Why did I create this blog?

I have been asked several times in the past few days why I created this blog. My answer is... I belive that if my efforts help just one person, then I will feel that I accomplished what I set forth to do. One of my favorite pictures is Christ holding one little black sheep on his shoulders. Christ taught the importance in seeking out the one lost sheep. So far this blog has helped 4 individuals this past week. I just hope it continues to help more and more. Pass this on to others you think might like to see the blog.. you just never know who needs help.

I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to comment below by clicking on "COMMENTS". If you leave me your email address I will email you back.

Have the courage to change through Christ.

You can start today, or tomorrow or next week on trying to rid yourself of your addiction. It is completely up to you. There isn't anyone holding you back but yourself. God doesn't force you to do anything that you don't really want to do, so it is up to you to make that decision for yourself. One thing I want you to know is that the Lord is there with his arms stretched outward and waiting to wrap them around you because He loves you and wants you back. You have your free agency and He won't take that away, but I am here to tell you that He knows you, your heart and even your soul. You are his child and He is a Loving Father.

Look deep into your heart and soul and then get down on your knees and ask Him for help. He is always there to listen to you, and does hear your voice. He sees your suffering and wants to help if you will give him that chance. Do you realize that He sent His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to earth many hundreds of years ago with the express purpose of Atoning for your sins? ... Yours and everyone else's who has ever lived on this earth. How hard that must have been for Heavenly Father to let Him go, realizing that he would suffer and feel all of the pain and torments you feel but what everyone else has ever felt, and bleed from every pour. Then Jesus would have his life taken from him because "they didn't know what they were doing".

Christ has already paid the ultimate price for you and for me. What a gift... the ultimate gift! Now it is up to you. The gift has been given to you. Are you going to open it up and embrace it and let it heal you? That, once again, is up to you.

I pray you will consider my thoughts and I urge you to go on the Internet and click on http://www.providentliving.org/familyservices/strength/0,12264,2873-1,00.html This will take you directly to the page that LDS Family Services lists the Services that it provides. The 4th one down is the "Addiction Recovery Program". Click on it to open up the Addiction Recovery Program page. You will see that there is a PDF Download on the right that lets you open up and download a copy of the Addiction recovery guide. (These guides are also available to purchase at the LDS bookstores.) Read the Introduction and read about this inspired program.

Next.... Click on "addiction recovery support groups" and that will take you to the page that lists all the Addiction Recovery support groups wherever they are located throughout the world. Click on the area that is closest to you and another page will come up that lists the Addiction Recovery Program meetings in your area with the Days, Times, Location, addresses and specific room that the meetings are held at.

All you have to do now is to pick a meeting and show up. These meetings are for LDS members and Non LDS individuals alike, simply anyone seeking help with their addictions. When you arrive you will find a set of LDS Recovery missionaries, and a facilitator waiting to help you work through the 12 steps and key principles of the program, that will help you with your recovery.

You don't have to come by yourself unless that is what you choose. You can bring family members, or friends who are supportive of your recovery. Because of the nature of addictions and the sharing that will happen in these meetings, you should not bring young children to the meetings with you.

There is no cost to you or others to attend these meetings. If you want to purchase your own spiral bound copy of the Addiction Recovery Guide, instead of printing it off for yourself from the website listed above, you can do so at a meeting for the cost of $5. You will need a manual to bring with you to the meeting and to work through and study and read at home.

I will pray for you and that you will make a choice that can change your life. Once again, nobody is going to force you to do it, you have to make that choice by yourself, but I will testify to you that once you start on your way to recovery, you will find happiness in those things that are real, that mean the most in your life. These are the very things that will eventually lead you back to your Heavenly Father again one day.

I know that this program can help you because I am a missionary in this program, and I have seen the change that happens to individuals who finally become honest with themselves and admit that they need help. I have seen peoples lives change as they put their faith and trust in the Lord and turn their will and life over to God's care and in our Saviors hands.

I have listened to the participants finally have the courage to admit the nature of their wrongs and seek forgiveness of others that their addictions and behaviors have harmed.

I have seen hope re-enter into their eyes, minds and hearts as they discover that God can restore them to complete spiritual health.

I have seen change of heart and healing happen in the relationships of the addict and their families. I have watched tears of joy flow in the eyes of family's put back together by the addicts sincere and humble repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I hope that you will let this change happen in your life. You can do it for yourself or do it for your family, but I urge you for whatever reason, just do it now!