I spent 8 years and 10 months in prison for two aggravated DUIs. I was raised in church but fell away from it for many years. While I was in prison, Sun Valley started opening a service for God Behind Bars at Florence West, where I was. My mom and sister attended Sun Valley, and my mom kept asking if I would check it out. I promised her I would, and you don’t break a promise to your mom, right?

So, I went, and something happened that I can’t really explain. Every week, the sermons spoke directly to what I needed to hear. They helped open my heart again, and I didn’t miss a single service unless I was out on fires (I did wildland firefighting while in prison). Those Sundays gave me a sense of hope and light in such a dark place.

As I rebuilt my relationship with Jesus and learned to trust Him more, amazing things started happening once I was released. Doors opened for me—like the courts working with me to get my license back and judges dropping fines. It’s honestly been a miracle how smooth the transition has been, and I know it’s all because of God. Without Him, none of this would’ve been possible.