Rachel's Story

Rachel is a strong woman who has endured more than her share of hardships and trials of strength.

After overcoming a difficult childhood, Rachel still persevered through school. 

Years later, Rachel gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Unfortunately, her daughter's father abandoned the both of them and has remained out of their lives, even now.

While her daughter was just a baby, hurricane Katrina devastated their home, forcing them to move to Texas for a while. Some months passed and Rachel and her daughter came back to their home in Mississippi. Not soon after she met her current husband and the two had another baby girl. 

During this time it became evident that her eldest daughter had a series of health problems and complications, including: asthma, IBS, sleeping disorder, constant bouts of pneumonia, severe allergies, and a diagnosis of ADD and ADHD. Dealing with a child who was constantly in and out of the hospital exhausted Rachel--who also suffers from her own health problems including: depression, arthritis, pleurisy of the lungs, and orthopedic problems.

Years went by and a parent's worst fear came true for Rachel, she found out her daughter, then age 5, had been molested by a close family friend. This news devastated her family and nearly tore them apart. Rachel found herself struggling to compensate for the damage done to her daughter as well as fighting to keep the family together. There were many times where Rachel felt so alone in carrying her world on her shoulders. In the span of 2-3 years, justice was finally served and the man who molested her daughter was found guilty and put away in prison. 
However the emotional and mental trauma, suffered by her daughter, still lingered causing added stress and worry to Rachel and her family.

Yet despite all of that, Rachel has chosen to remain strong and loving towards her family and those around her. She's decided not give up on life and still hope for the best for her children's sake. Very rarely does she ask for anything or take time for just herself. 

Currently she is spending most of her free time aiding her dying grandfather who is suffering with prostate cancer--and lives nearly an hour away. Thus causing her to put her current career goals on hold for the time being.

A part from her devotion to family, she works at her local church in the children ministry department.

Rachel's faith in God, the support of her grandmother, and her unrelenting love for her children have given her the constant strength to endure these quiet battles of her life. Rachel believes that a strong foundation in God and a strong, united family can carry her through anything she may be facing.

Rachel's Word of Encouragement:

"God and my friends and my grandmother have given me the strength I need to make it and have stood by my side. My kids always give me strength, whether with my depression or anything else, they always put a smile on my face. I have God and people behind me even though it seems at times I'm all alone--we are never alone. God will give us strength and put people in our lives to help guide us through the hard times and give us that shoulder we sometimes so need, we just need to stay open and not close up, which can be so hard at times."

Click here to see Rachel's transformational photo session,

courtesy of Hanna Lorraine Photography