I have always lived in a Christian home with a mother and father who loves me and a brother and sister who taught me how to be strong. When I was 10, my best friend, my brother, left to go to college 8 hours away from home. I was devastated and I ended up crying everyday for 6 months. During that time I had developed a form of OCD that took control of my thoughts. My mind would think of crazy ways my brother might die (ex. choking on a straw). After some time in therapy I found a different way to stop the horrible thoughts that were taking over my life; I decided to take control of food and allow that to be my focus so I would not have to think about my brother being away. The thing I did not know was, what I thought I was controlling was actually controlling me. I went four years trying to control my food. I got to the point I never felt beautiful and I was not worthy to eat the foods I loved. I was not the sweet girl everyone knew and loved. I was hateful towards everyone and my attitude was never good. Anger became my only emotion and no matter what Therapist I went to or hospital I was admitted to, I still could not get out of the rut I was bound to. Finally, when I was 14, my therapist recommended a place called Mercy Ministries. In my mind I thought my therapist was nuts, but I was at a point I knew no one would leave me alone and I was trapped in this world; I decided to go. I applied to Mercy in October, 2007, but I was not accepted until April, 2008. The Mercy program was the hardest most amazing program I have ever been through. I was there for almost 6 months and during that six months I learned how to surrender my life to God and how I should always lean on Him. Mercy helped me learn to trust in God and by doing that, I was able to find the healing and freedom I longed for and desired.