The Heart of Our Father

Each graduation from our Recovering Hope program is special and unique. Excerpts from Todd’s Royal Pines graduation speech, written below, reflect his personal journey – the challenges, the growth, and the friendships that
turn strangers to family

Jessie Hale Downs lived a life of quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering compassion. At age 27, along
with her husband, Jimmie Hale, Jessie began the Jimmie Hale Mission to help homeless men in Birmingham.
Jimmie died just months after the Mission opened. Even though Mrs. Jessie was expecting their first child,
she was determined to keep Jimmie’s dream alive, and she continued the Mission by herself for ten years. In
all, Mrs. Jessie served the Mission for an incredible 46 years!

One of James’ favorite bible verses is Matthew 17:20, “If you have
faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be
impossible for you.” He has faith.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) tells us: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the
one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Joey knows that signs
of God are all around us. He is living proof that no matter the time
or place, God will let you know what He desires for your life.