Contributed by Tiffany Moffitt Rye, Lifelong Alaskan Celebrating Recovery for 11 Years
My name is Tiffany Moffitt Rye and I am sharing this amazing faith-based program with you because I have recently become a part of the ministry team at Palmer Alaska Celebrate Recovery.
I personally stepped into recovery in February 1993 when I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter. After five years of being clean, my ex-husband and I separated and I lost my sobriety that same night! I carried shame and guilt for years, but I maintained a functioning addict’s lifestyle. In March 2006, I attempted to take my own life in my car coming from the Butte to Palmer… God intervened.
Well, after literally being touched by the hand of God that day on March 12th, 2006, my life would change forever. I was broken and needed help. I started listening to 88.9 Christian broadcasting that day and haven’t stopped listening since. New Life Live is on every weekday from 2pm-3pm and I began my counseling over the radio. Then I entered into one-on-one counseling, attended Fresh Start and completed small groups on “Processing the Issues of Your Heart”. A “process” and path in helping you resolve issues of offense, hurt, and loss at Church on the Rock in Wasilla and Palmer.
After finding much freedom through forgiveness, my journey came down to my own self-hatred. This was the key to my continued desire for addiction. I must make a conscious effort each day not to beat myself up for my past or even the mistakes and sometimes negative choices I make for my life each day.
Through a long journey of recovery from many issues in my life: marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, sexual, physical, emotional and psychological abuse, as well as rape and an abortion at age 15…Well, I found myself in trauma counseling again after a major surgery in 2016. This is how I found Celebrate Recovery. My therapy led me to a place where I knew God was calling me to share Him and what He did to save me from taking my own life.
I encourage anyone who has any kind of hurt, habit or hang-up that they stop, look around and listen. Then get in your vehicle or put your walking shoes on, and come downtown on Saturday nights and join those of us who are struggling too.
What is Celebrate Recovery?
Celebrate Recovery (CR) is an American Christ-based approach to recovery that was a response to twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous; the founders felt that Alcoholics Anonymous was too vague in referring to God as a "higher power" and wanted a more specifically Christ-based program.
We offer participants a clear path of salvation and discipleship; bringing hope, freedom, sobriety, healing and the opportunity to give back one day at a time through our one and only true Higher Power, Jesus Christ.
Testimony of our Leader:
My name is Stormie Peterson and I am celebrating recovery. I started using substances to mask rejection at the early age of ten. I went through several programs in my late teens in order to overcome these addictions. I always told myself, "Pffft, I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do, I can have my cake and eat it to." Some people would have called me a functioning addict.
After some redirection, I was able to complete high school, graduate in 2.5 years and was valedictorian of my class; all while I was severely loaded. I thought I was invincible and a responsible user, unfortunately that was not the case. I had deep-rooted issues of rejection that would surface as rebellion and self-hatred.
By the age of nineteen, I had two DUI's, grand theft auto, multiple arrests for assault and several night stay-overs at the county jail for intoxication in public. I knew this was not what I wanted for my life, but I could not stop. I knew there was a God and I knew He loved everyone, but I didn't comprehend the love He had for me. I found recovery. In October, I will have nine years of sobriety! I have continued to walk the steps out in my life and have had a spiritual awakening as a result.
I am excited about having Celebrate Recovery in Palmer, Alaska. Not only do I get to continue in the good work the Lord has done in my life, but now I get to share my experience, strength and hope with others so that they may find healing over life's hurts, habits and hang-ups.
We meet inside Wolverine Academy at the intersection of Arctic Ave. and Alaska St. every week on Saturdays from 7pm-8:30pm. On the first Saturday of each month (beginning June 3rd) we host a BBQ and Testimony night from 6-8:30pm. Everyone is encouraged to bring a snack or a dish to share!
Find us and more details on Facebook @Palmer Alaska Celebrate Recovery, or call Stormie Peterson, Leader at 907-982-0400 or Tiffany Moffitt Rye, Ministry Team at 907-745-8477.
