My Story of Freedom

It wasn't that long ago when Valentine's Day was an incredibly painful time of year. ..but just as God is a redeemer of our hearts, He is also a redeemer of dates , and Feb. 14th is one of the dates He has redeemed for me... Valentine's Day 2015 was the day I was basically "introduced" to the man I would soon marry, when a mutual friend had reached out to me asking if I wanted to meet a great guy from NY. I was never one for being set up, and would usually always say no

(Part 9 of my story) Several months ago (April 2025), I was invited to go on a summer retreat with a large group of Christian singles, and wrestled with the decision if I should go or not because of the financial cost. But in my heart, I knew it was no mistake that the retreat was going to be on St. Simon’s Island....a place where great pain and trauma took place in my life over 6 years prior. I could see God's hand of redemption inviting me to go back…something I wasn’t afra

(Part 8 of my story) This was my 4th of July 5 years ago in 2020… a safe, peaceful home in Kansas City, far from the terror, torment, and chaos of my abusive marriage, and truly a place of freedom and rest. …It was my miracle home that God provided and led me to in a way that only He could just 4 months after my awakening to the hidden abuse in my marriage. Two months prior, when the Lord made it clear that I was to going to move back to KC, I didn’t know HOW it was gonna hap

10 years... 10 years ago today, I had no idea the horrific battle zone I was walking into, and the hidden abuse lurking behind the mask. I didn't know that within 24 hours, words of "love" would turn into lashes of hate and abuse mixed with momentary acts of kindness. I didn't know that within 3 weeks, I'd be so devastated, I'd want out...but couldn't see a way out. I didn't know the deception and manipulation operating around me that was so well disguised as true devotion. I

(part 7 of my story) At the end of my 3 week “detox” in KC, I went to return my rental car before flying back to ATL on Mar. 14, 2020. I had spent all morning in the prayer room and felt the Lord speaking to my heart through every song. I knew it was time to go and that I was ready to go back. But even though I was saying goodbye to the prayer room, God wasn’t done speaking…. As I drove to the car rental place about 25 mins away, I was on a long stretch of road when this car

(Part 6 of my story) During the 3rd week that I was in KC, I was sitting in the prayer room and saw a friend of mine who I knew from 2007 who was now a professional counselor. I knew she’d have some insight into my situation as I was in the beginning of my awakening… I gave her a brief summary of what had happened the previous 4 weeks, and how God had opened my eyes to being in a destructive marriage, and I’ll never forget her looking at me and saying, “Michelle, you are a mi

(Part 5 of my Freedom Story) …March 14, 2020 was my last day in KC after being there for 3 weeks. It had truly been a mass overhaul and major detox for my body, soul, and spirit after having my awakening moment Feb. 6th. So much had happened in these 21 days I couldn’t even wrap my head fully around it…I just knew I’d gotten a lot of freedom and healing…especially after the 3 days of deliverance sessions. So much breakthrough had happened and so many things were broken off of

(Part 4 of my story) As I look back and reflect on that flight to KC and arriving to the prayer room on Feb. 21, 2020, it was literally like I was being admitted into the ER. My body, mind, and soul had been ravaged from the 5-year battle I had been in, and I was now in triage being hooked up to multiple IV’s.  When you’re in a hospital, you’re not able to do much of anything for yourself…you’re just receiving from others….which is exactly what the Lord had a young lady pray

(Part 3 of my story) …it was Feb. 13, 2020, just 1 week after I was awakened to the reality of being in a destructive marriage when the counselor looked at me and asked if there was somewhere I could go to get alone with God to ask him what He wants me to do with this information.  I remember immediately thinking to go to the prayer room in KC, but we were living in ATL on a tight missionary budget. I prayed anyway and asked God to make a way…and He did!  A couple days later,

(Part 2 of my story) I’m celebrating freedom today…the day God finally let someone see the truth of what I was living in and start leading me to freedom.  ...5 years ago, on Feb. 6, 2020, I had just come from meeting with the professional counselor that the church leaders had sent me to 2 weeks after the horrible incident with my husband. I had agreed with the pastors that I needed trauma counseling – I was definitely traumatized - but they failed to acknowledge any part that

5 years.  I can’t believe it’s been 5 years…. At some point during the first week of January 2025, I realized it was 5 years ago that the beginning of the end started…it was the beginning of God rescuing me and opening my eyes to see the emotionally abusive marriage I was in….and it literally saved my life.  It was a miracle.  It was actually countless small miracles that started Jan. 4, 2020, but came to a head on Jan. 13th.  For the previous 5 years since 2015, I had been a