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My parents
were divorced when I was very young. When I was seven years old I
started rebelling. I got into a lot of fights and started cursing. At
age 11, I went to live with my grandparents in Oregon. They were good,
Christian people and loved me very much. They used tough love, by
setting boundaries and guidelines and punishing me when I crossed them.
I attended church with my grandparents and participated in the youth
group, but I didn’t take anything seriously.
My father
died when I was fourteen, and I started smoking marijuana, thinking this
would help numb the pain. Soon after, I decided to move in with some
friends in my hometown. I was tired of all the rules my grandparents
enforced. I was not interested in any kind of discipline and refused to
listen to their instruction. I continued to drink alcohol and smoke
marijuana and cigarettes.
After I
moved back home, my brother offered me some crystal meth and I accepted.
I immediately thought I had found what I needed to fill the void inside
me. My addiction took hold and I stayed up for days at a time. The sleep
depravation drove me insane and my thoughts turned to suicide. I did not
care about myself or anyone else.
I wanted
to be free from the grip drugs had on me. I eventually called my
grandparents, who had always been there for me, and asked them for help.
I had a lot of outstanding warrants for my arrest, and I was ready to
face the consequences. They picked me up, drove me to the police, and I
turned myself in. I wanted my life to be different.
When I
went to jail, my grandparents visited me to bring me information about
Teen Challenge. After I served my time and paid the fines, I began to
consider which Teen Challenge center would be the best for me. I chose
Appalachian Teen Challenge in Athens, WV. I spent four days on a bus
traveling to West Virginia, not knowing what I was getting myself into.
When I arrived on the Teen Challenge campus, I knew my life was going to
be different. After being here for just two days, I gave my heart and
life to Jesus Christ. I am so thankful for His mercy and forgiveness. I
have also been given the opportunity to get my G.E.D. while I am here. I
feel like a new person today, and am excited to see what God has planned
for my life. |
