HONORING THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM

For those of us who have not served in the military, Memorial Day is a time for us to be able to take time off work and enjoy a long weekend. But for those who have actually served in the military and for families who have lost loved ones, this holiday has a very different meaning. We need to remember that a lot of people gave their lives for us to be able to enjoy the freedom we have in this country.

In fact, one of Mercy’s founding board members from over 27 years ago, Jessie McCormick, lost her son Wayne in the Vietnam War. Jessie has been a longtime personal friend of mine and of Mercy’s. In Wayne’s memory, Jessie helped sponsor the classroom in the Nashville Mercy home.

This plaque is a reminder of the price that many have paid for our freedom, but also a reminder to remember the families who have suffered such a great loss.

I just want to encourage you to say a prayer of thanksgiving this weekend for those who have paid such a high price for our freedom and for those who are currently serving in the military that we may keep our freedom.

Hope you have a blessed holiday weekend!!

Life in the Fast Lane!

Hey Everyone,

Just thought I would share with you guys that I got home from Ireland late Monday night quite jet-lagged. I’ve been trying to get my body clock turned around, but I’m not really sure why since I’m going on a whole different time zone again starting tomorrow. I will be heading to Canada, which means I am going from being six hours ahead of the time zone I live in to two hours behind the time zone I live in. Oh well, such is life in the fast lane! Good thing God put Philippians 4:13 in the Bible – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Also good to know that He says that if He calls us to something that He equips us – so I am fully equipped for time zone changes. Sometimes I think being able to do what we do is all in our attitude and perspective. If you’re being challenged about that, I hope my little reminder helps you. Hope all is well with everyone out there. I will talk to you again soon!

Love,
Nancy

Awesome Weekend Speaking in Northern Ireland

Hey, I just wanted to touch base with everyone. I’m actually on my way back from speaking at a conference in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. At the moment, I am at the airport in Newark and I thought I would take a few minutes to share with you a few of the pictures and a couple of the highlights of my time there the past few days. The name of the conference was Emerge, and it was held at Green Pastures Church, one of the largest churches in Northern Ireland (www.gpastures.co.uk). Pastor Jeff and Lorraine Wright are doing such a great job leading this church, and the most amazing thing of all to me is that they founded this church only 3 years ago.



As far as the conference itself is concerned, one of the major highlights for me was connecting with my dear friend Bill Wilson who is the founder and leader of Metro Ministries in Brooklyn, NY.


I haven’t seen Bill in a long time, but I absolutely love what he does with his outreach to children. Check it out if you get a chance at www.metroministries.com.

Another really cool thing that happened while I was in Belfast is that I actually received a visit from one of our Nashville Mercy graduates from 2000. Lisa’s life was a mess when she came to Mercy almost 11 years ago, but today she is a vibrant and beautiful young woman who was once suicidal but now loves her life, her family and her ministry! Lisa is married to a wonderful man named Stephen and they are 2 of the staff leaders at the YWAM base in Belfast. They have been married for over 5 years and have 3 beautiful children. I actually got to meet their 5 month old whose name is Levi for the first time last night.

It is not only our great joy to see Lisa and Stephen doing so well in their family life and ministry, but it’s also our great joy to be one of their monthly financial sponsors in the missionary work they are doing. I thought you might enjoy this brief update. I will share more later in the week when we do an official web story.

Hope your weekend was as good as mine!

Nancy

Adopted Mercy Baby Graduates From High School!

I recently received these beautiful graduation pictures of Merri, one of our adopted Mercy babies. When Merri’s birthmother came to Mercy 18 years ago with an unplanned pregnancy, she made the courageous decision to place her daughter for adoption. Merri has grown up with a wonderful family in the Nashville area and has continued to stay close with me and with Mercy. She has even spent summers volunteering at our corporate offices! Merri is graduating from high school this year and recently received the Emmy and Eric Scholarship from Christ Church (Merri’s home church in Nashville). This scholarship is awarded to distinguished students who demonstrate a “love of service to the Lord and a love of scholarship and learning.” Merri is planning to attend Trevecca University in the Fall and plans to major in Dramatic Arts with a minor in Child Psychology. I just wanted to give Merri a big shout out saying congratulations! I am so proud of you!!

Have a great weekend!

Amazing Testimony from a Mercy Graduate

I just received this awesome update from 2007 Mercy graduate, Beth! Beth graduated with a Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel from Atlanta Tech University and is moving to Kansas to start working on a second Master’s Degree in Counseling. Beth also shared with me about one of her best friends, Brittany, coming to be a part of her graduation. Brittany is also a 2007 Mercy graduate. I think it is so cool to see Mercy graduates remain close friends even after leaving Mercy. Check out Beth’s email and graduation picture with Brittany below…

Dear Nancy,

I never would have dreamt three years ago, as I was sitting in Nashville, having only been there for a month, that three years later I would be doing what I am today. Just two days ago I walked across the stage and received my Master’s Degree in College Student Personnel. This is something I had always dreamed of but never thought would truly happen. My family was here with me to watch this momentous occasion occur. But even more special than that, my best friend and Mercy sister, Brittany was here to share this day with me. This is a friendship that would have never happened if you, Nancy, hadn’t listened to God’s calling nearly 30 years ago. This degree wouldn’t be happening if you hadn’t listened. I recently accepted a full-time position working at another university in Kansas where I will begin my second master’s degree in counseling with hopes of helping young women so they don’t have to walk down the same path I had to. God has really opened some amazing doors for me since my time at Mercy and I couldn’t be happier! Thank you for opening the doors and allowing me to find freedom in God and find a new life that is worth living.

Love,
Beth

Congratulations, Beth! I am so proud of you!

Mercy Babies Visit Mercy!

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to share with you guys that we talk a lot about multiplication around Mercy, and it seems that our staff are taking it quite literally! Meet two of our next generation Mercy family. Owen and London were born 11 days apart and they came by Mercy last week to pay me a visit! They are definitely too cute not to show off!

Owen and London at Mercy Ministries

Four Awesome Young Women Graduate from Mercy!

Yesterday, I had the joy of graduating four of our Nashville residents from Mercy – Meagan, Alexa, Christin, and Lauren (pictured left/right). Hearing the testimonies of how God totally changes and transforms lives never gets old, so I wanted to share part of their testimonies with you…

Me pictured with Meagan, Alexa, Christin, and Lauren

You might remember a previous blog I did on Christin that showed all the cool clothing she has designed (Click here to read my previous blog on Christin). When Christin first came to Mercy, she was obsessed with death and had a failed suicide attempt. While at Mercy, God completely transformed Christin’s heart and life. Christin has learned that she is worthy to be loved and to be alive. Christin’s on her way to St. Louis, where she plans to go to college for Fashion and Interior Design and Child Psychology and hopes to open her own business and become a foster parent. Christin, I am so proud of you!

Me and Christin with Jude

Alexa came to Mercy after running away from home to join the party scene and was lost and desperate for help. Since being at Mercy, Alexa has truly become a new creation in Christ Jesus. She now seeks to please God instead of man. After Mercy, Alexa plans to attend the Honors Academy in Texas and then do a one year internship at the International House Of Prayer (IHOP) University. I am so proud of you, Alexa!

Me and Alexa

Meagan grew up in a Christian home, but did not have a personal relationship with God. She came to Mercy after struggling with an eating disorder for 12 years. During her time at Mercy, God showed Meagan that she is worthy and accepted. Meagan now knows that she is beautiful and loves what she sees when she looks in the mirror! After graduating, Meagan is moving home and plans to finish her last year of school, get involved in her local church, and continue pursuing all that God has in store for her. Way to go, Meagan!

Me and Meagan

Growing up, Lauren experienced a lot of rejection and verbal abuse, and came to Mercy struggling with self-harm and an eating disorder. Since being at Mercy, God has totally transformed Lauren! She now has a personal relationship with God and Lauren has seen Him restore many broken relationships. After Mercy, Lauren is heading home to finish high school and then go to college where she plans to get a Master’s degree in Psychology. Lauren also hopes to one day work with victims of sex-trafficking. I am so proud of you, Lauren!

Me and Lauren

Please join me in celebrating Christin, Alexa, Meagan, and Lauren as they graduate from Mercy! I am so proud of all of you!!

Cool Opportunity to Speak at the National Day of Prayer!

I mentioned last week what a joy it was to speak at the National Day of Prayer at William Jessup University in Rocklin, CA. I had to be there at 6:30 am, and for someone who is not a morning person, that in and of itself was quite an accomplishment!! It was so great to be with the people and meet all the wonderful leaders in that area who share a love for our great nation. Let us never forget what 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, and may we all remember to actually do it on a daily basis rather than just one dedicated day of the year. (2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”) Hope your week is going well!

Nancy

A Special Happy Mother’s Day!

Hey, I thought I would share something really cool with you that happened to me yesterday for Mother’s Day. I talk a lot about my dog Jude who stays with me in Nashville. In case you’ve forgotten, here is a picture of him.

There’s actually two more Shelties in our Mercy family who live in our Louisiana home. Yesterday they got together and sent me a Mother’s Day card wishing me a happy Mother’s Day and I wanted you to see it. (see below) If you are the mother of the canine kind, I hope your dogs remember you on Mother’s Day as well!

Love,

Nancy

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!

I had originally planned to share with you today about the experience I had speaking at the National Day of Prayer at William Jessup University near Sacramento, CA. However, I have decided to wait until next week to talk about that because I have an urgent prayer request that I want to share with you.

One of my dearest friends in the world has just made an emergency trip home to Seattle because her mother has been rushed to the hospital with a broken back. She is in excruciating pain and in need of an emergency surgery which is very, very dangerous. There are many complications that could exist but I believe that she will be completely healed and restored.

Would you please lift up Rosemary in prayer, as this is a very, very critical time in her life and in the life of her family? Thank you for your fervent prayers on behalf of my friend and her family. Please feel free to post any prayer requests you may have in the comment section so we can also pray for you and the needs of those you love.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Before and After – Amazing Transformation!

I just received this awesome update from one of our California graduates, Beth. Beth sent me a before and after picture of her time at Mercy and shared with me how God has totally transformed her life! I thought you might enjoy reading Beth’s update and seeing her before and after transformation…

Hi Nancy!

Before I came to Mercy, as you can tell in the picture, I was depressed and my life was going nowhere. I had given up on everything and was completely consumed in my issues of self-harming, an eating disorder, and trying to figure out how to die. I hated myself and didn't believe anyone really liked or cared for me. The only way love had been shown to me for most of my life was by sexual, emotional, physical or verbal abuse, so I didn't understand what love really was. I believed all the lies of the enemy that I was unloved and unlovable, ugly, fat, worthless, just put on Earth to be used, and that I had no future. I would always cope through self-harm and my eating disorder thinking that I could never be forgiven. I came to Mercy in June 2009 and God began to do a work in my life that I never thought possible. I went through some really hard things while in the program and through everything, my hand was held and I felt the love of Christ like never before through the staff and I was shown how through Him, I can overcome. I went through nine months of radical transformation and graduated in March 2010. God took all the lies of the enemy and showed me who He really is and what He thinks of me. I know now that I am loved, adored, beautiful, confident, happy, joyful, full of purpose with an abundant life, and I am His princess. He loves to dance me around the room and hold me close! God has also promised to give me back all the years that the locust have eaten! My Daddy has given me a second chance at life and I will use it to serve Him faithfully. I run to Him now and not to my issues. Thank you Nancy and Mercy for all that you do. Without you allowing God to use you as a vessel, I am not sure who I would be today, but because of Mercy, I know who I am and I am a child of the Most High King!

All my love,

Beth

I never get tired of hearing about the amazing transformations from our graduates. I am so proud of Beth and all that she has overcome!

Thanks for your prayers and support!

Record Rainfall in Nashville!

I know that many of you have probably heard about the flooding rain in Nashville and surrounding areas from this past weekend as it’s been all over the news. Although many of us did not experience any damage to our homes or cars, there is an extremely large number of people who did and the water is still rising in downtown Nashville. We are continuing to pray for those that have been affected by the flood, and for the families and friends of those who lost loved ones. However, we are also rejoicing in the warm and dry weather today and scheduled dry weather for the remainder of the week that will be very helpful in drying up all of the moisture.

I thought you might like to see some pictures that were taken today of downtown Nashville…

Inside the Famous Opryland Hotel

Please continue to pray with us for the waters to recede and for all of those who have been affected by the floods.

Blessings to you all!

Nancy