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robin-article-2Are you familiar with the game Jenga? It’s a tall tower of blocks where each player attempts to remove one single block without toppling the tower. Of course, eventually the weakened structure crashes. When one of Robin’s teachers used a Jenga tower as an illustration of what had happened in her life, it made sense. Rather than building solidly block upon block, holes had been created through abuse and neglect until the structure of her life simply could not hold. Everything came crashing down. The teacher then asked Robin to draw a picture of what a whole, restored life would look like for them. Robin drew a slightly lopsided heart. She colored outside the lines because she wanted to remind herself that it wasn’t about being perfect. A strong vine, representing the presence of Christ in her life, wrapped securely around the heart, and flowers were beginning to bloom. Because, Robin said, life can be beautiful again.

Longing for Community

3 min read

Longing for Community

Every year, the holiday season seems to start earlier—decorations go up and purchases are made in preparation for Christmas long before December....

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Holiday Ways To Give

5 min read

Holiday Ways To Give

The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to spread some cheer than by helping those in need? Homeless and low-income individuals...

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Gratitude in Recovery

5 min read

Gratitude in Recovery

One of UGM’s core values is Thankfulness, and this month we reflect on the pursuit of gratitude in our day-to-day lives and in the work of healing...

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Daughters of the King

Daughters of the King

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Breaking up with Addiction: a letter from a resident

Breaking up with Addiction: a letter from a resident

UGM program resident Jessika wrote a “breaking up with addiction letter” and shared at the fall LIFE Recovery Phase Promotion. Women receiving...

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I Was Ashamed

I Was Ashamed

I was ashamed, and you lifted my head. Christian was once interviewed for an article in Salon Magazine entitled, “Nazi Family Values: Chewing the fat...

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