Growing up I had the ideal life. Two loving parents, two sisters, I grew up in Sunday school and church. I was raised right; I was raised to never touch drugs. Unfortunately the devil had a different idea for me.

When I was 15 years old I tried marijuana for the very first time. It made me feel better about myself, it made me feel not so shy and it was easier for me to fit it with others! Not even a year later I was introduced to prescription pain pills. When I first started using pills it was only ‘every once in a while,’ then it was once a week, then twice a week, and before I knew it I was snorting pills every single day. I couldn’t function without them. I couldn’t go to school without them. I was sick without them. Fast forward a year and I was addicted to heroin, methamphetamine and in an abusive relationship with a man who I thought loved me. The first time I went to jail was two weeks after my eighteenth birthday. Since then I have been arrested 4 times and spent a total of 245 days in jail. The last time I was arrested was December 19, 2014. I was homeless, alone, 95 pounds, and owned nothing except the clothes on my back.  I was completely broken. My parents were done with me until I wanted help. Something was different about this arrest. I was tired of running and living this horrific lifestyle. I called my mom from a jail phone to tell her I was ready for help. We still talk about this phone call. I told her I was done living this lifestyle and wanted to change. It was a breath of fresh air for both of us. I believe God intervened on this day.  He saved me from something that was eventually going to kill me. While going through withdrawals, completely alone and miserable, God was there in that jail cell. He never left my side and I prayed, begged, and pleaded for him to give me a new life. I needed help because I didn’t know how to get clean or where to start.  

God led me to the doorsteps of Cross Road Christian Recovery Center for Women. This place changed my life forever!! It was here that I developed a real relationship with God. The staff and other girls there loved me until I learned how to love myself again. I received Christ as my personal savior on April 30, 2015 and was baptized shortly after. I learned how to have fun without drugs.  I developed a relationship with my family again and mended pieces of me that I thought were broken forever. 

    I will be 5 years clean this December. Today I am a mother of two and happily married to a man who loves me and treats me how I should be treated. I thank God every single day for leading me to Cross Road. This ministry is absolutely amazing and the people who volunteer their time are amazing!! I am so thankful to be where I am today and have had the opportunity to go to Cross Road. - Julia

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