One of six children, my parents divorced when I was 12 and it took its toll on all of us. By 15 years of age, I was all on my own. I was emotionally scarred because I believed that I was partly responsible for the death of a family friend I'd grown close to. I would even call him dad sometimes.

By 17, God had provided the support, love and shelter of a Christian couple who treated me like one of their own, but even they couldn't heal the hurt. I began drinking a great deal, leading to an accident and my first DUI charge.

My life was out of control - fighting, more DUI's and accidents. Due to drinking, an unfortunate event led to the separation from my surrogate family.

In 1987, after many years of an awareness of God, He delivered me from my addiction.

Now, with God in my life, I married, had 3 children, graduated college, and had a career in social work.

Then I did the unthinkable!

After 12 years of sobriety, I drank a glass of wine. Life spiralled out of control. My alcohol use led to many suicide attempts. Divorce came in 2007.

I was beside myself with grief. I lost everything that I loved and held dear. I had known about Teen Challenge for 20 years and finally decided to enter the program.

Since then, God has been refining and reconstructing my life. I do not weep tears of sadness and regret, rather, thankfulness and hope for a future. My life is in His hands.

I've surrendered the best I know how. He holds my future in His hands.