Rock Bottom Ranch Recovery Stories
Jessica's Story
I was born in March of 1991 to a drug-addicted family in Terrell, Texas. My Mom and Dad were both drug addicts and alcoholics. It did not take long after my birth for the chaos to start. I was four months and four days old on the 4th of July when my mother was murdered in a crack deal gone bad. Not only did I lose my mother at a very young age in a violent way, but a few years later when I was five years old, my father was murdered as well. After his death, I was moved from family member to family member. I always felt like I was a burden to my family or whoever I was living with at the time. When I was twelve, I moved in with my sister, and that is when my life went to hell in a dope sack. My whole life was centered around using drugs. By the time I was thirteen I had become what most people would call a hopeless dope fiend. This was the year I was introduced to heroin. I remember my first taste of heroin like it was yesterday. I was hooked immediately. I did not just jump in. I dove right in head first and became strung out on the needle. I was hopeless and helpless. I did not care about anything or anyone else. I completely lost all respect for myself and the only thing that mattered was getting the next fix before I got dope sick. That meant robbing,people, stealing anything that wasn't nailed down, and God forbid if anyone got in my way, they would fall quickly.
I was completely out of control. I lived my life out of control like that for sixteen years. There were many times that I should have died and honestly with every fiber of my being I was wanting to die.
But God! God had a different plan for my life. God took this hopeless dope fiend and is in the process of doing a complete overhaul. He has given me hope and His light shines bright in my once dark life. I now know that I never have to go back to that life. As long as I continue to walk with God, I know my life will prosper because I now know, "With God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26
Update: Jessica graduated from the Rock Bottom Ranch program in February of 2021 and stayed on for a year as our live-in House Mother. She now has 2 years clean and continues to be a shining example of God's redemptive power in a surrendered vessel.
Hello, my name is Amber. I am now a recovering addict after fifteen years of abusing drugs. I am also a survivor of sexual abuse. My addiction started when my child died in 2006. It seemed as if I couldn’t go on anymore. Then in November of 2020, I asked Jesus into my heart and found my way to Rock Bottom Ranch where I have gained a very intimate relationship with God.
In this time of drawing closer to God, He has restored me as well as my relationship with my children and my fiance, Bobby Jo. I am now eight months sober and have been at Rock Bottom Ranch for eight months as well. I will graduate on December 4th and Bobby Jo and I will be married on December 18th. I know God has great things in store for us.
Update: Amber graduated as planned on December 4th, 2021, and stayed here at The Ranch until her marriage to Bobby on December 18th. They spent several months living in one of the aftercare homes of the House of Hope program in Madisonville, Texas, which Bobby graduated from in December. We are very excited that they have recently decided to come live and work in Palestine. We love having them as a part of our community!
Amber's Story
Marlana's Story
I was born into a life full of very unfortunate circumstances including neglect, abandonment, and abuse which led me to drug addiction and alcoholism. This, of course, caused me to make a slew of poor choices that left me lost, alone, and searching to be accepted and loved.
I thought I loved Jesus. I know I believed in Him and in my own broken way, I did love Him, but I did not truly understand what it meant to have a real relationship with Him. No one had ever taught me the true way, His way, but through it all, He never left me forsaken. Jesus always had His hand on me and kept me covered with grace.
In desperation for healing and peace, I came to Rock Bottom Ranch. While here, I have found God’s love and mercy. I have also received guidance on how to love God, myself, and others. I am finding the peace and freedom I have wanted for so many years. Through my studies, digging deep for inner healing, and building my relationship with a loving God, I have learned that His will prevails over my fleshly wants and desires. Trusting God and His promises for my life has led me to the joy and peace I have been searching for all along.
Update: Marlana graduated from the program on December 4th, 2021, and stayed here at The Ranch until her marriage to Richard which took place on January 15th, 2022. She is now living in her home with Richard here in Palestine and has recently started working full-time at the Ranch as our Resident Advisor.
My name is Kamie King. I was born and raised in Palestine, Texas. I started using drugs when I was 15. At the age of 18, I married a very abusive man, which only encouraged my drug use even more. By the time I turned 30, I had already been in and out of jails and prisons more times than I can even remember. When I turned 31, God blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. That was enough to keep me straight for a little while, but soon I found myself back on drugs. Before long, CPS came in and took my baby girl. Then my new, amazing husband filed for divorce, and once again I found myself back in jail.
Today, I am a resident of Rock Bottom Ranch. I have been clean and sober for a year now. My marriage has been restored and I am 3 months away from regaining full custody of my daughter. All by the Grace of God. He has worked numerous miracles in my life and I am so excited to see what else He has in store.
Update: Kamie graduated from the program on December 4th, 2021, and returned to her home in Palestine with her husband Brian and their daughter, Kashlee. She had started working at Eilenberger's Bakery while still in the program, and has continued to work on that job.
Kamie's Story
Amanda's Story
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri to a dysfunctional family, and raised mostly by my single mother. I began using drugs and alcohol and mostly heroin at the age of 15 and was in and out of jails, rehabs, and eventually prison. Self-reliance was clearly getting me nowhere. I spent 15 years struggling with addiction, kicking and screaming, and stuck in this endless cycle of drugs, relapse, and being institutionalized. I finally accepted that I was unable to do anything without Christ and that living a life for Him instead of for "self" was my only option. As I have begun living for Christ, self-reliance and the darkness of addiction have become a thing of the past. I am so excited about my life and future that God has planned for me.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
The battle belongs to HIM.
Update: Amanda graduated from the program on May 21st, 2022. She will continue working at "Over Yonder", a job that she started halfway through her program. She has decided to make her home in Palestine and we look forward to a continued relationship with her.
Monica's Story
Hello, my name is Monica. I was born on an even month, on an even day, and an even year, but all the odds were stacked against me. For a long time I thought God was against me. I now know He was never against. It was mostly me against myself. I grew up in an abusive family where the men were abusive alcoholics. Eventually, I turned to drugs and became an addict. Drugs numbed the pain for me. Satan wanted to use this to destroy me, but God had other plans for me. I am now 6 months clean and have been at Rock Bottom Ranch for four months now. I am now finding my real self and with the help of God and the ladies here at the Ranch, I am becoming the beautiful person that God created me to be.
Update: Monica graduated from the program on May 21st, 2022. She will continue working at her local job and living here in Palestine. We are so excited to have her join our community.
Priscilla's Story
In the beginning, was the Word. And just as the earth was without form and void, so was my life. Because I could not deal with the issues and things I had endured, I turned to a smaller god – drugs. As I spent many years in and out of prison, I found that God’s Word did not come back void in the beginning and that He had created me with a purpose. He is the light at the end of my tunnel. As I recover from self-will, I am learning to not only trust in God but also to faithfully allow Him to guide my life. Rock Bottom Ranch has given me a safe place to do that and also allowed me to complete my degree in college. I am most grateful.
Update: Priscilla graduated from the program on May 21st, 2022. She will continue working at one of the local churches and attending her classes at the local college. She too has decided to make her home in Palestine. We are excited to see what the Lord will do with her many talents.
Anne Marie's Story
When I was heavy in my addiction, I was unsure of my belief in God. I knew that there was a higher power and believed in good and evil, but I didn’t really understand it. I considered myself to be a good person for the most part. I have always been very generous, empathetic, and compassionate, but I still had a kind of emptiness in my heart that I could not fill, which drugs seemed to take away for a brief moment. However, as I was self-medicating, I started to destroy everything in my life that I had worked so hard for. In a short time, I lost everything including my job, money, apartment, and finally, custody of my children. That was the lowest point of my whole life. When that happened, I felt like I was at the edge of a cliff with one foot off, where just the slightest breeze would have sent me to my death.
This was my rock bottom where God was finally able to reach me. He opened my eyes and saved me. I had a spiritual experience that changed my entire thought process and created a chain of events that led me to Rock Bottom Ranch. Now I am clean, and God is restoring what I have lost. Thanks to my newfound faith in Christ and the support I receive from the women at the Ranch, I know my life will never be the same.
Update: Anne Marie graduated from her program at Rock Bottom Ranch on July 30th, 2022. We are all amazed at her miraculous transformation! She is still living and working in Palestine and remains a part of our RBR family.
Amy's Story
Hi, my name is Amy. I've been in bondage to drugs for the last 17 years which has landed me in and out of jails and prison multiple times. It wasn't until recently that I cried out to God and prayed for Him to help me and to be my Lord and Savior.
I started consuming the Bible and the Holy Spirit started speaking to me.
John 5:6 really resonated with me when Jesus said, "Do you want to get well?" I responded vocally by saying out loud in response, "Yes, Jesus, I do."
Since I have been at Rock Bottom Ranch, God has really been speaking to me more, especially in dreams. I’ve also learned how to be still and listen for His voice. I feel joyful for the first time in my life.
Update: Amy graduated in May of 2023 and is now on staff as the Resident Manager of Rock Bottom Ranch as well as the Manager of our Sav Ur Dogs Program. She is also taking online college classes. We are very excited about everything God is doing in and through Amy!
My name is Katie and I have been struggling with marijuana and meth for 5 years. I've been put in some scary and dangerous situations, but the Lord was always with me.
God says this in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." This scripture has surely been true in my life.
I have been in and out of jail for the last 4 years. The last time I used, I decided to call the Sheriff's Department and turn myself in so I could get clean and step away from it all. I finally surrendered to God.
Since I have been here at Rock Bottom Ranch, I am learning who I am in Christ and how to love and forgive myself. The ladies here have taught me how to be a good Christian woman.
I have also been learning about discernment and how to listen for the Holy Spirit to guide me in what I do and say each day. I am finally able to experience the Joy of the Lord, which does not depend upon my circumstances but only on who He is in my life. This is joy that no one can take away.
I am so thankful that the Lord led me to Rock Bottom Ranch. This has been the best decision I have ever made for myself. God has all the answers if we will just slow down and listen. I now know that God has a plan and purpose for me. I am excited to see what He will be able to do with my life.
Katie's Story
Update: Katie graduated from the Rock Bottom Ranch one year program in May of 2023 and is still living and working in Palestine.
April's Story
My name is April. I spent the first few years of my life in a chaotic home in San Antonio. What society calls "dysfunction" was my normal. I witnessed and experienced all types of abuse. My parents loved me the best way they knew how but they were both very broken individuals. They were uninvolved and unloving. Because of my parents' inability to nurture, I grew up clothed in rejection and self-hate. Feelings of unworthiness were cemented in my little heart.
My perception of the world and the people in it had been tainted. As I grew older, I became angry and self-destructive. I lacked the capability to form deep bonds with others. I had learned that superficiality was safe. Eventually, I began to find solace in drugs and alcohol at an early age. By the time I was 19, I was a full-blown heroin addict and my life had begun to spiral out of control fast. After a few years of my bad lifestyle choices, I found myself in prison with an eight-year sentence. It was in that wilderness place that I finally surrendered to God.
Upon my release from prison, the Lord led me to Rock Bottom Ranch. When I arrived, I had no idea about the blessings He had reserved for me here! Since I have been here, I have had the opportunity to grow in my relationship with God through daily studies, and I now have a greater understanding of His love for me. I am gaining the ability to identify the root of my issues, work through them, and heal from past trauma. I am learning for the first time what true love, family, support, and community is.
Psalm 40:2 says, "He brought me out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps"
This verse is TRUTH in my life. He set my feet upon THE Rock, Jesus Christ, and led me to another rock, which is Rock Bottom Ranch. It is here that He is establishing my steps.
Update: April graduated from Rock Bottom Ranch in May of 2023 and she is currently still living here in Palestine, attending college classes at TVCC, and working part time at the Bird's Egg Cafe. We are so proud of her!
Jennifer's Story
I was raised in a pretty normal environment. I lived what most people would call an ideal life. I graduated high school, got married, and had 3 beautiful kids. I eventually obtained a BSW Degree and was blessed with a career in the Criminal Justice System, all while taking care of and raising my family.
In between all of this, I had gone through 2 divorces and more than my fair share of struggles but still managed to excel in my career and succeed at being a mother. Early into my 40’s I began to experience huge life changes as my children all left home to start lives of their own. Depression came knocking at my door and a cute charismatic man with “the answer to all of my problems” swooped in to save me. It was at that point that I was introduced to drugs for the first time in my life.
Drugs do not discriminate. Here I was a good mom with a good career, standing on my own two feet, and in an instant taken down by the very thing that was supposed to “bring me up”, methamphetamines.
In 2019, I received a possession charge which led to a brief stint in county jail in 2022. Having lost all my possessions including my home, car, and my job, I was also facing the reality that I was headed to prison. This was my rock bottom, and it was in that place that I finally made the decision to let go and let God. God then led me to Rock Bottom Ranch. This place has changed my life already in the short time I have been here. They have given me hope when I had none and loved me when I couldn’t even love myself, and they have taught me and shown me what Christ’s true love really is.
Makayla's Story
My name is Makayla. I am 25 and I have struggled with drug addiction since I was 11years old. I would get myself off one drug, only to turn right to the next thing I could find that “just made me feel better”, or so it seemed. Little did I know, I was only numbing and masking a pain that only God could heal.
Since I was 19, I have been in and out of jail and prison, including several arrests during the past year. While I was lost more so than ever, and trying to find my way, I thank God for putting me where I’ve been, because it has led me here to Rock Bottom Ranch.
I am blessed to be shown the love of God through others since I have been here. When I am struggling, they are always here to remind me that I am not alone, and that it is not in my own power that I can do this, but through the power and strength of God and the help of my RBR family. It is so comforting to know that I am not in this
by myself. For the first time in my life, I feel safe enough to open up and share with the women here, knowing they will understand and not judge me because they too have had many of the same experiences in their past. I know I am now right where I am supposed to be and I look forward to this next year with my new family, and to see all that God has in store for me.
Betty's Story
I never knew God but God knew me. I had a great childhood although it came to a halt at age 11 when my mother passed away. At this point, my innocence was thrown out the window. I had to quickly learn to adapt, survive, and take care of others. I was also quick to pick up any substance I could use to alter my reality.
When I was 17 I was in a life-threatening car crash. I had brain surgery, broke my jaw, broke my back, and various other injuries. After being in a medically induced coma for four months, I woke up and went on a wicked spiral, cursing God as well as life. I was doing hard drugs and never stopping to think about my future or the pain I was causing to the people who loved me.
At age 19 I caught a charge and ran for a few years, finally getting caught at age 21. That is when I went to jail.While there, I started to learn about God. I then chose to accept Him into my heart and life. He then led me to Rock Bottom Ranch, where I have been learning who He is and the unconditional love He offers. I am also learning to by content with or in Him and that He fills that empty lonely void I had since I was very young. I now have the peace of God and hope for a brighter future.
Jessica's Story
I was born in Paris, Texas in 1993. My sister and I lived with my mom who was a drug addict and alcoholic. We were back and forth between Mom and Dad who was also a drug user, and in and out of foster care from age 5 to 11. My Mom would leave us with strangers for days at a time. My Dad has been in and out of jail and prison my whole life. He is still locked up right now.
My Dad would come home in an alcoholic rage beating my stepmom in front of us. It was common for my dad to pass me a drink of beer from the time I was 5 years old. When I was in 3rd grade, my mom had lost all rights to me and my sister and my dad was headed to prison. He left us with a family friend and her husband. When they divorced, we went to live with the wife, April.We moved to Florida and we were both sexually abused by her boyfriend she met online. When this came out, we were removed from her care and went back into foster care.
We were put into a children’s home in Florida. Then my mom and Dad showed back up on the scene. They both wanted us, and we decided to go live with our mom in Mt. Pleasant. After all we had been through, I was an angry teenager. I was very disruptive, starting fights in school, and stealing. My Mom started smoking pot with me when I was in the 6th grade and then I started doing cocaine in the 8th grade.
I got involved with an older guy who was on drugs. I quit school and my mom started using cocaine again with me.
At 17 I was in a really bad car accident. I died several times on the care flight and they kept bringing me back. I was in a coma for about 3 weeks. Right afterward, I started using meth at age 18.
Meth led me to a life of crime and I began to go in and out of jail. Years went by with the same cycle of drug abuse leading to jail or worse. In February of this year, I went to jail again for 10 months. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I decided I wanted better for my life.
I came to Rock Bottom Ranch in November and within a few days of being here I made the decision to make Jesus my Lord and Savior. In the few weeks since I have been here God has began to do a work in me and I feel hope for the very first time about my life and future. I’m excited for my family to see this change in me, and I can’t wait to see what He does in my life.
My name is Alexis, and I am now 27 years old. My life before coming to The Ranch was a life of bondage. I was a prisoner in my own mind and body. I was never taught how to live life the right way. My parents were both in and out of prison and I started doing drugs at a very young age. All my life I have been running from God and who He made me to be.
While I was incarcerated, I heard about Rock Bottom Ranch. God had already shown me the call He had on my life, so I just knew this was the place for me. I wrote to them and here I am. I am now re-learning how to live life God’s way, one day at a time. It is not always easy, but with God all things are possible, Matthew 19:26.
Alexis's Story
Dianna's Story
Hi, my name is Dianna. I am 32 years old and a mother of three children, Camron 17, Orvie, 14, and Tegan, 12.
I was raised in church as a small child. I always went to vacation Bible School and summer camps, so I knew who Jesus was, but never really understood the idea of a heavenly father.
My mother left my father when I was a baby. The only other male father figure in my life was my grandaddy and he was a man dealing with his own bondage. We were never close, so the idea of a “heavenly father” was hard and still is difficult to wrap my brain around.
I started using drugs after I had my first son. At the age of 17 I dove into the deep end with meth, cocaine, acid, ecstasy, you name it, I have done it. I ran from the responsibility of being a mom, afraid that I would be like my own mother. I turned out worse. I love my children deeply, but I did not love myself. I looked for love as the song says, “in all the wrong places”, a lot.
I was introduced to the Ranch by my grandma at the end of my incarceration in 2021 and I ran for the hills. I did not think I needed to do another year locked down. Heck, I had just done 3 years and some months and I thought I had it all figured out. Lord knows I was completely wrong.
So, after running from God for 32 years and the Ranch for almost a year and a half, having to pass by it every time I went to my grandma’s house, here I am surrendered to Him for the first time, willingly sober, and actually truly happy.
“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11