Mandy’s Story: Learning to Trust the Next Step

When Mandy began her Hero on a Mission journey at the Life Center, life felt uncertain and heavy. Ongoing health challenges, financial strain, and complicated family relationships left her feeling stuck—taking one step forward only to be pushed back again. Yet beneath the hardship, God was quietly at work, growing something new: faith.

Mandy is a devoted mom and grandmother. She shares her home with her son, Ryan, and treasures time with her granddaughters and extended family. Though her life has not followed an easy path, it has shaped in her a deep resilience and gratitude for what she does have—family who loves her, food on the table, and a roof over her head.

After years as a hairdresser, Mandy has been unable to work due to serious health issues, including carpal tunnel damage, hip replacement surgery, chronic pain, and a recent fibromyalgia diagnosis. Living on Medicaid and facing ongoing financial pressure, she often felt overwhelmed and discouraged.

That is where her Guide, Debbie McClain, stepped in—walking beside her with patience, prayer, and steady encouragement.

Early sessions focused on finances and purpose, which helped Mandy reframe her situation. Though she could no longer work full-time, she began to see that purpose is bigger than a paycheck. Purpose could be found in caring for family, managing her home, and using her gifts in small, meaningful ways—cutting hair, baking cakes, and serving others as her health allows.

As the sessions continued, faith became more than a topic—it became an anchor.

Through Scripture, prayer, and honest conversation, Mandy was reminded to bring her worries to God and focus on what is true, noble, right, and good (Philippians 4:6–8). Even on painful days, she kept showing up. She resolved financial issues, applied for assistance, hosted family gatherings, and discovered joy again in simple pleasures like baking, organizing, laughing with her grandkids, and staying connected to others.

Then came Session 10: Faith.

Mandy completed the program with a deep sense of accomplishment. During the trust walk exercise, she realized she trusted her Guide because Debbie had proven faithful. From there, it became easier to imagine trusting God—whose faithfulness never fails.

On Christmas Eve, Mandy, her mother, and her granddaughters attended a worship service together. For a Hero with little church background, it was a meaningful step toward something new.

Today, Mandy’s goal is to live within her budget, grow her income slowly using her talents, and rely less on outside help. More importantly, she is learning to trust God, trust others, and trust herself again.

Mandy’s story reminds us that faith does not remove hardship—but it gives us the strength to keep moving forward. One prayer. One step. One faithful choice at a time.

Hero, you are not alone. And like Mandy, you have what it takes to grow.