CinderGirl

My Journey Out of the Ashes to a Life of Hope

De: Christina Meredith, Dr. Henry Cloud - introduction

Narrado por: Hope Hoffman

How is it possible for a young, homeless woman to overcome abuse, endure the foster care system, and rise to prominence to help others? CinderGirl tells Christina Meredith's incredible story of how she overcame these hardships to earn the title of Miss California and become an advocate for the vulnerable.

Born into a large, working-class family in upstate New York, Christina endured years of abuse before entering the foster care system as a teenager. With nowhere to turn after she graduated from high school, Christina lived in her car for almost a year, working three jobs to survive.

As she prayed in her car every day, Christina had no idea that in just a few years, her suffering would help others find healing. But she did know that she was destined for more, and she refused to give up hope, no matter the circumstance.

In CinderGirl, Christina tells her piercing and poignant story of leaving behind homelessness to become Miss California and the founder of a nonprofit organization that provides advocacy for foster care children. With stunning vulnerability, Christina invites us into her childhood home and the heart of a child longing to be loved, challenging us to dig deeper into our own personal courage, even in the most difficult conditions. And in return, you'll learn how to:

• Dream big, even when you're at rock bottom
• Embrace the inherent worth that is yours in Christ Jesus
• Deepen your faith and your relationship with God

Praise for CinderGirl:

"Christina Meredith's life experience and real-life Cinderella story are beyond inspirational to me, and I'm so proud of her. She is an overcomer like few I've 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 Meredith's story, which she tells with unique courage, follows a young woman's rise out of vulnerability, homelessness, and abuse to become a soldier, leader, and pillar in her community. Christina's spirited and empathetic soul shines through every page."

--Jason Jones, author, activist, film producer

Resilience and redemption

It is really interesting and encouraging to read this book where you can marvel at the resilience this child who had to survive some horrific abuse, especially from her mother. I recommend it as is important to know how someone managed to survive all the ugliness that can come your way.
Sadly I must say it kind of looses tone toward the end, right when life seems to get marvelous and she collects recognition, mostly because of the “christianese” language she suddenly employs. I am a Christian and I totally agree that God saves people and works miracles of redemptions but somehow all these set phrases accomplish quite the opposite for the reader, and water down the power of this testimony. The testimony and the written style loose, in my opinion, what was a very strong testimony if it would have keep the same pace all along.

God is Good

Heart wrenching at times but a wonderful story of not only survival but a beautiful testimony of God's goodness in our hardest hours.

Inspiring and wonderful

This is a truly inspiring and touching book. I think everyone should give it a listen. It’s beautifully written and narrated by the author, who has overcome tremendous adversity and serves as an example of hope to us all.

A very moving read!

One of the best books I have ever read! I work in child welfare and have interacted with children similar to Christina Meredith. She is such an inspiration to former foster youth, children currently in care, and to all those that work with that population. Christina Meredith is a blessing!

Great Advocate

love how she not only shared her story but also how we can help Foster kids!

Testimony of Resilience

Christina's story is truly inspiring. Some parts were difficult to hear, but were told without being too graphic, in a way that you clearly understood the extreme nature of abuse and fear of a child. I would have liked to know more about her journey as an adult and relationships, or lack thereof, with her parents and siblings. The last 30 minutes or so felt like a mix between a sermon and an empowerment speech. Based on other reviews, some very much enjoyed that piece while others didn't particularly care for it, clearly a matter of personal taste, but it was perhaps a bit lengthy. I enjoyed the story very much!

An amazing story of God's work in Christina's life

Christina overcame so much and now is a champion for kids! A must read book!

Captivating!

This story was captivating! While the heart of it was drenched in sorrow, and valleys, the hope of redemption was thread throughout the entire story!! Great book!

Courageous

I had a hard time at first with the author's cadence in her reading. She had the same sentence cadence throughout the book and at first it was irritating. But I became captivated by her story and finally didn't let it bother me. It's amazing what some people go through in their lives and how they don't get rescued for years. So sad. I want to go rescue all kids treated like this. I'm so grateful for her faith all throughout the book and for the people who did help her. She's a survivor and conqueror! Really glad she shared her story. She's a good writer.

Would recommend to anyone I know

Amazing true story of overcoming unbelievable hardships through faith and perseverance. Very well written. This has inspired me to open up my home (through foster adoption) to older kids.