House of Hope Teen Ministry

04/11/2026

For those of you that know, this is my daughter, Madi.

For those of that don’t know, this is my daughter, Madi.

For those of you that know, you know.

For those of you that don’t know, she is an addict.

I have been on this journey with her since she was 14 years old. She will celebrate her 20th birthday in 37 days. Which is ironic because I was 20 when I had her. We are 6 years and 3 rehabs in. Read on.

Did you know that addiction is classified in the DSM-5? It’s a mental illness that lives in the brain stem: the same brain stem that serves a critical role in regulating certain involuntary actions of the body, including heartbeat and breathing. Pause on that. Addicts feel that they need their drug of choice (DOC) the same way they feel they need to breathe. Pause on that.

Did you know that our society treats addiction as a moral issue and pawns it off on law enforcement to “control”? The average stay in jail is 14 days or less. Where addicts are left to detox alone…outside of medical supervision.
Did you know the detox process can be violent and result in death if not monitored by medical professionals?
The addict is then released at the time their serotonin levels are at their lowest, leading to a high rate of relapse. It’s a pun to say this is criminal. It takes an average of 14-16 months of sobriety for an addict’s brain to balance serotonin levels to that of a neuro-typical brain. Did you know that? Did you know that most insurances will only pay for

02/26/2026

“It’s too late for me… Please talk to someone even if they look and act OK… They might make it because of you.”

Those were Lindsey Mae Swan’s final words in her journal.

She was 12 years old.

Her family just laid her to rest in Huntsville, Alabama — a vibrant, talented middle schooler who loved choir, theater, volleyball, gymnastics, sunsets, animals, and making people laugh.

They called her “Sweet Pea” and “Stitch.” She was rehearsing for The Lion King. She had just been invited to join her school’s Girls Engaged in Math and Science team.

On the outside, she was thriving.

Inside, she was struggling.

Lindsey’s family believes their daughter wanted her passing to serve as a warning — to save another child who might be hurting quietly behind a smile. To raise awareness about those quietly suffering on the inside.

Her family says this is not about blame.

It’s about protecting the next child.

If you hear someone talk about hurting themselves… about not wanting to be here… that is not drama. That is a red flag. Tell a parent. A teacher. A coach. A counselor. You may worry about losing a friendship — but you will never regret saving a life.

If you or someone you love is struggling, there is help. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. You are not alone.

As her mom Brittany and their family grieve this unimaginable loss, they are asking for one thing: that her message be heard.

Please share.

Please keep Lindsey’s family in your prayers.

And if you could say one thing to a family who just buried their 12-year-old daughter, what would it be?

07/11/2025

Thank you Jesus for the gift of family & friends. Help us to have unwavering faith keeping our eyes focused on you, even when we don’t understand. Let us always remember that you have a purpose, and a plan for all us, and it’s not to harm us, but to prosper us. Remove any bitterness from our hearts, so that it will not act like weeds wrapping around it, suffocating it, and making it cold. Help us to always be kind, showing love to others, so that they may see Christ through us. Holy Spirit help us to be quick to forgive, as God is quick to forgive us, slow to anger, as you are so patient with us, always eager to lend a helping hand, while showing love and compassion to those in need, just as you are loving, compassionate, and always eager to step in, and lend us a helping hand. Keep us humble, as we transform by the constant renewing of our minds.
And above all thank you for sending your son Jesus to die on the cross, so that we could be set free and spend eternity in Heaven with you! In the coming days or even years, as this world is becoming a more unpredictable and scary place God please help us to never loose sight of the the goodness of God in all of our lives. Give us peace, and restore the joy of our salvation. Give us the strength to always set aside our human pride, and stand up for what is right. It is said that Actions speak louder than words so let our actions scream from the mountain tops that we love you! and we are so thankful to be saved by your Grace!
Thank you for our salvation!
Thank you for Gods grace!

05/28/2025

01/26/2025

09/25/2024