(I know I’m late )

After all the good thoughts, I heard this voice in the back of mind say, “What have you done…all of Racine will know a part of your story?” It was great, embarrassing and scary at the same time if that makes sense to you. Why? Well, first of all, this was my first time going public with the sexual abuse and being at the point of suicide. Second, it’s in print; black and white. Third, I couldn’t believe how candid I was during this interview (God set me up). That’s also the skill of a great interviewer. Being a first lady of a church, this is not the kind of thing you just go around saying. Some would understand just going to church alone you better not think about suicide! So, you know this was God for me.

With this article, there was NO turning back. Let’s roll now…talk about the mask coming off? That was it…the big one!

The reward came when I received the calls, emails and text messages saying, “thank you” or “now I can tell someone that the same thing happened to me.” You’d be surprise what people have gone through that you are in contact with each day. So, with that said, I am thankful to God that I shared. With me opening my mouth telling my story ultimately began the process of healing for others. That’s what it’s all about.

To see the front page pictures and read article click here: http://www.sonyavisor.com/content/media.html

To read the article alone, click here:http://tinyurl.com/y8kkd44

I was blessed to have ONE of my testimonies about Taking off the mask included in this wonderful newsletter! I say one of my testimonies because I have so many I mean seriously…I hid for so long that only GOD could find me. In this newsletter I talk about how I got to the point of suicide.

All you have to do is just click on the link and scroll down to the bottom to view the Testimony Corner to see yours truly. But make sure you enjoy the interview with Mary Mary in this newsletter! Renee, who is a great writer, has upcoming book releases. Do me and yourself a favor and add her books to your collection. She is a true treasure and tells stories from the heart. http://renee-straightup.blogspot.com/

I didn’t know that I was embracing the arms of death instead of telling myself there’s another way. No, instead I allowed dark thoughts to be deposited within my spirit, deep into my soul as I meditated on death and not the life I was given. Those thoughts would whisper back to me lies that were straight from the pit of hell with one theme only…just give up and die.

Coming from a home where there was love, I didn’t know what to do or how to deal with these dark places that I experienced. I just knew that it wasn’t right to ponder on such things. I felt as though there was no one I could talk to because surely no one else is thinking like this. To be honest, I couldn’t explain the place that I was in. All I can say is that it was God’s grace from somebody’s prayers that saved me from myself.

Silence is not the answer. If you have a family member, friend, co-worker or even a stranger you’ve encountered and you thought for a moment that they could possibly be having thoughts of suicide…PLEASE SAY A WORD OF HOPE TO THEM. Pray for them, smile and a simple, “This too shall pass” can hold a power that can destroy the pull of death. My plea to you is: Don’t just walk away and do nothing. Your very action could be the beginning of a new life for someone to embrace.

If it’s you who have thought about escaping your life because of the feelings of depression, YOUR BEST IS YET TO COME. See a glimpse of hope, change your mind and think on the good things, not the bad that you are experiencing. Face your trouble, look at it and don’t run from it. Your issue(s) are not lasting. Do what I did…I knelt before a holy God who put all the pieces back together and my life now has no emptiness. God has filled those places. You can do it, You will make it…YOU WILL LIVE.