Now Rose* Can Do Anything, Because of You
A courageous and beautiful Rose, a 2017 graduate of The Elizabeth House, shared her story of hope and redemption at Care Net’s Annual Fundraising Banquet.
“I once was lost. I didn’t know who I was or what my purpose was. I made some horrible decisions and was going down the wrong path.
“I have been on my own since I was 18. I had no job, no money, no shelter. I did things I never thought I would do to survive.
“I was in jail for nine months. Alone in my cell, I read a Bible for the first time. The words from Psalm 40 jumped off the page, ‘He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.’
“God was waiting for me to find my way to Him. I wondered, how could someone love and accept me after the horrible things I had done? But God did.
“When I got out, I knew I needed to get myself together. I got two jobs. I stayed with a friend.
“Then the unthinkable happened: I was pregnant. I couldn’t bring a baby into this world. I made an appointment to get an abortion. But when the day came, I just couldn’t go. But I still wondered, ‘What am I going to do?’
“There was no room for me in my friend’s apartment so I went to a shelter. One night there, I prayed. I said, ‘God, I need you. I surrender to you.’” The next day I got a call from The Elizabeth House.
“I knew I had to change my life. The Elizabeth House made me more open and more social. They helped prepare me to be on my own. They helped me be more loving and caring.
“My life has grown healthy and gotten better and better. People at Care Net helped me find a job and housing and they advocated for me.
My journey was rough, but I had bright spots too. Like the day my beautiful daughter was born.
“My faith now is really strong. So many times before I lost faith. The spiritual growth homework and ‘heart chats’ made me stronger. I understand the Bible more. I grew spiritually by being at The Elizabeth House.
“My life now is amazing. I have a purpose. And I love being a mom. My daughter has brought so much joy to my life, my heart and my soul. God has given me more than I ever asked Him for. More than I ever imagined.
“My future, and my daughter’s future, are bright. I have a place of my own and a good job. I plan to go to school next year to become a CNA. I’ll work as a CNA and begin to take baby steps, working my way up toward becoming a nurse or a doctor. Based on all that I have already overcome and accomplished, I know I can do anything!
“I appreciate the donors. I appreciate those who cared and helped me. God is working through you in the best way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”