I experienced God's love in my life when He answered my prayer and brought me my amazing husband and awesome stepsons, but He wasn't done yet.

I was raised in a very alcohol-addicted household. Everything was about alcohol. Whether it was just another day or event, alcohol was always involved. Of course, that brought a lot of issues, such as physical abuse & domestic violence. "Forgive and forget" was the motto growing up, and no matter what happens, "Family sticks together." I began to notice myself creating the same habit of alcohol in my life as an adult. Every day, for any reason at all, I drank. It caused problems in my friendships, my marriage, and my ability to parent as a new stepparent.

I always knew I needed to walk away from this lifestyle and place rigid boundaries with my parents. I couldn't do this alone. I couldn't quit drinking, and I couldn't walk away from them. I had tried many times and failed. It would only be through God's love & guidance that I would find freedom.

While my husband was at military training out of state, I visited with my parents alone after they had already had plenty to drink. Conversations escalated quickly, and I was physically attacked. Regardless of how used to it I was, it was the scariest situation I had ever experienced. When the police arrived, one of the officers sat me down and asked me, "Has this ever happened before?" And I replied with pain in my voice and defeat in my heart, "Many times throughout my life, sir." At that moment, I felt a peace speaking with this officer as he replied to me, "Please do me a favor, do not ever come back here because I do not want to have to deliver you to your husband in a body bag next time." I felt the immediate confirmation of a decision I had struggled with my whole life. This was to break away from my relationship with my parents, which affected every part of my life negatively. I knew at that moment that God had used this officer to minister to me when I needed direction with the most significant decision to strengthen my walk with God.

I am happy to say, since then, I have entirely committed my life to Christ. I decided to get baptized and serve at Legacy Church Rio Rancho Campus. I have allowed Jesus to heal me. I have recovered from the traumas of my upbringing, overcome the addiction to alcohol, and I have become a better wife, parent, friend, and businesswoman. Not only has God blessed me, but He has blessed my family as a whole. Legacy Church has genuinely changed my life by giving me an open door to fully experience God's love.

In my healing, I have now been able to forgive my parents for everything I experienced, and I pray daily for their Salvation. God is GOOD, and I know if He can bring me out of that life and pain, He can bring my parents out as well. He can heal anyone who calls on HIM!