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Michele's Miracle Testimony...

My name is Michele Dickerson and I recently completed the Teen Challenge Program at Grace House in EvansvilleIndiana. I entered the program on February 1, 2008 and when I think back to that time in my life I am able to see just how far God has brought me. I completed the program on March 6, 2009 and I am so grateful for the work that God is doing in my life. When I arrived at Grace House things did not look good. I had battled a 7 year addiction to prescription drugs that left me anxious, confused, depressed and angry.
I grew up in a family that attended church and did not use drugs or alcohol. Over all I had a good childhood but there were some up’s and down’s that caused me to have difficulty adjusting and understanding life in general. My parents divorced when I was 11 years old. We were no longer a family and things changed drastically for both me and my little brother. I became very lonely, depressed, and confused. I started to look elsewhere for security and happiness. When I couldn’t find those qualities in my friends, I decided to try and find them in boyfriends. This worked for a while, but then I found myself in over my head with a boy that I eventually became forbidden to date. Regardless we continued to date for about a 2 year period. Little did I know that this particular relationship would forever change the course of my life. In a sad and devastating turn of events, my boyfriend committed suicide then proceeded to call me on the phone to tell me “goodbye”. I don’t even have words to explain how “messed up” I became after that February afternoon in 1990. I started drinking and smoking pot. At the time I believed doing such things would make me feel better. Feeling better was short lived and only left me looking for something different/stronger to dull the pain. Somehow in the progression of my addiction I managed to graduate from high school and college, and I’m sure I looked okay on the outside. But on the inside I was a disaster. My self destructive behaviors continued well into my 20’s and early 30’s. I tried to get clean 3 different times, but I just couldn’t seem to stay clean. In my mess I gave birth to 3 beautiful children. I have twin girls that are now 4 and a little boy who is 3. They are amazing and I am so blessed. Initially I came to Grace House because of my children; however I soon learned that I needed to be there for myself. I desperately wanted to be the mother that they deserved, but I was so lost. I was not capable of loving myself let alone my 3 children. I was completely broken and broken hearted. My life had spun out of control and I needed help. My family was more than aware of my chaotic lifestyle and they supported/helped me enter into the Teen Challenge Program at Grace House. The day I walked into Grace House and finally made the decision to throw my hands in the air and to truly surrender was by far the most difficult and most rewarding decision I have ever made. I had come to a place where I literally had no choice but to sit back and watch God work. I had to learn how to give up control and allow God to be God, which was no easy task for me. My days at Grace House were often long and difficult, but the freedom that I’ve received has been well worth the struggle. Today I can walk in freedom from depression, addiction, worry, and anxiety. I’m watching God restore relationships within my family. I’ve watched God bless my family and soften their hearts in ways that I never thought possible. God is so good and He is forever faithful. Today I truly believe that I am who God says I am, and not who the world says I am. I am walking daily in His love and forgiveness. For the first time in my life I am listening to His voice and making good decisions. I thank God for my experience at Grace House. The program has “trained me” on how to deal with life’s circumstances and trials. I am not perfect and by no means have I arrived, but by the grace of God I am working on it. I am working to become the woman, mother and soon to be wife that God has called me to be.

Melissa's Miracle Testimony...

I came to Grace House last January, I can’t say that I wanted to go, but I knew something in my life needed to change. I am a wife and mother of two, and although I would never change my place in this world the stresses of life got to me. After my 3^rd DUI and my inability to go more than a day without having a drink I decided to get some kind of help. When I got there it was very hard but I wanted a life change more than I wanted anything else. Not only for me but so I could be that wife and mother God called me to be.

Grace House gave me hope and things to look forward to, a desire to do right even if no one else around me did. I have a new confidence in myself, and I’ve learned to manage stress a little better so I don’t feel like I have to numb the pain of it all. I arrived at Grace House January or 08’ and it was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. I left at home a 3 yr old son and a 5 month old daughter. Most nights I cried myself to sleep. But I knew this would all be worth it in the end. I wasn’t doing anything for them at home drunk all the time. And you would think having the beautiful children would be enough motivation but it wasn’t I needed help form a place that was outside of my life and I found that at Grace House. His name was Jesus. Through devotions and Bible reading and a lot of church services I was able to find myself by knowing who God was and what he wanted for my life. It was nothing big, just to love and trust him. That was all I had to do. A revelation that simple I got in 13 months at Grace House. If I can only trust God with my life and stress and children I can do anything because Jesus is alive and in me. I was also given marriage counseling for my husband and I and right now things look really good. I’ve been home for two weeks now and my husband and I have found a place to live, I start work on Monday and my kids are so happy to have mommy and daddy back together. I wouldn’t change my experiences or the things I’ve learned at Grace House for anything. Thank You!!!