One of the most difficult things to do in life is recognize and believe that where you are today isn’t where you want to be, and where you are tomorrow is a choice. There is a quality of life that we want for ourselves and our family and with hope we can achieve our goals. Many people have struggled emotionally and physically in life and with the current economy are struggling financially. Every once in awhile, you hear of a story of someone that has passed all odds and made it through to the other side. It motivates us, it inspires us, and the story makes us want to do better for ourselves. In my darkest moments I thought I felt alone and looking back I now know I never was. There was always someone with me and helped me survive. I recognized and learned about my faith in Christ and accepted him in my heart. With this story of how I started out in life and where I am today is hopefully an inspiration to everyone looking to make a change in their life and realize that we are never truly alone.
I was born in Germany and started my struggle at the age of five. At least, that is the first memory I have of how I came to live in the first orphanage. My father was an alcoholic and was the textbook example of abuse. He tormented my mother physically and emotionally to what seemed to be a daily way of life. My mother escaped the clutches of abuse and divorced my father. Vulnerable and alone, my mother fell in love with a man that she married very soon after her divorce. Unconceivable to most minds, my step father and I did not see eye to eye on anything, even though I was only 5 years old. He posed the ultimatum to my mother: she was to put me up for adoption and send me to an orphanage immediately. Feeling like, what I can only believe now, was a feeling of being trapped; she dropped me off and promised to come back for me as soon as possible. It was only temporary. It was only for awhile. She never returned.
European orphanages were not recognized as a meaningful resource to spend any sort of funds or educational standards. Movies like Oliver Twist won academy awards for an interpretation of the horrible life of young orphans which was a glorified fairytale of what really goes on. I dressed in rags, barely enough to eat and was forced to cope with my fears alone. With bars on the windows and the feeling of being held captive it was the only way to deter any rebellion or will to run away at night. Thieves and gangs preyed on the young orphaned victims to become doers of their ill will with the promise of belonging to something….anything.
By the age of eighteen, I survived the torments of my young mind, alcoholism, drugs, relocation to several different orphanages for suicide attempts, gang affiliation and the ability to leave those perilous people. I was a survivor after 3 stays in Intensive Care for suicide attempts and 3 other occasions for drug and alcohol poisoning. It was right then and there that I felt a presence and a comfort deep within me. I knew I wasn’t alone and Christ was all around me. I felt inspired, refreshed and safe. It was finally time to obtain my ability to leave the clutches of the system and be free to start a new life in society. I was involved with a very sinister gang affiliation and had been wanting to leave for some time. The fear they instill in you was the fear of death. Members did not just leave and that fear was in branded in mind. When I left the hospital the new inspiration and comfort I felt led me straight to gang leader and I told him I found Christ in my heart and I needed to leave. I looked him straight in the eyes and I didn’t even blink. He looked at me for what seemed like an eternity, pointed to the door and said, “Your out.” I left and never looked back.
I was in a relationship and soon after we were pregnant. We were married and with the will and desire to give my family all of the love and benefits I never had, I had to leave the memories behind every building and stone wall around me and make a fresh start. We decided to make the move to America. With my English barely in place, two bags, my guitar and only a few dollars in my pocket we left with every bit of excitement of what the future might have in store for us.
We lived in Michigan and soon had another child. I kept thinking about my past and the thought of not knowing whatever became of my brother and sisters and the thought was tormenting me. Did they know I was OK? Did they know I was even alive? I decided to try and find them. With what seemed to be a never ending search I found my oldest sister. She was so happy to hear from me and my brother, whom I remembered the most, was at her home when I called. I wanted to talk to him but he was in a hurry and on his way out and said he would call me the next day. He said he was so excited to talk to me and couldn’t wait for the call tomorrow. He was killed that night leaving my sisters in a motorcycle accident. I will always regret not trying harder to find him sooner, not having the chance to talk to him and his loss is a burden I will always carry. There is a truth to treating each day like it is your last, make the call or you might not be given the same luxury tomorrow. Today is your choice.
Over 90% of the children I grew up with were killed, overdosed on drugs, committed suicide or in jail. I needed to make a change in my life and I needed to do something for no one else but me. It wasn’t until I had accepted Christ that I felt truly free and empowered to make a change. I had done some modeling and appeared in a few movies although I decided I wanted to make a drastic change in my physical being. I began working out and learning about nutrition. My boys were fighting in Iraq and it was the only distraction that kept me sane while the boys were away with sometimes no word for several months. With fitness and fitness modeling, I found myself feeling better than I ever did in my twenties. It was my way of turning back the clock and giving myself another chance. Another shot at life. A choice. I have appeared on many fitness and training websites and have reached my goal weights. This time around I am putting my story out there as an inspiration to others that anything is possible and everything you see around you was once just someone’s dream. Whether your goals are to improve yourself physically, emotionally or financially it all starts with the same first step…today. With my boys safely returned and a new day to fulfill my dreams, I feel blessed. I am never alone.
Hope Springs Eternal.
TESTIMONIALS:
Posted 09.16.09
I asked for provision for a very large debt to be completely paid off. I recently learned that the company was based on and received their healing power from a source that doesn’t align with Jesus Christ. Since this I asked for the Lord to cut this financial soul tie.
Since I have been unemployed for 15 months, to see God do this was a miracle and a blessing. He Did It!!
We prayed and within a couple of weeks He provided the full amount and the tie was broken. Praise You Jesus!
Thanks you for being faithful in believing and praying with us.
Deb S.
Posted 07.28.09
As a member of the Job Creation Team I was asked if I could support the check in desk on the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday of the Month for the Provision Room. I have been in between contracts and have not worked since January 2 nd and thought -- sure I can do that.
Janet on our Team showed me what was needed and so off we went. She also asked me my situation and I told her I hadn’t worked for over 6 months. She said I needed to come in and get prayed for. I said no it was already about 9:30 but she said yes, we need to do this.
As a child in Bible School I had seen some healing by the Holy Spirit but that was a long time ago.
Being unemployed has some natural emotional associations and I am not immune to them. Feelings of guilt, shame and for me thoughts about if my brain is still capable rush in and out of my mind. I am a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor. We were traveling down I-5 in California about 1:00 AM headed for the Grand Canyon when a 18 wheeler hit us twice in the same 60 seconds. Unfortunately I had just removed my seat belt so that I could go to sleep. The first time it hit us my head hit the dash and broke my Jaw and a number of teeth. The second time it hit us my head went through the windshield. In essence I had a fractured skull, my nose was disconnected from my cranial and virtually every bone on the right side of my face was broken, including the Jaw. The 18 wheeler kept going down the road.
The first time I saw the neurologist he said I had a few more weeks to go before he would be sure that I would not wake up a vegetable. He stated I would have brain damage, but it was too early to determine the extent of it.
So I walked into the provision room and Laura said “Ok shut the door I am already getting something”. She said she was seeing colors compartmentalized in my brain, that God Loved the way I think. That God Loved the way he made me. That God has given me wisdom and loves (actually Loves) the way my brain works (WOW!!). The ladies prayed over me and said that I am worthy! That any one that ever said I wasn’t was wrong. They said I was tired and needed to rest in the Lord’s Chambers. That He so much Loved me That I have given and given and that now was the time to rest and allow the Lord to fill me up and give to me.
All of this was stated without me explaining anything to these magnificent, gracious Women.
Then Michelle quoted Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
It was the most uplifting affirmation I could have received. My soul so needed to hear everything these precious Women spoke to me. I thank God I had a Tuesday night free and that the Holy Spirit lives at the Rock Church.
Donna Logan
Posted 07.28.09
Hi all ...
Wanted to share this testimony. God is faithful and provides and loves us!
I have been living with my cousin and his family in Parker since the 1st of April after leaving the apartment. It has been a temporary gig and such a blessing! Went to Indiana for the summer praying about where to go next. Over the summer God would tell me to just rest ... so I rested, declared the Word (Psalm 23:1 specifically and others), and trusted in Him ...
When I got back just last week ... Danielle S. from the Rock (friend of mine) tells me she has a story for me. She proceeds that on July 1st at 1am God woke her up with my name. She prays a bit and heads back to bed. Next day God tells her to offer her extra bed/bath to me. She doesn't believe God while leaves for AK for a business and family trip. Her parents talk to her about having a roommate. She proceeds "nope, I just don't think I'm to have one..." Three times (once in April, May, and June) three people approach her to live with her, she turns them all down and doesn't have peace about any of them. She gets back from AK on July 10th - around that time I post on Facebook if anyone has a bed/bath rental idea for me. That night on the 10th the Lord tells Danielle to get on FB and check out my post. She talks to God and thinks 'nah, Laura didn't post anything'. God tells her to again! She does and lo and behold there is my post. She knew it was God. He worked it out without me even knowing about any of it!! He had been impressing me on her for about two weeks. And here she offered to me ... I didn't even ask beforehand. Provision. Faithfulness. Love. Promises. Favor. Plans. It's for us His kids!
So, God loves us and provides. He is always working on our behalf and I am reminded that truly like it says in Romans -- all things work together for the good of those who love HIM and are called according to His purpose! Amen.
Receive the testimony that God will work things out for you too!
Laura
Posted 06.09.09
I really should have thought about volunteering for the Job Creation team. I really didn’t think I would have to walk this road when we began this journey.
I am an accountant and a partner in Office Ducks. We are a small business development company specializing in business plans, systems, marketing plans and bookkeeping. I am also a partner in Rags To Roses, a non-profit organization created to support single mothers by creating jobs, offering Biblical teaching, resources and fellowship.
From March 24 through April 5th, Office Ducks lost two of its biggest clients representing 95% of my income. God is so faithful to new doors when old ones close.
A few months ago I contacted KLOVE radio regarding advertising for Rags To Roses. I left two voice mail messages and figured if it was God I they would call me back. They returned my call and offered 5 spots per day over a ten day period at no charge. The ads ran from May 17th through May 27th.
At the same time I was contacting KLOVE, I was surfing the internet looking for other radio advertising opportunities. I came across a company BID4SPOTS. I wanted a sample of their prices and was completing their online registration process. I felt like it was too many questions so I went to another site. A few minutes later I received a phone call from BID4SPOTS. At first I thought it was a sales person, but it was the company’s CEO who is able to see the information of people registering on their site. He had visited the Rags To Roses site and was interested in what we are doing. He introduced us to a couple who produce radio spots. They produced and gave us 25 spots on various stations nationwide, all at no charge.
I recently contacted a professional women’s organization I belong to and asked if there were any marketing opportunities for Rags To Roses. It just so happens that they will send a mass email to the 70,000 members, at no charge.
From the radio advertising, we’ve heard from 92 single mothers who are looking for work. We’ve talked to many of them, prayed with some and began an online teaching/devotion to encourage these courageous women.
Through all this, I have experienced the amazing peace of God. I’ve experience His healing in my physical body as well as emotional healing of past hurts and fears. As I’ve drawn closer to Him I realize that no matter the outcome, this journey has been priceless.
I wanted to share with you how The Rock's Employment Program has impacted my families life. We have been members of The Rock for about eleven months, and the church body has welcomed us with open hearts. After moving to Castle Rock from California I was employed by a mid-size construction company in Longmont Colorado. I was Operation Director for 3 1/2 months before being unexpectedly laid off. Previous to moving to Colorado I was unemployed for 8 months in the same industry. It was a big blow being employed for such a short period of time after moving her. I have applied for a countless number of jobs, and had been hired by another small construction company in Paker. I was hired on a Tuesday, and was laid off on the following Monday. Thing for the last five months could of been a time of great despair. I had a lot of time for reflection on my past, and a great opportunity to draw near to my family, and to our Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. I have been patiently waiting, and seeking God's guidance in my unemployment situation. When Pastor JR announced that the The Rock was developing a job creation team, it was exciting to see how my family at church was providing for it's body. I was offered a job from a dear friend of mine, and a brother in Christ, at Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Company. I was so relieved to have the opportunity to begin to provide for my family again. The position was not like anything I had done before, and the pay was not very desirable, but it gave me an opportunity to get back in the work place. I have been working for the company for less then a month, and have been ask to step into a management roll with a substantial raise. I love the people I work with, and have had the opportunity to share the word of God with my co-workers. It's funny how things work out sometimes, when you humble yourself before our Lord. So I wanted to write this quick testimony, for all the men, and women of my family at The Rock. Don't give up hope, God has plan's for all of his children in this season.
Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to provide for my family.
Remembering the Promises of God are like the rudder to a ship. Reviewing them sets the direction for my whole life. Praise you Lord!
