Broken Beautiful - Finding a Crown of Beauty in the Ashes of Addiction

Growing up in Duluth, Minnesota, it was normal for Melissa Huray to take sips of her Dad's beer when she climbed up on his lap or sneak swigs from the adults' red cups at a family party. As she grew into her teens, unrestricted drinking became a powerful experience that was impossible to control on her own.

For fifteen excruciating years-from age 15 to 30-Melissa subsequently battled alcohol addiction. These precious years of Melissa's life were marred by broken relationships, disappointment, scrapes with law enforcement, and challenges in pursuing both education and employment. Most painful of all, perhaps, was the loss of her faith in God.

After years of experiencing frightening blackouts, severe panic attacks, and painful physical and psychological symptoms, Melissa decided it was time to beat her addiction. It wasn't easy. After four years of relapsing, she was finally able to recommit her life to God and accept His gift of grace. As Melissa says, "His mercy saved me from myself."

Broken Beautiful chronicles the raw details of Melissa's ordeal, including struggles with her self-esteem, her search for a meaningful education and employment, and those in her life who both helped and derailed her efforts to beat her addiction. Along the way, she rediscovered what it means to truly surrender herself to God's mercy. By telling her story, Melissa desires to give others battling an addiction the hope and promise that there is, indeed, another way to live.