God Shots
Denielle's Story
Hello, My name is Denielle,
In July of 2023 I was beyond lost in addiction. I was a few years into a recent relapse that almost cost me my life. I was struggling with a huge pride issue as well. A few weeks prior to getting to detox, I reached out to my dad and asked for help with my addiction. My dad reached out to a friend of his, who reached out to Vance Johnson, who then reached out to the women who helped save my life, Leanne! Of course, being lost, I ran away from my decision and lost contact with those whom I had reached out to. I ended up outside and alone more times than I could count. On July 17, 2023 I had finally had all I could handle. Walking for miles, being sick and sunburned and just all-around dead inside, I broke down and reached out to a friend, that to my surprise was in contact with my dad and Leanne. I was picked up off the side of the road by this friend and that is when I heard the love and care in Leanne’s voice for the first time. I was angry at the world and the entire situation, but I was desperate.
Leanne gave my friend instructions to get me some food and some water, she then directed me towards a hospital and a detox that she knew would help. Still angry, and sick and not know what things would look like, I was stubborn and not in control, so needless to say I was not pleasant. After a few days in detox, I was still being so unruly and angry, that didn’t stop Leanne from being caring and loving. I even yelled at her and was demanding things I didn’t need or deserve and she still met me with grace. At some point I even asked my dad “Why won't this lady give up on me?!” I am beyond thankful that she didn't! She helped change my entire life. The kindness of a stranger brought me to Christ. Leanne helped me find a treatment center. A long-term faith based 12month program. And wouldn't you know, I was angry about it. It was a hard decision and Leanne loved me all the way through. Looking back now, a year later. I wouldn't have made it without her gentleness, kindness, compassion and love. She kept in contact with my dad while I was in treatment. She promised that I would have a place in her home when I got done with my program, Leanne held true to her promise.
When time came, Leanne fought for me to get home, with more obstacles in the way then I had known about. I made it to TLC where Leanne is still fighting for me to this day. She loves me and I absolutely love her. She has been a huge part of my testimony! To have a complete stranger become someone dear to my heart has changed my angry heart to a softened heart, is something I never thought would happen.
Jeremiah 29:11 “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”
I might have not known what the Lord was doing when He put Leanne in my path, but He sure knew to send me a true God fearing woman that I will forever be grateful for.
Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”
On July 17, 2024, I am ONE YEAR clean and free, from my addiction and past behaviors! All glory to God! Thank you, Jesus! And thank you Leanne for showing me and my family love, support and strength. This next season is going to be the best one yet!
KIRSTEN's Story
When I first got out of prison, I had the mindset that if I don’t get high, I’ll always stay sober.
Even typing that out really makes me realize how naïve I was. I went to a sober living called Tribe, where the focus was entirely on external compliance. We had rules, drug tests, curfews, and mandatory meetings we had to go to, but they did not address the internal reasons why I used drugs in the first place. I was following a checklist, but my character and my thought patterns remained the same. I never put in any work to make sure I would stay sober. When I had finished the program, I thought I was ready to be on my own. I made it 3 months before I relapsed.
When I eventually got arrested and had to sit in jail. I decided I wanted to go into a faith-based treatment or sober living. I couldn’t do it on my own and I knew that what I was really missing was the love of Jesus. My dad had heard about Tender Loving Christ and helped me through the process to apply and after interviewing with Leanne I was accepted. A week later I was released and moved into the house. The second I walked into the house I felt nothing but love.
The time here has given me a safe space to focus on my internal transformation, rather than just the modification of my behavior.I have learned the reality that God provides a source of strength that is external to the self. By relying on the Holy Spirit, the burden of staying sober moves from my effort to my relationship with God. It is a daily reliance on Him rather than a daily battle with myself.
At tribe their program was based on the 12 steps, which for many it does help. But at TLC we base our recovery on Jesus.Faith-based recovery introduces the literal concept of forgiveness. When you believe that God has forgiven your past, the psychological weight of shame is lifted. This is a practical shift; without the constant pressure of shame, the urge to "numb out" with substances decreases significantly. I have become an entirely different person in Christ Jesus. Addiction is a part of my story, but that doesn’t mean I am an addict. I am made new. I would never have been able to believe that if I never had come to Tender Loving Christ.
At Tribe, everyone in the house had vastly different beliefs and values. It was hard to truly connect with anyone and most of the time everyone still had the mindset of “every man for themselves”. But at TLC everyone is operating under the same biblical principles. There is a shared standard for honesty, work ethic, and how to treat others. This created an environment of true accountability, where people are not just watching you to see if you fail, but are actively helping you grow into a better person. I was taught I have a specific, God-given purpose. Knowing that God has a plan for my life provides stability and turned recovery into a pursuit of a goal rather than an escape from a habit.
Sobriety is simply the absence of a substance. Recovery is the presence of a new way of living. Without God, I was just a person not using drugs. With God, I am a person being rebuilt from the ground up. Tender Loving Christ has provided me the spiritual tools (prayer, scripture, and a community of believers) to transform into the amazing Women of God I have become. I am now the house Mom, I have obtained my license, I am working back at my family’s company, and my parents are proud to call me their daughter again.
I never would have been able to get to where I am today if it weren’t for the support and love of Tender Loving Christ.
LEANNE's Story
Five Years of Recovery
I haven’t celebrated a single recovery anniversary since coming home.
Not everyone sees the importance in marking these dates and that’s truly okay. But in my heart, they’ve always mattered. They represent the quiet battles, the tear-stained prayers, the days I chose to get back up when giving up would have been easier.
Five years feels sacred to me.
So this year, I decided to honor it.
My actual date was a couple of weeks ago, but I choose February 13th, the day I graduated CAYA and fully surrendered my life to the Lord. It was the day I stopped striving and finally gave Him my yes.
More than anything, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for restoration.
Restoration with my daughter.
Restoration with my family.
Relationships that once felt fragile and broken are now healed, safe, and stronger than ever.
There was a time I truly didn’t know if I would survive. Depression, anxiety, heartbreak, they had such a grip on me. I tried many times before, but real change didn’t begin until I pursued an intimate relationship with Jesus.
These five years have not been easy. I have walked through seasons that would have taken me out before and by His grace, I stayed standing. Even in the middle of significant health challenges this season, I am still trusting Him.
So today, I’m spending the day with Jesus. In the Word. In reflection. In gratitude. Letting my heart remember just how far He has brought me.
Ephesians 3:20 is the verse over my life:
“He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or imagine.”
Since I gave Him my yes, He has done exactly that in me, in my family, and in TLC sober living home.
Five years.
All glory to Him.
And deep, tender gratitude for the woman who chose to keep going.
