Into the Deep by FREED Magazine

Meeting Carleen Donawa for the first time, you would have never guessed that she had experienced a car accident that nearly took her life, leaving her on a battlefield, fighting daily for not only control over her physical body but also constantly going to war mentally. In this episode, Carleen tells us how God's presence was present from the moment she was hit by a car, to where she is now, working a full-time job while also building her business. The promise and vision that God had given her prior to her accident pushed Carleen to get through the season of having to rely completely on God's provision, despite not being able to know if she would see the next day.CONNECT WITH CARLEENThe FREED Magazine Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our mission, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The FREED Magazine Community at freedmagazine.substack.com/subscribe

With many traumatic events happening back to back, Aurièle shares with us the season in which she walked through the valley of death, depression, and defeat. With the death of her father and boyfriend, false accusations towards her, car accidents, being in a place with no support system, and many more, Aurièle encountered Jesus in such an intimate way through her unimaginable grief. Through her testimony, we see a perfect representation and evidence that God is indeed close to the brokenhearted despite the circumstances.CONNECT WITH AURIÈLEFREED’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our mission, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The FREED Magazine Community at freedmagazine.substack.com/subscribe

With us today we have Cheslea Bailey, a certified counselor who shares with us how she had to completely lean on God to heal the distorted lens through which she saw relationships. Starting when she was a toddler, Chelsea witnessed physical and emotional abuse amongst her caretakers, which began to shape her mindset into believing it was normal. Through many years of trial and error, heartbreak, endurance, and being intentional in the healing process, Chelsea not only took what she learned and applied it to her life, but she now helps other women break free of traumatic cycles, encouraging them to rest in the love, grace, and goodness that God has for them.Connect with Chelsea BaileyEmail: [email protected]’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our mission, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The FREED Magazine Community at freedmagazine.substack.com/subscribe

Through the quietness and beauty of nature, Annie shares with us how she found Jesus not through a "come to the altar" moment, but in a parking lot as a 16-year-old enjoying the stillness around her. As a first-generation believer, Annie recounts the traumatic and difficult seasons she walked through, but looking back realized God was preparing a way for her the entire time. With much rejection from male figures in her life, Annie has come to know the Lord as her redeemer and Father who gives her strength and guidance to break generational curses. Now as a mother of two and a wife, Annie shares how she has experienced forgiveness and hope through what the Lord has graciously gifted her with.CONNECT WITH ANNIEhttps://www.instagram.com/ahmaddox94/The FREED Magazine Community is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our mission, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The FREED Magazine Community at freedmagazine.substack.com/subscribe

This episode dives into the complexity of trusting God through a lens of doubt, confusion, and grief. Experiencing multiple miscarriages, Carita shares with us how she had to ultimately give God her "yes" through difficult seasons and lean on Jesus for restoration, joy, and healing. Her obedience to the Lord came with many questions and hesitations but transformed her into finding moments of joy in her motherhood journey. Carita gives us practical steps and advice on how to celebrate others genuinely but also set boundaries to protect our mental health and healing. Get full access to The FREED Magazine Community at freedmagazine.substack.com/subscribe