RecoveryFest

11/25/2025

Email sent out 11/24/2025

Here’s a Conundrum for You.

I thought about all that is happening and thought, “What a conundrum you’re in.” Before writing this email, I decided to look up the word conundrum—just to make sure it meant what I thought it meant.

Conundrum: a confusing and difficult problem or question.

That’s exactly how I felt when I found myself creating a GoFundMe page for a newer van, while also working on our year-end GivingTuesday campaign, knowing I’ll be having surgery on my foot on December 3rd!

Our year-end campaign helps provide the financial foundation His Ministries needs to start 2026 strong – and of course we’re getting desperate for a newer van. This week, we had yet another costly repair – several in the past year!

So yes… fundraising for two separate needs, at the same time, for two different purposes, all at the same time that I’ll be having foot surgery December 3rd and in recovery at home – Now that’s a conundrum!

It isn’t truly a difficult problem—but it is something that must be done. A new van is essential to serving our community, and starting 2026 with a strong financial foundation is essential as well, and me having surgery on my foot, well - all three of these needs matter.

To keep from confusing anyone—especially myself—I’ll continue to fundraise $12,000 for a newer van strictly through our GoFundMe page. If you’d like to give toward our need for a newer van you can give on our GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/12b0f974b

My foot surgery will be outpatient on December 3rd then home. I’ll be working from home during my recovery from my laptop, phone and home computer. Giving Tuesday begins on December 2nd, which happens to be the day before my foot surgery.
December 2nd will be our kickoff for His Ministries’ year-end campaign that runs through January 31st. I believe $5,000 is a very realistic goal for our Giving Tuesday kickoff toward the year-end campaign.

If you desire to give a gift, please make check payable to His Ministries and mail to: His Ministries, 407 Wood Ave. E, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 …
OR you can give Online on our PayPal account at paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2072532

If you’d like to give toward our need for a Newer Van you can give on our GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/12b0f974b …
OR mail a check payable to His Ministries to: His Ministries, 407 Wood Ave. E, Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 and Designate the gift toward the van.

Every gift, large or small, makes a difference. I’m grateful for you, and I appreciate your partnership in this work. I believe everything will work out, and I’m confident we will meet both goals—because each contribution helps His Ministries continue serving our community in meaningful ways.

We are so thankful for the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Minivan that Supporting Partners made possible for us to purchase back in 2016. That van has been a true blessing, helping us serve our community for many years.

We specifically need either a Chrysler Town & Country with stow-and-go seating or a Toyota Sienna XLE. Both models seat 7 passengers and provide the space we need to carry supplies. The estimated cost for a newer model is between $8,000–$13,000.

Please join us in prayer that God will provide this need while our current van is still running.

We are deeply grateful and blessed for your past support and trust that, together, we’ll see the next blessings come to pass. Thank you for being such an essential part of this ministry.

We truly could not do this without YOU! Please continue to share our mission with others and know that I give thanks to God for each of you.

Remember, with God, nothing is impossible!

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Blessings!

~Shirley

11/20/2025

You can do anything, if you can do these daily.

11/18/2025

Healing begins with the choice you make today.

11/14/2025

All things are possible if you're willing to try. Sure many say we become victims to our addiction, but our families, those that love us, become victims. The user is the only one that can see the possibility of recovery. There are programs in Virginia that can help one in changing their life as Jamie did in this article. Great read of ones recovery path to sobriety.

Jamie E knows what it’s like to make mistakes in life. He was on a downward journey from the time he was 14 until 25. The choices he made during active addiction hurt him and his loved ones to the point where his mom wasn’t able to look at him in court one day because she was crying so hard.

This, Jamie says, is where things clicked for him. “Something made me realize, you know, it's really the people that are closest to me that are the actual victims,” he said. In that moment, Jamie knew he wanted to do better. “I wanted to try something different. I really wanted to change.”

On his own accord, Jamie enrolled in recovery programs through Chesterfield County Jail and worked hard while he was incarcerated at State Farm Correctional Center to get sober and turn his life around. When he was released, he spent some time on the Northern Neck, where he helped start a peer recovery program and worked there for six years.

In August of 2025, Jamie made a huge career change: He is now the Central Region Peer Recovery Specialist for District 27 Probation & Parole, Chesterfield. The same district where he himself spent time as a probationer.

“When this job came about, I had no earthly idea it was going to be at District 27. I never thought that would be the plan mapped out for myself, but you know, everyone's got a story, and everyone's story can be utilized in different areas all across the workforce,” Jamie said.

Thanks to Jamie for sharing his powerful story about taking accountability and turning hurts into help.

11/06/2025

The quote in the photo is derived from the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness- based on the true life story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who became homeless while raising his young son.
Remember - Nothing is impossible!

10/28/2025

I gained 552 followers, created 23 posts and received 88 reactions in the past 90 days! Thank you all for your continued support. I could not have done it without you. 🙏🤗🎉
Would you mind to help this site out? If you have an idea to post message it to me.
I would like to see more worthy educational and funny posts myself, but I need your help.
Thanks for making this site get attention. Sharing is one great way to do this.

10/28/2025

A photo of caution for the weekend coming.

10/13/2025

You are an exceptional person. Find your niche, same as a your purpose and make people happy! Check what this young man began to do after getting sober. Sober living brings out the best in people!!❤️ https://www.facebook.com/share/17NiCz99gK/

Hand made tie dye art by Austin Mack. Weekly auctions on my Instagram and new hand dyed batch of shirts drop on my website every sunday night at 9:30pm EST. https://dyes-n-good-vibes.myshopify.com/
not currently accepting custom orders.

10/13/2025

Many blame others for where they are. Get up move on.
Look for purpose, a mission in living to change. Never be quick to quit. Train and educate yourself. No excuse with internet. There is a way, a will, a means.
Something is always just around the corner, or on the other side of the wall. Faith is seeing what can't be seen.
Stand your ground. You have within you to solve your situation to change it. Never give up, stop looking back.
Who are you blaming? Move on. As long as you're blaming, you're not changing. Its always been within you to change your circumstances.

10/07/2025

October is Substance Use Prevention Month. Sharing stories of choosing sobriety or living life .

10/07/2025

Nature has a way of keeping us focused.
In all of life's tangles, there's always a window of hope.
The second tree reminds us how life can go in so many directions. Stay focused and work a little each day toward your dreams. Never lose hope. Always look at how nature keeps growing.