Mandy sits down and talks with McKenna Whisler.

Middle & High School Superlatives - When something is confirmed or said to you over and over again you begin to internalize…what you believe for yourself vs what people say about you. Realizing it is not their version of your life your living but what I am living is mine. Restructuring how I tell my life and who God says I am.
A lot of people believe humans are created flawed. But she said she believed humans are created to be glorious. The enemy and life take away our glory. Really, the first 18 years impact the rest of your life.
Counseling – There is a stigma about it for some people.  Counseling has revealed so much.  Get healthy by confronting and healing.  Patterns are what to pay attention to. We do things for a reason.
What has been life changing to you? (McKenna) If something bad happens to me I will automatically assume the role of perpetrator/the one responsible for it. I would fault myself for something bad that had happened. What’s important is showing up and being honest in counseling. I thought counseling would make me better, but it has made me more honest. To students – start now, start asking questions because it is not that you are messed up or something is wrong. 
Sexual abuse – Really common to believe it is your fault. But to release the shame and guilt because it is not your fault. Needed a safe place to process it. There is never a time when someone should touch you when you haven’t given them permission.  Need to bring to the light. Find someone safe to talk to about it. 
Safe place to talk through stuff. Feeling like you are the only one struggling with something, but you are not. We are made to be connected and made to belong.
Biggest key to growth is showing up and being honest.
Psalms - David’s prayers and songs – Often starts off about getting his enemies but then goes to asking God to do a work in his own heart. Name the thing that is not working and be honest before God and others. Sometimes you do all this work and see no growth and then all of a sudden there is growth and it is a beautiful thing.
How do you navigate figuring out how to find a safe place/person to be able to grow? Discernment is a real thing and ask the Lord to have discernment. You sort of test the waters: How do I feel?  How honest/real can I be?  Can I trust you? Do you accept me? You have the Holy Spirit working inside you giving you wisdom. If you don’t feel safe (even if that is a parent), then find someone you can be safe with, to share with. Pay attention to how you feel with someone.  Trust is built in the small moments and over time. 

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