Nicole Allum - Set Free

Set Free

How a Jiu Jitsu World Champion Found Jesus

By Nicole Allum

Copyright

Nicole Allum

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BURN THE SHIPS

Words and Music by JOEL SMALLBONE, LUKE SMALLBONE, MATT HALES and SETH MOSLEY Copyright 2018 SHANKEL SONGS, SHAUN SHANKEL BMI PUBLISHING DESIGNEE, WC MUSIC CORP., WARNER- TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP., METHOD TO THE MADNESS, KILNS MUSIC and COPYRIGHT CONTROL

All Rights on behalf of Itself and SHANKEL SONGS and METHOD TO THE MADNESS Administered by WC MUSIC CORP. All Rights on behalf of Itself, SHAUN SHANKEL BMI PUBLISHING DESIGNE and KILNS MUSIC Administered by WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP.

All Rights Reserved

Used By Permission of ALFRED MUSIC

Ministry Matrix Publishing

4241 Baymeadows Rd.

Jacksonville, FL 32217

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Dedication

For Amber

Behind every dark cloud, there is a Son and a Promise.

Foreward

I read through Nicoles story seven times before it was published. As I sit here and write this, I marvel at the people, places, and things presented in this book. She has a gift for capturing feelings and experiences where words often flutter away for lesser people. She brings to life tragedy and triumph in the first of many personal stories.

God knit Nicole together to be a champion, but in more ways than she first believed. God put together a person balanced in heart and mind to touch the world around her. She brings you beyond the workings of her mind into her very heart.

From the first time I met her, Nicole has constantly come up against and overcome adversity. I believe she has conqueror written into her very DNA. When God asked me to prioritize sharing the message of Jesus Christ with her, it came without force, because He orchestrated it. All of it. Nicole had, and still has, ears to hear.

I can tell you firsthand, you are getting a gracious telling of this story, with many of the most gut-wrenching details diluted. Nicole is being nice, as is normal for her. She is being merciful, forgiving, and amazingly transparent. Things that most people run from, Nicole runs towards. She is a fighter. She is a champion.

She is inviting us into experiencing her new beginning as expressed in this beautiful, powerful, and gripping story. I cannot count the times since that day in the gym that Nicole could have justifiably left her pathway. She has had some real testing come her way.

But God has been good to Nicole. He is ever close, closer than a brother. Jesus, the King of Nicoles life has ruled and reigned with her. She has allowed the guidance of Holy Spirit to carry her into the uncharted waters of faith. She read her Bible cover to cover at least once in her first year because of a deep hunger for truth.

This story clearly shows the wind and the waves howling, yet her Master, Jesus, promised an arrival on the other side. Will she make it?

While the decision is hers to make, just like it is yours, I have full confidence that He who began this unfolding work will be faithful to her as He has been to me. Even when we are faithless, He is faithful. When we are broken, He is able. When we are bitter, He is better.

I encourage you to sit down, shut out the distractions, and watch this woman be set free. Watch her become the champion she is destined to be. It has truly been a sight to behold and one of the greatest honors of my life to a part of.

D R. JOSHUA F. TODD

AKA, Pastor

Author Notes

H oly Spirit helped me to write this true story about my spiritual journey. I hope it shows the power of the Gospel to change someones life, especially when delivered by an authentic, mature representative of Jesus.

In some cases, I changed names, places, and dialogue in order to protect the people involved.

I dont condemn those who hurt me. Jesus loves them, and the promises of healing, deliverance, and restoration are available to everyone when we surrender to Him.

Chapter One

F reedom was on the other side. If I could just get through the next few hours of hell, I could break free. I could break out. I could leave the darkness behind.

Freedom.

The word was like honey in my mouth.

Id been in bondage to a monster so long, Id forgotten the taste. Today was my last hope. My last chance. I couldnt bear the torment from my abuser any longer. If the judge didnt give me permission to leave Florida with my daughter, I didnt know what Id do. I had no plan B. I tried everything else and failed.