I have been sober/clean for a little over a year.  I celebrate my good fortune with a song in my heart and a prayer of thanksgiving upon my lips.

I am trying to get my wife and kids back.  If she doesn't want me, I don't blame her one bit.  I really messed up bad.  I've paid my dues; I am willing to put my life on the line, or do anything to get Sheila and the children (Ryan, Tiffany, and Brendan) back into my life!  After all, I am their father, and I still love Sheila with all of my being!

I have been going to weekly AA meetings, as well as monthly G.A. (Gamblers Anonymous) meetings (the AA meetings are held at the local high school on Wednesday nights; as for the Gamblers Anonymous meetings, they are held on the last Friday of every month at the church basement).  It's made a world of difference; it's kind of gratifying to know that I haven't been the only one with this problem.

I have been going to church every Sunday morning, and I've already made the decision to follow Christ.  It turns out that it was the best decision I ever made because I now have a hope for a future, and I know that I have been saved from the fiery pits of hell.

I have been praying and reading my Bible each and every morning.  It's the first thing I do upon waking up, as my way of telling the Lord thanks for giving me a second chance at life.  It's also the last thing I do at the end of the day; I find that my day goes a lot smoother because of this.

I am not perfect (I am gonna mess up; after all I am human), nor am I claiming to be.  I'm far from it.  I'm a mere mortal: I'm gonna make mistakes, but I know that with God's help, I will get through the rough patches of life and come out ahead. 

I like to say that God's brought me out of the valley and onto the mountaintop.  I know I am going to make it if I just learn to trust and believe in Him.  I can't make it on my own; believe me, I already learned that on my own, and I was not getting anywhere fast.

Well, I hate to run, but the phone is ringing.  Maybe it's Sheila or one of my friends from the AA meetings wanting to do something.  I will write in here again with more updattes; just keep those prayers coming; I think that's what is getting me through the rough days!  Thanks in advance!

~Henry.

~To be continued.~