyssa! She is an amazing overcomer!

  • Wow, what an incredible journey she’s been through. Thanks for sharing! Redeeming Love is one of my favorite books!!

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