La Hacienda

You may be asking yourself what do chili’s have to do with anything….meet Dr. Layne, if you haven’t already.  He is another great inspiration on our medical team!

Hi Alumni!  At the moment I have two things going on off the clock.  First, I have done medical missions to Mexico for 25 years, and I’m now putting the finishing touches on a history of the mission.  It will be published by Amazon and available on Kindle, hopefully in time for our 25^th anniversary celebration on August 6 in Fredericksburg.  My second hobby, I grow my own cayenne chilis for a special salsa which I make by the gallon.  These chili’s are my favorite and I grow them because I’ve never seen them for sale anywhere.  However, I recently lost a battle for my summer garden to gophers; I’ve been reduced to replanting cayennes in pots on the patio.  It’s late to get them started and the prospects for salsa in the fall are uncertain.  Hope all is well at home for you!

Dr. Layne

Growing spiritually is part of the program and here are some books that can help.

A New Pair of Glasses is an oldie but goldie.  I think I have read it at least 3 times.

The Life Recovery Bible is for people who want to integrate their Christian faith with a 12-step way of life.

Daily Reflections is a meditation book that I am sure all of you know.  In fact, you probably already have it.  Is it collecting dust???  Reading it in the morning is great way to start your day, just like Seekers.

No more searching for the 3rd step prayer, it is at your fingertips with this Big Book Cover.  The little window is for a chip!

Just when I thought they couldn’t be any more fabulous……the Boone’s continue to help others and have fun while doing it!  Who knew Dr. James had award winning fishing skills, and Dr. Dan knew his way around a bowling alley?

The Annual JP Griffon Fishing tournament was held recently out of Port Mansfield, with close to 400 anglers attending in the largest in-shore tournament in the state. The tournament is held annually to raise money for high school graduates.  I have fished this tournament annually for 15 years and after fishing it with my son, his best friend and his father we have won the lure only (no bait) division 3 out of the last 4 years.  Each team is allowed to weigh in a total of 12 speckled trout, 6 redfish, and 4 flounder over a 2 day period.  Our team, which is captained by my son David, weighed in just over 91 pounds to beat every team including the live bait and guided divisions.  It was an amazing few days of fishing.  As always, the best part is getting to be with my sons for several days from daylight to dark.  All in all a wonderful gift wading in God’s fantastic creation, the flats of the Laguna Madre. Dr. James

Dr. Dan helped raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters at their annual Bowling event. 

Part of healthy recovery and community living is learning to give back
 where you live.  You need to stay plugged into the recovery community, 
but you also need to broaden your horizons to include other groups who 
need the talents, skills and gifts that God has uniquely given to 
each of you.  So, as you continue your recovery, look to see where else 
you can be of service, and then “just do it!” Dr. Dan

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This picture really doesn’t do these journals any favors.  They are so gorgeous you won’t NOT want to journal every day.

Not feeling that intuitive thought or decision?  One of our creative case managers, Amy Madrid, invented these!!  If you aren’t sure what God’s will for you is then just give these a shake and see what the answer is.  The solution can be call your sponsor, go to a meeting, work the steps, pause and many more!

Add a little bling to your recovery…

Last June I completed my first Sprint Triathlon – ½ mile swim, 12 mile bicycle, and 3.1 mile run.  It was a great experience.  For those of you who don’t know, in August of 2009 I shattered my left shoulder, broke my right wrist, and cracked two of my vertebrae.  Completing the Triathlon was important to my physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery.  Well, it’s time to tri again.  There are several recovery lessons in training for me, but this morning I can think of three:

1.    It’s important to take care of myself.  Taking care of my health puts me in a better position to support others in their journey to health.

2.    It’s important to listen to others.  Right now I need to listen to my trainer and not make up what exercises or drills are best.  When Susi says, “Swim!” I say “How far?” when she says, “Run!” I say, “How fast?” when she says, “Bike!” I say, “Oh thank you.” I like to bike.

3.    I have a goal – finish in under 2 hours.  It is a tough goal because I finished in 2 hours 22 minutes last year.  Goals are useful, but the process of training and feeling good about giving myself completely to the task is more important than the outcome.

Life is good here. – Dr. Katie

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It doesn’t matter if you have one sponsee or a dozen, it’s all in the steps!  The Dallas alumni is having a sponsorship workshop on Saturday, June 25, 2011 with special guest speakers Audrey C. and Mike K.  The party gets started at 9am and doesn’t end til 5pm, and it will be at the La Hacienda Dallas Outreach Office.  Joe Hartwell is coming to town and will be grilling lunch for everyone!  RSVP with Julie 214-912-2528 so we can be ready for you!

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Can you imagine 10,000 Texas alcoholics and addicts in recovery taking on the Texas State Capitol?  I bet it is going to be memorable.  I keep thinking back to the AA World Conference last year in San Antonio, there was so much love and peace vibrating throughout downtown.  Looks like we are taking that love and peace to the steps of our State Capitol on October 1, 2011.  Texas Recovers! has a serious mission and they are saying it loud and clear.  The goal is to increase opportunities for people seeking recovery and to support their friends and family.  Check out their website and become a member, http://www.texasrecovers.org/.  I just did :)