Anorexia and Bulemia
Mr. Hamby,
I just wanted to Thank You for your humble presentations at the homeschool Conference in Des Moines Iowa. I went because we had just decided to homeschool both out children (8 & 6) because the Christian School in which we wanted to enroll them at only had an opening in the 1st grade and not in the 3rd grade for my son. I was very excited to homeschool, I have my degree in Elementary Education and my son has been in 5 schools already. I am very critical of our educational facilities available today. Even the last Christian School my children were in was nothing more than an academic focused establishment who allows prayer at school and uses Christian texts. We had finally found a very grounded Christian School and were not able to get in. Thus, we decided to homeschool and off to the conference I went.
I sat in on each of your sessions and felt God's presence galore!!
The one thing that really stood out and was the only note I took was that the externals do not mold the child but merely the shepherding of their hearts. I have been very critical of the schools due to the external influences and the lack of control over them. Well, to make a long story short, when I returned home on Saturday we had a card from the Principal at the school of our choice. He had talked with the 3rd grade teacher and they both felt led to accept our son and daughter. (18 is the cap and thus my son would be 19) I was confused but later realized that God wanted me to go and listen to you speak!! He wanted me to hear what you had to say!! I spoke with the principal on Monday and realized you had spoke there last September! I grew up in a non-Christian home with a father who was constantly trying to push his sheep and not lead us. I spent years trying to "amount to something" I spent 15 years battling Anorexia/Bulimia. I finally realized that God made me wonderful in his way. All through my schooling years I felt I had to measure up and excel in all areas. The pressures to conform to society are so strong and I pray daily that my children are stronger than I was. I did not come to know the Lord until my 5th treatment center, a Christian treatment center for girls/women with Eating Disorders and abuse victims. A dear friend whom I met there always said," school is where you are expected to meet the expectations of all others and lose the person God created you to be." She died 8 months later from Anorexia. I realize that had my heart and her's been shepherded, she might still be here today. I have gained so much knowledge that I would not give up what I went through for anything. I would never wish it upon anyone but it sure helped guide who I am today!!
Sorry for the long story!! I will be ordering several of your books today, thank you for the awesome ministries that you have!! Literature is a fine art and it has gone astray over the last decade. Thank You for bringing it back!! God Bless you and your family!!
