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THE JOURNEY / 2014 WINTER
Finding Hope and Rest in Jesus Adam Younce Adam Younce has worked at Grandfather Home for Children since 2007. He began his employment as a Child Youth Care Worker, moved into administrative roles, and is now currently the Trainer and Online Developer for staff, volunteers, and foster families. Adam also serves as the worship leader at Cornerstone Fellowship in West Jefferson. He and his wife Meredith live in Elk Park with their four children, Gracie, Gibson, Liam, and Aiden.
I
remember waking up early before school so that I could be alone. At nine years old, I would sit there and cut up my arms with the razor blades I had. From an early age, I learned to internalize the pain I felt. My childhood was filled with suffering and affliction. In addition to my parents getting divorced when I was 11, I grew up around domestic violence. There were so many things going on that I couldn’t control as a kid. Cutting seemed to be the only pain I could control, so I continued to indulge in self harm. My mother remarried nearly two years after the divorce. Her new husband didn’t like the idea of having me around, so I was left with one option: to move in with my dad. I lived with my dad for the next four years, and continued to cut myself and use drugs. I worked at hiding my cuts because I didn’t want anyone to see my pain. During this stage in my life, I really wrestled with Christianity. Although I was attending a local church, I also began practicing Wicca. I wanted very little to do with Christianity because I was so hurt by the choices my parents made. They both proclaimed to be Christians, and I didn’t want to be what they were. It was apparent through my outward appearance that I was beginning to battle with faith and religion. I wore a lot of black clothing to express this dark path
