April's story...

 April Dillenburg is my granddaughter. This picture was taken last year when she recruited a friend to help clean Dawson Lake Road. She also wrote articles for the Candlewick Paper about human trafficking as well as the run at the fairgrounds in Boone county where they were doused in colored cornstarch at the finish.

After the cornstarch race

She was extremely active in Rockford First Church where she spoke, performed, and gave a testimonial. She did well at work and was promoted a few months ago at the age of 20. Just the perfect all American girl. I am writing this after asking her permission. She has not read this article.
 The change came slowly. She watched as the person most important in her life's mental state gradually changed, making him into a different person and her downward spiral began. She started running for miles at a time, punishing her body and continually pushing for more. Depression was setting in but as with so many destructive things in life it crept in slowly. She began feeling she had no control over her life and found deprivation of food was a form of control. Counting calories became anorexia. Anorexia emaciated her body and health problems surfaced. Next came anxiety and withdrawl from friendships. She has become a skeleton of herself emotionally as well as physically. This all happened in less than a year.
April was in such bad shape she was hospitalized a few weeks ago but after release the downward spiral continued.

April with Dawn Corso at the Candlewick Clean-up day

Last week she received word she has been accepted in the Mercy Ministries program. She will be in an inpatient treatment center in Nashville for six months for treatment of depression, anxiety, and of course anorexia. Due to her deteriorating condition the acceptance was quick with her admittance date being April first. It is an intensive program with little outside contact until completion. Oddly enough she had hoped to work for this exact ministry prior to this happening to her. She has always wanted to help others.

April In happier times

Why would I write this story? Because I believe in the power of prayer and she needs a lot of it. I ask for all of you to please pray for this wonderful young lady. We have three sons and April is like the daughter we never had. She is very special as some of you have come to know. If you wish to send her a note of encouragement or a card I will put her address below. She will be allowed to get mail. I am not asking you to send anything but I know some will ask the address.   Ken

April Dillenburg
Mercy Ministries
15328 Old Hickory Boulevard
Nashville, Tennesee, 37211