Developing Horizons Magazine (2).pdf April 2014 | Page 20

set her in my lap and rock her back and forth because
I can’t go back and fill in those gaps.” Her eyes puddled with tears. “She’s spending the night with me this
weekend. It’s the first night she has spent with me since
she was six. She’s eighteen.”
She continued, “The hardest thing in the world to do was
to forgive myself, but I have pretty much gotten there. It
was a big break through. It frees me to be better to my
family now because I’m not being so hard on myself. I’m
not so susceptible to going back and covering that up
with drugs or alcohol or anything.”
My short term goals now are to finish the DUI classes
and my community service at the thrift store. I want to
get my driver’s license back and a job. In the long term,
I might like to be a drug counselor. I’m not set on that.”
Misty is still seeing her counselor and has access to the
resources at My Sister’s Rehab House. She does plan to
visit there soon and perhaps volunteer in the cafeteria or
in some other capacity. “I have a sponsor that I call and
talk to. I’m still in mental health court and they’re still
working with me. My case manager and my counselor
are both Christians.”

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What a blessing and privilege it has been to be co-facilitator of a group assigned to the Pickens County Drug
Court two-year program. Each week, I learn something new, not only about our group members, but about myself. They encourage and inspire me to do better and to be better. My prayer is that others will join with those in
Pickens and surrounding areas whose efforts to bring change into our communities are making a difference.

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While teaching the Living Free course, I have seen these individuals make great strides in all areas of their
lives since beginning our first class in February, 2013. We are now in our fourth class and, with each one, participants are more confident and dedicated to having a better life – living drug free.

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Following are the testimonies of some who wanted to share their stories:

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Misty is currently staying at her grandmother’s house

Amy
Hey! My name is Amy and this is my testimony. I started using drugs when I was fourteen years old. Throughout my addiction, I was in and out of jails, institutions, rehab, even prison. I am now thirty-two years old and in
August 2010, I found myself once again in jail. This would be a life changing trip. I rededicated my heart and my
life to the Lord. I had lost everything that meant anything to me. But this time, I found what meant the most –
Jesus Christ. By the grace of God, I have been clean and sober for three and one-half years. The Lord is restoring
everything that addiction stole from me.
Tracy
My testimony is a true love story. For years I struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Although I had
known the Lord and was saved at the age of fifteen, I had back slidden and fallen into the trap of addiction until
the day grace took over in my tormented life. I was arrested and found myself walking up the hallway inside the
jail to go see a visiting minister that came into the jails. Her name was Diane Hale and she helped to turn my life
back to our Lord. He placed me in the drug court program and today I live my life for him. I am clean, sober and
singing on a praise team. God took a wretch like me from the wrong direction and showed me how to share my
story for His glory. I am so proud to say, “I’ve been redeemed!”

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where her son, 13, and her daughter, 14, live. She attends
church regularly, stays away from active addicts, and
has severed her relationship with her six-year boyfriend
whom she obviously cares about. Her advice to others
who are struggling with addiction is “Anyone that wants
a better life, don’t quit on God. Keep on hanging on to
Him even when it feels hopeless because He can bring
you through it if you will just be persistent.”

Bobbie Edwards teaches Living Free courses
and leads the Writers Circle at DHM

northwestsalon.com

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