I met Jesus in an upstairs children’s church classroom in Cordell, Oklahoma at four years old. I was kneeling on a green cloth-covered altar, probably wearing ruffled socks and a crooked ponytail, but I meant business. I started singing not long after. I didn’t know much, but I knew He was real, and I knew He’d called me.

My pastor back then, Pastor Doyle Roark, saw the call on my life early on. He poured into me like I was his own — encouraged me, believed in me, and never let me forget that God had a plan for my life. He’s with Jesus now, but his voice is still with me, especially each time I get up to sing.  I lived in Cordell until I was 11, then moved to Texas — and now, 41 years later, I’m back where it all started. If that’s not full circle, I don’t know what is.

But let me be honest — life hasn’t been all sweet church songs and Sunday mornings. I’ve walked through some really hard things. I was married to a pastor, and let’s just say, the home didn’t match the pulpit. After the divorce, I hit rock bottom. What started as “just trying to sleep at night” turned into a full-blown addiction to sleeping pills and later alcohol. I was broken — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There were days I didn’t think I’d ever come out of it. But God!

He reached into the mess, pulled me out, and reminded me who I was. I’m now clean, sober, and singing again. I truly believe I’ve got something to say. Because there are people out there who are walking through their own version of rock bottom, and I want them to know there’s still a way back.

I’m a multi-award-winning gospel artist, but I’ll be the first to tell you — I’m not polished, I’m not perfect. I’m just real. I sing from a place of grit, grace, and gratitude. And if my story helps someone else get through their own mess, then I’ll keep on singing.