After being at TLC for 2 years it was time to move on. In those two years I learned what it meant live in freedom through Christ. There I made new friends and began new relationships. I felt safe from the “outside” world. This is something very normal when someone has given up drugs and alcohol. Nevertheless I wanted more, I craved new beginnings now. I did not feel as confidant as I do today but I did feel freedom and freedom is important to letting go of the shackles of addiction.

After going back to TLC from the college I attended preview days I only had less than a month to go back to begin classes. I could not believe that I was going back to college! I spent the last 3 weeks at TLC training the men who would take over my responsibilities when I left. It was hard leaving because THAT was my bubble; my safe haven, but, at the same time I knew god wanted me to go. When I moved into my dorm I felt different, I felt like a new person. I then remembered 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” In the two years I spent at TLC these are the kind of scriptures that helped me better understand my relationship with our GOD. I had nothing but 4 suitcases and yet because of how confidant I was in God I walked around that campus with my head held up high. It was a small college with about 300 students so EVERYONE new about me. The president of the school at the time was very close with the founder of TLC therefore word got out real quick that a Greek recovering addict from Chicago was on his way from TLC. It wasn’t embarrassing at all! I was myself and I embraced everyone like I always did anyway, difference here was I embrace people with the Love of our God not because I wanted to be accepted, THAT, only feeds my insecurities. 2003-2004 was a difficult year for me. Adjusting to being NEW and making sure the OLD was in God’s hands.

I got a job in the schools gorgeous coffee shop/student center. Hard wood floors, leather couches, fire-place, loft, etc. etc. I came in to get coffee one morning and there she was!! The same woman who I thought “surely was married.” She was behind the counter working, so I knew then that we were going to work together? But that doesn’t mean anything, she’s married, right? I looked and notice no ring, no engagement ring. Well, surely she has a boyfriend. I mean how can she be single?  I then stopped myself AGAIN for the 2^nd time and bounced all those thoughts back to remaining focused on my agenda. I let go of her for the second time.