Happy Testimony Tuesday, my beloveds! I'm sorry these TT posts are sporadically posted, but you know, that thing called life... it takes up a lot of my time :D

May 3rd was an especially significant date for me, it was my 1 year alcohol-free! I mean, just look at the before-and-after. These photos were taken on the same day, 1 year apart, on May 3rd! In the 'before' photo, you can see my utter disgust. I was swollen, a little hungover, and getting ready for a coaching session. It was on that day that the coach told me that I am self-comforting instead of getting my comfort from God, and from then on, I decided to change my life. Today, I look much healthier, and there is a light back in my eyes. 

That was also the day I started to read my Bible from start to finish. I chose to do this Bible reading plan and listened to the audio, which read me the chapters before bed. I would try to follow along, but some nights I fell asleep listening to the reading. I do not feel guilty for falling asleep; in fact, I feel like it was a blessing, as in the past, most nights I fell asleep when I was drunk and ready for bed. During this recovery, the reading helped me seek the Lord, and he gave me rest.

Some people have reached out to me to ask, " How did I get sober, and what did I do?" My honest response is this is God's story, and God's glory. The only thing I did was deny my flesh, and instead I started seeking the Lord. When he says, " Be still and know I am God", he meant it! (Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.)

I recently heard someone talking about how reading the Bible actually 'rewires' your brain. That was pretty interesting to think about. You know how they say our brains have these little highways that transfer information to our consciousness, and we become that thought? Well, reading the Bible helps you get out of the ghettos off the highway and takes you along the scenic route. I love how reading from start to finish helped me fear the Lord, and then come to a loving understanding. My brain truly has become rewired. (Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.)

I have noticed such a change in myself, I am no longer triggered by the things of my past, I am trying to be in the present when spending time with my Mom or family. I can tell I am much more peaceful as a Mom and don't snap and yell at the little things. I feel sadness for not being fully present when they were little, but I know God is a restorer and will give me back all the things that I lost. (Isaiah 61:7 Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace, you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.)

The trick is, I didn't do anything, no 12-step AA meeting, no accountability coach, it was a journey walking with God hand in hand. I feel incredible, I feel loved, and most of all, I feel seen by a God who created me for a time such as this. Please trust God, my friends, with all your heart. Even when I missed a day of reading, when I returned, Jesus was there waiting for me. He is waiting for you, too! Join him :)

Hello, Friends! Today, I would like to profess that Veronica Swift is not a Satanist. I think all of us here can attest to that, but the slander continues online. So, I thought we would discuss what a Satanist is, and what I have found Veronica to be.

Let’s start with the definition of a Satanist. Dictionary.com defines a Satanist as 1. A person who engages in any of a highly diverse group of religions, philosophical, or countercultural practices centered around Satan, either as a deity or nontheistic symbol of enlightenment, individualism, or ethical egoism. 2. A person who participated in a deliberate inversion of Christian rites in which Satan is worshiped. 3. Also, a satanist is a person with a diabolical or satanic disposition who engages in diabolical behavior, an evil person. Ok, so a Satanist is a person who engages in practices centered around Satan. A person who participates in an inversion of Christian rites, who worships Satan. Lastly, a Satanist is an evil person. The key principle of today’s acting Satanists is “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.” To me, Veronica is none of those things. In fact, Veronica has only ever inspired me to follow Christ MORE!

5 years ago, when I came across Veronica’s Mother of Darkens post. I did not take her tone as evil or inverting Christ. I did not even read the tone of the agenda. What I read was a clearly organized thought, supported by references and research. I was so impressed by the article that God prompted me to email her and offer my support. I have never reached out to a stranger online like this before, and I have not really reached out to any other authors like this since. In starting my journey, I have made friends along the way, like Cathy Fox, but Veronica was out of the blue, and I believe divinely inspired by God.

When I started my friendship with Veronica, we made our little Locals page, and we shared articles back and forth, or clips of books we found interesting. She had an idea that maybe I could read her blog posts and share videos on YouTube. When we tried, it was blazingly clear that I had zero self-confidence and stumbled through the video, my voice shaking and my body tense. I think we scraped the idea pretty quickly. I became the welcome committee on the Locals page and joined in commenting, sharing her articles, and making others feel comfortable on our little corner of the internet. I was Veronica’s cheerleader, and that fit me much more than her “voice” online. At this part of the story, I ask you, did she persuade me to become an evil mouthpiece, or did she just ask me to help spread her thoughtful research?

During our friendship, we often shared broken pieces of ourselves and ALWAYS looked towards Jesus Christ for our healing and our strength. In identifying my self-esteem issues, Veronica helped me seek the Lord for my voice. Together, we came up with the idea of me posting weekly articles, and I thought of the idea of Testimony Tuesday articles. Now, would a Satanist want me to glorify Christ weekly by sharing people’s transformations in Christ and by being open with my own healing Journy in Christ? I think not.

After pouring my heart out in my Testimony Tuesday stories, she offered that I should do this Clifton Strengths quiz to help identify my strengths. I really liked this idea as it didn’t just harp on my weaknesses but instead helped me look at all the good qualities I already had inside and helped cultivate my growth. Once I took my quiz, she linked me up with a coach to go over all my strengths and really help me dig in. Why would a Satanist want to continue to build me up and not sway me towards wickedness by now? It really seems that God ordained our friendship so we could help heal each other and lift each other up when we fall. Not once did she force me, coerce me, threaten me, or gaslight me into thinking her way or manipulate me into being her ‘servant.’ She was my friend who loved me and supported me while I broke out of the chains of bondage.

To me, a Christian is a person who admits their sins and tries to do their best every day. They love Jesus Christ, and they acknowledge his death and resurrection. They lift their friends up in prayer, help their friends with healthy accountability, and walk side by side in the Spiritual battle. Veronica has been all these things and so much more to me. Meeting her was the start of my healing journey. Together, we solidified my becoming an active player on the battlefield instead of a passive player. My voice was already made for much more; I just needed a friend to believe in me.

I will continue to be Veronica’s friend and supporter. There are so many evil players on the battlefield. It's time we unite and strengthen our swords in Jesus’ name. Even Jesus was here to take up his sword against the enemy. Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  Take up your cross and take up your swords! We are at the endgame, pick up your weapons and FIGHT! God bless you, my friends and soldiers. I will see you on the battlefield, standing alongside Veronica Swift. <3 Ally.

Hello, my friends! Welcome back to this episode of Testimony Tuesday! Today, I want to honor God by sharing how he is redeeming and restoring me day by day. Isaiah 41:14 …I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

This past week was Spring Break for my area in Florida. I have worked a few Saturdays to stack up my PTO and took the week off with my kids. This was my first time really getting a chance to break away and spend one-on-one time with them. I got us a nice hotel room with a beautiful view, and the hotel had an on-site water park! It was the coldest day of the week when we went, but the boys got in the water, and we had such a fun time.

My mom made the trip out for the water park day, and it was a slow, leisurely day spent with her. My heart was so full! I remember when she took us to places like that when I was little, and it was a full-circle moment that I was able to take her with us and share new memories with my children. Sometimes I am so sad about our relationship, and maybe I need to manage my expectations of her better. This was the FIRST time in my life that I had peace, no anxiety to go to the park, no snapping at my kids or my mom, I was just totally in the moment, basking in the sun, and thanking God for his restoration.

I can remember when I was in active addiction, I would always beat myself up about missing events with my family or making things so bitter it was unenjoyable. I spoke about this feeling during my coaching sessions, and my coach told me, "God is the restorer, the redeemer, and he will give you back what you lost 10-fold." You know, I never expected or wanted that from God; I just wanted to be a healthier version of myself. But God is so good! God has been giving me so much more in my life, in every interaction, in every fellowship, in every breath that I take, and I will spend the rest of my life praising his good name. 

I am having a challenging time with my youngest son, and life will look a little different for him the rest of his life. But I told him, "Thank you for being you! You get to teach me how to be a better Mom," and I mean that! Yesterday, he shut down at school, and when I picked him up, he looked defeated. The first thing I did was ask him to tell me all about it so I could understand him. Then I told him he did a good job, and tomorrow we get to try again!

I told him to talk to God when he is having a hard time at school, and he told me he didn't want to bother God with that stuff. I told him, "Please bother God!" God wants us in our happy, in our sad, and he loves the oppertunity to be with us no matter the situation. I told my son, count your blessings when you are feeling like things are hard, and God will help change your day. We were counting them together, and my son said, "God, thank you for the hot food we get to eat when my Mom makes me a plate," And I KNEW God was with us, working on my son's heart.

Miracle after miracle, God is working hard in my life. And every day my life is a Testimony to him. His story is my story as he moves and works through me. What an amazing life I am having with God in the driver's seat! I love you guys. I am honored to share my life with you, to give you hope and faith when you are running low! Thanks for coming along with me on my journey. May God bless you this week! <3 Ally.