Traci’s Testimony

I’m 40 years old. When I was 13 years old I had my first child. I went into labor early and ended up having an emergency c-section at 26 weeks. His name was Jacob Alexander and he was born September 27, 1998. He died in my arms 2 days later and that’s when I first experienced depression. Shortly after that, I attempted to commit suicide for the first time. From that time on I was in and out of the hospital with severe depression, anxiety and schizophrenia along with several other diagnoses. My entire family has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals my whole life.

My family has a long history of drug and alcohol abuse. I always looked down on the abusers around me, but no matter how much my mind knew it was wrong, I was still under a generational curse. Eventually I ended up drinking, and slowly started using meth.

Over the course of the last 22 years I have gained several charges, 9 felonies and countless misdemeanors. I’ve been to prison 2 separate times. I desperately wanted to feel loved and safe. This led to many failed relationships. During this time I had 5 children and lost custody of all of them. I had my 5th living child, Huntley, while being incarcerated waiting on my second prison sentence to start.

My dad passed away during my prison stay which meant that I would have no where to go once I got out. I lost all hope. I heard about Freedom House before I went to prison, but the Women’s Facility was still just a vision at that point.

When I got out of prison, the Women’s Facility was not ready, but Tony and Lynn had decided to let women live in their pool barn until the new space was finished. I knew if I didn’t go I would be back on drugs. A condition of going to this program was that I would stop taking my psych meds and quit all tobacco use. At this time Huntley was 9 months and I was allowed supervised visitation with her.

I had been out of prison for 6 days when I moved into the Freedom House. I slowly started to find hope again. I never knew the Lord before, but I began to have a relationship with Him and it changed everything. I knew I was being delivered from the depression that kept me in bondage for so long.

One thing kept happening after another.. I gained a new family and started to learn about the love I was so desperate for.

During my time at the Freedom House I got my license back, got health insurance, and I was able to complete my parenting + substance abuse classes for Huntley. The Lord was working miraculously on my behalf. I never thought it would be possible, but I now have full custody of Huntley. I am completely free from all mental health issues and I no longer need psych medication. I have been clean since I was arrested in February of 2023 which is something I also didn’t know was possible in my life. I learned that simple obedience to Jesus is enough to break the generational curse.

Through full surrender, Jesus has completely transformed my life and I know there is no other way of living. He is still restoring things in my life. I never knew this kind of peace before Jesus and I am so grateful for the Freedom House and all that I learned here. I will never be the same.

Papa Tony and Mama Lynn have entrusted me to be the leader over the Women’s Facility so that’s where Huntley and I live and I am now the assistant manager at Freedom Thrift. The Lord is moving and we are praying for reunification with my son. I believe what the bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 and I know that as long as I continue in His will, I can trust His plan for my life and absolutely nothing is impossible. I am so excited to see all that the Lord has in store for me and my family.