Comments for Out of the Shadows http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au 'Jenna's Secret' Tue, 02 Dec 2008 06:26:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Book Reviews by ilyoung cho http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-480 ilyoung cho Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:11:29 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-480 Since the date when Jenna was admitted to hospital, Jenna’s mom has been praying in Jenna’s room everyday. I cried at this point. The characters (Jenna, Jenna’s parents, Megan, Megan’s parents, brother and Jenna’s auntie etc) of this story could be us in the past, at present or in the future. The shadows could be sexual harassment, drug, alcohol, eating disorder, relationships, any sort of abuse, unexpected pregnancy, peer pressure and popularity among teenagers. Her story tells me that without God’s love, it is easy for us to stay in the shadows, blaming others and/or ourselves, causing family relationship breakdowns. I hope that the ‘Out of the shadows-Jenna’s Secret’ can be a early warning cry to many troubled teenagers and parents as Chrissy Siggee mentioned in her foreword. Since the date when Jenna was admitted to hospital, Jenna’s mom has been praying in Jenna’s room everyday. I cried at this point.

The characters (Jenna, Jenna’s parents, Megan, Megan’s parents, brother and Jenna’s auntie etc) of this story could be us in the past, at present or in the future.
The shadows could be sexual harassment, drug, alcohol, eating disorder, relationships, any sort of abuse, unexpected pregnancy, peer pressure and popularity among teenagers.

Her story tells me that without God’s love, it is easy for us to stay in the shadows, blaming others and/or ourselves, causing family relationship breakdowns.

I hope that the ‘Out of the shadows-Jenna’s Secret’ can be a early warning cry to many troubled teenagers and parents as Chrissy Siggee mentioned in her foreword.

]]> Comment on Guest book by Keith Jackson http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/guest-book/#comment-434 Keith Jackson Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:39:48 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=9#comment-434 I've a feeling your book is going to go a long way to helping people to understand eating disorders. I think you really did the work of our Father when you wrote your book. I pray that it has the impact on people who need it the most....the sufferers. I also pray that it helps those who care for the sufferers to understand something of what those disorders are about. Sometimes sufferers don't like information download directed specifically at them. Your book could possibly help the sufferer to gain the information they need without it being threatening to them. I’ve a feeling your book is going to go a long way to helping people to understand eating disorders.
I think you really did the work of our Father when you wrote your book. I pray that it has the impact on people who need it the most….the sufferers. I also pray that it helps those who care for the sufferers to understand something of what those disorders are about.
Sometimes sufferers don’t like information download directed specifically at them. Your book could possibly help the sufferer to gain the information they need without it being threatening to them.

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Brenda LaVelle http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-417 Brenda LaVelle Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:27:28 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-417 Wow! I finished reading Jenna's story a couple of days ago after Chrissy sent me her book, and I was hit right between the eyes. I've been telling myself and others, even my doctors, that I "think I might have an eating disorder. Even though my weight has continued dropping and the people close to me keep telling me I'm not eating enough to keep a bird alive, I guess I'd really been in denial about my actual anorexia until now. Even though my psychiatrist warned me that if I lost any more weight, my doctor would put me in the hospital on a feeding tube, and I wouldn't like that. I still kept hanging on to what my Physician's Assistant told me when I told her of my concerns early on, that she just felt like I was "compulsive" about my only wanting to eat one meal a day, and that if I supplemented it with two Ensures for the other two meals, it would be OK. After reading Out of the Shadows, I know I AM anorexic and headed for trouble it I don't get it under control. I am also probably borderline bulimic too, since many times after I have eaten enough to take my nighttime medication, (550 calories) I have had urges to purge that have been very strong. Thanks, Chrissy, you really opened my eyes and my mind and now I really know I need help. Hopefully, thanks to you, I won't end up on a feeding tube! Always, in all ways, to God the honor and glory! Wow! I finished reading Jenna’s story a couple of days ago after Chrissy sent me her book, and I was hit right between the eyes. I’ve been telling myself and others, even my doctors, that I “think I might have an eating disorder. Even though my weight has continued dropping and the people close to me keep telling me I’m not eating enough to keep a bird alive, I guess I’d really been in denial about my actual anorexia until now. Even though my psychiatrist warned me that if I lost any more weight, my doctor would put me in the hospital on a feeding tube, and I wouldn’t like that. I still kept hanging on to what my Physician’s Assistant told me when I told her of my concerns early on, that she just felt like I was “compulsive” about my only wanting to eat one meal a day, and that if I supplemented it with two Ensures for the other two meals, it would be OK. After reading Out of the Shadows, I know I AM anorexic and headed for trouble it I don’t get it under control. I am also probably borderline bulimic too, since many times after I have eaten enough to take my nighttime medication, (550 calories) I have had urges to purge that have been very strong. Thanks, Chrissy, you really opened my eyes and my mind and now I really know I need help. Hopefully, thanks to you, I won’t end up on a feeding tube!

Always, in all ways, to God the honor and glory!

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Catrina Bradley http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-358 Catrina Bradley Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:32:52 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-358 I loved Jenna's Secret! Chrissy has tackled a touchy subject, eating disorders, with heart and truth. Every teen and pre-teen girl (and their parents) need to read this book.Thankfully, Jenna has a network of people who love her and are willing to help, and she also has her faith in the Great Physician. Too often, though, girls suffer in silence, alone. Jenna's story will be a wake-up call to many. I loved Jenna’s Secret! Chrissy has tackled a touchy subject, eating disorders, with heart and truth. Every teen and pre-teen girl (and their parents) need to read this book.Thankfully, Jenna has a network of people who love her and are willing to help, and she also has her faith in the Great Physician. Too often, though, girls suffer in silence, alone. Jenna’s story will be a wake-up call to many.

]]> Comment on Guest book by Janet Camilleri http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/guest-book/#comment-340 Janet Camilleri Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:48:53 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=9#comment-340 Hi Chrissy, well done on your wonderful achievement - I am sure this book will not just entertain but minister to many. I look forward to reading it! Hi Chrissy, well done on your wonderful achievement - I am sure this book will not just entertain but minister to many. I look forward to reading it!

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Lyz Dozzi http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-312 Lyz Dozzi Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:45:50 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-312 Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down. It was a fascinating read for someone like myself, (Church and Youth Leader, Chaplain, ex-primary school teacher) who knows so little about these conditions. The style of writing that Chrissy uses, with so much of Jenna's thought-life included, impacted me the most. It has challenged me about the difference between what I might say, and what I really am thinking deep down in my heart. What about the people we come across? We, as parents, teachers, people in society in general, know so very little about what is really going on in the mind of our youth today. They are living in such a complex world with choices of value-systems, and yet are required by their circumstances and influences to "fit in" and not "rock the boat". That makes it easier for the adults to cope, but children need guidance and support right throughout their lives. Jenna's Secret provided a beautiful example of what could happen if the "love" was really there. I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers, as a simple read to help see how a teenager's thoughtlife may be quite different to what you perceive. Once read, you may have many youth that you want to read it with, or encourage to read for themselves. Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down. It was a fascinating read for someone like myself, (Church and Youth Leader, Chaplain, ex-primary school teacher) who knows so little about these conditions. The style of writing that Chrissy uses, with so much of Jenna’s thought-life included, impacted me the most. It has challenged me about the difference between what I might say, and what I really am thinking deep down in my heart. What about the people we come across?
We, as parents, teachers, people in society in general, know so very little about what is really going on in the mind of our youth today. They are living in such a complex world with choices of value-systems, and yet are required by their circumstances and influences to “fit in” and not “rock the boat”. That makes it easier for the adults to cope, but children need guidance and support right throughout their lives. Jenna’s Secret provided a beautiful example of what could happen if the “love” was really there.
I highly recommend this book for parents and teachers, as a simple read to help see how a teenager’s thoughtlife may be quite different to what you perceive. Once read, you may have many youth that you want to read it with, or encourage to read for themselves.

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Rick Hoffmann (Major with the Salvation Army) http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-300 Rick Hoffmann (Major with the Salvation Army) Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:16:45 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-300 This is a book that provides hope and a way forward for people who struggle with an eating disorder. It is a beautiful story that's easy to read and touches the soul. I recommend it to parents, young people and anyone who knows someone who needs support and encouragement. God bless you Chrissy for using your gift to bless others. This is a book that provides hope and a way forward for people who struggle with an eating disorder. It is a beautiful story that’s easy to read and touches the soul. I recommend it to parents, young people and anyone who knows someone who needs support and encouragement. God bless you Chrissy for using your gift to bless others.

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Ps. Beverley Wilson http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-267 Ps. Beverley Wilson Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:18:44 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-267 Chrissy just finished reading the book. Good job, done so well, the real ugliness of the disease veiled enough for the teenagers but not so they wont see the consequences. But greatest feature is the hope in God coming through, which affects the Christians and confirms their conviction God can do it, but also at the same time gives the unsaved the key answer to future troubles - God is it. Also emotion is there, which is needed to reach the inner person and retain the memory of the reading. We have ordered a stack of books to be used as incentives/prizes and we want 1 in each teenage household in the church. God bless your endeavours Chrissy just finished reading the book. Good job, done so well, the real ugliness of the disease veiled enough for the teenagers but not so they wont see the consequences. But greatest feature is the hope in God coming through, which affects the Christians and confirms their conviction God can do it, but also at the same time gives the unsaved the key answer to future troubles - God is it. Also emotion is there, which is needed to reach the inner person and retain the memory of the reading. We have ordered a stack of books to be used as incentives/prizes and we want 1 in each teenage household in the church. God bless your endeavours

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Lynne Churchyard http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-216 Lynne Churchyard Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:37:29 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-216 I finished reading "Out of the Shadows - Jenna's Secret" at 1:17AM this morning. It shows just how easy it is for teens to fall into the trap of an eating disorder without even realising it. The characters are appealing and believable and the story weaves its way through a gamut of emotions from the beginning to a very satisfying conclusion. Chrissy has woven into the story, details relating to eating disorders, their diagnosis, their far-reaching problems and their treatment that would never occurred to me. "Jenna's Secret" shows just how vital the love of family and friends is to the ultimate success of recovering from an eating disorder as well as the importance of non-judgmental attitudes of medical staff. This book is a must for not only teens, but their parents, grandparents, teachers and youth workers. In fact, anyone who deals with teens. I finished reading “Out of the Shadows - Jenna’s Secret” at 1:17AM this morning. It shows just how easy it is for teens to fall into the trap of an eating disorder without even realising it.

The characters are appealing and believable and the story weaves its way through a gamut of emotions from the beginning to a very satisfying conclusion.

Chrissy has woven into the story, details relating to eating disorders, their diagnosis, their far-reaching problems and their treatment that would never occurred to me.

“Jenna’s Secret” shows just how vital the love of family and friends is to the ultimate success of recovering from an eating disorder as well as the importance of non-judgmental attitudes of medical staff.

This book is a must for not only teens, but their parents, grandparents, teachers and youth workers. In fact, anyone who deals with teens.

]]> Comment on Book Reviews by Kathy Williams http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/book-reviews/#comment-190 Kathy Williams Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:20:46 +0000 http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/?page_id=10#comment-190 Since I was a teenager myself, I have had a passion to help troubled youth and children. I taught high school Maths for 25 years and am now in a new career as a primary school chaplain. I also have a close friend whose 30-something daughter has had anorexia for about twenty years. I found Chrissy’s book totally absorbing. Simply just as a story it was very hard to put down but when I finished it I was saying to myself that I must do all I can to get this book into the hands of as many teens and parents as I can. I feel it has the potential to save so many wonderful young women from going down such a destructive path as anorexia and similar disorders. In the book, Jenna comes across as feeling so alone and that all her problems are her fault. But the reader can see how this is simply not true! For me, this is the where the true power of the story lies. Young readers will hopefully be able to identify with Jenna and then see for themselves how wrong and destructive her thinking was! Parents reading the book may also have their eyes opened to be on the lookout more than Jenna’s parents were. I have given away four copies already to people with the ability to help “spread the word” about such a wonderful book! By Kathy Williams, Primary School Chaplain, Brisbane. Since I was a teenager myself, I have had a passion to help troubled youth and children. I taught high school Maths for 25 years and am now in a new career as a primary school chaplain. I also have a close friend whose 30-something daughter has had anorexia for about twenty years.
I found Chrissy’s book totally absorbing. Simply just as a story it was very hard to put down but when I finished it I was saying to myself that I must do all I can to get this book into the hands of as many teens and parents as I can. I feel it has the potential to save so many wonderful young women from going down such a destructive path as anorexia and similar disorders.
In the book, Jenna comes across as feeling so alone and that all her problems are her fault. But the reader can see how this is simply not true! For me, this is the where the true power of the story lies. Young readers will hopefully be able to identify with Jenna and then see for themselves how wrong and destructive her thinking was! Parents reading the book may also have their eyes opened to be on the lookout more than Jenna’s parents were.
I have given away four copies already to people with the ability to help “spread the word” about such a wonderful book!

By Kathy Williams, Primary School Chaplain, Brisbane.

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