Hello,
If you are reading this note you or a loved one may be considering living at First Things First. My name is Kevin C. and I would like to share with you some of my experiences, and lessons learned as a former resident of FTF.
I moved to Murfreesboro in 2007. I had a new job with a large construction company. I had been sober a little over a year when I arrived. After a month on the new job in a new city I started drinking again. I was able to hold on to the job close to a year.
My drinking and the depression that accompanies it led me to “abandon” my job. I just walked away from a $60,000 a year job. On the verge of homelessness, hopeless, friendless and jobless I ran into an old employee. I was honest with him about my situation and he recommended that I contact John Colvert. I was told that he ran a recovery home and he recommended it above the others in town.
I started calling John and attending AA meetings. I had learned in the past that if you are new anywhere it’s a good idea to stick your hand out and introduce yourself to others. I was doing that at AA meetings and that is how I met John Colvert. I continued to attend meetings and after a few days a bed became available. So I left my apartment and moved into one of John’s houses on Clydeway Drive.
That was a huge relief. I was able to work through a temporary job service for a couple of weeks until I found permanent employment with a drywall company. I was eager to change for the better. I tried to do all the things that are suggested in AA and required as a member of FTF I attended as many meetings as I could. I found a “sponsor” to guide me through the twelve steps and to see me through the daily ups and downs. Opening up to a sponsor was really beneficial for me. Living with others that were seeking recovery was great. Guys I didn’t know became brothers in a short time.
As I write this letter I have a great sense of gratitude. I am moving back to Georgia in the morning. I am going to mention a few things that I have learned that help me to stay sober. First and foremost alcohol was my master. In order to stay away from alcohol I need help. I get help from AA meetings, my sponsor, and my friends and from trusting God. I learned that my thinking is not always healthy and it’s a good idea to talk to people when something is bothering me. There is a lot of good information in the Big Book and the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. By reading these books with an open mind my faulty thinking gets a little better. I have a favorite slogan that I first heard in AA and it states that, “If nothing changes nothing changes”. So when I catch myself thinking or acting like I use to I try to picture a better way. I throw up a quick prayer then go for it. I have to be willing to move out of my comfort zone if I am to grow.
I was once told by my father, “Don’t come knocking ad I’d appreciate it if you stayed the hell out of Columbus Georgia”. Thanks to FTF and AA I am welcome again to my parent’s home. It will be my first stop.
I will be going to an AA meeting tomorrow night. I promise I will be sticking my hand out saying “my name is Kevin… what’s yours?”
I hope you or your loved one is able to find recovery. First Things First is a great way to make that happen. Like anything else the more I put into it the more I get out of it.
Good luck and God Bless,
Kevin C.