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

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!