FRANKLIN—Kristen Whitehead has a story to tell about a life changing experience.

A Franklin native and U.S. Army veteran, Kristen also hopes to change others’ lives with her message of hope. “God is amazing,” she explained. Her book, entitled “A Divine Appointment: My Encounter with Christ,” tells her story.

Kristen said she was a troubled teen with a life that spiraled out of control early. “I did everything I thought I was big and bad enough to do,” she stressed. Raised in the church, Kristen eventually joined the U.S. Army and did a tour in Iraq from 2004-2005. She received an honorable discharge, worked in corrections for a while and is now a licensed cosmetologist.

At one point in her life she was in a very dark place and deeply depressed. “I felt like I was going to die,” she explained. Several events took place — small everyday occurrences — that led her to the appointment that changed her life.

In a press release about her book Kristen says, “Writing ‘A Divine Appointment: My Encounter with Christ’ was a transformational experience for me. It helped me to understand that when God is trying to get your attention, He will allow you to hit rock bottom before your situation starts to turn around.”

Today Kristen lives in Courtland with her two children, Kalani, 9, and Julian, 6. Her parents are Malinda Whitehead Dawson and stepfather John Dawson Jr., and Bruce Baxter and stepmother Alice Baxter.

Triumph Publishing has printed 150 copies of her book, which will be available for purchase at her book signing from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, March 17, at the Workforce Development Center.