I have been through just about every kind of abuse there is. I lost both of my parents the same night, four days after Christmas. This was a very traumatic time in my life as my Dad was my world. He taught me what true love was all about, and I feel blessed to have had him in my life even if it was for a short time.

After their death I was sent to live with relatives, who were my first encounter with so called "Christians." I was subject to years of emotional, mental, and physical abuse at their hands, I was also betrayed by the Priest of their church.

I hated God and His church at this time. I blamed God for all the pain and misery I was being subjected to; but I really hated Him for taking my Dad from me. I became a very untrusting and hard young women. I was sent away at 14 and told I couldn't come home.

While walking down that road I became a runaway and ran for quite some time. While running I turned to drugs and alcohol to hide my pain. They were my best friends and I wanted no others. I kept everyone at arms length and would not let anyone get close to me.

I countinued to use for almost 30 years. I was on a slow road to self-destruction and didn't care. Then one night after a three day binge, I came home and got down on my knees and begged God to help me. I have never been the same since. Through His grace, love, and mercy He brought me out of the pits of darkness and into His glorious light. He took my addictions from me and has enabled me to forgive all the people who had abused me in my past; some of those people were at my baptism. He has replaced all of my anger and animosity, with His love, peace, and forgiveness.

Through His grace and guidance He led me to Christian Therapy when He knew I was strong enough to deal with my past. He has enabled me to use my past to bring glory to His name, as I now sponsor other recovering addicts. I was able to go back and get my GED after 25 years. I then went on to college where I am currently working toward a degree which will enable me to work with children who are where I was at when I began my long running journey

None of this would be possible without the grace of God and I can't thank Him enough for all He has done and continues to do in my life.

If there is anyone reading this who thinks that no one cares or that you are all alone in this world, it is not true. I am living proof of what God's love can do, all you have to do is ask Him for help. Sweet Jesus is waiting for you with open, loving arms. He loves you unconditionally and you don't have to clean up your act before you go to Him. He loves you as you are and He will create a new person in you.

One He begins the work in you, it feels like the old person you were has died and you have been reborn in His glory. I know now that He has always been with me, my only regret is that I didn't turn to Him a long time ago. If you need to someone to talk to, I am here for you just an e-mail away. Let me give you what He gave me, it is the best gift you will ever recieve! I Praise You Father and I Love You!

****On May 13, 2004, Aleeta graduated from college with honors!

Updated May 20, 2004