Spring 2022 Newsletter

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28, NIV

You Just Have to Let the Light Inside You

As we celebrate our 20th year at Sheltering Wings, stories like the one here from a resident who was willing to share her story with us, reiterate why we’re here, and why we’re so grateful for you, this loving community who makes our work possible.

I was the youngest of the family, and my brother and sister were very abusive toward me both physically and emotionally. I often thought about running away.

My father was an alcoholic and was always at work, and my mother was a stay at home mom who took extra good care of me and filled me with so much love. My father would emotionally and verbally abuse my mother, and I was always there to comfort her, just like she comforted me from the abuse I received from my siblings.

My mother was the only true love I had in my life. I was 17 years old when she passed away from breast cancer. After she died, I was confused, broken, lonely, and constantly living in fear.

I started drinking heavily, and smoking marijuana. I dated abusive men that were similar to my father. I tried to make my relationships work in the best way I knew how — by sitting still and looking pretty. I thought if I was pretty enough and did what I was told, I would make my fairy tale dreams come true.

I would constantly work out and go on crazy diets but it was never enough.

I met a man at a friend’s house and I told myself that no matter what, this was the one. I remember feeling like this was the man that could end this madness. I became a stay at home mom and housewife, but then, I found out that this man I planned on spending the rest of my life with was addicted to meth. We were homeless for five years because he kept choosing drugs
over me and my children.

The abuse got to the point where I had to escape.

I called Sheltering Wings — a place where I could work on a future for me and my children. I know now that no matter how bad things have been, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

You just have to let the light inside you.