Chrissy Siggee is the author of the book, “Out of the Shadows - Jenna's Secret” and one of the newest Christian writers now contributing to the Faith Section of The Cypress Times.  Chrissy’s work in The Cypress Times has already been well-received by our readers. 

We’re very proud to have Chrissy on board and contributing her unique take on Christian life and values.  Chrissy comes to us from Brisbane, Australia.  Now those of us living “Down South” will get some Christian perspective from someone living “Down Under”.

ABOUT “OUT OF THE SHADOWS - JENNA'S SECRET”

How better to describe Chrissy Siggee’s new book, “Out of the Shadows - Jenna's Secret” than to let the Author herself speak.  The following is taken from the Foreward by Chrissy Siggee.

“My passion to help teens with eating disorders began when I worked as a pastoral care worker in a local hospital. I visited many teenagers that had caused horrific pain to themselves, as well as to those who loved and cared for them.

However, this is not a story of someone with a full-blown eating disorder. Jenna’s Secret is the story of a girl who, at the brink of going too far, learns from her mistakes and from seeing those who crossed the line.

Jenna wanted to change, and because of that, she accepted the help of others. Her determination to turn her life around is helped by a network of medical staff, social workers, her family and church family. Unfortunately, this is seldom the case, but through God’s grace, it can happen. This story is meant as an early warning cry to teens and parents.

The story behind Jenna is one of a young girl who didn’t intentionally get herself into this position. No one sets out to be anorexic or bulimic, but the range of deeper psychological problems can lead to the development of more complicated and damaging symptoms of these conditions.

Just a few weeks ago, I spoke to someone who wanted to buy Jenna’s Secret for a friend whose fourteen-year-old is in hospital for the second time. The girl’s mother is apparently not visiting her daughter in hospital as a way of punishing her for getting herself in this condition, and is refusing to have her home until she’s cured. To me, that’s not the answer.

Some readers may find my approach to the topic is against the norm, and I certainly don’t want it to appear that anorexia and bulimia are pushovers to get over. That’s far from my intent. I’ve seen too many girls damage their bodies beyond repair, sometimes to the point of mutilating themselves. One girl I remember was banned from using knives and forks to eat her meals because she used them to punish herself for overeating.

This topic has been on my heart for years. What I hope to share through Jenna’s story is that it’s not the end of the road because a girl makes mistakes. We can all learn from our mistakes, and they don’t have to be duplicated.

Hope needs to be restored in young hearts, and it needs to be done early. They need to know it doesn’t have to be that way forever … if they want to change.”

For more on “Out of the Shadows” visit Chrissy Siggee’s website at:  http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/

To purchase “Out of the Shadows” – Click HERE –

http://out-of-the-shadows.com.au/order-your-copy/

ABOUT CHRISSY SIGGEE

Chrissy Siggee has two adult children and three grandchildren. She currently lives with her husband Norm of twenty-seven years, in Brisbane Australia.

After serving many years in children and youth ministries, Chrissy dedicated herself to pastoral care and counsel to shut-ins, hospitalized, and those with special needs. Chrissy has a passion to help others through her own experiences and pastoral care training.

Chrissy also holds an Associate Diploma in Christian Ministries from Rhema College Of Christian Ministries Queensland and a Graduate Certificate in Diaconate Studies through St Mark’s Theological College Canberra, Australia. (This Graduate Certificate includes Pastoral Care and Counseling subjects).  Chrissy also completed her Introductory Unit of CPE, New South Wales College of Clinical Pastoral Education.

Writing became an imperative part of Chrissy’s life when she was housebound and confined to bed for almost seven months during 2007. With her unique blend of experiences, she writes mostly fiction, with poetry as her favored genre.

She has been published in Footprints Australia Magazine, The Vine (New Zealand), www.ridersnreapers.com and FaithWriters anthology Heroes, Villains, and Everyday People, and is a contributing author to the postcard project for Peculiar People.

Chrissy is currently working on her second book, which she anticipates to publish in 2009 and will exhibit her inspirational poems. Chrissy continues to share her poetry and articles at www.chrissysiggee.com , www.godlinked.com/group/devotionalcorner  and www.faithwriters.com.

Be sure to check out all of Chrissy’s current contributions to The Cypress Times.

“Whisper in the Night” 

“Mercy”