I was placed into a private Christian school in the Seattle area for my education where I learned about God, but I never believed in Him. It was just information to know for testing in order to get a grade. It was never Truth to me. I know that many people can probably testify that storms come in all shapes and sizes and at various times in our lives. There were storms that came into my life also.

When I was in 3rd grade my cousins began to sexually abuse me which continued on until the end of my 8th grade year. When I entered the 7th grade my brother began to rape me as well. This continued until the end of my 8th grade year, and again through my sophomore and junior year of high school. I searched for many foundations in which to find comfort and stability through the storms. At the beginning of my 7th grade year I began to drink alcohol and do drugs which only provided temporary relief. By the end of my 8th grade year I was drinking as much as I could, cutting myself, doing drugs, and finally, I attempted suicide. At that time it became known that my brother had been raping me and we were both put into counseling for about a year. My mother also began to drop us off at church where we eventually got involved with a youth group. I began to play the church game. Not long after my sophomore year my brother began to abuse me again. I then started drinking again to find relief. I continued to attend church, all the while living a life of immorality. I searched for stability and relief in immoral relationships with men, illicit drugs, and mind-numbing alcohol. In August of 2004 I again attempted suicide. I spent 10 days in a psychiatric ward where I was completely hopeless and at my all time low. The storms had come, my foundation had washed away, and my house had crashed.

When I was discharged from the hospital I, along with a few friends, began to search for a place where I could get help. The Lord directed our search to The Father's Ranch and He brought me there. I came to The Father's Ranch bitter, angry, unforgiving and broken. There have been many things the Lord has taught me at the Ranch. He graciously brought me to my knees in submission to Him as Savior and Lord of my life. He has shown me not only that I am forgiven of much through His blood, but also because I have been forgiven; I can now forgive others too. Forgiveness was a huge lesson for me during that year. I can honestly say that I have forgiven my brother, my cousins, and my father. I also am thankful to God for all that He has placed in my past because it eventually brought me into a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Christ was in control and sovereign over the storm on the Sea of Galilee, I know that He is sovereign over all the storms of my past, present and future. And I know that ALL things will work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. He has become my salvation, my Rock and foundation. I thank you for your time to hear how God has changed my life.

---Jennifer