If only I’d realized earlier that it never pays to fight evil with evil. But after watching my father die, I’d been consumed with bitterness and had allowed it to lead me astray from what was righteous and pleasing to God.

Commitment was easy when everything was going well. But it counted most when things were falling apart.

Now I was coming to understand the truth of my father’s claim that God’s grace and presence shine the strongest in our humblest moments.

God had indeed answered our prayers in a way we’d never been able to envision on our own.

What had she gotten herself into?

But if I stopped hiding the real me – if I accepted and embraced everything about myself, including the mark on my skin – then I’d take the first step in showing others that they had nothing to fear from me.

This man. This time. This place. This was her destiny. This was exactly where she was meant to be. Forever.

I think the mission of the Society is a noble one and I’m glad of the small part I can play in giving children a wholesome life away from the vices of the city.

But even brave people are afraid on occasion. Sometimes fear can protect us from being too foolish or reckless.

She brightened the darkness of this place with her kindness and concern for everyone.