Christina Meredith - CinderGirl: My Journey Out of the Ashes to a Life of Hope

From one pageant winner to another, Christina Merediths life experience and real-life Cinderella story are beyond inspirational to me, and Im so proud of her. She is an overcomer like few Ive ever read about. But what impresses me the most is her desire to transform the foster care system and use her challenges to better the next generation.

Kristen Dalton-Wolfe, bestselling author and former Miss USA

Christina Merediths story, which she tells with unique courage, follows a young womans rise out of vulnerability, homelessness, and abuse to become a soldier, leader, and pillar in her community. Christinas spirited and empathetic soul shines through every page. She will leave a big and beautiful mark on this broken world.

Jason Jones, author, activist, film producer

Its been said that God cant use someone greatly until theyve hurt deeply. Because of this principle, Christina Meredith is destined to make the world a better place. In circumstances that would have turned others toward bitterness and despair, Christina has managed to turn the unspeakable heartache of a horrible childhood into hope and a blessingnot only for other victims of abuse but for anyone who reads her book. Passionately told, her compelling life story is one of triumph over pain while clinging to the perfect love of her heavenly Father. Shes a true inspiration!

David McQuade, founder of Z Music Television and former president of Gener8Xion Entertainment

Christina Meredith has written a memoir that is one-of-a-kind in that it is not just the end result of a soul-crushing childhood; it is the beginning of Christinas unstoppable mission to inspire and encourage the up-and-coming generation. In spirit, mind, and heart, Christina is capable of positively impacting humanityand just watch: she will.

Elizabeth Kennedy Ryzewicz, media producer

Christina Meredith is a remarkable woman, and CinderGirl is an inspirational book. Christina is not a victim of her circumstancesthe awfulness of abuse, neglect, and foster careshe is a survivor, a heroine in the story of her own life. Reading this beautifully written and impassioned book will lift up many people and turn them to the light of their own potential, to understand that their past does not determine their future; their present is where they chart their course. I tip my hat to a high achiever against great odds!

Peter Samuelson, president, www.firststar.org

Christina Meredith has the one-of-a-kind courage and strength that I rarely see in up-and-coming leaders. All that Ms. Meredith has overcome, as she has masterfully written in her heartbreaking memoir, is matched only by her unwavering commitment, and ability, to dramatically impact our world for the better.

Brad Freeman, founding partner, Freeman Spogli & Co.

Christina Merediths story of her upbringing and rise to where she is now is absolutely amazing. The amount of courage possessed in her soul, body, and mind to write a memoir with such passion is truly remarkable. Reading her book without a flood of emotions is impossible for anyone with any compassion. Ive known Christina for a number of years. From the first time I met her, Ive seen that she is full of humility and compassion toward others. This book is a small stepping-stone to and a glimpse at where she will go in the future.

Tim Ockler, educator

ZONDERVAN

CinderGirl

Copyright 2019 by Christina Meredith

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ISBN 978-0-310-34893-1 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35543-4 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-34895-5 (ebook)

Epub Edition January 2019 9780310348955

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Published in association with Dupree Miller & Associates, 4311 Oak Lawn Avenue, #650, Dallas, TX 75219.

Cover design: James W. Hall IV

Cover photography: Amber Nicole Portrait

Interior design: Kait Lamphere

Printed in the United States of America

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Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that footnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

To my beloved brother in Christ, Jay

my biggest fan.

Without you,

I never would have made anything of myself.

Id give anything for you to be here.

I love you, and I miss you.

Contents

This is a work of nonfiction. The events and experiences detailed herein are all true and have been faithfully rendered as I have remembered them, to the best of my ability. Some names, identities, and circumstances have been changed in order to protect the anonymity of the individuals involved. Though conversations come from my keen recollection of them, they are not written to represent word-for-word documentation; rather, I have retold them in a way that evokes the real feeling and meaning of what was said, in keeping with the true essence of the mood and spirit of the event.

At one point, Christina Meredith screamed questions many of us have asked: How could my Father in heaven allow me to suffer this way? God, are you there?

I remember the email. It was from a friend I hadnt seen for some time. He told me about a young woman who had aged out of the foster care system and who had won Ms. California. But she was homeless in LA and needed a place to stay until she got on her feet. Do you know anyone who can help her? he asked.

It hit me in a way Ive learned to listen to, as though God might be speaking to me. For more than a year, my wife, Tori, had been telling me she was feeling more and more of a burden for kids who age out of foster care and who have nowhere to go. Many end up in prostitution, sex slavery, or other horrible situations, as theyre too old for the system to help them but not really strong enough to be adults and make their own way. We had made some inroads into that world, and Tori had begun working with some organizations. We had been asking God to open up opportunities for us to help more foster kids.