Armor Up Recovery Homes and Ministry

09/08/2026

This post is to commemorate and celebrate Iliana’s recovery journey with us at Armor Up. Wow, did you come in as a very broken little girl. I questioned at times in those beginning months if you were gonna make it. Boy did you test me. And did you ever grow me lol. The day that we had our breakdown and breakthrough… I will always remember. God’s love and power over your life were so glaringly evident and you and I both knew it. Everything that came out and came up and got put into the light started your amazing healing journey.

I remember when God told me you were gonna be my first assistant and I was like no way, (God I can’t be hearing you right). But boy did I hear Him right. Those two years of spending two days a week with you is what God knew you needed. We walked through hell together, we cried so many tears, fought so many battles but with God as our guide, He grew us stronger, better, wiser. I saw your compassion grow, I witnessed you truly learn to be vulnerable and transparent, honest, genuine and humble. You kept showing up, you didn’t run away and I’m so very proud of you. We had so many beautiful times also, so many deep, intimate and real conversations. I miss those, you and me and the birds and the bees and butterflies, distracted so easily. All the wildlife right here in my backyard, I feel like we went on a daily safari together. Lol.

God has definitely stepped you into your purpose, as much as I hated to lose you as my assistant, that’s what Armor Up is all about. Helping you heal from all that held you bound and help you grow and become the woman of God that He made you to be and to help you find and to step into your purpose. You are an amazing teacher and as much as I wanted you to stay as my assistant, you are right where you’re supposed to be and I’m so proud of you. You listened to the holy spirit and you obeyed even when your flesh was screaming you couldn’t do it. Well look at you now. I have been and will always be your biggest cheerleader, I love you so much. May God continue to bless you with Holy Spirit wisdom, perseverance, humility, strength, grace and love. I’m so excited to watch you grow and see where God takes you and all that He has for you. Keep your eyes on Him first and foremost Iliana, He loves you so much and so do I.

09/08/2026

What an amazing 40 day prayer journey Armor Up and several of our graduates have been on. We did Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson starting June 29th. God has done life changing events in so many of us and many breakthroughs and answers to relentless prayer had begun to come to fruition and we are believing we will continue to see powerful testimonies of how God worked and answered our prayers that we are continuing to pray. I believe the Lord has lit our faith in fire and helped and inspired us to pray with boldness like never before. On our completion night, we had a huge beautiful dinner donated by my Longwood Lunch and Learn group through the Chamber of Commerce Seminole County Chamber We made s’more’s by the fire, yes I’m part pyro and yes in 100,000 degree weather but boy were they yummy and they are our tradition when we complete a book study. Then we played Bible trivia and had a blast. We also painted stones like they did in the Old Testament to commemorate and symbolize all that God did in that place. We put a prayer that God answered during our 40 days of prayer or a significant breakthrough or life changing event. On the other side of the stone we put a prayer that we’re believing God to answer and we will persevere until God answers His way, His timing and we will come back and put the date on the stone that He answered and all the stones will be stacked by our Cross to remind us and everyone that comes behind us the power of prayer. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful, effective and availeth much (James 5:16) God listens and God answers. We don’t quit praying and believing no matter how long it takes, we persevere and trust God.

09/07/2026

What a powerful evening 💙

Armor Up was honored to attend the Seminole County Sheriff's Office 2026 Overdose Awareness event: an evening of remembering those we've lost, standing with families who are grieving, and choosing HOPE ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day.

We were so moved by Anthony Alvarado of Rise Together, who shared his own story of resilience and recovery. And the candlelight remembrance at the end... there are no words. Just love, light, and honor for every life taken too soon.

A special thank you to Deanna and Tammy for inviting us to be part of this, your hearts for this community mean so much. And so good to see Justin Bradley Jay Brad there too!

This is why we do what we do. Every candle lit last night represents a story, a family, a life that mattered. At Armor Up, we believe every person struggling still has a story of redemption ahead of them, it is never too late

09/07/2026

Congratulations on your four years Elizabeth. So proud of you such a beautiful group of us to share in your Victory tonight. Love each and every one of you God bless you.💜

09/03/2026

Thank you AJ Skinner for the opportunity to come and speak to all your men at Teen Challenge, Sanford Campus. Teen Challenge Southeast Region Orlando What a powerful night it was.

We began the evening worshipping together, with our Armor Up girls, the men, and the staff all joining together in praise. From there, Angella shared her testimony of God’s redemption, restoration, and faithfulness.

The room was filled with the presence of the Lord as she shared what God has brought her through and what He continues to do in her life. At the end of the evening, Angella gave an altar call and two men raised their hands and surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for the two lost sheep that you have brought back to You and we believe will now spend eternity in Heaven with You.

These are the moments that remind us why we do what we do. We are so grateful to share the message of hope and redemption with others, and we pray that the seeds planted that night continue to grow in the lives of everyone who was there.

A huge thank you to AJ and the entire Teen Challenge team for inviting us, welcoming us, and continuing to support Armor Up Recovery Homes & Ministry. You guys do amazing work there and we love you and support you and we’ll continue to do so in any way we can. We are so thankful for the opportunity to stand alongside you in this work that we get to do. Our mess as our message. All glory to Jesus. ✝️

And thank you to Pj for capturing the evening through these amazing photos.

See you at your gala! God bless all of you.

08/31/2026

Thank you Harvest Time International for inviting us non-profits to just come and have a breakfast and connect and collaborate and encourage one another, we appreciate all that you do and your support for the non-profit community.

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

What an incredible night at the Freeway Orlando Freeway Ministries Save Our City Revival! ❤️

We were so blessed to be there Saturday night with all of the Armor Up girls, where we had a table set up to share about Armor Up Recovery Homes and connect with so many wonderful people in our community. There is something so special about gathering together with other ministries who share the same heart: to reach the lost, walk alongside those in recovery, and see lives transformed through Jesus.

The evening was filled with incredible worship, a powerful testimony from a Freeway client and his parents, and an amazing message from Freeway Ministries founder, John Stroup. It was truly a beautiful night of worship, fellowship, and encouragement.

We are so thankful for Freeway Ministries and all they continue to do in the addiction and recovery community. We love that we get to partner alongside a ministry with such a strong heart for reaching those who are hurting and helping people step into the God-given purpose He has for their lives.

Events like this are such a beautiful reminder that we are not meant to do this work alone. We are the body of Christ, and when ministries, churches, and people in our community come together, incredible things can happen. Thank you, Freeway Ministries, for creating a space where so many people can come together, worship, share their stories, and be reminded that there is hope and freedom in Jesus.

We are so grateful for our partnership and for the opportunity to spend this special night with the Armor Up girls and so many amazing people in our community. ❤

May we continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus, reaching the lost, loving the broken, and pointing people toward the freedom and purpose found in Him.