Life's Divine Journey

I want to start this story by giving all glory to The Lord Jesus Christ. The one true Messiah. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. All knees will bow at his Mighty and Glorious name.

Thursday May 15th, 2025 I was admitted to the hospital for withdrawal from alcohol. I relapsed a week before and decided to go out to Charles Lindbergh State Park here in Little Falls, MN to dry out. Get away from everyone and thing, enjoy God’s glorious nature. It was a beautiful time, wildlife everywhere, not many people, peace and tranquility.

I set up my tent started a fire and prepared to get the alcohol out of my system. My intention was to stay there by myself for as long as it took to feel better.

After a day or so without the alcohol my nightmare began. Almost if set off by my morning alarm at 6:30am on Tuesday morning I began to vomit uncontrollably. Relentlessly, unceasingly, unforgivingly. I tried to drink water but it would not stay down. Every sip caused intensely painful vomiting followed by dry heaving and burning bile.

This continued for the next 24 hours almost to the minute. I drank 13 bottles of water in that time period. Almost all of it was thrown up. The following 24 hours there wasn’t anything coming out anymore. I was drinking capfuls of water so that I wouldn’t agitate my stomach. During this time frame I was having intensely bizarre dreams/visions. I was awake during some of these, semi-conscious. My body in severe pain, wouldn’t allow me to sleep for very long. This felt like a nightmare, it was pure black in the woods. No light, no other campers close by. At the end of that 24 hours, I dry heaved hard and produced bile. But this was different. It was black, it was the most vile thing I’ve ever felt in my mouth. Viscosity was too thick. Looked like oil.

Thursday started off with rain. I didn’t put up the rain fly so the sudden downpour caught me unaware. Got up quick in tent, legs weak, head impossibly dizzy. I tried to run out of the tent and I tripped and landed on my face. I lay in the backseat of my car as the rain pounded. Many times, it was so hot I kept the door open and let the rain pour all over my face, my body was so dehydrated I thought it would help. It probably didn’t much.

The severe rain would continue throughout the day. I was in the car for a few hours when suddenly I hear a knock and a voice. It was the ranger of the park. Doug. Doug, is a swell guy with a super awesome job. We talked a few days back when I was making my arrangements to stay out in the park. He is a kind man and knowledgeable about the state parks.

He had come through to let me know that a tornado had been spotted and I should get to cover. I mentioned how sick I had been and he asked if I needed an ambulance. My initial response was “uh, i don’t know yet”. I tried to avoid going to the hospital at all costs. I was going to do this all by myself. God did not agree.

Ranger Doug came back a few moments later and after looking at my sad shape called the ambulance. After a few moments I was driven to St. Gabriel’s hospital. I have a son named Gabriel. I mention this for a very specific reason. This is one of the first big ‘coincidences’ that occur on my journey the next few days. This journey is truly divine. The Lord is showing me how I am to live and I am watching his glory unfold right before my eyes.

I spent the next three and a half days in the hospital. I was so dehydrated and in such severe pain. Cramping everywhere. The staff there was amazing. They all treated me with respect, kindness, and compassion. Unlike hospitals in Milwaukee or in any large city for that matter. The care team was fantastic and they deserve recognition.

While there I could barely drink water. I didn’t eat until Sunday. Food was very unappealing. The very act of chewing made me disgusted. I spent a lot of time alone and began to formulate a plan to leave back to Milwaukee. For what reason? Unsure. I was just trying to escape from myself again.

Not this time. God did not allow that.

I called my sponsor Rich. I fantastic man of God that is doing the work of The Lord and guiding me on my AA path. After talking for awhile and listening to my ridiculous idea to drive to Milwaukee. He told me stick around, continue to build what I have been here in Little Falls. The church is here, my new friends are here, my Bible Study, AA meetings, Celebrate Recovery with Mike and Irene. Scott (El Castor), John, Jason, the list goes on. How could I leave these people? They all mean so much to me. It would suck to not see them.

I agreed to stay and now this journey begins