Another Mercy Graduate Now College Grad!

To continue on from Wednesday’s blog, I just received another graduation announcement from Valerie today. Valerie graduated from Mercy in 2005, and is now graduating from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio with a BS in Nursing! I am so proud of Valerie and all that she has accomplished!! Soon, Valerie will be taking the National Board Exam that will license her as a Registered Nurse. Please join with me in praying for Valerie as she prepares to take this exam and as she begins to pursue a career in nursing.

I am so excited to celebrate this great accomplishment with Valerie! Way to go, girl!

Have a great weekend!

Nancy

Three Mercy Grads Now College Graduates!!

One of the things that we always emphasize to the girls who go through the Mercy program is our desire to see them further their education. I am so proud to tell you about three beautiful young women that have just notified me in the last couple of weeks about their college graduations – Bethany Solomon, Tina Brown, and Devin Donohue.

I just received this great graduation announcement from Bethany Solomon letting me know that she will be graduating from the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine on Thursday, May 13th. I had the privilege of visiting Bethany on the Texas A&M campus about three years ago when I was in the area. We had dinner together and then went to a basketball game – it was so fun! I am so proud of Bethany and how she is using her training to even go on mission’s trips overseas to help those who are less fortunate. It has been our joy to sponsor her on the mission’s trips that she has taken through Texas A&M since graduating from Mercy in 2006. When Bethany was in the program, she used to take care of Jude, our Mercy dog. I couldn’t resist scanning this announcement that shows Bethany with her white veterinary coat on – so exciting!!! It’s so fun to see her dreams coming true. Not only is she graduating, but she will also be getting married in June to a wonderful Godly young man that I had the chance to meet and approve of (ha!). Congratulations, Bethany! I am so proud of you on both of these accomplishments!

I also want to brag on another graduate named Tina Brown, also a Mercy graduate from 2006. Tina just sent me an announcement letting me know that she is graduating from John Brown University and will be attending graduate school at Richmont University in Atlanta where she will be pursuing her Masters in Counseling Psychology. It is so cool to me that Tina has chosen to go into counseling and psychology based on her own personal experience and the issues she had to so courageously face during her time at Mercy. I know she will be a great counselor! Way to go, Tina! I am so very proud of you!

Last but not least, I want to tell you about a beautiful young woman, Devin Donohue, who graduated from Mercy in 2007. Devin just graduated from Sullivan University with an Associate degree in Marketing Management. Devin has recently started her own photography business, Legacy Photography, where she is already able to put her degree to work! Devin also plans to do some traveling now that she is finished with school and hopes to go on a mission’s trip soon! Well done, Devin! I am so proud of you!

Please pray for God’s continued blessings over them as they transition into this next season of life. I am so excited to celebrate Bethany, Tina, and Devin on their awesome accomplishments!!!

Have a great night!

Featured Newspaper Article on Mercy Graduate!

Today, I want to share with you about a young lady named Kaitlen who graduated from Mercy Ministries in 2004. The change in her life is absolutely amazing!!! On Saturday, there was an article on the front page of the Nashville Tennessean featuring Kaitlen. Please take the time to read her story, and feel free to leave a comment. We are so very proud of her and I know you will be too when you read all that she has overcome!

We are especially grateful for the couple, Allen and Melanie, who chose to take Kaitlen in as their very own daughter after she graduated from Mercy. Their paths crossed through the local church Kaitlen chose to be a part of, and because of all they have done for her, Kaitlen’s life is forever changed. Mercy got to play a part in her life early on, but this couple has made such a difference in her life that I wanted to give them a shout out along with Kaitlen who has courageously overcome so much. It reminds me of the scripture where the Apostle Paul talks about how some plant and some water, but God gives the increase. We know that Kaitlen’s future is so very bright!!! I am so proud of you Kaitlen!!

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100424/NEWS04/4240339/After-dark-childhood-Fulbright-scholar-finds-her-own-light

Graduates Pay a Special Visit to Mercy!

Yesterday we had a graduation at our Nashville location, and three of our graduates from the past showed up to help us celebrate. I am so very proud of all three of these beautiful young women! We actually took the time to get a photograph together after the graduation, so these three girls are pictured here with me. I wanted to share it with you so you could so how beautiful they are and how well they are doing.

Rachel D., Georgianna E., Nancy, and Jackie C.

I was so touched yesterday when each of these girls took the time to encourage our Nashville staff and residents with their great stories. I want to take the time to highlight one of the girl’s stories for you, Georgianna E. Tears literally streamed down our faces as Georgianna shared with us that it was exactly one year to the day that she graduated from the Nashville home. Then she proceeded to tell us that she had just flown into Nashville that morning from being at our California home the day before for a graduation there for someone she knew. The way she knew this girl is that a year ago, one day after she graduated from Mercy, she had the opportunity to tell another young women who was desperate and hurting about the Mercy program. This girl had lost all hope and was not wanting to live anymore. Because Georgianna took the time to share her life change with this girl, she made the decision to apply to Mercy and was one of the first girls accepted to the California home when it opened. Georgianna went there to be at the graduation of this young woman, and we were all so moved as she shared this with our staff and girls yesterday.

It never ceases to amaze me how God uses our graduates to touch the hearts of others. We call it the ripple effect! One life is changed, and then another and another and another. God is truly the God of multiplication. I hope you are as moved by this story as we were. Thanks for all your prayers and support. Have a great weekend!

Graduate Speaks Out about Nashville Run for Mercy

I just received the link to this awesome television interview that 2008 graduate, Tara, was featured on to promote the Nashville Run for Mercy this upcoming Saturday, April 24th. Tara shared some of her testimony and encouraged people to support this event! Tara is currently a sophomore at Belmont University studying Journalism. It is always so exciting to see former residents leave Mercy and pursue their dreams! I am so proud of Tara and thought you might want to see her interview for yourself. Check it out!

http://www.wsmv.com/video/23105265/index.html

If you are interested in knowing more about the Run for Mercy or would like to get involved, you can send an email to Nashville@mercyministries.com or visit the website at www.runformercy.org/nashvillecountrymusic.

Hope you have a great night!

UK Friends Steve and Charlotte Gambill Spend Day at Mercy…

Yesterday, I had the awesome privilege of hosting my dear friends from the UK, Steve and Charlotte Gambill, here at Mercy in Nashville. Steve and Charlotte are on staff at Abundant Life Church in Bradford, England and Charlotte also speaks at conferences all over the world. They have been close friends of mine for many years, and I always love getting to spend time with them!

The day started with Charlotte speaking to all the staff and girls. She shared about being a life-giver, through the words we speak and our attitudes! She gave the analogy of being a blood donor- when we give blood, we are helping give life to someone else. No one wants tainted blood! We are called to donate life to others, and not junk. When we are life-givers, we have the opportunity to release joy to others. Just as God breathes life into us, we are to turn and breathe life into those around us. Her message was so timely and encouraging for everyone.

Steve and Charlotte both spoke in the afternoon. While Charlotte did a leadership teaching to all our staff, Steve was in another part of the home encouraging our girls to build their lives on who Jesus is, and that as they follow Jesus, they will begin to see the impossible become possible. Charlotte spoke to the staff about counting the cost of everything we do and challenging us all to remember that the work we do is for a greater purpose – a Kingdom purpose.

Yesterday was an amazing time of ministry, but one of the highlights for me was getting to see Steve and Charlotte’s two kids, Hope (7) and Noah (4)! Hope even wanted to encourage the girls and staff a little bit herself telling everyone how beautiful they looked – she is so sweet! Noah, on the other hand, did not want to talk – ha! Overall, it was a great day and I thought you might like to see some pictures from our time together…

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Reconnecting with an Old Friend… Brownsville Revival Worship Leader Lindell Cooley Visits Mercy!

I wanted to share with you today about something really cool that happened yesterday at Mercy in our Nashville home. A dear friend from the past, Lindell Cooley, used to lead worship at my church (Christ Church) in Nashville in the early to mid 90’s. About a year after leaving Christ Church, Lindell became the worship leader at Brownsville Assembly of God Pensacola where history was made with a revival that lasted five consecutive years. This revival has been well-documented around the world, and many people were touched as they experienced for themselves this mighty move of God. Lindell now pastors a church in Nashville, Tennessee called Grace Church. His teaching was so powerful that I will not even begin to recount it, but I can honestly tell you that the teaching and the worship were life-changing. Perhaps I will tell you more about this later and even see if I can make a way for you to download the teaching to hear it for yourself! However, I wanted you to check out some of the pictures from our time together.

Hope you all have a great night!

Stephen and Candy LaFlora Visit Mercy in Nashville!

This morning, Stephen and Candy LaFlora took time out of their schedule to share with our girls! They have been in ministry for over 20 years working with Christian leaders such as Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, Hillsong, Delirious, and others, and are currently serving on Joyce Meyer’s Conference Tour. Candy led our residents in worship, and Stephen encouraged them to stay focused on their journey while here at Mercy and to not give up. It was an awesome time of ministry and many of the girls were touched by what Stephen and Candy had to share.

I thought you would like to see a couple of pictures from the LaFlora’s time here sharing with our girls…

I hope you all have a great week!!!

Australian Graduate Now on Staff in New Zealand…

I just received this very exciting update from one of our Australian graduates. It’s so amazing that not only is Bronwyn working on staff for Mercy Ministries in New Zealand, but she is also completing her PhD in Clinical Psychology.

Hi Nancy,

You may or may not remember me, but I am one of the graduates from the Sydney home. I've been working for Mercy Ministries in New Zealand for just over two years. I'm now finishing my PhD and am in my sixth year of training as a Clinical Psychologist.

Thank you, and thank you for your work... many young women, including myself, would not be living their lives free without your commitment to seeing a dream come true.

Love,
Bronwyn

No doubt God has big plans in store for Bronwyn. Her training and experience will be so valuable!

Graduate's Dream Comes True...

Arianne came to Mercy in 2007 with an eating disorder and struggling with self-harm. After graduating from the program, Arianne continued to pray for her dream of living in England to come true. I just received this awesome update from Arianne sharing how God is fulfilling her dreams…

Hi Nancy,

I wanted to update you on what God is currently doing in my life. It’s been almost 3 years since I graduated from Mercy. At times, I still can’t believe that God changed, delivered, and set me free!

Since I was very little, I’ve had a dream of living in England. Due to the hopelessness and issues that I was living in, I didn’t ever think my dreams would come to reality. I had crossed out all of my dreams. It wasn’t until I was at Mercy and Jane Hamon ministered to me. She said that God is the dream maker and wants to bring my dreams to pass. I immediately thought of my dream for England and since then, I’ve had hope that it would come to pass.

I’m SO excited to say that God is finally bringing this dream to reality! In April, I am going to Harpenden, UK to attend Youth With A Mission for a six month discipleship training school. During that time, I’ll be learning and doing outreach in England for three months and then outreach in another country for three months. Since God has renewed this dream in me, He has given me a passion for the lost in the UK – to bring back His people to Him and to reclaim Christianity as the only faith in the UK.

Thank you for following God’s call on your life. May He continue to bless you richly!

Love,
Arianne

I was so excited to hear from Arianne how God is answering her prayers and fulfilling her dreams. I hope this encourages you to continue to believe God for the dreams that are in your heart – He is the dream maker.

Have a great night!

Nancy

Update from St. Louis Graduate…

I just received this awesome update from a 2006 Mercy Ministries graduate and I wanted to share it with you. Emily came to Mercy struggling with an eating disorder and self-harm, yet willing and ready to face her issues and allow God to totally transform her life. I hope this update from Emily encourages you as much it encouraged me…

Nancy,

My name is Emily and I graduated from the St. Louis home at the end of 2006. I felt led to write you this email to thank you for the impact that Mercy Ministries has had on my life and to let you know the exciting things that God is doing in my life. I came to Mercy struggling with bulimia and self-harm, amongst other things, and I was at Mercy for 13 months. I was one among the first group of girls to enter the St. Louis home, and I am so thankful that God knows exactly what He is doing at all times. There is nothing that happens in our lives that He does not have a specific, divine purpose for and the ability to use if we will let Him. I wanted God when I came to Mercy. I knew God and I loved God, but I struggled with my flesh and lived under incredible bondage in my emotions and in my thinking. I am certain that the process took longer than it had to because God was working on my heart. I am so thankful that the staff were patient with me and listened to the Spirit of God. They did not give up on me, and that showed me that God really never does put us down and walk away.

When I graduated, I was not the same person that I was when I came to Mercy. I could smile. I had hope. At one point during my time at Mercy, I hit a wall in counseling, and I remember my counselor telling me that I needed to seek the Healer and not the healing. Mercy is not a program where you go to become a perfect, completely healed person when you leave. It is a process - a daily walk with the Lover of your soul. God has been so faithful to me. I was blessed to go to a place after Mercy where I could start a new life (Carlisle, PA). I am in a great church with really good teaching. I have been working at a hospital as an administrative assistant in the Risk Management department for almost 4 years now. I am teaching a Bible Study for teen girls and have spoken at two women's retreats that my church puts on annually. I was also able to go to Africa on a mission’s trip in 2007. My pastor's wife has been so instrumental by investing her life into me and teaching me how to live. She has been a strong mentor who is not afraid to speak the truth in love and is not sentimental with my flesh. I am seeing God work through my life and I realize now why God allowed me to be at Mercy for so long. When I am tempted to give up on people who don't seem to be getting it or who don't seem willing, there is hope. I am convinced that NOTHING is impossible with God. I want you to know that the tools that Mercy has provided are invaluable to me, and the way God has used Mercy in my life is everything to me. Thank you for your obedience and your faithfulness! Please extend my gratitude to all of the staff at Mercy Ministries in St. Louis!

In His Strong Arms,
Emily

I am so proud of Emily! Remember that no matter what you’re facing today, God is there for you just like He was there for Emily.

Have a great day!
Nancy

A Living Demonstration of God’s Power…

In 1 Corinthians 2, the Apostle Paul says that he did not come with excellence of speech or man’s wisdom, but in a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” I can’t think of any greater way to celebrate the resurrection power of Jesus Christ on this Good Friday and Easter weekend than to give you a practical example and demonstration of such in this modern day and time. I received this Facebook message just two days ago, and I knew I wanted to share it with you on today’s blog.

Dear Nancy,

You probably get so many letters like this, but I just want to tell you thank you so much for doing what God called you to do! I graduated from Mercy Monroe on Feb. 9th of this year. I am completely 100% free from anorexia. I wasn't supposed to live to see my 25th birthday but I have overcome the odds set against me. Jeremiah 29:11 is so my verse right now. All the things that were stolen from me, God is restoring for His glory. I was a dance instructor and choreographer and was fired from my job due to anorexia. Dance is my passion and when I lost my job, I felt like my life was over. I battled anorexia for 14 years and knew that I was dying, but help was no where to be found until I found out about Mercy. Now my life is so abundant. Thanks to our Heavenly Father, who has given me freedom and a purpose beyond anything I could ever imagine. Life is amazing! My church has asked me to do a lyrical dance for Easter Sunday to Revelation Song! I never thought that I would ever dance again and now God has given me the opportunity to dance for His glory! I am also giving my testimony next Thursday for a women’s event at my church. I am beyond excited to share where God has brought me. I was once consumed by darkness and now I am full of life and determined to let my light shine for Him! Nothing can ever separate me from His love....NOTHING!! Mercy never gave up on me. Thank you for being obedient to God! I can never express my thanks enough for what you and your staff have done for me. God bless you!

Love,
Mandie

I hope that you will personally experience the power of Christ in a real and practical way being demonstrated in your own life! Have a great Easter weekend, and remember what it says in Romans 8:11, that the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in those of us who have given our lives to Him. No matter what situation you face, He is MORE THAN ENOUGH!!!

U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn Visits Mercy!!

Hey Everyone!

I hope you are having a great week so far. I will be posting a new blog tomorrow, but for today, I wanted to send you a link to a web story we just posted about a special visit from our Congressman, Marsha Blackburn. I thought you might enjoy reading about her time with us yesterday. Check it out: www.mercyministries.org/LearnMore/MercyNews/USCongressmanMarshaBlackburnvisitsMercyMinistries.aspx