Ashes Into Beauty

For many years I really struggled to come to grips with my childhood. While it was not all bad, my formative adolescent years started with some intense trauma. The effects of that trauma don’t just disappear once removed from the situation and definitely don’t disappear when there is still continual exposure to the one who inflicted said trauma. I still carry the trauma with me. I still go to counseling, I am still a work in progress.

I’ve always had a desire to help others. I know firsthand what it feels like to be isolated, to feel abandoned, to have irrational uncontrollable fears, and carry a heavy burden of shame because of someone else’s actions. I know it well and I decided long ago, I would NOT be what I got.

I can be different.

So I love big, and I’m emotional…I’m pretty open about my experiences because it helps me heal, and I do for others the way I wish things would have been done for me. I never want anyone to say, “I wonder if Amber really ever cared about me.” It’s a priority for the people I love and cherish to never doubt that.

I had the privilege, yes.. privilege of walking a path that was bumpy, scary, unfair, painful, and traumatic. Along the way though that very same uncertain path led me to people who were the hands and feet of Jesus in my life. They started the restoration and Jesus finished it.

I started back at school last year to finish my Bachelors in Social Work and then the plan is to get a Masters in counseling.

Last year was my “later” and now I understand…
You don’t have to live in perpetual darkness.
You don’t have to fear and question the love of others.
There is goodness.
You are worth it.
You can be what you didn’t have.
Redemption & Restoration can be your story too!

To have known all of this ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾 as a child would have been life-changing, I specifically want to work with children who have experienced trauma. Why wouldn’t I want to start there? The littlest and most fragile hurting hearts giving them the chance and equipping them with the tools to be able to live a full life of joy and freedom!