Oh. My. Goodness. Look at what this place has become!
I can honestly say that I NEVER expected this blog to gather such a wonderful and healing community together. One year ago today, I attended a seminar on understanding and recovering from a cult. I was struck at the similarities between the experiences he was describing and my experience at the Honor Academy. I knew that this was the kind of information I wished I had when I was fresh out of the HA. It would have saved me a lot of years of heartache. So, I decided to put it on the internet. I figured that if anyone else was lost and confused after their time at the HA, maybe they would stumble on it and be helped.
Fast forward to now. This blog and resulting community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve been so blessed by so many of you sharing your stories with me and sharing your recovery as well. I never imagined the healing and grace God would bring through this endeavor. I am humbled and grateful for your trust, your vulnerability, and your courage as you participate in this community. You have made my life richer.
During the past year, the blog has resulted in:
– Over 48,000 hits
– 233 Posts (around 70 written by you – my readers!)
– Literally thousands of comments
– True stories representing every single year of the Honor Academy since 1995
– A brand new Honor Academy forum with over 4,500 posts
– Most Commented on Post: My Story – 172 comments
– My Favorite Posts: Ladder on the Wrong Wall & Overcoming Sin the Gospel Way
– Current weekday average is 300-350 visits per day.
– Readers from every single state and Canada, as well as countries in South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
I’ve never had any grand master plan for the blog, as if I orchestrated all these amazing stats. Its just something that has unfolded naturally (and I believe was orchestrated by Someone Else).
If you would, take a moment and think about your spiritual and emotional journey this year with regards to Teen Mania. Have you visited wounds that were long covered? Have you acknowledged the truth of your situation? Have you let go of some bitterness? Has your paradigm changed?
If the blog has helped you at all, would you share in the comments?
16 comments:
Zsays:June 20, 2010 1:47 PMReply
Happy Blog birthday, RA! I have been following your blog since the start. I love the community you have gathered. Before your blog, I felt so isolated — I had decade old wounds and no one to talk to. It feels so amazing to have other people who can relate to my experience. Your blog has reassured me that I’m not crazy and the experience I had was not my fault. I’m okay! Thank you!
mom of ex-internsays:June 20, 2010 5:30 PMReply
Happy Blog Birthday, RA! I have so appreciated your blog! Due to it, our son, and we as well, have been able to heal from our HA and TM experience. It has been a painful process, but thanks to you, this community, and the Grace of God, we have come through it stronger in our faith, and have a new understanding of the depth of God’s grace, mercy and faithfulness!
We have also made several new ‘cyber- and real-life’ friends through this process as well, and enjoy our fellowship and discussions on the forum as well..
Thanks again, RA, for stepping out in faith, in standing up for the wounded, and speaking out for the silent ones in pain. Your labors have produced much healing and, hopefully, action on HA’s part. May God richly bless you as you have blessed us!
moriahsays:June 20, 2010 5:34 PMReply
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG!!
RA
thank you for your courage and tenacity in writing this blog.
it is truly an accomplishment and is healing for many many people, myself included.
Moriah
Shilohsays:June 20, 2010 6:19 PMReply
Wow. It’s been a year? I’ve been following this thing like… 9 months.
The day I found the blog was the day I would say I ‘snapped.’ :)~
I tried so hard to figure out a way to ‘cover up’ how I was feeling. LOL. I will NEVER forget the day I found this blog. It’s got a few fun memories attached to it, but mostly, it was the first day I could actually forgive all the people at the H.A.
Jacquelinesays:June 20, 2010 8:36 PMReply
What a day!
Thank you RA for taking the time and putting forth your energy, heart, and thoughtfulness to bless all of us who have suffered at the hand of TMM.
I finally feel free from the legalism that has made my walk with God difficult all these years.
God Bless you!!!
dansays:June 21, 2010 12:58 AMReply
Congratulations on this milestone!
Shannon Kishsays:June 21, 2010 8:37 AMReply
RA, Congratulations! I can honestly say that I am truly thankful for the community you have gathered together. Despite what the HA and HA proponents would say about this blog being divisive or gossip, etc. I think it is a wonderful place of healing and community.
I haven’t felt this connected to HA Alumni since I was at the HA.
Thank you SO much for all that you have done and for the courage to begin this blog!
Kristasays:June 21, 2010 9:50 AMReply
Congrats RA! I agree with Shannon – I never had a desire to really reconnect with HA alumni until now! Thanks for all you’ve done here!
phoenixsays:June 21, 2010 9:58 AMReply
Happy Blog-birthday! You’ve build a beautiful place of love and healing here. Kudos.
Fitzsays:June 21, 2010 3:43 PMReply
Happy Blog birthday, RA!
This wonderful place of healing. I found this blog soon after I left the HA and it has been an invaluable help to me during my recovery process. I don’t want to imagine how long it would take me to unravel the hurts sewn into me by my experiences with TMM otherwise. It gave me a sense of stability in a time when my life was turned completely upside down.
Thank you.
Recovering Alumnisays:June 21, 2010 5:04 PMReply
Thanks everyone for your kind comments and for all the sweet emails of encouragement and thanks I’ve received! You are each a treasure and I’m so glad you are here.
Lisasays:June 21, 2010 8:37 PMReply
It’s hard to believe it has been a year! When I start to think about the ways this blog and the forums have enriched my life, I begin to feel slightly overwhelmed. I love how we all have found very unique ways to use these tools in our recovery as well as propelling us as we further develop our spiritual and emotional selves!
Candorsays:June 22, 2010 10:27 AMReply
Thank you so much for starting this blog, RA. I’m very grateful to everyone who shares their stories and comments. I’ve experienced a lot of healing in the past few months since I found this site and I hope to experience much more in the year to come. Thanks again!!
RecoveringAlumniResponse.comsays:June 22, 2010 12:07 PMReply
The current leadership of the Honor Academy is hosting an open conference call on Monday, June 28th from 8p-9:30p CST. Visit http://recoveringalumniresponse.com/conference-call/ for more details.
Cesnasays:June 22, 2010 8:50 PMReply
Oh look, the joke of a response site decided to comment!
Regardless, I owe my current life as I live it to this website. I never attended HA/TM, but it’s freed my sister from all the lies and despicable ‘values’ imposed upon her… I have my best friend back! And we’re living in an apartment together, and I’ve never been happier. 🙂
Eric P.says:July 1, 2010 2:42 PMReply
Many belated happy returns!
When I first began being concerned about Honor Academy years ago, I talked with a cult expert who hadn’t heard of it, but who said, “The best thing to do first is to Google it.” At the time there was nothing like this on the Internet….
The work you’re doing probably has a more tremendous impact than you may realize. The very existence of something like this is huge. Keep up the good work of speaking the truth in boldness and love.