45- Children can be our Greatest Teachers

With a makeable life can bring many difficult situations domestic violence addictions, poverty and even sexual abuse by your loved ones welcome Amy, and Q and a host any cowbell here also. With me is Dr. Boris hello who happens to be my partner in life and work. We are alive every Saturday at 1 PM Eastern. You can do is live on the radio or on our app that year. Please download it from the app store. We are also live on Roku that your channel started like straining on fire TV entry TV and got his picture.com as well and in a couple of days. Listen to the recorded shows any podcast.

This show deals is suffering and the tenacity of the human spirit. The will to survive in the carriage to keep moving forward despite any obstacle with the help of God and each other. We are beautiful people, even the outcast, even the forgotten even if they don't fit in well you look stunning just being ourselves and my just trying to figure everything out there.

We could use some help. We are beautiful people, even if that's not who we are. Last week I was interviewed.

Actually, a few days ago I was interviewed in my book signings and was asked and often question what is the reason for writing my biography. The obvious answer usually is to help others, but I sometimes mentioned is that I want to show that no matter how bad a person has been, or how terrible this circumstances they have injured they can still heal move forward and succeed in life. So many of us are quick to jump to a conclusion when we heard of someone's unfortunate or even scary past the difficult circumstances or questionable behavior and actions. Do we really know the person she would be so quick to formally opinion I have dealt with that stigma. Most of my adolescent and have even seen it in my adult life. Because of this, no one knew of my past, except for Bobby. My husband until I turn 42 years old and finally to my story from the perspective of the actual person that experienced it once, even though it took a long time. It was the right time because it was then that by the grace of God I reached the face of healing and felt successful enough that it might discredit the defeatist stigma of someone that was severely abused, betrayed and abandoned. When I say successful I mean successful in the sense that Bobby and I will complete 20 years of a happy marriage. This Christmas, we have three wonderful kids that love us.

The dogs that a Doris great loyal friends and you once we meet along the way. But most importantly we never do without anything we need, as long as we have God in our lives and well the rest is just all the extras we never expect but I was super honest in my book so that no one else can feel too bad of a person's you broken off a person to hopeless up a person or even the look that in that way because if there was hope for me and I turned out okay. Found joy and peace to God's unwavering love and endless grace, then there is hope for anyone answer today giving us an amazing testimony and inspirational story of God's unconditional love.

Help anyone can be rescued from the desk of darkness to the likeness of Christ's love despite who you are or what you have been through is our guest today, Kristen Joelle Kristen thank you for being on the show we are now live on the care. However, thank you for having me. Thank you Kristen Kristen you left such an impressive testimony on Twitter that it took me by surprise.

I was intrigued that you were so brave and honest in your testimony, but most importantly I no longer feel alone because I can relate and it's difficult to find people with such testimonies or people that are even willing to talk about it or that I have done what you and you have done that. I know also that the truth can be very freeing and he could be in it and help others you want to start by telling us how it all began. Fear wow wow great actually always believed in God and cried that I finally went to my being a Christian life.

I know was involved in many things that were not placed on honestly because of the daughter know I know Jesus Christ today and I gave my life to Christ. Many things that she had done structured file for you know really opened my eyes and threw me closer and closer – so so but how that I had out of wedlock got turn.

You know so you say you grew up a Catholic and he grew up knowing God and yet I suppose you had a difficult beginning challenging circumstances from an hearing it was your daughter that turned your life around and give you reason for doing the right thing and yeah it could in your testimony you talk about that Jesus saved you from many different things did you talk about your darkest moments and how you were able to pull through. Wow while I'm in my current work around 12 much went downhill from there.

At the age of 13, I overdosed on drugs and almost died shortly after that I lost my virginity and then you know I was stating gang members drug dealer and end up getting pregnant at 16 and had my daughter 17 and then I turned 18 and decided I go to the strip club.

No make all the money that they talk about making him shortly after that I met my first pants and he took me in Atlanta, Georgia, and thankfully I got away from him within about a week and what brought you to that lifestyle.

What gave you the idea that this is something that the you wanted to do or how to do. I'm going difficult. Please or somebody give you the idea that territory like crack as I was dating your plan, you know, I was glorified you not be a stripper you know you make a lot of money like money because honestly, like I know come from a family that no no not well off. Okay like I was more like I wanted to be loved so bad by a guy and you know that and somehow enable the extension without somehow the attention that we received from dies is what makes us feel loved, even if it is the attention as an exotic dancer. I can relate because I did the same thing.

I have my daughter when I was 18. Not as young as you and I know that that's very difficult in itself.

I understand that you said you don't find it difficult, but it was very difficult and at least for me. I was I was alone and it was just I had no financial support. We get through life. I did start out with a not so good family it's a pretty bad family but and so I was pretty alone and for me it was the only way to survive alone in the world led.

I can see where you're coming from. There is a sense of you want to feel loved, especially if you see. Didn't work out with your parents that you wanted something that was real and that was true for you and maybe the pension that you received made you feel better and I read something also that you lived in extravagant life style. At one point and I mean I go after that when I actually ended up going back to the strip club and right at my beck and took me in Los Angeles and put me on front Boulevard and I was a very scary situation with me.

I know was left for dead by that one. Thankfully, by the grace of God I got you out of that yet again and you know the benefit I met my wife, Brenda, to ended up going to prison for convicted murderers. So no yeah but I'm I was more well out.

I can't imagine having Hansen going to dad in all that you went to.

God bless you for where you are. I really, really very grateful I am Amy Couto and this is picture we will continue talking to Kristin about this.

After the short rate.

How anyone can be saved by grace.

Even those of us who are least expected statement. Welcome back to the shelf visitor just sitting in Mimi Couto and this is the care if this is it was time to talking to Kristen Joelle with an incredible testimony about being saved by grace when I hear that some Miami grammar. I feel like it's God messaging and if you ever want to feel just how much love to you are think. Just imagine that those nice inspirational songs. That's cool like that to. He will hold on to us. No matter what the status he will not seek us lose he will reach his hands on the darkness and wait for ours to interlock you wait for us. He will never give up. Neither should we.

We are joined by Kristin Kristin earlier before he went into great, I thought you said something about you were convicted that for murder or your boyfriend looking out for murder not I you know the kind of guy that I would be getting everything I've ever know, I'm by the police and like literally every time God would bear and because of being around people by N. Going Dr., Sir you know if obeying the law, you're going there, you know you can be charged for you know being in the car with drugs and I you not only find I was ever arrested and I think that I would put under arrest but in our put me in handcuffs was because I was working for an escort company without proper identification, but I've never been to jail, which is crazy because yeah like you know again which was hanging around the Prez.

I never saw no financials also. But no, it was my ex wife went to jail for convicted murderer, and we actually had undercover police watching her house under two separate occasions and when they came and got him for murder. You know we're driving the carnal like the police are upon us over again and once we pulled over. I mean, it was just like a form of police car with no guns drawn on the map and I do know I know you know someone no teaching of this year's dance is bending the mother now you must been busy has nothing but his friend like to call me like they like the police like like I know because even though like I would be happy or whatever but I'm technically not illegal at my you know so they would always said I would like to know call the cops and stuff and is interested in upgrading. They didn't really like me play. I never I never really condone what he was doing.

It was just more of the fact that I wanted you love, you know, by somebody and you don't get it for five years and he was imprisoned for one of those years and I stayed around for men so wasn't sometimes when we when we try to find love. We sometimes find it in the wrong places.

We don't always know is the right one. That's I went into my has been.

I left in God's hands. I said I know I'm not that aching them, that's for sure. Yeah.

So yes, I like aiming and so he went to jail and what happened after that. What was the pivotal point that you said he wait a second. This is not right. I really should be doing this.

I know God. I grew up with God and these friends that I'm having in this environment, the stuff that's going on.

It doesn't feel right. When that point come about when you acknowledge God's presence in your life. Actually, after going up for by now talking for probably a month after that, you know I moved on. You know, and actually when I started getting really having according to one I started things like lots and lots of money and you know on just the houses in the cards came with it all and I left it for about a year and then one day it was like I couldn't. I couldn't do it anymore.

I just mean, I know that I know that it was a luxurious life and everything.

I understand splitting part. He because you know we were onto distillates especially difficult circumstances. If you come and store your vulnerable and I mean know what your experience was that I fortunately thanks to God. I it was I was not escorting on the street with a pen like I was on flying to Chicago and it was mainly businessmen and I kind of get to me. The money was just source prepaying that my attorneys not to lose my daughter.

But then I would justify it in my mind thinking because I didn't want to bother about it so I would justify it, thinking while you know these are lonely men that for some reason I'm helping them onto feeling their need and to helping me keep my daughter so that's I was able to justify it. But there comes a point in time that is just it. There's nothing that works anymore.

You just can't do it anymore. It's not the life one as I helped how long. Yes, you mean how long was it before you. How long did you do the escorting before you said I can't do this anymore. Even though you are living a luxurious life and it seems it's not about a year and 2008 2009, I left that lifestyle, but even after that day, you know, very good man. Actually the dog I was okay though. Back of the truck a little bit. Oh I know what you're what my daughter was eight years old. She's 18 now about 10 years ago. I remember walking in on her. She was in her bedroom sitting on the bed with tears from down her face like you know are you car crying, and hereby because Jesus died first then and back then and I was like in darkness. I don't really think anything of what she was saying but I know that now that my life is change that that was one of the lances to get you know me to where I am today, but on fast-forward when she was 13 which would've been around 2014. We are driving in the car and she looked over at me to like what you say the kinda guys UK and I literally like I couldn't say anything like A straight face speechless. Like, but you know what you Friday. Coming from a 13-year-old kid and she's just looking at me like you know an old little lady like you know like get your life together already know you mean to tell me your kid was suffering on Jesus's behalf. So John Wayne for our sin on an amazing little girl and you know I believe that maybe God used and oh yeah you know also be the words of wisdom. Sometimes homeless people sometimes the people you trust the least expect and now back to the turning point) you know I haven't dated anyone in our driving drink not look like the actual like you know so were your daughter, your daughter was the catalyst to your success. We have been talking to Kristin about how anyone can be saved by grace, even those that expected. Please call if you have a friend who you have or have been said by grace 634 again, 866-348-7884. We would love to hear from you soon her back. Thanks for joining us I'm any capital in this is that you you can listen to us every Saturday at 1 PM Eastern media on a particular on Roku for Q channel constitute.com for leaders podcast. I know that God is only one thought away.

I do think about Daisy, no therapy can fix what's going on it's gone have to be love. I'm running on and there is no other way to see it. We are connected at least this time I want to stay. Hello, it's so chair we're continuing our conversation with Kristen about being saved by grace Kristin. We were talking earlier we left off that your daughter was the most important life experiences that you believe that shaped you into who you are now, as was mine away. My daughter helped me with my life and it's funny how God does that.

She knows exactly what we need exactly one when we needed and exactly how we needed it. Only he knows.

But anyhow, I know that once I turned my life around and I decided to do the right thing. Lifestyle changes had no hats and common practices that I found helpful during the healing process. How will common practices to find helpful in your healing process. When you realized that you will turn your life around and lived an exemplary life for your daughter will really after that it was what it was. United started praying like God on my God, you know, please get me away from these men that I'm dating is getting away from the two and it's like I thought I he was removing that out wanton desire out of my life, but really just you know start to make out. Well, you know, like me, praying, and I knew I couldn't do it on my own strength but it was like you know me praying and asking for those things to happen. They did you know because I no longer want and desire. The things that I want to back then and you know so little by little, I just started, so you must you must obtain the same. I mean, you must've really had faith because I am is because when I when I came to the point that I I came to the point that I have at bottom nothing. Nothing at all and I myself will you know I was told that if you got asked God for help.

He will help you select anything to the test, said God you have no other choice but to help me.

I have no one so here goes. And you know what prayer is the most amazing thing it really does move mountains. You wouldn't believe what prayer has done for me how it's turned my life around how he brings purpose into your life, how it opens up your eyes, how it gets you to see things clearly how it helps you would with your weaknesses in your shortcomings helps you to become a better person how to get you to strive to become Ranger any and more peaceful life, not necessarily as your life you have more peace because this guy in your life.

Nothing scary.

Nothing's impossible.

Nothing too challenging is just another learning lesson or another chance to show how much we can do or how much we love God and and besides that, you know, there were support groups that can help personal growth is very important. Like reading spiritual things and exercise and self care prayer, positive attitude, gratitude, going to church a good listening friend and staying away from bad influences to let you know crying is okay is part of the healing process so that you don't have to have it bottled it up.

You know crying closet. Some people think they might knock it. But hey, if you keep an open mind. Not a bad idea for those that don't like others seeing others you know.

For those that don't like others seeing them crying. That's a pretty secluded area to do it in where they can cry quickly and get over Ray and for those want trauma visual audience to give it to you. So they'll get bored. Dry Creek Lee and get over it. Also, it teaches that the crying closet idea right teaches strength by encouraging you to deal with it yourself. Just you in the closet. Therefore it's promoting dependence. It's actually pretty considerate but the whole idea is with you crying closet or you cry with the friends that's an important part of the healing process and we all need to go to that and when we face the reality of what's going on and we realize we need to change your life and will face the truth with the truth. It can be difficult.

It can hurt and it takes work that everything that takes work is worth doing. And before anyone could heal.

It needs to hurt a little bit first. And I think that's what happened with you, Kristin. Tell me, do you believe that your testimony you having found your way back to Christ. Even though you are Lord into a dark lifestyle.

Do you feel that your testimony provide a platform to influence society and help others you know you can be quite honest I was ashamed of my past, I could never connect anybody about who I was or no my new life in Christ and I would like you know you put it upon my heart. No, I need you to tell your stories that you can I can use you to help you know other other people and bring them to the foot of the cross. So yeah, I'm you know, I've come to I'm just I'm happy what happened in my life because my life is now. I mean, I don't want the world to know about Jesus and what he did for me but I'm too you have an incredible story to tell and that just comes to show that nothing happens by mistake. Everything happens for a reason you are probably's that such a great person to tell the story and you are probably able to move people or help people influence people, or let people know that they're not alone.

So then you are able to use assumes circumstances to help others and believe it or not, no regrets because everything is a learning lesson. Believe it or not this is something that you feel that has help you grow and has made you who you are today and it's a beautiful thing. It's there's nothing better than helping others and if you can discover your purpose if you can just look at your past. The something that happened and is horrible to me because some of us have been really horrible path. You can just realize that it's not forever that it's not a life sentence that not that everything passes that the only thing that's forever. The only thing that sticks around his God. He's the only one that will always be constant, no matter how circumstances changed and I can tell you that I feel very bad about my past two and it was very hard to write my book and I thought, God, people will think I'm such a bad person will think I'm such a monster that was a challenge for me to and I was thinking to myself, but why is it why can't we share our experiences to help others because we don't want to talk about depressing things we don't want to talk about that things. And why is it bad, why do we feel it bad to ourselves. Why is it that way when it begins a car accident or something different. We can talk about it. No big deal. It's nothing bad, but if it's abuse or if it's something that we've done that people work will question and we are ashamed of it. But we should be ashamed to talk about it just the same because everyone God gives everyone second chances and everyone has a chance to change nobody is not able to be forgiven by God no matter what you've done. God loves everyone.

Yes, and he's there for everyone and it's really great. We all come together at moments of triumph and moments of chastity, because we all share the same thing. One when were back continued talking to Kristin about being saved by grace, though in this chair where bad things for joining us I'm Amy cattle and is the case, you can listen to the gym every Saturday at 1 PM Eastern on the radio unknown. I hear or broken secure channel or cicada, this world is full of demons, bonds and Bible traders. So I did the deed you ready for the SQL. Are you ready for the latest because as long as you're alive it's never too late never really over. And if you lose boo-hoo. I guess if you go to hell. You'll be crying. That's why it's important to be praying for the faithless in the garden evil. I'm going to be the greatest hey look, I made it our heavenly mother.

Of course, not the one that doesn't care we're enjoying by Kristin talking about how anyone can be saved by grace.

Even those who are least expected Kristin not all of us make.

I wasn't expected to make it at all. Being that I was abused in every region can imagine and raped and everything a lot of other things but I came out. I feel blessed and I could die right now and be happy.

There's nothing more I want in life but my brother was a year older than me is homeless and I think about him and that is very sad. I try to help them. He doesn't want any help.

Kristin, when you hung around the people that were bad influences, and things like that weeks to come across a situation where you realized he I need to do the right thing to save my life.

This could be a very dangerous lifestyle. For example, when you were with the with the pimps and things like that. Did you ever see someone else not do so well.

Did it scare you honor no I never like my gosh I gotta more like a I'm tired of doing that and nothing about you know my daughter would thing me made me turn my life around.

My daughter is it you know. She walked in the room should room I would just say this particular driver like an imposter. Control everybody and I would watch if I'm observing you know how she was just really like you know why am I why am I more like why am I being the kind of mother that because I wasn't around for the majority of her life really up until like you just like there doing whatever so I wanted to be a better mom and love her and me were like best friends today so and you know I finally told her she didn't know what I was doing years ago. I finally told her you know everything that is not burden you know everything about me and put them into like now she's crying and I'm crying into like you know I don't care what you did in your past. You know I love you my mom you know and like you know me so much to me because you know you first went up forget like that using double helix faculty.

What you need in your life and your little angel you little girl saved her life. That is amazing. Understand also that you were young you had a very header when he was 16. Don't feel bad about not really getting close to her when she was until she was 13 because it sounds like both of you guys grew up together and I have a lot for my family.

Try to keep her away like a lot of Pickard brother Kirby with been with me because the kind of laws around which I'm very grateful for no not time that they were there so that it's just sitting here Kristin you are an inspiration and your daughter. She's even just even more amazing is what we always hope for. We always want our kids to do better than us right and so now on I'm learning to do things differently. It's not enough to take my daughter to a Catholic school. It's not enough to take her to church. It's not enough to pray, but we have to talk to her children. We have to talk to them when they're doing their little fifth-grade costs up till then he you know that little girl that she know that she is being talked about and don't you think that it's best to talk to the little girl personally think it's right that somebody else is talking about her. Do you want to be the peacemaker, but he wanted to fight lunch talk to them about the peacemakers and remember when little proscenium things and wonder when the being mean little girls are never meeting on purpose. There's something going on.

Maybe what she really needs a friend somebody to be understanding and so think you have to talk to them and I don't think they listen so much in church and knows what they take home in Catholic school, was so much academics and the appearance are the kids biggest influence in your 20s, your daughter was your biggest influence and what kind of things are you doing are you going to church now or do you look for things to get it do to try to stay close to God so that you don't fall back on what I really L and I would like component for about a year and I ended up reading the Bible from front to back in 915 became better and getting baptized started you know going to church on volunteering with the kids up there working with and within the church so you know when I was sick… When I gave my life to Jesus and you know started forming a relationship or reason because you do.

The realization that you reseal by helping others and so so and then so then you start helping within the church. Can you tell me a little bit more about that well. There's a number of areas where he worked with in the church, you know, whether it be the media area well will what I'm trying to say is that the church they knew about your past right and they were able to accept you and you anywhere you were did they know about no. Now make a really big. Like 30,000 people biking a little light on the water maybe. Maybe that was by a lot of people from my church, follow me, but more like my daughter follow me on Twitter don't have it.

Mike told the church. My story beside like some people I work with people but maybe that's a good thing because my daughters found out about my story. I can volunteer anymore so so it's okay Bobby is okay. Smart one. This is something then you know what to give credit to our husbands will sometimes even Catholics believe it or not I'm Catholic, let's say that you know what that's what I wanted to bring it in the show is that all the things that you talked about your wonderful person you beautiful person you are empowering other women you're helping others and you know what you hang around bad influences maybe did bad things, and it didn't matter. It doesn't mean you are a bad person and it doesn't mean you can't turn your life around and it's a great example of you never know. Just because it looks this way doesn't mean it's necessarily so. And that NL is your daughter now.

I turned eight months ago though I asked you to drop proper college out of town last week so not getting you sit empty after all. Amazing spaces. Kristin yet amazing person you know that thank you Kristin. So my for being with us and God bless you are having on your journey for having me things that loving God. I pray that you will comfort me in my suffering and skill to the hands of my healers and blessed the means used for my chair give me such confidence in the power of your grace that even when I'm afraid I may put my whole testing through our Savior Jesus Christ came this is Amy, you have been listening to the care have a great Labor Day weekend. Stay safe for the hurricane and please don't forget to pay them for those that are affected by hurricane Dorian hello Miami was spared. Maybe who knows will wait and see Ray wait-and-see.

And remember guys where live every stage