it's weird. when i hear about things like this in the news, or even see it dramatized on some television show, i am disconnected. sure i'll look at my wife and say something like "i'd kill the man who did that to you" but it's really not something i think about.
i don't know tam personally. but knowing there is someone in my life i value, even if it hasn't yet been face to face, that has gone through something like this... makes me realize the reality of the situation.
thank you tam for sharing. i'm really looking forward to reading the rest. and, i can't tell you how happy i am that i already know the ending, and it's a lot better :-)
tattood1
· 1 year ago
And Joshua - your next. Start writing Your Story! ;)
inworship
· 1 year ago
My wife is incredible!
taam
· 1 year ago
joshua - your comment has totally taken my breath away. im sitting here weeping. it just means a lot. it just does. thank you.
t - thanks for staying on me to do this.
b- i love you.
tattood1
· 1 year ago
Your not done yet girly! :)
Later, T
joshua
· 1 year ago
i hope you're not talking about the one where i just said "holy crap."
;-)
Brandy
· 1 year ago
I love you Tammy. I'm sitting here in tears b/c I just love you so much. :D
tam
· 1 year ago
is that a threat, T???
;)
Heidi
· 1 year ago
Oh my God, I cannot stop weeping. Although I know the beautiful wonderous ending I guess that's it....
God does exist.. and there are miracles...
I want to read more now and We have to wait a week??
PastorT
· 1 year ago
Tam, it's one thing to have a "story", but to have the ability to write it with the precision I see here is remarkable!! I felt like I was reading a good book and it hit me that this is the life of a living, breathing gift of God. Can't wait til next week!!
Zack
· 1 year ago
I know that in scripture it says not to envy a violent man, but if this story had a side bar, where your brother pulled a Jack Bauer and like stapled this guy to a wall in a closet of the bus station...
...I think that might get me pretty excited.
Andy McMahon
· 1 year ago
holy crap.
I read this last night and..
holy crap.
There are a million things I could say, and I don't feel like any of it is fit.
holy crap.
Mandy
· 1 year ago
I forget how many things have happened in my life. When things are good, it's easy to forget the bad.
I'm so glad you wrote this. It reminds me of how far I've come. It also gives me hope for some friends who have been in a similar situation & are starting over.
Love you Tam.
mandythompson
· 1 year ago
Proud of you for sharing... ready for part 2 - BRING IT TAM!
Kim
· 1 year ago
Your bravery is giving me the courage to finally tell my story. Thank-you for stepping out. The world needs to hear of Christ's redemption and healing.
Andy McMahon
· 1 year ago
Kim,
IF you want to share your story here, let Me or T know.
Wow, Tam. I am sitting at my desk at work...in tears. Reading part of your beginning and seeing part of your present - I'm amazed at God's goodness and mercy. And blown away by your strength and your gift - the one where you can take all this junk and turn it into good. I'll be reading the rest of the this story...
tam
· 1 year ago
i have a friend at church who when asked "How are you?" he will always respond, without fail, "God Is Good!"
just because "bad things" happen, doesnt mean God isnt good.
so...that is the only way i know how to respond to all of you right now...
God IS good!!
Michelle
· 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing. I know it wasn't easy to do.
He restores the waste places...To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. ~Isaiah 61:3
That's you, Tam! Love you.
carolyn
· 1 year ago
i am completely wrecked right now. i mean totally messed up.
this stuff goes on right under our noses everyday. i know it does, yet i forget until i hear some brave person speak up that it happened to them. thank you for reminding me there are hurting people... and they are the ones i would least expect.
so thankful for your inner strength and for how far god has brought you so far from this.
ckroboth
· 1 year ago
Tam... I want to go back in time, and beat the snot out of that man. That is something that just gets me fired up.
Thank God you had a Mom who knew, and a brother who helped...
Thank you for sharing.. Your honesty is awesome to see. Your testimony will help many God will be sure of it.
God is awesome... Love ya sis.
kim
· 1 year ago
I'm not sure what I can write that is different than the other comments.... I, too, am blown away at your ability to write this, Tam. Which is eclipsed by the fact that you actually lived it. Which is eclipsed by the fact that, as carolyn said, the various stages of this story are being lived by someone all the time.
So, honestly, I'm overwhelmed by God's goodness and the human capacity for harm all at the same time. And I cry for a 19 year old girl (and all the younger versions of her) who never, ever should have been treated these way.
It's only because I know how this story turns out (and by that I mean.... the person you are today and the family you are creating every day) that I am looking forward to reading part 2. Redemption and transformation.
Thank you, Tam
@ngie
· 1 year ago
Write on Tam. 19? Gracious!
Andy McMahon
· 1 year ago
Well put! Your story is amazing.
bajanpoet
· 1 year ago
Tammy....
I love you....
Thanks for writing this (and Pastor T is right - it does read like a
Rndy Walton
· 1 year ago
Thank you. I've just begun sharing the "real details" of what I lived through, both as a child and in my marriage. I know your fear. Keep sharing--you are touching more lives than you can ever imagine. Lives of those who are still in hiding, still ashamed, and still frightened. You, as I, have lived through these and now God has enabled us to reach others in a unique way that only few can. You are awesome! Keep pressing forward!!
OCD-ISM
· 1 year ago
I am speechless.... ..... it reminds me of that Julia Roberts movie, "Sleeping With The Enemy"... SCARY....yet God was RIGHT THERE! I can't wait to read more and btw, you really should write a book!
tam
· 1 year ago
ocd-ism - it took me three days to watch that movie. im not kidding. but i forced myself to do it. i didnt want brent watching it with me. it was something i felt i needed to get through on my own, for some reason. but yes, many-many similarities with that movie.
and everyone - all your words today have wrecked me. in a good way. i am so overwhelmed. i just didnt expect this.
God - please, please use this!
Cindy Beall
· 1 year ago
Keep it coming. I'm here.
sm.r
· 1 year ago
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Thanks for sharing, Tam.
Givemejesus
· 1 year ago
Good? God is good? After reading this, I'd have to say He's freakin' A-MAY-ZING! I know you to be courageous, Tam, but this....this is.....I don't even know what this is but my respect for you just went to a whole nutha level.
Rachel
· 1 year ago
Girl, I cannot wait to read the rest. I'm SO glad you're sharing your heart with us. Even though I know it's a painful part of your life. It WILL minister to lots and lots of others.
samantha
· 1 year ago
Wow. That is awesome that your brother was there. I have been there for someone in a similar situation and it is so difficult. I helped her get herself together only to have her go back to him, but a week later I finally convinced her to leave. I am glad she did I am sure it saved her life.
brandiandboys
· 1 year ago
tam, thank you for sharing such a personal story. i'm sure it's touch putting everything out there, but i love seeing the journeys that have made people who they are today. thanks you for your authenticity!
carrie
· 1 year ago
thanks for sharing this Tam. We have very similar pasts. God has made you into a beautiful person.
annie
· 1 year ago
Wow, Tam. Wow. I read with baited breath. I need to know. I need to learn. So many around me experience things not even out of my worst nightmares. How can I relate unless I know? I need you.
Clayman
· 1 year ago
Keep it coming. Thank you for sharing. Like you said, God doesn't care about our comfort, just about our character. If it takes our issues to become who God wants us to be, then He'll use them.
kristiapplesauce
· 1 year ago
I love you and am honored....HONORED to be your friend.
JudiFree
· 1 year ago
Tam - I just read this and I'm completely amazed by your testimony...the testimony that God has restored you and you are now a beatutiful, couragaeous, confident wife, mother and friend. You are truly an inspiration!
Heather
· 1 year ago
The only thing keeping me from weeping is the fact that I know how this story ends (well, at least some years later;). My story is similar to yours, but I have not been brave enough to write it. Your transperency and honesty never cease to amaze me. My heart breaks for the little girl that endured so much pain and my heart leaps for the woman who loves Christ so much she would feel this pain all over again to bring Him glory.
Love you!
roxanne kristina
· 1 year ago
Speechless.
You just blessed me to my bones.
What an amazing community.
Blessings to all, Roxanne
Christy
· 1 year ago
Tammy, Katelyn just had me read your story. My heart started racing and I felt like I was with you every step of the way because I tend to feel deeply. I am gripped by your story and anxiously awaiting the end. Truly you are an amazing writer but more importantly an amazing godly woman who is so gracious to share her story to encourage many. Thanks for taking the risk - we are blessed to know you and wow! Christy R.
tammy
· 1 year ago
Haven't got to parts 2 or 3, but I'm thinkin....I have six brothers and for the most part we never share our 'Story'. Mostly because, aside from some law enforcement and mental health professionals - the 'story's' cause most folks to look at us as though we have 3 heads.
reading on
gchyayles
· 1 year ago
Oh Tam, I love you. Just wanted you to know that I just read this and my heart is just pouring out to your courage in sharing your story. You know you're my sister for life.
All Comments
i don't know tam personally. but knowing there is someone in my life i value, even if it hasn't yet been face to face, that has gone through something like this... makes me realize the reality of the situation.
thank you tam for sharing. i'm really looking forward to reading the rest. and, i can't tell you how happy i am that i already know the ending, and it's a lot better :-)
t - thanks for staying on me to do this.
b- i love you.
Later,
T
;-)
;)
Although I know the beautiful wonderous ending
I guess that's it....
God does exist.. and there are miracles...
I want to read more now and We have to wait a week??
...I think that might get me pretty excited.
I read this last night and..
holy crap.
There are a million things I could say, and I don't feel like any of it is fit.
holy crap.
I'm so glad you wrote this. It reminds me of how far I've come. It also gives me hope for some friends who have been in a similar situation & are starting over.
Love you Tam.
IF you want to share your story here, let Me or T know.
mystory@caffeinatedfaith.com
just because "bad things" happen, doesnt mean God isnt good.
so...that is the only way i know how to respond to all of you right now...
God IS good!!
He restores the waste places...To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. ~Isaiah 61:3
That's you, Tam! Love you.
i mean totally messed up.
this stuff goes on right under our noses everyday. i know it does, yet i forget until i hear some brave person speak up that it happened to them. thank you for reminding me there are hurting people... and they are the ones i would least expect.
so thankful for your inner strength and for how far god has brought you so far from this.
Thank God you had a Mom who knew, and a brother who helped...
Thank you for sharing.. Your honesty is awesome to see. Your testimony will help many God will be sure of it.
God is awesome... Love ya sis.
So, honestly, I'm overwhelmed by God's goodness and the human capacity for harm all at the same time. And I cry for a 19 year old girl (and all the younger versions of her) who never, ever should have been treated these way.
It's only because I know how this story turns out (and by that I mean.... the person you are today and the family you are creating every day) that I am looking forward to reading part 2. Redemption and transformation.
Thank you, Tam
I love you....
Thanks for writing this (and Pastor T is right - it does read like a
and everyone - all your words today have wrecked me. in a good way. i am so overwhelmed. i just didnt expect this.
God - please, please use this!
Thanks for sharing, Tam.
Love you!
You just blessed me to my bones.
What an amazing community.
Blessings to all,
Roxanne
reading on