My name is Amanda, and I was born and raised in Tennessee. I had a great childhood with both parents in the home. Early on, I learned that love was equal to acceptance and became very performance-driven. I excelled in sports and played Division 1 college basketball.
My senior year of college, I hit rock bottom. I was intoxicated and got behind the wheel of a car. I lost control and crashed into a police vehicle. Shortly after this incident, my parents sent me to Teen Challenge for help. I completed the program and began working for Teen Challenge.
Later, I returned home to Tennessee and met a man who introduced me to meth. I spiraled out of control once meth came into my life. I ended up going to prison for four years due to my addiction. While I was incarcerated, my mother passed away, which led me back to meth once I was released. I did not know how to cope with such a devastating loss. I found myself in an abusive relationship due to my addiction. During this time, I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, Bella. I stopped using while I was pregnant, but due to the pull meth had on me, I returned after she was born. I also experienced another devastating loss: my cousin was shot and killed in front of me. After that, I completely lost my will to live and wanted to die.
In January 2019, I entered Teen Challenge with my daughter and completed the program. The Lord then called me to Arizona Teen Challenge Home of Hope. I know without a doubt that the Lord has restored to me the path I veered off of all those years ago.
Today I stand on 1 Corinthians 15:10: “But God’s amazing grace has made me who I am! And his grace to me was not fruitless. In fact, I worked harder than all the rest, yet not in my own strength but God’s, for his empowering grace is poured out upon me.”
