If you’re reading this, I’d like to welcome you and give you a hug.

Maybe you’re the parent or loved one of someone suffering with an eating disorder. Perhaps you’re in the throes of anorexia yourself. Maybe you think you may have the beginning stages of disordered eating. Or perhaps you’re on the journey to recovery.

Whatever has brought you here, I hope that through the story of my brokenness, and redemption through the Lord, you are able to find hope, encouragement, advice, healing, support, and comfort.

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This blog chronicles my journey from severe anorexia to recovery, and every twist and turn along the way. The blog posts are meant to be read from beginning to end, as a book. (( Glorious Wounds is the Introduction.)) So I would suggest reading “up” — starting from my oldest post, and working backwards to the most recent. This is my first post.

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I must warn you that the beginning is very dark — intense, raw, and despairing. It is an uncensored view into my mind when I was deep in my anorexia. However, I chose to be vulnerable and share that utter brokenness — that wreckage — in order for you to truly grasp the gravity of the disease, and how sincerely meaningful freedom through Christ has been in my life.

I also hope that you’ll find the resources section of my blog helpful. If you or a loved one is suffering with disordered eating habits, please seek professional help.

With that being said, I am not a doctor. I’m not a therapist, dietician, counselor, psychiatrist, etc. I’m just a girl. Who had a severe case of anorexia. And who is journeying through recovery, one day at a time. I’m just sharing my story with the hopes that it will help even one person.

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***To get a copy of my book, Bloom: A Journal by BeautyBeyondBones, click here! 

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2,012 thoughts on “Read This First”

  2. Thanks for stopping by Dr. J’s Apothecary Shoppe and for the many “likes.” I appreciate your encouragement. In reading the responses that you write, I see that you are one who offers great encouragement. . . a kind of female Barnabas–whose name means “son of consolation or comfort or encouragement.” I guess you would be a “daughter of consolation.” I may be stretching the point, but you are an encouragement to me and so many others.

    May the New Year unfold like blossoming rose that continually opens with exquisite “beauty beyond bones.”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Hi dr. j, wow I am so humbled and touched by your words. Truly. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. That is my deepest prayer: to offer hope and encouragement to those that need it. God has been such a healer and friend to me, I just want to share that with others. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words happy new year. Blessings and joy to you in 2016!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you for stopping by and liking the post on hisnamebpraised. Continued blessings to you and all who come and visit the site in 2016. In His Name, Doug

    Like

  5. You aren’t just a girl, though…you are very brave, and you’re wonderful, and strong…sharing your journey is important, for others, for yourself… Well done. Keep it up.

    Like

  6. I have now read 2 of your articles! Awesome reads! I look forward to reading through your blogs as time permits. From one person’s journey to another, similar yet different. Thank you for stopping by and liking my post today! Encouragers through Christ, that’s who we are. Sister, you are a kindred spirit, I can feel it in your writing! Have a blessed day!

    Like

  8. Thank you for stopping by and “liking” my blog “Hopeless or Hopeful”! Sending many blessings to you for continued success in your journey to beauty! Leave those bones behind; you are a beautiful daughter of God!

    God bless!
    Avanell

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Thanks so much for stopping by on my little blog that it’s in it’s infancy. I’m obviously in a very different place, but I’m going to read through your blog for inspiration. I need some.

    Like

  15. Dear sister, you are very brave for sharing your heart. God bless you. And thanks for liking my posts and being a faithful follower. 🙂 Love you in the Lord, dear.

    Like

  16. I LOVE the title of your blog! I stopped by because you stopped by :), (oh, the wonders of cyberspace), and while I don’t have any need for your information, as a pastor’s wife, I will keep your blog in my files! My daughter-in-law suffered from anorexia when younger and didn’t think that she would be able to have children. At was stage in a relationship to you tell a young man about this? I still remember that call from our son. That’s when “trust in the Lord” becomes a mantra! Now, nine years and three children later, we are just praising the Lord for His delivery! Bless you!!

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    1. Hi there! Oh thank you so much for these uplifting words. I cannot tell you the joy it brings my heart to hear that your daughter in law was able to have children. God is good. Thanks for stopping by and for your thoughtful response! Have a wonderful weekend! God bless!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Hi and thanks for taking a look at my blog. Your blog is very inspiring. Using your lived experience to be a guiding light for others is a wonderful expression of the life that you are learning from. We are all rescuing ourselves from believing in this illusion that we must live in the dark, create pain for ourselves and when we do so we hide our light. Your light is shining brightly. I wish for you that it gets easier and easier to know this.
    Carolynne .

    Like

  19. Your journey, because you were so brave to share … you will help many. My Mother has had an eating disorder since a teenager. She never reached the point that you have. Thank you for taking the time to share your story. You are a soldier in Gods army. May God bless you richly.

    Like

  20. Thank you for liking my posts!

    https://modelrailroadsblog.wordpress.com

    I am the writer of several blogs, and in each one I try to convey something positive about our future and our past. I believe in humanity, in “us”, and sincerely respect all that we can become. On a grand global scale. And during our most intimate and possibly most insecure moments, which can often be that moment of greatest personal achievement and self understanding.

    I wish you all the best, unconditionally.

    Hans Carl Clausen : Mr Model

    Like

  21. Thanks for liking my post. I am a newbie just dabbling my toes in the writing world. I am looking forward to diving into your blog. (Just trying to keep the metaphor consistent).
    Love your title!

    Like

  24. Hey girl! Thank you for liking my recent posts, I just wanted to say thank you for being such an awesome encouragement to myself and so many others. It’s so amazing to see God take our brokenness and use it for His glory. I look forward to reading your upcoming posts–Perhaps we can work together one of these days! I’d love to guest blog for you! 🙂 God bless!

    Like

  27. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am now reading your posts. You are great! Thank you for sharing your life. I look forward to read more. Take care! Hugs/Anne Kaarina

    Like

  29. Thank you for stopping by my blog and “liking” it. You seem like so a courageous and honest soul. I look forward to following your journey and I hope you’ll share in mine. Blessings.

    Like

  30. Dear Beauty, I started out as a classically-trained stage actor. Left that long ago for personal reasons, but that’s another story. I read your intro and it caught my breath. From theatre, I’ve known a few who suffered as you have. God has led me to different things and saved me from more than one pickle. I am always looking out for other people’s experiences in Christianity – each member of the body contributes and builds up the other.

    I hope my posts can give you something useful Try my very first post, True Love, 4/13/14. My focus is on where the bible intersects with the world; it has always seemed to be separate: bible history and church history, cause and effect, etc. In the meantime, I look forward to reading more on you. I just find it inspiring to hear other people who came back from one brink or another with God’s help.

    Be well Beauty!

    Like

  34. Thank you so much for stopping by my newly launched blog today! You were the first to follow me. Thank you, thank you! From your information, I see you are a champion of giving hope to eating disorders. When my daughter taught Family and Consumer Sciences several years ago, she was surprised at the number of students (female and male) who openly spoke of their ED. She had a friend who was part of the Miss Indiana program that had an ED education platform. She went to school leaders with the thought of bringing her to the school. She even had found people to sponsor the school assembly. Administration turned my daughter’s idea down–“we don’t have a problem here at this school.” Although she was able to bring this program to school, she plastered the hallways with ED posters…if she could just reach one person. Thank you for being a voice!

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  35. Love your blog!

    I’m starting an online mag called Imperfect Life, would love you to share some of your stories. We share ‘realness’, imperfection, and life experiences that have challenged or changed lives; big or small. Please feel free to send me an email at admin@imperfectlife.com.au

    Thanks 🙂

    Like

    1. Hi friend, thank you for this question. For me, the only way I was able to find the strength, courage, perseverance, follow through & desire to recover was though God. Because I did not have the ability to love myself enough to do those things for myself -feeling unworthy- but I relied 100% on His love for me, which then helped foster and grow in me a love and respect for myself. For me there was no other way. I do respect your religious views though. And I would say, you need to just dig deep into your soul to understand at a core level that you really do have worth as a human being. And that worth does not come from any achievement, number on the scale, or outer appearance, but from who you are as a person. And for me, I found that worth because i was created by God and am His daughter, which gives me worth. I hope that helps. Best of luck on your recovery journey. Know that I believe in you and am rooting for you ☺️ sending you so much love xx

      Like

  40. You are my first visitor on my blog. I have another blog “The Unstoppable Optimist”, but I wanted to create this one where I could focus on the topic of having a healthy life style. I have worked hard on mine…I want to share. I’m glad you visited…I’m looking forward to reading your blog posts. Thanks for visiting my blog and being the first!

    Like

  41. Your blog is beautiful. Very stirring, very inspiring, and very loving. You can feel your love for those who share your struggle. It makes my heart sad that you had to suffer so much, but rejoices in that you found answers and are now (very bravely) willing to share those with others to help them out too. IT IS AWESOME! Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking my post. It’s so important to learn from each other, strengthen each other, and share what we’ve learned as we journey through life.

    Like

    1. Thank you so much! Aw, you made me smile☺️☺️☺️ I agree- building a supportive and loving community is so important for so many reasons. Thanks again for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful week! Hugs!

      Like

  44. Thank you so much for taking time to check out my blog and “liking” my post. You have quite an inspiring one going on here. Looks as if you care a great deal about others, this blog reaches out.
    Best to you~

    Like

  45. Thanks for the recent visit. Admire the honesty and good will in the post above. Hope to get to some of your other posts soon. Just wrote down some eating resolutions today, not that I’ve faced anything quite like you have. My brother has drummed into me how intensely important it is to get this part of our lives right. As “God’s image bearers” we have a real duty to honour the body, which holds the imprint and guise of the divine. A well considered diet is a significant part of a worship. A fundamental responsibility. Part of respecting God’s property.

    Like

  46. Thank you for liking myblog……..anexdrunksviewfromthedrivingseat…i’m a novice so to receive such an accolade from an experienced blogger is praise indeed and your words are an inspiration.

    Like

  47. Hi, LaVancia here…This page brought tears to my eyes as I realized these past few days I have been turning myself into a casino zombie…I have been playing some of the free slot machines for literally hours at a time…when you mentioned Christ becoming the center of your new life, I recognized the need for me to do that as well.

    As the tears silently flow, I will confess to you it is so difficult at times for me to believe; yet, I have had a tug at my heart to really put forth an effort to writing my book and sharing my story. I want it out there to not only bring insight into the development of schizophrenia and it’s long road to recovery, but also to hopefully prevent someone from taking the life of their child, as my schizophrenia did to me.

    I cleared my other craft desk off completely this weekend, in anticipation of working on my story in there and then later bringing it to the computer desk in my living room. I am tired of making jewelry and gifts that are just temporary beauties that will someday be broken and buried six feet under like my son.

    I want to make a permanent mark as a spoke person for people with mental illnesses who are more specifically tied to the criminal justice system. I don’t want my son to have died in vain. His death is what brought me back to Christ (even though it took a good 10+ years…). Anyways, wish I could read more, and I will try because I want to establish a good support system through my blog/website.

    However, as of now, you read my coming in of the 3s post and I have my hands full of not only that, but the budgeting and meal planning for next month to tackle I will be busy; however I want to set aside like 3 hours twice a week to simply reading other’s blogs. Thank you so much for your kind support and prayers. God bless you! LaVancia Phoenix

    Like

    1. Hi LaVancia, thank you so much for sharing this heartfelt response. Wow. I am so inspired by your testimony. It sounds like God is really working on your heart. Praise Him for that. I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine the pain you use have felt, losing your son. My heart just breaks. Know that we will one day be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven. And that brings me comfort. I am praying for you, me friend. It think it’s a really noble task you’ve taken on and I for one would be honored to read your book. Thanks for stopping by. Sending so many hugs and so much love right now xox

      Liked by 1 person

  50. Thanks for stopping by a second time on my blog page. Thanks too for liking myblog post about “The Villain,God and Us”. Tomorrow we will be talking about “Destiny” Stay tuned…how do three criminals face eternity.

    Like

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