Messages by Santa Maria Alumni
I want to thank my supporters and superheroes in my recovery including my sponsor, and loving boyfriend, who have been backing up my each and every positive stage of progression.
My largest of appreciation is to God’s amazing mercy and grace that has covered my life. Jonah said “But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.” And the Lord has said “I will heal your waywardness and love you freely, for my anger has turned away from you.” Jonah’s pit was in the belly of a whale, while mine was found in a life of spiritually stunted growth. A life in which I constantly looked into soulless eyes around me and together were sold once again to a chemical fix, instead of God’s warm embrace and that of those who desperately wanted to save me. It has taken a lot of forgiveness of my past, and accepting the lessons has become a means for persevering. Not all lessons in my life were negative consequences, once I realized that God’s will for me would never be to harm me, but to make me prosperous. One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned since being at Santa Maria was that just because I’d finally decided to recover, didn’t mean everyone would trust my decision to do so. My parents aren’t present, but I know today they did the best they could, or knew. At some point they had to choose their own lives, or the unmanageability of mine. “The Lord says “I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you” and Psalms 27:10 says “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. His love for me far exceeds that of any love on Earth, and through his love I am able to love those who I must at a distance. Bill W once said “we will want the good that is in us all, even in the worst of us, to flower and grow.”
I never want another human being to know the pain and suffering of addiction and those it effects. But the hope that I’ve found I want all to have. I am at peace today and as I indulge in the serene aspects of my new living, I believe in me. I believe though I always can’t He can, and I let Him. Despite the tornado I was in the eye of, one so many know too well. “You Lord, are our father, we are the clay, you are the potter. We are all the work of you hand.” The works of far exceeded the destruction of mine time and time again, and He has made no mistake in His creation. Thank you Santa Maria Jacquelyn staff for your patience, tolerance and understanding – the code of recovery.
“Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48)
-Ashley
Hi my name is Chelsey and I am a woman in long term recovery and what that means to me is that I have not found it necessary to use any drugs since September 7 of 2016. Without the help from staff in the Mirrors program and the counseling they’ve provided for me I wouldn’t have made it this far without the use of drugs. My recovery coach and family coach have made a big impact in my life. Keeping me on track, how not to isolate myself from others and family members. Mirrors staff have given me patience with open arms (Big Hearts) always willing to help, taking the time to talk and listen to whatever it may be. Also a big impact on reuniting with family and staying very strong in my recovery.
These women are here to really support and help to their best and I really love and appreciate it. Y’all have made me very comfortable to talk and let go a lot of things that were weighing on me. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m on a never-ending journey called recovery, I’m clean and sober, and I’m doing it just for me.
-Chelsey
Recovery is a true passion and mission in my life. I am a powerful advocate for recovery and for recovering birth mothers. Santa Maria planted a seed in me and taught me how to live without using drugs or alcohol. I am extremely thankful for the knowledge and information given to me that has equipped me with a recovery tool belt to use whenever addiction wants to fight it’s hardest! I am a member of PAC and continue to share my story and help others who come behind me at Santa Maria. I left Santa Maria in July of 2016 and I am now a productive woman in recovery who strives for my full potential daily. I am a woman of long term recovery and what that means to me is I have not felt it necessary to drink, drug, use any mind altering substances, or commit any crimes since January 29, 2016. I truly give all my thanks to God and Santa Maria. I am truly blessed! Thank you,
-Jessica Y
Before I found recovery I had come to a place in my life where I felt not just broken, but shattered. As I began to develop and grow in my recovery I was able to put the pieces back together and I began to come alive again through the hope and encouragement I was given by others. I was able to find my purpose and to really live a happy and self-fulfilled life. Thank you Santa Maria.
-Traci M
Santa Maria has helped me in many aspects of my life. I’ve learned how to live a healthy life without drugs. Santa Maria has helped me to believe in myself and others. I’ve also learned how to have healthy boundaries. I have learned to love myself again.
– Stephanie B
Santa Maria is more than a place for recovery. I have learned a great deal on how to cope, get support, and work legally for my life. My recovery coaches who help me understand my addition along with my counselor continue to inspire me. I love the Peer Advisory Council and my family is getting stable by making better choices today!
How many times have I reviewed my relapse prevention materials to keep me on task. I have finally landed a home support group with my Sponsor Francis and we are going to sober events together. I am completing probation in the next few months and this experience has been helpful to keep discipline with my behaviors. Overall, my probation officer will join me on my birthday night celebration, which is more than amazing.
Santa Maria gave me a life filled with HOPE… Thanks to God and everyone who loved me until I could love myself.
-Mary Beth
Thanks to my Recovery I am now living a life beyond my wildest dreams! I had no idea that people felt like this. For the first time in my life I know what peace and joy feel like. I have purpose and meaning in my life and I am usefully whole. I am a taxpaying, volunteering asset to my community. Best of all I once again am a mother. Thank you Santa Maria.
– Sharon H
Every day is a winding road, but to each there is a destination. Choosing whether to reach it or to detour, becomes the common struggle. To each day there is a lesson as well as to each success and each mistake. Seeking God’s lessons instead of looking for what we think should have happened can be difficult but the parallel of light and darkness are like oil and water. Change who I am, all that I’ve thought I’ve consisted of. Rediscovering God’s purpose for me, not based on selfish will. Trusting the unknown, and departing from ol’ reliable but walking a narrow path beats lying in a ditch. The embrace of God far exceeds the grip of death around my neck. Angel whispers in my ear saying you can do it, instead of the voice in my head, the disease, saying I can’t. I am changing, one day at a time, one second and not too much more. Forward not backward with full resilience. This is my change.
-Ashley L
Santa Maria Hostel has given me the opportunity to make a better life not only for my children, but also for myself. Being at Santa Maria taught me responsibility, structure, boundaries, as well as how to love myself again. I also learned how to be a better parent, a better person, and that it is possible to enjoy life being sober. Sincerely,
-Tierica W
