My name is Danielle, and I’ve never been more excited about the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

For me it’s a time to serve others, to see the faces of children light up when they receive presents and to observe God working in the lives of so many who come through the Mission’s doors.

This is my second time at the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission. I graduated from the program in February 2009, but when I left the Mission, I forgot to take God with me. As a result, I returned to my addiction and to the one other thing that controlled my life: bulimia.

For more than 10 years, I’ve had an eating disorder. Coupled with my drug addiction, I have always been pretty messed up. Only when a friend OD’d in front of me did I decide to change my ways.

Right now this is the only place where I’m happy. That’s because I have people around me who want me to succeed. They keep me honest – and that’s what I need most. Past holidays were meaningless. Just more
days to get high. That’s why I never celebrated them. But this year is so different. I’m filled with Christ’s joy.

I understand the meaning of Christmas…and I want to be His servant now and for the rest of my life. Thank you for your part in my sobriety. You may never fully know how much I appreciate what you are doing for me and for my friends.

We may have lost our way, but we are finally coming home.

God bless you.