light!

that we all have a humanitarian obligation to help one another.

Sandy’s path is a little di erent, but just as impassioned. She serves as a peer support specialist in the substance use support program at the Mission, a position she nds great solace in. Having been in long-term recovery from substance use herself, she is also the mother of a son who died of a drug overdose in 2013. “Nothing prepared me for the journey our lives took with my son, Michael, and his battle with addiction,” Sandy shares. “As a person in longterm recovery, I thought he would nd and stay on the road of recovery as I have.

experiences led Sandy to her calling where she’s able to guide individuals and their families to the support they need … she encourages them to hold on to hope—no matter what. “ ere is a way out,” she optimistically professes. “ ere is a way to recover from this seemingly hopeless disease.”

“Our wonderful team here gives me hope and inspiration each day that what we do is making a di erence,” Sandy smiles. “We all have a high level of compassion and will go to great lengths to help someone.”

IN e morning I found him is forever etched in my mind … my breathing still stops, my heart still broken in pieces; but I know he is with me, and he did not die in vain.”

Susan’s family has also been touched by the ravages of addiction. Her son struggled with drugs and has been sober for more than twelve years now. “It taught me that out of our darkest times come our biggest blessings,” she says. “He is now married and owns his own business ... God had a plan for him, and we are grateful.”

Both women have always loved giving back and reaching out to others, and they share that passion and desire with the entire team at the Mission.

With a huge increase in demand for their services, the Mission has found expansion is an inevitable necessity. “We would like to shine a light on as many people as we can in our community,” Susan explains, “thus our need to expand. We have the property and a groundbreaking event is scheduled for this spring, but we need to raise another $3 million—therefore, we humbly ask folks to visit www.ourchristianmission.org for more details on how they can help.”

When asked what drives them, Susan and Sandy don’t hesitate and almost speak in unison: “To be the light for all people. To give them a listening ear, a smile, and encouragement. In these challenging times we live in today, we all need that … spread the love.” w

We know how busy life can get—kids, work, family, friends … sometimes just getting dinner on the table is a Herculean feat! So in an effort to save our readers some time, effort, and money here are a few tips, tricks, and hacks that might come in handy in your busy world!

It’s a bit hairy!

As much as we adore our furry family members, the amount of hair discharged from these cute little critters can be daunting … and everywhere! To easily remove pet hair from furniture, bedding, clothes, etc. use dryer sheets, or just don a pair of rubber gloves and rub your hands over hairy surfaces; you’ll be surprised how much hair clings to the gloves.

For scratches that aren’t behind the ears. If you have claw marks on wooden furniture, you can cover them up by rubbing a walnut over the scratches. e natural oils in walnuts seep into the wood— covering up blemishes in the process.