MK forum

So much information, inspiration, commonality, connection, vulnerability, tears, hugs, and support ... it was quite overwhelming.

Can you imagine being in a large room full of many people, ALL of whom hear you, believe you and TRULY "get it"?

Much of what we who were in Chicago saw, heard and experienced is personal, private and confidential.

But maybe in this thread we can share a few general gleanings with any who might come here to read. Please add to this thread, comment and interact.

The MK Safety Net group did a phenomenal job in planning and carrying out this conference!

And we are forever changed.

Andrew Schmutzer: Sometimes in a church setting, people are uncomfortable with talking about the pain of abuse. They imply that worship and talking about abuse don't go together.
Andrew said we need to allow -- and even promote -- worship in pain, not in spite of pain.

Paul Young: The survival mechanisms we learned in order to survive abuse -- the walls we learned to put up to keep us from feeling fear or pain or loss -- become the thing that as adults, hinder us from entering into healthy relationships. These mechanisms helped keep us alive as abused children, but now as adults they destroy the connections we are longing to have with people we love.

Wm. Paul Young's newest book Crossroads speaks of the walls we put up. Chapter 13, entitled The Wall Within, was strong on the subject and gripped me. Yes, he gets it. False safety in our coping mechanisms vs. trust. So difficult for us.

There was some incredible artwork and poetry there.

Many of the worlds best comedians had hard/sad childhoods. Being born with a silverspoon in ones mouth is an advantage, but sometimes individuals can rise above their past misfortunes to express themselves in ways that are truly creative and go on to help others.

We heard Andrew Schmutzer IN a church and he was very effective.
We applauded the church for opening up to some hard topics.

Thank you for starting this, Raz.
We are thankful for any news.
And so glad the Conf. was so well done!
And so profitable in terms of encouragement.
And, I'm sure, other things.
BIG HAPPY FACE!

YAY, Shary and Bev and all the others!!!!!

I wore my ALI BABAS ALL of SATURDAY.