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Hi, I'm Stephine!
Welcome! I would love to share a little about me and some of my history. The seed of serving others was planted in my heart at a young age, by my family; in particular my parents, Eric and Risa Murray and both my grandmothers, LaVonne Gilbert and Evelyn Murray. I saw them all take family, friends and strangers into their homes when they fell on hard times. Although they didn't have a lot, they always shared what they had. On Sunday’s, the church my family and I attended, in my childhood, would serve breakfast to about 120 homeless men and women, every week.
My childhood was filled with beautiful times and painful ones. I spent time with my family at church and at family get togethers at my grandparents and extended family’s homes. We lived in a bustling active home where all 4 of my brothers played sports. I enjoyed being a part of the Colorado Starlite Drill team and my high school speech and debate team. Growing up one could find me having sleepovers with my cousins and friends, creating facial masks in the kitchen, co-writing songs, or catching crawdads in the stream besides my families apartment.
While growing up many situations arose that challenged, my family and I, including sexual abuse, lack of resources, depression, mental health challenges and unhealthy adolescent relationships, to name a few. All these circumstances caused seeds of self-hatred to be placed in my heart, a lack of self-esteem, insecurities and many fears that I masked in my accomplishments in school and at work.
From 2004-2006 I worked in retail. Then in 2007 I began a career in the finance industry through banking. While attending college full time I progressed in my career moving from a position as a part-time teller to a Senior Relationship Banker at the end of my career in 2014. In 2011 I graduated from the University of Colorado at Denver with a bachelors in Sociology and a minor in Business Management. Then in 2015, I began a career as a financial analyst and I have since continued in this field.
While thriving in my career and in college, I began the journey of single motherhood at the age of nineteen. My lack of self-esteem, misguided choices and a deficiency in relational development, lead me into abusive relationships. At the age of 24 I left my last abusive relationship. Although I became a believer in Jesus when I was young, I became a follower of Jesus in my adulthood. I have found healing and transformation through establishing an intimate relationship with God, counseling, teaching, a healthy church community as well as an enormous amount of support from my family and friends.
Since then, it has been my personal passion to help previously abused women and their children to heal and transform their lives. God called me to became the founder of Journey to Your Haven, a nonprofit, that serves abused women and their children. Through opening my home to multiple women and their children, I began teaching, counseling, recording videos, leading groups at women's conferences and facilitating a community garden. Even through my career I have an increased awareness of the support needed for disenfranchised women and children, where abuse has become their way of life. This knowledge has added understanding and given me a new perspective so I can serve and help as many women and children as possible.
My purpose is to introduce people to God, unconditional love and family, so they can experience a healed transformed life that impacts generations to come. I have had the pleasure of being a support to women and children who are ready for a new start. Being a part of the transformation of lives from the inside out, is truly a calling, honor and privilege I hold close to my heart. Through honest, vulnerable, transparent, yet compassionate communication I’ve been graced by God to connect with women and their children. It’s all about encouraging them that they too can Journey to their Haven.
I’m abundantly blessed to be the mother of two, a daughter and a sister to 4 amazing brothers. Friendship is held in the highest regard to me and I look to be a friend and confidant to anyone who may be in need of one. Some interests and passions I enjoy are teaching, coaching, concerts, gardening, traveling, reading, deep conversations and laughing, every chance I get. One of the greatest gifts of my life is having loving, genuine, lifelong relationships.
About me
Journey to Your Haven is a home and boarding school. We are a team of teachers, headed by founder Stephanie Murray, who have come from broken places, and are now whole and willing to share how we were healed. We are honored to journey with women who are willing to change their mindsets and transform their lives. Here we provide a place where previously abused women and children are taught in a home that exemplifies love, peace, encouragement, support, and truth.
