Speaker: Beth Young, Support Group Member
Why did you want to join a Latter Day Struggles Support Group?
Beth Young: Hi. I am grateful to be able to take a moment and share with you the value that I have received from being in a support group with Valerie Hamacher and the most wonderful Sunday school class. If you will that I've ever participated in, I have been able to find a place of kindness and more of a Christ like love and grace to offer other people who aren't necessarily on the same journey and to help teach and discover solutions to some of the questions, issues and concerns confusions even that we've had along the way. I am so grateful for things I've learned through the many years of being part of a fundamentalist religion. And yet it has led me to a place where I need further clarity. I am seeking truth. I am seeking the ability to be able to serve Christ more by being more Christlike. Valerie has helped me to reenter myself on that and to let all of the other voices that can be judgmental, just go by the wayside and to stay in my truth and my power. I'm grateful for the professionalism that Valerie has brought into her program and the different exercises, the mini lectures and classes that we have that help us to peel back the layers of our own confusion and the issues and problems that we've had along the way. I love the people in our group and I've especially enjoyed as some of us have gotten together and been able to further discuss some of the podcast episodes that Valerie's had that have been of a special interest to us. It has been the most lovely, spiritually growing, just wonderful heartwarming experience for me to do that and to really truly be able to reach out in love for not only those people, but for all the people in my neighborhood and especially within my family. Um letting go of the idea that people need to be on the same journey that I am or that they need to value the same things that I do. Um I I've been able to just let that go and to claim my power to be on my path without having to um worry about the faith expansion of others. And I know this beautiful universe is ours to enjoy and explore and expand into grateful for everything that Valerie has done and the tremendous amount of time that she has put into all of the work that she's done. Everything that I have seen has been done with such tremendous professionalism, organization and just a powerful amount of heartfelt love. And for that, I am grateful
What would you tell someone who was on the fence about joining a group?
Beth Young: If you're not sure whether or not you would like to participate in one of Valerie's support groups or as a counselor. I encourage you to listen to episodes of the podcast where the title is of something of interest to you and find some value there. And then think about being able to share your own personal issues with her and to receive specific guidance. I really think you can't go wrong.
How has your experience with the group impacted your day-to-day life?
Beth Young: In my daily life. After having started the support group, I literally feel like I have support and I've got people who understand me and who are willing to listen to the issues that I have, but also the wisdom that I can bring to help people, especially younger people. Um And it has brought me a piece that I didn't have before, that's been missing for a few months. And especially over the earlier part of the summer where I simply felt traumatized a lot. And now I just feel like as if I've been brought back to my true core self and can engage with the world and the church and everything about it in a more peaceful, calm manner, which to me seems more Christlike.
