Dear Friends,

On Wednesday night, one of my very good friends here will graduate and move back to her home state. I will definitely miss her presence in the house, but I am very excited for her and I can’t wait to hear how she is doing out in the “real world.” She has grown so much just in the time that I have been here, and though she is technically my junior, I look up to her in many ways, and she exudes wisdom far beyond her years.

I recently realized another benefit of the length of the program here. In other facilities that might last 30-60 days, it is much harder to see a great deal of growth in people. Although these shorter programs can be beneficial, people just kind of come in and out. As a newer resident, I didn’t really notice much difference between me and the people who completed the program. I think the opportunity new residents have here to witness people graduating is incredibly inspiring. It speaks volumes about the possibility for true change, if we are only willing to put forth the effort and be receptive to the help we are offered.

A week or so after I first arrived here, one of the girls graduated. Standing behind the podium, she spoke eloquently, confidently, and humbly. Life had dealt her an incredibly difficult hand filled with things that most people hear about and swear they could never deal with if it happened to them. And yet, standing behind the podium, her life no longer controlled by her issues, she was smiling. She is a true testament that change is possible in any situation, even those that may seem hopeless.

A lot of things take place here. Unhealthy coping skills decrease and may even eventually stop altogether. Issues from the past and present are worked through. Faith is nourished and grows. Communication and social skills are practiced and become more natural. Boundaries are established and negative beliefs are identified. The truth of the love of Christ is expressed not only in the curriculum, but also in the words and actions of the staff. More than a fantastic residential facility, this house becomes a home for the girls who inhabit it—perhaps a type of loving and secure home that many of us have never experienced before.

So far, I have witnessed two girls whose lives have been transformed by being here. I have experienced a transformation of my own, as well. In my most recent meeting with the therapist here, I laughed as I told her, “I promise I am not manic! But I am really, really happy.” I went on to explain that for the first time that I can ever remember, I am truly happy to be alive every day. I have, of course, been happy before…but not in the same way that I am now. In the past, my happy days were sporadic and based on external events, like having an exceptionally great time with friends, or the birth of my niece. Now, I have a true joy that remains steady—a peace that is internal and consistent despite what is going on around me. And that, my dear friends, is something that I have never experienced for more than a few fleeting moments before… something that can only be attributed to the grace of Christ.

Love in Him,

Emily