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2016: The Year That My Foundation was Set |
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My story starts at the end of 2015. Up until then I was on drugs and homeless with 3 kids. I know what you’re thinking — typical start—but bear with me. At that time I lived my life for me, everything revolved around my high. God wasn’t even a thought in my head. If I heard someone saying that name I was like—who is that guy?
One night I got into it with my boyfriend, we were hitting each other, yelling and engulfed in a drug stupor. The cops were called and they separated us, but I was too out of it to speak. I was placed in the back seat of the cop car and told they had to get to the bottom of what was going on.
When the door of the cop car shut, I looked up and saw my 3 kids walking out with the cops. It dawned on me that they had been asleep in a tent in the backyard. I thought at that moment that I was losing my kids. I knew it was a matter of time until things caught up with me, so I was ok with going to jail and was not going to put up a fight. I felt like maybe my kids deserved to be taken away. At that moment a cop came up to the window and said, “We are going to take you home, your daughter told us where you live.” When he walked away I knew exactly what I had to do. Nothing has ever been so clear to me in my life. Looking back, I know God spoke to me that day. I needed to leave that relationship. Within days I was on a train and I haven’t been back since.
My Aunt had told me about Sheepfold and at first I refused to go. I was still having thoughts of getting high and wasn’t ready to make that commitment or go to a place that was going to teach me about God. Sometime later, my Aunt again called the Sheepfold and found out there was an opening. I decided go.
When I arrived at Sheepfold it was nice, the staff was welcoming, and I was impressed with the room and “real” beds for my family.
The first 6 months were hard for me, I had a problem with the rules and with authority. I still thought about using drugs every day but I didn’t. During this time, the House Managers and staff continued to show me grace, to love me and pray with and for me.
One night I ended up going to a prayer service where people prayed for me and laid hands on me and it was then that I finally accepted Jesus in my heart. I felt the bad leaving my body and God touching me. It felt like feathers on my face. I have accepted the consequences of my past and since then everything has fallen into place.
I have finally let my wall down and am able to be open with others. I can accept when I am being told “No.” Before everything had to go my way. I see so many blessings happening in my life. I don’t feel stress or anger like I used to.
I see such a change in my kids. They even want to pray for others. When we are out and about they now understand that we can’t always get everything we want and it is ok just to window shop. They are more understanding, well behaved and the older ones are doing much better in school. The older kids and I were baptized together at a Sheepfold event and it is a day I will never forget.
This has been the hardest but best year ever for me. I feel very ready to go out on my own. Every conversation and every Bible study has prepared me for what is ahead and I am forever grateful!
- Lisa, Sheepfold Resident
Shop or donate new or gently used goods at:
Sheepfold Boutique
810 N Tustin Street
Orange CA 92867
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