ABOUT

HER STORY

Melissa's journey is one of resilience, faith, and ultimate transformation. Growing up she had so much drive and determination in her heart. She would be the first in her family to graduate from college, she would craft a marriage that would outlast her parents’ divorce, and she would be the caring, motivating, and supportive mother that she needed, but didn’t have. However, life has a way of weaving unexpected narratives, she got married soon out of high school and got pregnant before she could graduate college. Her aspirations soon began to feel like distant dreams. With the birth of her daughter, Melissa's perspective shifted; her sole mission became to protect and provide for her little girl. She wanted to give her a life where she would never long for anything, and that often caused Melissa to work two to three jobs at a time. When she thought she had the hang of this motherhood thing, she decided to have a second child. It was a boy! Soon after, she purchased her 1st home and thought she was doing alright for herself, yet life continued and she faced harsh realities - the boy she married would never be the man she or the kids needed. Depression hit so hard. No amount of counseling or medication could fix it. She turned and saw her kids and wanted to give them so much more, but depression and anxiety kept her drowning. As she spiraled into despair, Drowning herself in alcohol and bad relationships after a messy divorce she knew she failed, there was no turning back.  She had hit rock bottom and had nowhere to turn, so she turned to the one who she had not called on in years, she called to the one who could pull her up from the rubble. What started as a desperate prayer evolved into a disciplined and intentional relationship with God, revealing deep truths about her life, her identity, and the generational lies she had internalized. She realized she was not merely a victim of her circumstances but had a role to play in her own healing.  Little by little God began to heal her the way medication and professional help could not. Today, Melissa thrives in a new narrative, one grounded in faith and purpose. She is happily married to a man who prioritizes God above all, and together they have welcomed a daughter who embodies love and spirituality. Her older children, now teenagers, have also chosen to give their lives to God, marking a beautiful legacy of faith within their family. Through obedience and surrendering Melissa has learned that the reason everything was not going as she had planned was because she was walking a path that God had not created for her. His plan for her was bigger than her feeble mind could have gathered. Empowered by her transformation, Melissa is now an active leader in her church, teaching children's ministry, volunteering for women's conferences, and guiding small groups dedicated to fostering personal journeys toward God. Through her story of turning pain into purpose, Melissa exemplifies the belief that God’s plans for us can far exceed our own aspirations, illuminating a path to fulfilling not just her own dreams but uplifting others along the way.