Millie, Air and Miranda Celebrating Millie's Graduation
Not many thought she would ever finish High School. No one in her family has ever accomplished this. Millie Horn was raised by her grandma in Tacoma as her mom struggled with the effects of drug addiction. Her younger brothers have been involved in gangs and drugs have often come into contact with the juvenile justice system. Last year Millie came to live at the SOZO House of Dreams, a house for teen girls who want to pursue hope and a chance at a future, while growing in relationship with God. Millie lived with us for 6 months and was able to get on track in her education at a local alternative high school and continue to catch up on the credits she had fallen behind in her first two years of High School.
Millie began her personal relationship with Jesus while living at the house, and shared one night how she realized he had been with her through everything, and that she could trust Him. She had always struggled to trust and believe and never thought she would be able to trust others or God. However, God had been showing himself to her for many months and she could now see that He had her best in mind and she needed Him. Millie left the House of Dreams this past October as she moved down to Vancouver Washington with her family to take a break from Tacoma for a while. She enrolled in her fourth high school with graduation in her sights.
The road was still not easy for her as she had a tough fight this past winter. Not long after moving, one of her closest friends was murdered in Tacoma. Millie took it really hard and began to question her life and what it meant. She also had a run in with the law herself for shoplifting, and even began to consider ending her life. But Millie again reached out for help with her new family in Tacoma (her YFC friends and mentors) and to God. As a result, she kept on persevering.
She walked across the stage last night beaming from ear to ear – I and some of her friends from Tacoma were there to celebrate with her. As they announced her name, she was handed her diploma, hugging the authorities of her school. SHE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL! Graduation is an amazing accomplishment for a young woman who has had to fight for everything in life, including surviving a traumatic birth into the world. She is also seeing how God is and has been fighting on her behalf along with others who God has brought into her life. She understands now that she is not alone. Millie also knows that not every fight will end in failure. She is seeing VICTORY one step at a time and she can now see her FUTURE. She has a goal of starting and finishing college. WE LOVE YOU MILLIE!!! We are so PROUD OF YOU! – Chrisy Wachtler, JJM
That is so cool! I am so proud of Millie and the the team for helping her achieve her goals.