- I just thought, what's the point?

Life is so, I justremember saying life sucks,

it's painful, it's hard.

- [Narrator] Life'sdifficulty started early

for Elizabeth Verver.

At age nine, her fatherleft and never returned.

By age 15, Elizabethbegan numbing her pain

with drugs and alcohol.

After high school,Elizabeth sought purpose

only to find her substanceabuse taking its toll.

- Internally, I was a messand I didn't know what to do

or where to turn.

- [Narrator] Elizabethreceived a glimmer of hope.

Some family members offeredto let her stay at their home

while she attendedcollege at their expense.

- Okay, I'm finally gonnaget out of this mess.

I'm going to get to dosomething, be somebody.

And so I was very excited about having

the opportunity to go to college.

- [Narrator] But allthat changed one night

when a family member did the unthinkable.

- He had brought me a drink.

I never thought, you know, anybody,

especially family would everdo anything to hurt you.

And so I didn't think anything about it.

I took the drink and I justremember feeling very strange.

And I do remember at onepoint being held down

and that happening.

And it was almost like I was lifeless,

like I didn't fight it.

It was complete shock becauseyou don't think that anything

like that would ever happen.

But it did.

- [Narrator] Elizabethleft the home and college.

She met Frankie, who helped her escape

from pain temporarily.

- He made me laugh.

He made me forget about everything.

And I thought, man, if Icould just feel like this,

I'm going to be okay,

but then it would spiral.

- [Narrator] Frankie andElizabeth began dating,

but both were drinkingheavily, addicted to drugs,

and even at one point homeless,

Frankie was sent to jail for a DUI.

- And I just remember beingall by myself and just crying

'til I could not cry anymore.

I mean, I can't take it anymore.

- [Narrator] Elizabeth decidedshe would end her life.

She heard one voice telling her to do it,

but another voice told herthings would get better

if she didn't do it.

- And I was like, what?

But at that point I believed it.

And that's the point thatI actually started to hope.

- [Narrator] Frankie began hoping too.

In jail, he met a man that led him

into a relationship with Christ.

- One night I pulled theblanket over my head.

I'm in a bunk fixing to go to sleep.

And I just start asking God.

God, come be with me as much as you can.

That's all I knew to say.

And the power of God came over me,

which I know now, it was theHoly Spirit coming to visit me

and show me that he was real.

- [Narrator] Elizabethvisited Frankie in jail

and noticed a big change in her boyfriend.

- He was saying such nice things.

He was like, when I get out of here,

we're going to get married, andI'm going to serve the Lord,

and we're going to be happy.

And I was just like, areyou doing drugs in there?

Like, what are you talking about?

- [Narrator] Frankie keptpraying for Elizabeth

and arranged for her to stay

with his mentor's mother-in-law.

Mama K, as she's called, left a Bible

on the dresser for Elizabeth.

- I just glanced over, and I was like,

okay, there's the Bible.

But I've tried to read that crazy book.

It does not make any sense at all.

But for this particularnight, I decided to.

- [Narrator] That night,God spoke to Elizabeth

through his word.

- All of a sudden my eyes were open.

I knew what was wrong with my life,

and I knew what wasmissing, who was missing.

I got on my knees and I prayeda simple, honest prayer.

I said, God, if you're realand you can do anything

with my mess of a life, I'mgoing to give it to you.

- [Narrator] Frankienoticed an immediate change

in Elizabeth.

- From the way she dressed tothe way she started speaking,

I could see the hope in her eyes.

And I mean, it was an instant change.

- [Narrator] Today, Elizabethand Frankie are married

and have four children.

Frankie is a youth pastorand Elizabeth leads

the women's ministry at their church.

She's also the author of abook called "No More Darkness"

and tells the story of God's deliverance

through her most difficult times.

Elizabeth is thankfulthat God forgave her,

which allows her now to forgive others

and heal her past hurts.

- Look at how much youhave done from me and look

at how you have forgivenme and I don't deserve it.

And when I begin tounderstand that, he said,

that's what will empower you to forgive

and really set you free.

I was like, Lord,

I'll never stop tellingwhat you've done in my life.

I'll never stop telling how youcan change a person's heart.