# @hopewdm on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/B9pAhLpjemS
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/16338691-hopewdm-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/b045b79d7f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2020-03-12T16:44:41.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** HOPE (@HopeWDM) — https://gondola.cc/HopeWDM

## Caption

It was August of 2004. I had just been released from jail and knew I needed a church home, so my sister brought me to Hope. We came here because she knew if anyplace would be accepting of me, it was here.⁣
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I came in and couldn’t believe the feeling I got when I was here. The Holy Spirit was present, and I knew I was home. Each week, I had Pastor Mike sign my slip from my Probation Officer. I asked him what else I could be doing to grow in my faith. He told me to take Alpha.⁣
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I was put in a group of women whom I was certain wouldn’t accept a girl like me. I soon found out, these were the most accepting and loving women I could have ever asked for. They actually celebrated my birthday and surprised me with gifts. I felt so loved.⁣
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Staying in recovery was still hard. I was a telemarketer, working hard to make ends meet. People around me were still using drugs, and bill collectors where hounding me. I had to work the weekend of the Holy Spirit Retreat. I missed all of Friday night and had to work Saturday morning. When I got done with work, I considered just going back to using.⁣
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Driving down the road, I had a choice to make. Turn left and go back to drugs or turn right and go to church for the end of the retreat. Something told me to go to church. I could always go back to the bad life later if that was what I wanted to do, but for now I should go to church.⁣
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When I arrived, I felt like I was dragging 100lb weights in the door with me. Someone asked, “Are you Melissa?” I responded, “Yeah. Why?”⁣
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They started yelling at everyone, “She’s here! She’s here!”⁣
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My alpha group came up and showed me the slip of paper they gave pastor Mike that said, “Pray for Melissa NOW!”⁣
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When I was at that crossroads, my group felt I was in trouble and asked whole Alpha class to pray that I would come back to church. Their prayers turned me around and led me back. Pastor Mike said, “Our lost sheep is found”.⁣
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I never had to go back to that old life. The power of prayer is real. Recovery is possible. 16 years later, I am still here and working full time, welcoming people here just like me. Praise God for He is good.⁣
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#PiecesFromHope⁣
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Melissa Dale⁣
Celebrate Recovery

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## Tags

piecesfromhope

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