RockedByRequiem
Apr 9th 2009, 08:59 PM
Just wanna say hello to everyone, and I look forward to posting on this board.
I will try to keep this as brief as possible....
I was born in 1985. Ive led a tumultuous life from day one. My parents divorced when I was a toddler. My mom quickly remarried, and due to certain circumstances, my father allowed my step-father to adopt me. I would ultimately not see my father again until I was a teenager. My home life up until the age of about 6 was horrific. At the age of 6, my mom and step-dad divorced, and I moved in with my grandparents. I lived in a psychologically abusive enviroment until I graduated high school.
On a sidenote, I reunited with my dad around 2002. He was a lifelong alcoholic, and was sober for 6+ years before he relapsed in January of 07, and died in June of 08. He had a good heart, but he rejected Christ his whole life (Part of the reason for that is he was scarred as a child by the Jehovah's Witness religion). That was really hard for me, especially now since I feel I could have helped him if my mind was in the place it is today.
I started experimenting with drugs at the age of 14, and by the age of 15, I was a full blown addict. My drug use continued until I was 21. I went to a christian treatment facility in 2006, but stayed only a few months. The severity of my addictions changed over the years. But in the end, I contracted Hepatitis C from using Heroin.
Throughout most of my childhood, I wasnt taught anything, religion-wise. And for many years, I rejected Christ, and even mocked him. At the age of 20, my views changed. I became a professer, on my own accord. I had no positive influence. That didnt keep me out of trouble, however. I would continue to struggle for several months before I finally surrendered, and gave my heart to Christ in July of 2006. Around the same time, my girlfriend (Whom I have been with since I was 16, and remain with today. We are not married only because of financial restrictions) did the same. I did well for a short period of time, but I would relapse again in September, which is what finally led to me going to treatment. The facility helped me grow in Christ, even in the short time I was there. And since leaving, I have stayed away from the drugs that brought me bondage for so many years.
But even though I was clean, my mind was not in the right place. I struggled with depression, and complacency. Then, after discovering my illness was progressing very quickly, my mentality changed. In November of last year, something changed inside me. Being forced to confront mortality changed everything. In november, I began treatment for the Hepatitis C. Due to my specifics, my chance of success at the start of treatment was 45%. My body responded incredibly well. I cleared the virus from my bloodstream in about a month. Today, I am on week 21/48, and the treatment continues to go well. As a result of my response, my chances of ultimate success are now very high. It is a very serious treatment, and many people either do not respond, or have to stop because of the side effects, which can be downright brutal, and even dangerous.
I can really see God working in my life, and taking care of me. Not only with my health issues, but in other areas as well. He is giving me understanding and wisdom that I never dreamed I could possess. I feel my brush with mortality did something to me. I am truly a different person today than I was just 6 months ago. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous, and it's hard to even explain with words. I am motivated, determined, and on fire for Christ. And my views and opinions have changed drastically. I have become open-minded and compassionate. I have a sense of urgency I never had, and I now have goals. Basically, my priorities have completely changed. I have a positive outlook, and I feel empowered. My hunger for knowledge continues to grow, and I feel God is really giving it to me.
So, if my treatment does ultimately work, I plan on going to law school to become an attorney. I know, it's not a typical job for a christian. But I feel led by God to help decent people that have made tragic mistakes, and are showed no mercy by our criminal justice system. And for the RIGHT reasons. I also look forward to building a family with my future wife.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to talking with you all.
I will try to keep this as brief as possible....
I was born in 1985. Ive led a tumultuous life from day one. My parents divorced when I was a toddler. My mom quickly remarried, and due to certain circumstances, my father allowed my step-father to adopt me. I would ultimately not see my father again until I was a teenager. My home life up until the age of about 6 was horrific. At the age of 6, my mom and step-dad divorced, and I moved in with my grandparents. I lived in a psychologically abusive enviroment until I graduated high school.
On a sidenote, I reunited with my dad around 2002. He was a lifelong alcoholic, and was sober for 6+ years before he relapsed in January of 07, and died in June of 08. He had a good heart, but he rejected Christ his whole life (Part of the reason for that is he was scarred as a child by the Jehovah's Witness religion). That was really hard for me, especially now since I feel I could have helped him if my mind was in the place it is today.
I started experimenting with drugs at the age of 14, and by the age of 15, I was a full blown addict. My drug use continued until I was 21. I went to a christian treatment facility in 2006, but stayed only a few months. The severity of my addictions changed over the years. But in the end, I contracted Hepatitis C from using Heroin.
Throughout most of my childhood, I wasnt taught anything, religion-wise. And for many years, I rejected Christ, and even mocked him. At the age of 20, my views changed. I became a professer, on my own accord. I had no positive influence. That didnt keep me out of trouble, however. I would continue to struggle for several months before I finally surrendered, and gave my heart to Christ in July of 2006. Around the same time, my girlfriend (Whom I have been with since I was 16, and remain with today. We are not married only because of financial restrictions) did the same. I did well for a short period of time, but I would relapse again in September, which is what finally led to me going to treatment. The facility helped me grow in Christ, even in the short time I was there. And since leaving, I have stayed away from the drugs that brought me bondage for so many years.
But even though I was clean, my mind was not in the right place. I struggled with depression, and complacency. Then, after discovering my illness was progressing very quickly, my mentality changed. In November of last year, something changed inside me. Being forced to confront mortality changed everything. In november, I began treatment for the Hepatitis C. Due to my specifics, my chance of success at the start of treatment was 45%. My body responded incredibly well. I cleared the virus from my bloodstream in about a month. Today, I am on week 21/48, and the treatment continues to go well. As a result of my response, my chances of ultimate success are now very high. It is a very serious treatment, and many people either do not respond, or have to stop because of the side effects, which can be downright brutal, and even dangerous.
I can really see God working in my life, and taking care of me. Not only with my health issues, but in other areas as well. He is giving me understanding and wisdom that I never dreamed I could possess. I feel my brush with mortality did something to me. I am truly a different person today than I was just 6 months ago. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous, and it's hard to even explain with words. I am motivated, determined, and on fire for Christ. And my views and opinions have changed drastically. I have become open-minded and compassionate. I have a sense of urgency I never had, and I now have goals. Basically, my priorities have completely changed. I have a positive outlook, and I feel empowered. My hunger for knowledge continues to grow, and I feel God is really giving it to me.
So, if my treatment does ultimately work, I plan on going to law school to become an attorney. I know, it's not a typical job for a christian. But I feel led by God to help decent people that have made tragic mistakes, and are showed no mercy by our criminal justice system. And for the RIGHT reasons. I also look forward to building a family with my future wife.
Thank you for reading, and I look forward to talking with you all.