I want to share how you and your ministry have impacted my life. Two years ago I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior after reading your book Beauty for Ashes. Just thinking about it brings me to tears as I recall where I used to be.

Two years ago the holidays were a very rough time for me. My parents had divorced a year and a half earlier. The pain had chained me to hopelessness, and it was the darkest period in my life. My parents separated the day after I graduated from high school. My dad immediately moved overseas, and my mom and I were left financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually alone.

Three months later I moved halfway across the country for my freshman year of college. I tried to brave this time in my life the only way I knew how…by becoming thick-skinned, hardhearted, cynical and depressed. All the while I pretended to be perfectly okay to everyone around me.

I spiraled into depression. My whole world as I knew it had vanished. My mom (who had been a stay-at-home mom for twenty years) was forced to support me and my older brother, while trying not to sink into her own despair. Even looking back now, I realize how God saved us from the deepest pit. But at the same time, I felt I had died and had nothing left to hold on to.

I remember flipping through the TV channels when I was in high school and seeing you on your program. Even though I was so against Christianity and "church," I was in awe of how strong a woman you are. I watched you in amazement. But of course at that time I was not into "religion." Even so, I told my mom about you and went online to research some of your books. I got all caught up in the activities of high school but always remembered your voice and presence.

That Christmas, I hit an all-time low. I bawled like a baby. It was awful. Without my family with me, I felt like I had nothing. I didn’t know who I was anymore…I felt numb to everyone and everything. As I was lying on the cold tile floor of my bathroom with a tear-soaked face and red eyes, I suddenly felt the Lord speak to me. It was so clear. He said, "Come to Me now. Let Me love you. It’s time to turn to Me."

The day after Christmas, I took a bookstore gift card and went straight to the Christian aisle. I didn’t even know what I was looking for, but Beauty for Ashes tugged at me, so I bought it. I know it was a divine message sent to me by God. I read it, accepted Christ and have never looked back at my old life!

My mom accepted Christ in the summer of 2005, and that has been an incredible blessing. We can now go to church, watch your program and listen to your CDs together. Now I relate to her in a way I never could before. The Lord has taken us from the lowest place of despair to His glory and love, blessing us every day! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for doing what you do every day.

Thank you for being God’s voice. Thank you for spreading God’s Word to millions of people.

You have inspired me to find God’s will for my life and put my whole trust in Him. I have never felt so free! I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me!

God bless you!