Happy Monday friends. If you are visiting from the She Seeks site today, welcome! If you are not visiting from She Seeks and haven't made your way over there yet today, please head that way now and read the devotional entry that I had the opportunity to write this week. Click here.
This was a tough week to write. I wrote about a very personal experience that happened to my big brother Mike a few years ago. He battled a very strong addiction to cocaine and alcohol. In the devo I wrote about what it's like to be on the other side;to watch it go down.
But today -on this blog, I wanted to share with you an update on where Mike is now and the life that he lives. Mike struggled for almost an entire year battling his addictions. He went through two separate rehab centers and ended up having to move all the way across the country to Seattle, WA to live nearby the rehab center that he was successful in.
It has been really tough to not have him close by but we knew that this was the best option for him. While there Mike met a great girl named, Jenny. They struggled with a lot of the same problems and ended up getting married! :) Two are better than one. Jenny had a little guy named Gavin -who is just as smart as can be and together they had a little sweet boy named Asher, who lives up to his name meaning of "happy". You've heard me mention Asher before and his need for prayer for the surgeries that he went through this past year. He is doing great and here are some pics:
When I asked Mike if I could tell you his story, he said absolutely. He knows that maybe his story can help someone else along the way. And that is really what the journey is all about.
Something very exciting is that yesterday Mike celebrated two years of being clean! Two years!! That's incredible.
I'd love for you to leave Mike a comment here today congratulating him on his journey.
And if you or someone you love is battling an addiction, please know that you are not alone and there is help out there for you. E-mail me at: nickikoziarz@yahoo.com if you have questions or need some guidance.
Monday, March 08, 2010
The Rest of the Story.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
What an incredibly inspiring story! Congratulations, Mike! It takes a lot of courage to stay in the battle. Giving up control is hard enough with the small things. I cannot even begin to imagine what you went through. God had rewarded you richly for your willingness to be changed and your daily decision to be obedient to Him.
Whoop Whoop!
Nicki, wonderful post. I fully believe that Mikes road to recovery shows the mighty grace of our Lord and all of the prayers that surrounded our family when we were in the middle of this.
When I talked to Mike yesterday he said "What is the date?" I replied Mar. 7th. He said today is my two year anniversary. He also said it does get easier.
Thank you for standing by your brother!
There is hope in Him who made us and knows all about our own individual "wiring"! Love Mom
Yay Mike!!! Congratulations!! We met years ago, so not sure if you remember me, but I'm so happy that you're doing well. (And you have a beautiful family!)
Congratulations Mike! God is so amazing.
Congratulations, Mike! My boyfriend was a drug addict a couple of years ago, but he, too, met Jesus and was restored and transformed. Today he is a man of God. I saw God's glory once more last night as my boyfriend preached to the youth a message straight from the heart of God. It's amazing what He's able to do in and through us when we surrender ourselves to Him. I exhort you to continue your walk with our Savior. Once again, congratulations... To God be the glory!
Congratulations Mike! Keep letting the Lord keep you in His grip day by day!
God bless!
And thanks Nicki for sharing!
Marilyn...in Mississippi
CONGRATULATIONS Mike on 2 clean and happy years! :) May you have MANY MANY MANY more and that you will remember that you CAN do anything through Christ who strengthens you! I have a friend who is an addict who has been through rehab more times than I can count and often gets close to Jesus and falls away again. I plan to share this story with him in the hopes that he will be encouraged to see another man addicted to a life sucking substance recover and find the grace that Jesus gives him every day! Thank you!
Wow, God has done some great things in your family. Mike I am proud of you, what a hard thing to over come.
Nicki way to stick by your brother!!
Oh how I wish we could meet up again some day. Germany days were way too long ago. I miss both of you!!
How awesome for your brother...your whole family really. Way to go on 2 whole, entire, complete years. God's many blessings on many, many more!!
Hm hm.. that's interessting but to be honest i have a hard time visualizing it... I'm wondering what others have to say....
Congrats Mike! And I say thanks to you for sharing your story, for I do believe God is using it to speak to many hearts!
Way to go Mike... God is amazing and I'm so glad that you are allowing your story to touch the lives of others!
God is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO proud of you and we all applaud you. Bravo! Job well done. I was married to a man who had lots of issues, alcohol was one of them. He chose to leave and don't know if he has changed really. Dated 2 more men who had drug and alcohol issues.Loved both.I believe one is whole now.I still pray for all. And hey we all fight something, my issue right now is food! Many blessings to you. I am happy you have made it and are happy too!May it always be so! Amen and Amen!
Thanks all for the congrats and the support to continue this journey that I am on. I did not hesitate to let Nicki share some of my story for the sole reason that I want to be able to help the next person. I am so blessed today and so thankful to be clean and sober. If I could offer one piece of advice to any family going through the grips of addiction with one of their loved ones. Please don't give up on them. If my family would have given up on me I would probably not be around to write this. The process of recovery cannot be done alone and my family was really the boot in the rear that got me started and I know they can also share in the joy of my recovery.
So thanks to you for sharing this story here and the pics too.
How to make a website
Post a Comment