A Season of Hope & Healing!

This is part of our Community series. Submit your story here.

Submitted by Jaime Santos -- It seems just like yesterday we were celebrating the holiday season and now it's ever so quickly approaching once again. For some this season is a time for reflection of the years many blessings. For others, it is a reminder of heart ache, challenges and daily struggles. A mix of feelings may flood through your mind as you reflect on the last year. As a mental health counselor, I have seen a rise of depression and anxiety like never before. The struggle is a real phenomenon and only tends to increase during the holiday season.

No matter what season of life you are in, there is HOPE & HEALING! I am also a pastor's wife at a local Fort Mill Church, Real Life. We want to meet you where you are at with your real-life struggles. My husband and I are a blended family with 6 kids, one of our children has a rare heart disorder and I continue to work through my own healing journey from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We understand the needs; therefore, we offer the community free resources such a parenting classes and counseling services. Real Life Church also has a Boutique with over thousands of clothing items for babies, kids, and families. We provide items like highchairs, bedding, mattresses and baby formula to those in need.

This December 24th, we will host our annual family Christmas Eve candlelight service at 10:30 am. There is something for everyone and all are welcome! There is story time with the kids and a message of HOPE and HEALING for all. We will all gather together holding our candle's light aglow as we sing nostalgic Christmas carols. Here is where we discover our purpose together as we look forward to more hope and healing though the new year!