Raised in a small rural town, being the last of 6 kids, I experienced alcohol at a young age, which led to the use of marijuana not long after that.  I had my first sexual experience under the influence, and was in trouble with the Juvenile Court -- all by the age of 13.  By the time I was 16 years old I had quit school, partly due to family problems; since I had my own car I moved away to Houston, TX.  There, I got in trouble over marijuana and my driving escapades, and was asked to leave within 5 months of arriving.  After moving back to Missouri, I totaled my car, lost my first true love, and started using cocaine.

I always had an empty feeling inside, and nothing in the world would seem to fill it!  I pursued different careers, got into a lot of fights, played havoc on my familial relationships, and was basically labeled as worthless by 21.  I finally went to jail (for the first time) after numerous arrests.  I had several relationships which led to my first marriage (which was straight out of rehab, and ended with a child and divorce!)

Next, I had a close friend die.  That, mixed with my extremely low self-esteem, led to a suicide attempt.  Not long after, the use of drugs and alcohol became a necessity.  I went to another rehab and was a ‘dry drunk’ for about a year, and had another child with a second woman.  After the birth of this child, I started using again; this led to my ending up in rehab again.  I then messed up while I was on probation and spent a year in the County Jail.

I was first exposed to the Bible and God while I was in jail.  After I was released, the same lady became pregnant again with my third child.  We split up immediately after the baby was born.  I had owned homes, cars, had numerous relationships, but something was always missing.  I may have had a desire for the Lord, but didn't know how to have a relationship with Him. 

After being unsuccessful in another relationship, I basically gave up on women and true love.  I moved to a different small town and got a job.  This is where I met my wife.  She was a breath of fresh air.  She was a woman of God who truly knew Jesus.  Although her life was a mess also, we went to church together. 

We were doing Bible studies, and stayed clean and sober for quite some time.  However, we both fell back into our old lifestyles by starting to use drugs and alcohol again.  This eventually led us back to our church where we fell on our faces before the Lord, repented and asked forgiveness.  It was then that we were directed to the Addicts Victorious 5-Day Biblical Counseling Program.  By the power of Jesus Christ, we were completely delivered the very first day we were in the 5-Day Biblical Counseling Program!!  Hallelujah!!

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