Welcome to my page!

I’m Dana Morgan Murphy, a published author who has been married to my husband, Mark Murphy for the last 25 years. For the past decade, we have been happy to call Athens, Georgia our home. Together, we have a beautiful, blended family of five adult children, ten grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

My passion is to help others break free from generational strongholds and fulfill their God given purpose. I enjoy speaking, writing, playing with our grandchildren, boogie boarding in the Atlantic, kayaking on Lake Oconee, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Was it a nightmare or was it real?

“According to my baby book, I twirled into life. As a small child I became skilled on how to survive a reoccurring nightmare… by dancing on a tightly wound spring. My book, Ballerina In The Box, is the candid story I resisted writing until three years ago.

The Lord continued nudging me through people, prayer, and poetry until I relented and wrote the first two chapters. Over the following thirty-six months, God gave me certain seasons to gather sufficient courage and divine peace in order to fulfill His greater purpose for my life... to complete a book that would expose the most shattered places in my soul and the journey to be whole. The breaking of generational strongholds is imperative for every individual who wants to live truly free.

My prayer is that you will be encouraged to break out of the bondage of fear, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug addiction, sexual sin, and people pleasing. It’s hard work, it’s painful but once the refiner has walked with you through the fire, there is pure joy… and Oh is it glorious!”

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

  • Dana's story is about her remarkable journey of self-awareness and healing. She shares her deepest and most painful memories to offer hope to others who may have lived through their own difficult experiences. Her book is heart breaking yet inspiring, and a compelling read with great storytelling. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and came away feeling the joy of her triumph.

    Lynanne G.

  • In a time when we all carry the heavy burdens of sin and shame, Dana's book emerges as a beacon of light, offering a heartfelt and transformative story of finding true love in the midst of pain. Using the raw account of her experiences she urges the reader to learn life's valuable lessons through her own mistakes. Viewing her story through the window of heart, I was reminded of the redemption that awaits us in Jesus.

    Sorina M.

  • Dana's story is one of finding freedom from the pain. It is her search for her. She was created by her Designer to be a ballerina! Hidden in all the pain and dysfunction is someone who found the freedom to dance. Reading her story, I reviewed my own and was reminded how gracefilled and loved I am.

    Bill O.

  • The Ballerina in The Box is an inspiring story about an amazing journey through life looking for love, approval, and faith. This amazing woman takes us through the most difficult and inspirational times in her life. One never really knows what someone has gone through in their life when they always put on a happy face. I highly recommend this book. It takes an incredibly strong person to put their life out there in an open book for all to see.

    Laurie E.

  • "Ballerina in the Box" is an emotional read. I found myself feeling sad at times, hopeful at others and strong and triumphant in the end. Dana wrote a very brave account of overcoming her fears by completely submitting to GOD to let Him take control of her life. This is a book of renewed hope, strength, and belief. God is always there; we only need to see His bigger story!

    Kathryn B.

  • Dana's book will give encouragement to so many that need hope to break the strongholds in their life. This is an incredible, transparent testimony of the Lord's redemptive love.

    Debi B.

This Book is Dedicated to..

This book is dedicated to my husband Mark Murphy. You are my earthly rock and tower of strength. Without you this book would never have been written. When my courage was gone, you encouraged me to continue taking one healing baby step at a time. Your presence has provided a safe harbor for my past. Thank you for always being a steady man of God.

I would also like to dedicate this book to our five children. Alex Zane Morgan, Zachary Lee Morgan, Marshall Taylor Morgan, Dulcie Dawn Berkheimer, and Shane Montgomery Murphy. My prayer in writing this book is that you would not only see the faithfulness of God in my life, but your lives as well. He is more than able to take any situation and use it for good when you trust Him. I love you with every cell of my being, but it doesn’t hold a candle to how much your heavenly Father delights in you.