I was raised in Coos-Bay by a loving Grandmother. My father left when I was young, and mom could never learn to cope with that. As a teenager, I moved to my dads, and that’s when it all changed. I started drinking and drugging. When I was 17 I was awarded fifteen years in prison for taking another man’s life. After release from prison I met my ex and we planned Cody. Life was good, until I started drinking and using. After all was said and done, I lost them and tried to come home to Oregon. But even in my unbelief of God, he stilled believed in me, and put a stop on me in this area almost two years ago.

I woke up one morning under a train car with rain hitting my face. I cracked a beer and as I got myself un-sick enough to think, my eyes opened. I looked around in unbelief and despair, how did this happen? Just a few days ago I had a job, was getting married, and had a family again. My heart was in a thousand pieces and my mind was close to shattering; I prayed to God. What else was left to do? And immediate warmth came over me and I was strongly inclined to call a certain friend. He picked me up, cleaned me up, handed me a phone and pointed at the PC, and said “ You have two choices brother, get better or go home.” We all know the only home that was left for me to go to was hell. Believe it or not I really weighed that option. U-Turn kept popping up everywhere, so I gave it a shot. It is only through Jesus that I am able to be the man that I am today, and laugh genuinely again. To feel emotion, not be ashamed, believe, and know peace of heart.