I am 41 years old. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters, and was a normal kid. I did all I was supposed to until I quit school one week before I turned 16. Well, that got me involved with the courts for years. Then I met a man who was all I ever wanted, until I saw the other side of him. By that time I was pregnant. He started abusing me, verbally, mentally, and physically. Well, I was in love, and by then pregnant with my 3rd child. After he was born, I began to sample drinks and found that it made me not feel the pain of his abuse. As time went on I drank more and more until after I left him many times and had 4 children with him. I was beginning to lose contact with reality, and all I could see was my beautiful babies were growing up and I was drunk all of the time. I lost all 4 of my kids to the state, so I had time to do what I needed but never did. It was all about the booze and how I would get it, whatever I had to do!! Sell my body, steal, and lie, whatever. I was at or below rock bottom. I had met a man who cared for me and didn’t care about my past. He tried to help, but I am very strong willed. He watched me kill myself day by day, until I had no place, no job, no kids, nothing. I went to the Mission for help. It was then I decided to join the New Life Program, and since I have graduated, I got married, and have the Lord by my side. I was sober, and it really hit me, what I did to my kids!! I hadn’t seen or heard anything for 4-5 years, then my daughter got a hold of me and we since have had a relationship. By the grace of God the State got a hold of me for my son. I was in awe; they wanted me to start calling him. He was inMissouri in a detention center. I visited him 2 times. They are my heart. Well we worked on our relationship, and I had to forgive myself first, and since then I know that God has a plan for me and my children. Trey, my son, had a lot of hate, but we are working on it together. He is currently inColumbus. He has passes every weekend and I am working with God to get him home. My 18 year old daughter is inMexicowith a new baby, 3 months old. I’m a Grandma. My other daughter is in Laurel, Nebraska and my youngest son is doing well also. So, without the help and grace of God and his love for me, I would be dead. He opened my eyes, held me in his arms, and loved me! I always felt incomplete until I accepted Christ. Without him and the caring, loving people at the Rescue Mission for putting up with me, I wouldn’t know where my children are. And I am eternally grateful! I am sober now, sometimes it’s harder than others, but I have my Father to talk to for strength! Life is great!! I’m a new creation. I don’t dwell on the past, and I focus on the future and mine is bright. Thank-you. Update—Hello again. Well since last time a lot of things have happened in my life. My son was back in town and lives with my brother; and my daughter and granddaughter were in my life. But, that wasn’t enough. I was working a lot, had a lot of stress, and again I started to drink; a little and then in 2 months time I was back to square one. I lost all – family, job, ect and I was killing myself and I knew it, but I couldn’t stop until my heart told me to call theMission. I called and the help began. All the Chaplains were there for me and it felt great to have people care. I was admitted to the hospital for alcohol abuse and right by my side was Chaplain Ted and his wife, Pam. I thought I was going to die and I was scared. They didn’t have to be there, but they were. I was an emotional wreck. I let God down and the people I care about. I am forever grateful that God has put such caring people in my life. As of today, I am sober, renewing my faith and listening to the Lord. I have a job, working on my marriage and rebuilding my life. God has led me straight to theMissiononce again and they have accepted me with open arms. I thank the Lord for people that truly do God’s will. If I didn’t have my Christian brothers and sisters that God has put in my life, I don’t know what would have happened to me. Thank you Jesus.
