From the very beginning, my life has been a testament to God’s unwavering grace, faithfulness, and redeeming love.

I was born at home in a small rural community where life was quiet, isolated, and far removed from the world beyond our country roads. Raised as an only child by parents who struggled with alcoholism, I spent much of my childhood in solitude. With no siblings and few opportunities to interact with others, my introduction to society did not come until my first day of school. Looking back, I often describe myself as socially illiterate, unfamiliar with the world and uncertain of where I belonged.

As a young girl, life was marked by hardship and uncertainty. When I was ten years old, relatives intervened to help my parents overcome their addictions, and I temporarily lived with another family while they sought treatment. Soon afterward, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. During her lengthy hospitalizations, I spent countless nights sleeping on hospital floors beside her, clinging to hope while watching the person I loved most battle for her life.

After my mother’s passing, my responsibilities changed overnight. As the only child at home, I cared for my father by cooking, cleaning, and helping manage our household while he worked long hours as a carpenter and painter. Though surrounded by people, I often experienced profound loneliness and longed for the comfort of love, encouragement, and belonging.