August 29, 2007
Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life was my first book, published in 2002. I met so many teens as I wrote this book. Many of their stories were powerful. One of those most amazing and difficult story was written by a teen named Nichole.
In her story, on page 69, titled “A Place to Call Home”, she shared what it was like to be raised in a home where dad raised marijuana, where they were kicked out of their home, or ran from police.
One day her parents took all of their belongings to a storage shelter. They left behind all of their furniture, but they also left something else very important behind at that storage building:
Eleven-year-old Nichole.
She lived on the streets, in the houses of friends (they didn’t know she was homeless), and even in cars. Eventually she was placed in foster care when one of her friends’ parents discovered that her parents had abandoned Nichole.
Nichole was angry and made a lot of bad choices really young, and it hurt her. But one day she accepted Christ. She moved in with a Christian family and finished school.
Life still wasn’t easy, but Nichole discovered one thing that she has never forget: Jesus made his home inside of her, and that changed her life.
I have kept in touch with many of these teens, who are now twentysomethings. Some are married. Some have children. Most are still running after God. Nichole certainly is.
Here’s an update on Nichole’s life. She sent me this e-mail this past week:
My Life Now
I can hardly believe it has been 5 years since “Real Teens, Real Stories, Real Life” was released. So many things have changed, but one thing that has not changed is the “WOW” factor I feel when I think about all Christ has done in my life, and where He has brought me.
My desire to let other teens know how He has changed my life and can change theirs too has gotten even deeper and tighter around my heart as well!!!
Since 2002 I have been very busy building and strengthening my own family. I became a first time mom in November of 2003 and 3 years later almost to the date I gave birth to my second son! I would have never thought all those years ago that God would give me such a great family. I can’t believe my oldest will be almost four and I will be celebrating my seventh anniversary this year!!! God is so faithful, and he has truly restored all the years of pain in my life.
After my husband returned from being overseas for a year with the military, we were transferred to Utah where I was able to quickly get involved with a wonderful local church.
Trying to find balance between family and ministry was a challenge but has been such an incredible journey. There I was part of team to launch a new food pantry ministry that now serves over 200 family’s a month. I also helped start a much needed youth jail ministry at the local juvenile detention center. There we went in every Sunday and did a service/small group presentation for the youth. Currently we are the only Christian group to go into the center on Sunday mornings.
I also had the opportunity to help out with the youth group and teach a weekly small group study for teen girls.
God did some pretty cool stuff in Utah and continues to work through my life in amazing ways. It has been such an honor to see teens come to Christ and others to grow and learn more of Him through me.
Currently we are relocating to South Carolina where I hope to pursue more writing opportunities and possibly publishing my first book “Finally Home” about teens finding their security in Christ.
I also plan to be involved in our local youth group and whatever the Lord has in store for me there.
Sincerely,
Nichole Johnson
Debbie says:
AWESOME!
Debbie
Debbie says:
Didn’t see the picture ’til just now. What a BEAUTIFUL family!
Debbie
lydia says:
Awesome…
-Lydia
Jeanette says:
Hi Suzie,
What an amazing story! Thanks for sharing this follow-up story.
Blessings on your day,
Jeanette