I am a child of a broken home. When I was 2, my parents divorced. The younger kids stayed with my mom, while the older siblings left. In kindergarten, my mom took us younger kids to my dad's home for what we thought was a weekend visit. It turned into nearly 5 years. My dad was a trucker and gone most of the time. This left us home with my step mom and her 2 kids. During this time there was a lot of verbal and emotional abuse that occurred. In addition, beginning in kindergarten, I was sexually abused by my uncle that continued until I came to The Father's Ranch... nearly 14 years. I tried many escapes to mask the pain including smoking, drinking, binging and purging food, and as a final resort, suicide. The Lord however, had other plans for me. I saw The Father's Ranch as my last hope.

I arrived at The Father's Ranch on June 1st, and on June 16th the Lord graciously and mercifully showed me my sin, depravity, hopelessness and my need for a Savior. I became a new creation! (2 Cor. 5:17) He has given me a new heart that can love and be loved. He has made me His temple. He has given me a hunger for His Word. Lastly, I am actually living now! I have been alive for over 19 years, but I wasn't really living. I was mute, simply going through the motions day in and day out living in sin. Now I am actually living! I have joy from God and His Peace that surpasses all understanding. I have been drug/medicine free for over a year and doing better than ever.

The Lord has taught me 2 major things while being here at The Father's Ranch. First, He taught me about forgiveness. He taught me what it is, why it is important, and how to do it. He has allowed me to experience His forgiveness and to give forgiveness. I have forgiven my uncle with God's guidance and help. What is most phenomenal to me is that He has allowed me to forgive without any anger or resentment! Secondly, He has taught me that there is a purpose to my life. Always, I am to glorify God in whatever I do. All I do is to the glory and praise of God my Father through Jesus Christ! I am now on the path to doing this.

---Dorothy