My son, Brandon has announced his engagement to a very nice girl named Amber.  They've been dating for a little over two years now.  I love Amber; she is a wonderful person...kind, caring, compassionate.  Despite being raised by the parents she has.  I mean that in a VERY polite way!  Her parents' behavior has overshadowed the happiness both families should be feeling at this moment.

Let me interject some facts:      Amber has a twin...her name is Ashley.  They were adopted by the couple to whom I refer.  Their birth mother had issues; which left Amber and Ashley with some physical and emotional consequences.....Ashley has some behavioral problems and Amber has the excessive need to please everyone and in the process is completely miserable in her home situation.  Right now Amber is down here with us before she goes back to Fort Jackson to complete her Army training.  I have seen a whole other side of Amber...she laughs, jokes, and is completely relaxed....until her Mother calls; then she becomes quite anxious, depressed, and she shakes.

Allow me to provide you with other observations and facts I have made since I was introduced to this totally dysfunctional family some two years ago. 

The Father is an ordained Southern Baptist Minister who was terminated from the last 3 churches under his guidance for reasons unknown to me...I can make an educated guess, but that would  be unfair at this juncture.  (I don't know what you really call it...do you defrock a Minister???)

The Mother uses guilt and emotional blackmail to get what she wants.  Ashley and Amber cannot go out with friends without getting accused of becoming involved in orgies while away from the "family unit".  They are interrogated upon their return to the home about their activites and then punished if they went "outside" the boundaries (whatever they happen to be at that moment).

The girls, now way passed the legal age, cannot practice any other religion except Baptist or they will be disowned.  They are not permitted to question that decision or they will be disowned.  Bottom line, if they question anything the parents have directed, they will be disowned (nice tactic, huh?)

The parents thought I was a Fantastic Christian woman until I told them I converted to Catholicism when I went on a Spiritual trek after some horrific turns of events in my life. They are appalled that I would convert to a hedonistic religion where Christ is crucified daily and that satanic rituals are practiced  My next retort...aren't Catholics Christians?  Well.....................NO! (I'm still scratching my head over those statements)

As an adult, I questioned where the parents were coming from?  After a verse to verse Bible battle (of course I used my all-time favorite..."Judge lest ye be Judged"), my next question to both of them was:  "wasn't Jesus considered an outlaw because he was bringing The Word to the Jews and show us there was one way to get to the Kingdom? Didn't HE go outside the Doctrine of the Time to move us forward towards salvation?"  I was then told all Satanic worshipers can recite the Bible by verse in order to convert the lost sheep (...I'm still scratching my head over those statements too!)

Ashley recently announced that she was bicurious and has shown an interest in Wicca.  The solution to this...the parents had her committed to a Mental Hospital and demanded the doctors give her medication to "cure" her.  Of course after the 72 hour commitment rule, Ashley was discharged. The parents have hired an exorcist/reconditionist to "bring her back to normal". Ashley ran away.  The parents called me and told me I could have Ashley because I was a non-Christian and could deal better with her than they could.  In exchange, I'd have to send Amber back up to PA. (I'm confused about that one too....I still have to ponder it awhile longer!)

There is NO doubt in my mind or in my heart...I would take in these two girls and give them shelter and respite from thier existence thus far...........that's not even a consideration...I think they've paid a steep price already and I will gladly stand in their place to shield them from being emotionally abused.

I am trying very hard to be patient with these people who have worked my last nerve! My reflex is to protect these young women from any further harm, yet to interfere with others' parenting goes against my belief as well.  After all,       isn't that what Christians are supposed to do???

So I pray....quite often in fact...... for God to help me............. keep my mouth shut and my patience in tact..but then again I keep asking Him...when IS enough........enough? and are those parents willing to accept the consequences of their actions?

Keep these girls in your prayers too..to shelter them from the storm and give them respite from their trials and tribulations.

Enjoy your day!   Cheryl