I didn't think I could do it but in the January/February '09 issue of OUTSPOKEN I found the courage to bare myself naked  on behalf of other adult survivors and speak out for the first time about my own experience with incest an other sexual abuse. Friends and relatives had no idea that I had these horrors in my past.

It was not easy to open up and it still isin't. But I am glad I was able to because so many have been able to admit since then," It happened to me too and thank you for helping me see that I am not alone  and that I can talk about it and I can get help for healing."

If you or someone you know has suffered any form of child abuse, we encourage you to seek help to return to the original you that existed before the trauma of abuse. We will be publishing resources to guide you in coming issues. Until then, know you are not alone.

The March-April issue was a tough one because it forced mothers to take stock of the legacy they are leaving their offspring. Some mothers expressed, anger and hurt by the revelations and observations of OUTSPOKEN so I hasten to say to them, "Don't be condemned by a magazine, but, be empowered to change." Be the best parent you can be and no one can blame you for failing."
However, you know in your heart when you are failing in certain areas and not trying to make amends. If so, then, you need to see yourself in plain light and that light might hurt your eyes that have become so shadowed in darkness but now, think of the life you will save if you now choose to walk in the light of good parenting.

OUTSPOKEN exists for the abused and the abuser, with the understanding that abuse leads to more abuse. One who was abused in childhood tend to repeat the cycle. This is where plain truth of the problems associated with abuse becomes so important.

The lines of abuse can sometimes be blurred, therefore in this issue we examine some of the examples of child abuse, the reasons for abuse, stories of abuse, the results thereof and inspiration for all.


Have you ever been in such a predicament you just had to let go and let God handle the situation? Well, I have. I have had numerous situations that I have had to let go and let God take control. If I had just kept contemplating my problems, there’s no telling what life would like for me. People often say that it is hard to let God handle it when you sometimes feel like God is taking too long. We have to understand that God handles things on his own time. Our time is not his time.

















But, letting go and letting God is not really an easy task. There are steps you have to take in order to succeed in letting God take over. You first have to pray about your issue and let the prayer come from your heart. You second have to be really ready and willing to leave  it and stop dwelling on it. You can only succeed at this if you try and give it your all. You can and will succeed but you must put God first at all times,  because he is second to none.

By me saying these things it is just like the saying, you can bring water to a horse but you can’t make him drink it. That’s like me telling you that the best thing for you to do is let for and let God handle the situation but just by me telling you this it doesn’t mean you are going to trust what it is I am explaining to you. I realize that at the end you have to believe and do what’s right for you.

The basic concept to the story though is to let God take control. Put him first over everything, and after you read this you will  be able to tell yourself and others, I have let go to let God.


Got a survivovr story or words of encouragement to share... submit yours today. www.winsomealexander@yahoo.com or post a blog on our home page.
TELL YOUR STORY
Every one has a story and we want to hear yours. Share your observations, struggles, adversities and triumphs, you might be able to encourage a survivor. Blog your story or comment on our home page or email winsome alexander@yahoo.com - Thank You!
LET GO AND
LET GOD
By Asia Johnson
TAKING CARE OF YOU FIRST
On the surface this might seem like a selfish way of looking at life but if you think deeply about it, there is no way to take care of someone else if you cannot first take care of yourself. To take care of your own children you must be in a position to care for you. You must stay alive, healthy, alert and sane to take good care of children. Many children are abandoned, rejected, neglected and abused because parents aren't psychologically, spiritually, emotionally, not to mention financially able to care for them properly.
Other parents are so wrapped up in their children’s care, they neglect themselves but this will backfire on the children. Parents forget to live, laugh, love take a vacation, treat themselves well in the error of always putting the children first when they really ought to make sure they are in the best shape to manage children. You Think on this. On the airplanes we are instructed to place the oxygen mask over our faces before helping the child. This makes perfect sense to me for how will you help a child to breathe if you are not breathing yourself? Save yourself first! Running into a fire you know you won’t come out of alive is foolish, no matter how badly you want to do it.
Saving your money for your rainy day or investing in your future rather than squandering it on family members is being smart since you know that once you have shown them a good time you are left in debt they can’t help you out of. Being punctual at work and then doing your work beyond the call of duty is ensuring your reputation as a valuable employee will benefit you the most.
Managing your stress, mastering your emotions, being curious and learning about yourself completing your education, eating right and exercising, following up on your medical exams including the mental and dental, taking your medicines as prescribed, are all ways you are making sure you are first in a good position to care for those around you.
Taking time to study how to effectively communicate with your spouse, other relatives, friends or coworkers is ensuring you will get the respect you deserve in these relationships.  Investing time, love, understanding, forgiveness and patience helps to keep loving support around you so that you function at your utmost. So you see, caring for you first is not selfish at all, it is possibly the best thing you can do for everyone else!

If we could live the life



we wish our parents did,


maybe our children will...

Carrie Burt
I heard Joyce Meyer say,


God usually

uses

what the world

abuses
            

This chapter by Dr. John Grier regarding the challenges of treating survivors of abuse will enlighten you to the fact that the pain is real for these sufferers. Read it at
www.johnbriere.com
OUTSPOKEN Magazine
Empowering adult survivors of child abuse to return to The Original You
Support survivors of cild abuse:
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"One day my Pastor shared a testimony which shook me to my core.  He said many can preach better than he but he can’t worry about  that.' That’s significant!

Survivors who would dare use their own gift need to hear this. Thank you. From the very start I’ve admired your sincerity… do you purposely strive to be this way or is it just you naturally?

  I have always been a very open person. I just want to help other people, and I feel like, since God has forgiven me, why can't I share?  Everybody has their own story, and I've learned many are no different than mine.  We may try to cover it up with make-up and a Prada dress, or hide it in a Louis Vuitton bag.  But we all have things we have dealt with, are dealing with, or have yet to deal with.  So I talk about getting me together via my music, my blogs, my book and when I speak. 

Catch the full interview with Kelly Chapman in our Christmas issue of OUTSPOKEN when we discuss using out own natural gifts to provide for ourselves and bless our neighbors to the glory of God.
Get Kelly's latest Chart busting CD, Great Is Your Grace / kellychapman.net
Open your hearts and gift list to survivors of abuse this season. Donate gifts and food to survivor families. Show them they are not forgotten and that their community stands behind them.

If you would like to maake a difference in the life of a survivor please contact OUTSPOKEN Magazine

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Phone 713-445-6880
Email   winsomealexander@yahoo.com