A Grateful Heart

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Amy says, “I am grateful for Open Door Mission because it has given me direction, encouragement, and strength.”

Amy grew up in a typical home as the youngest of three. Her mom re-married when Amy was two. They enjoyed traditional family times like Thanksgiving and Easter with lots of food and their mom still makes Easter baskets for them.

However at thirteen, Amy was introduced to alcohol which sent her into a cycle of missing school and trying to play catch up. “When I started skipping school, it just got easier and easier to miss and the further behind I got in my education,” she explains. By the age of fifteen, Amy started using marijuana and by twenty, she was using meth. Her parents tried to help her, but the harder they tried the further away she went. 

Amy’s life continued in this pattern until one day her parents locked the door and someone called Child Protective Services. “I am glad they called,” Amy said. In January of this year, she was living in a one-bedroom bug infested apartment with five other people. “It showed me what I did not want to become,” she stated. Her caseworker referred her to Open Door Mission. Amy was happy that the Mission focuses on God.

A Reason for Thanksgiving

Open Door Mission taught Amy that she is a child of God and that He loves her. The Lydia House staff helped her find different tools and ways to handle situations, focus on her self-worth, and see what Jesus has done. 

Not only has Open Door Mission helped Amy establish her identity in Christ, but the Mission has helped her develop goals for the future as well. “Open Door Mission is very uplifting and I am grateful for the opportunity to care for myself and my four children. I enjoy sending the message that there is hope and a better life without drugs and alcohol,” Amy says.

Amy recently received a special text from her sister, ‘I am so happy to have my sister back!’ Amy is looking forward to being clean and sober this Thanksgiving. She is able to go home and enjoy her family because of volunteers and donors like you. Your gift of time and talent provided a way for Amy to walk in an attitude of gratitude this Thanksgiving season.

Submitted by Tara Rye
Open Door Mission Volunteer

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” ~Colossians 2:6-7