Shelterwood

Baptism

This past weekend four of our Shelterwood teens decided to express their recent profession of faith at the church they have been attending in Denver during their stay in our program. One of the teen’s family was able to attend. It was an exciting time for the teens and their families along with our staff and the big sisters in our LeadTime program who have poured out Christ’s love to her. In addition to this, another former Shelterwood teen who attended our Branson facility a couple years ago was also baptized this same morning at this same church!

Upon reading this, I cried. Again.
I am the “former Shelterwood teen” that was baptized that same morning. I wanted to give some background to that miraculous morning in May. First of all, I never graduated the Shelterwood program. I was there for 18 months, got to Level 5, but fell short of the progress I needed to make before I left for college that August. Long story short, I was dragged into Shelterwood kicking and screaming, and left, still resentful of the staff and my parents. Not exactly a model student. I spent the next two years of college living my life in a way that reflected my anger at life in general. God didn’t fit into my life plan.

On the outside, I smiled, served on the executive board for a sorority, and got decent grades. I hid a wretched seven year old eating disorder. I had heard of the proverbial “rock bottom”, but in January I realized had been living a “rock bottom” life for several years now. And God stepped in.

Really, I can’t even explain the events that followed, but that baptism was the epitome of God’s miracles. See, I didn’t even know that there was a Shelterwood in Westminster. There were six baptism services, and it just so happens that the four current Shelterwood students were sitting next to me. When the pastor introducing us mentioned Shelterwood, I thought he was talking about me. Really, I was confused. How on earth did he know about my stint in Shelterwood? Not only that, THREE of my former big sisters were sitting in the audience. That day meant so much. It reminded me how incredible it was of God to set all of those events in motion, and would work in my heart a full two years after leaving Branson. I know now that the Doulos staff reflected the unconditional love of Christ and loved me when I was at my absolute worst, and never gave up praying for me even when I was out of their care. I aspire to have that same love for people who try my patience, as I am sure I did theirs. Not that I am a great poster child for the program, but God used the love I received in Branson to teach me major life lessons, even after I had left. I wanted to post this, because I am sure anyone who knew me a few years ago, remembers me as a tough case. Please, hear me loud and clear: GOD WORKS THROUGH DOULOS! (even if it takes a little longer than expected.)

Sincerely,
Sarah