There are three areas in my life that the enemy has used to try to take me out; I am the daughter of addicts, I was an addict, and I have loved an addict. It is in these areas that have broken me the most and it is in these areas that God has given me a wonderful testimony of his love, healing, and power. I was fortunate to be raised by my grandparents. However, not having my parents in my life as they should have left me with a void in my life as a child. I was hurt and I didn’t feel loved or wanted. That pain then turned into anger to protect my heart. Carrying this hurt as a child led to me trying to fill that void with the things of the world as a young teenager and then followed me into my adulthood. I chased men and sexual conduct to feel loved and when that didn’t fill the void I turned to drugs. My journey with drugs started in the 9th grade. By my senior year, I had been addicted to meth for two years. However, because I was able to graduate 23rd in my class with every color rope you could earn around my neck, no one knew I had a problem. This carried on into my adulthood. I eventually stopped using meth but continued using marijuana, alcohol, and pills. I was a functioning addict. I was able to raise my children, continue in college to earn my Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Gardner-Webb University, and had a wonderful career managing group homes for adults with disabilities. I was able to maintain this lifestyle for so long that I thought I had it all together. Proverbs 14:12 says that “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” I was headed towards death. I was married and the marriage was a very abusive marriage. I suffered multiple types of abuse in this marriage for 7 years. I finally left the marriage with a bag of my clothes and started over. Because I was still filling voids with the world, I quickly got involved in another abusive relationship. There were times when I was sure I wouldn’t make it out alive. Once again, I turned to the old habit of using meth. I ended up losing my career, losing my home, and losing custody of two of my children. On January 3, 2017, I failed a drug test with the court that then ordered no contact with my children. I had hit rock bottom. Soon after that I ended up in Rutherford County Detention Center due to failure to appear on pending charges. I went in on March 16, 2017. Seven days later Kriss Landry with Abounding Grace Ministry came in to do her weekly Bible study with the women inmates. God had sat me down in that jail cell away from what I like to call the hustle, rustle, and bustle of the world so that I could hear His call to me. On March 23, 2017, I heard that call and surrendered my life to Him. I have not looked back since. On January 3, 2024, I celebrated my 7 years of deliverance from all substances! Praise God! All the glory goes to Him!

The three areas of my life that have affected me the most negatively is being the daughter of addicts, being an addict, and loving an addict. I was raised by my grandparents due to my parents being addicts. This left me hurt as a child. That hurt left s void in me that followed me into my teen years and adulthood. This led to drug addiction. I was addicted to meth and marijuana, although I would do any drug in front of me. I was able to hide my addiction for years when I wasn't doing meth. I raised a family, graduated from college, and was managing group homes. The marriage I was in was very abusive. In 2014 I packed a bag of clothes and left. I shortly after got into another relationship where I was physically abused to the point that I thought I was going to die. I once again turned to meth use. It didn't take long for my life to spiral out of control. In 2016 I had lost my career, lost my home and was homeless, and had lost custody of two of my children. I had hit my rock bottom when a court ordered me no contact with my children due to me failing a drug test for the court. Shortly after I ended up in jail. I remained in jail for 35 days. It was the worst thing to me then but I now know it saved my life. In jail there is a women's ministry, Abounding Grace Ministry, that comes in to do weekly Bible studies. On March 23, 2017 I surrendered my life to Christ. In the next few weeks God revealed to me Jeremiah 29:11 that says, " I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for a future and hope. He also revealed to me reunification for me and my children. I got out of jail and have stayed the course. I just recently celebrated my 7 years of deliverance from drugs and alcohol! After jail, I got a job that has turned into a career at a local nursing home. I also got a home and my family relationships have been restored! It took me three years to get custody back of my children. I have now had full custody of my children back for going on 5 years! I am now involved in ministry work that involves going into the jails to share my testimony with other women. I also am involved in a nonprofit that provides free emotional and mental health counseling for those in addiction. I am pursuing a master's degree in Addiction and Recovery Counseling. This degree will be used to reach those who need help in my community. I am asking to receive this scholarship to help me along this journey. I continue to work full-time time and raise three children as a single mother. I appreciate your time and consideration for this scholarship.