These last couple of weeks I feel I have begun to understand what surrender really means. I thank God that I never stopped going to the meetings. And I thank God and SA that when I was finally hurting enough to really give up, He and the Fellowship were there for me, and the love and support carried me through withdrawal. I’m very grateful for the time and work you and other SA members put into Essay and the pieces. They really help me a lot. Thank you all ever so much.

I am a relatively new member…I would like to thank you for the great blessing that your efforts have been in my life so far. I have been looking for this kind of a program for at least the past twenty years. When a good friend told me about this program, I was so excited that I took the day off from work (I work second shift) and attended my first meeting. I haven’t missed a meeting since. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve managed to convince my boss that I needed to have time off to go to the meetings.… For the first time, I know that it is really possible to live without masturbation.…

In my personal life many things have changed and are changing through SA, working the principles of the SA program. Last August…my partner and I decided to separate because we realized that there would be no further growth possible in our lives if we stayed in the dependency of our relationship. This was a very hard step for me, another step of surrender, giving the relationship up to God. After the separation, I had times when I felt my inner Void, which, I suppose, I had tried to fill up with this relationship or dependency. But accepting this inner void (the void that only God can fill) and turning my life over to God, God was there. What a wonderful experience, that in the darkest moments God’s help is there. The SA program and the SA fellowship work in my life. Thanks to God for that gift.

…I am so grateful and thankful for the hope and help that Nan gave to me when I called in. I want this organization to continue to grow and be there for other needy people like me who call seeking help.…

…We are up to about eleven members who show up at a meeting.… We have deep sharing and some good programs going.… I am extremely happy today. Started a new job one month ago and was having great difficulty with a female co-worker. Nothing sexual. Took several 10th Steps with her, but in general, relationship was not improving much. Today I was going to go in and quit—the pain was that intense. In morning meditation got real powerless, threw myself on H.P. and said, “Put the words in my mouth.” In short, we are working things out and getting to be friends. A new departure in my relationships with women.

Have joined an SA group in Buffalo. It’s a two-hour drive one way, but necessary for me to go.

…One of my missions in life is to be a strength in those very areas in which I have had the most weakness. Since being in SA, I have gained much more insight into just what my weaknesses are. Some things which I never considered weaknesses but just considered that it was the way I was, I now realize are weaknesses that need to be overcome through [Him]. And, more than that, I have gained hope and testimony that…humility and faith before God do bring His strength to overcome our weaknesses. Then we have nothing to glory in of ourselves, but must only give glory to God. I have lost countless “arm-to-arm combats” with the adversary. Now…I have made a covenant with God. I turn away from each trigger to lust. He does all the rest. So simple, yet it has taken me so many years to begin to do that. I know that as I continue to completely rely on [Him] while at the same time doing everything for myself that I can do, that He will make “weak things become strong.” I am really grateful for the change that has taken place in my life. Before the SA program, there was no way that I could share my feelings either face-to-face or in a letter. Now I look forward to sharing. Especially in letter writing.…