|
Letters from the front
lines!
Send us your story of how Back to Basics has changed your life.
Sharing your story could save the life of someone else!
Email
us your story now!
From Ian
Date: Nov. 9, 2015
Hi there my
friend .I am in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico about 1200 miles south of you
(Tucson, AZ). I live here thru the winter arriving in late October and
leaving in early April.
This town has an
Alano Club which influenced me to pick this place to do Back to Basics.
When I first came here I started an English B2B group that has become
fairly successful but of course controversial. The ongoing success was
fully due to a loving and powerful God that started to change lives in a
big way.
This club caters
to the English speaking minority in this area, but there is a small group
of bilingual Mexicans that attend here consistently and have become
involved with the B2B movement. This little "core energy group" is what I
have connected with in order to take, in Spanish, the Dr. Bob method into
the Mexican community.
I feel that the
battle is still worth it, especially when you talk to a newcomer and see
that they finally have some hope in their soul that maybe, just maybe,
they can get sober and happy. Well my friend, I guess that is enough for
now. I truly miss hanging with you and have hopes that we can get
together in the not too distant future.
Ian
From Ric P.
Date: June 3, 2012
Greetings, my name is
Ric.
I am very interested in
starting a new Back to Basics meeting in Michigan.
I spent years in and out
of AA meetings without getting any results. Finally one day in a vacant
house that I was living in, when I had nothing to offer anyone, let
alone God. I offered my life to Him and asked that He show me how to live
it. (step 3) My life has never been the same. Since then I have been moved
to learning the 12 steps and sharing thier message. After years of study,
I have found that this program is the best way to spread the good news and
give a dying person hope.
Ric L.
From Kevin L
Date: Jul 17, 2011
Over
11 years ago you visited Gallatin TN. and presented a one day Back to
Basics seminar. To date people are still talking about what an amazing
life changing day that was.
After
the overwhelming positive response from that day I went to
Tennessee Christian Medical Center , and approached the director Nan
Casey with the idea of incorporating Back to Basics into their
Intensive Out Patient Program. This Beginner Meeting is still going on
and the response is still "this is so easy", "why don't
they do it like this everywhere"? As you say, it works, it really
does!
I
have no idea how many newcomers I have personally taken thru the
steps, but at my home group as soon as a newcomer comes thru the door
we immediately schedule the Four 1 Hour Sessions with them, prior to
the AA Meeting, and in two weeks they HAVE TAKEN ALL 12 STEPS! [we
meet twice a week] This is also in keeping with our Tradition of the
Groups
Primary Purpose is to carry the message to the alcoholic still
suffers.
From Pattie W
Date: Sep 9, 2010
Dear Wally P.
I just ordered our Back To Basics text books on your web site and it was a very nice experience. I have been doing your Back To Basics Group in
Florence SC for about ll years! It has been a wonderful experience for me and the folks who attend the meetings. You may recall that you and I
had talk about 2 years ago. The church where I was doing the group had burned down to the ground. Everything in the church was ashes except
our Back To Basics Books and Big Books that we had on hand. This was truly a miracle from God. Thank you so much.
From TJ
Date: Feb 16, 2010
Hi Wally
Just wanted to share with you how the B2B has changed my life. Several years ago (6 - 7?) A man came back to Boise I'd to share the B2B.
We found a home group and I helped facilitate that meeting for 23 months. After a few months of a break for me I helped a different home group
start a B2B meeting I was with them for about 10 months. Another few month off and I was asked to bring a meeting in to a men's Sober living house.
Their are actually 2 houses owned by the same man. I conducted the B2B meetings there for 30 months or so.
Now at a new location we are in formerly sharing the B2B over the past month. And waiting for approval to get a time slot, 1:30pm, to conduct the
Beginners Meeting on a weekly basses. M and Tu session 1, 2 Wed do a group 5th step and sessions 4&5 thurs and fri.
I just thought u might like to know that the Back to Basics is alive and well in the Treasure Valley in Idaho.
as B
Date: Oct 26, 2009
Dear Wally,
I want to thank you for your tremendous
research and commitment to bringing the great knowledge from the old
days into our time. Reading the "How to Listen to God" book is truly
inspiring and I've begun to see wonderful improvements in my life by
following it's recommendations.
Thank you so much. I'm using the ideas
with my sponsee and it's working well. I can't wait to read future books
you write and publish. Many, many thanks.
From Stewart K
Date: May 7, 2008
Dear Wally,
We would like to
take the opportunity to write to you to let you know how our Back to
Basics group is doing since we started up in November 2007. We have a
dedicated group conscience core of 8. Since we opened our doors in St
Marks Church, Aberdeen we have had a regular attendance, averaging 15
men and women every week who have come along seeking a solution.
Thankfully we can now pass on the message that was so freely given to us
in as undiluted a way as we possibly can.
We would also
like to thank you for the early contributions that you made to our group
with several B2B books and Speakers Notes.
From Walter S
Date: January 28, 2008
God Bless You for this Magnificent Resource! There
may be hope for the Survival of the AA Program after all. Bravo! Thank You
So Much!
From Billy S
Date: December 27, 2007 Thank s Wally
, for your gift to AA . The re-discovering and publishing of the Back to
Basics Format . I am seeing some people who were having a terrible time
finally get the program . Also I want to thank you for making the
history of AA available on DVD . I'm looking forward to the release of
Back to Basics 101. We are presently running several B2B meetings up
here in Mass . God Bless Your Efforts ,,, Billy S
From Dylan
Date: August 2, 2007
As a Christian in a 12 step program that spun from AA (after Bill W.
died - he would be grateful for us), I view the first one hundred in AA as
I view the 1st century Christians or prophets in the old testament. And I
want to do what they did. But I've been powerless.
My sponsor asked me to order the B-To-B book and plans to have several
newcomers join us in the 4-week program. I see our fellowship limping
along compared to many of the founders' stories I read in the back of the
Big Book. Very few 'recoverED' addicts are in our meetings so the tone of
recovery is seldom properly set. Most believe we have to settle and its
born from our group conscience.
My prayer is that we can revolutionize our fellowship and see God's
hand move (starting with me!)
From Janet G
Date: May 19,2007
Back to the Basics saved my life! It gave me the real AA program as a
newcomer. Without it I would have never been taken through the steps in AA
and returned to drinking!
I thank God every day for AA--- specifically for Back to the
Basics!!!!!!!
From Art H
Date: Apr. 28, 2006
I just wanted to write you to let you know that I have finished
taking a group of 3 of my sponsees through the HTLTG program at my home
on Sunday mornings. Our meetings began with breakfast at 9 a.m.
and then we began reading and discussing the book until 11:00 a.m.
All indicated that they now feel much more connected to their Higher
Power and have had their horizons broadened concerning the applicability
of 2-way prayer in their lives. They are also ready to take others
through the material. I suspect that in a few years we will have
hundreds of persons practicing prayer and meditation in this manner.
Thanks for putting this information together!
Art
From Lew P
Date: Apr. 21, 2006
Dennis F (altoona, PA group) showed me the maaterial, WOW. It was an
amazing experience. I can't wait for our first meeting. God Bless
Lew P
From Bill W
Date: Apr. 20, 2006
Wally, I just can't
tell you how much God has changed my life since I went to my 686th
meeting (7 months sober) at Steve's B to B.
I was about worn out with "The Program" and 5 minutes into B to
B, I knew I was home.
Your friend in Dallas,
Bill W.
From Freda
Date: Sept. 8, 2002
hi
wally,
thanks
for doing what you are doing,,, i know that you have sacrificed 'stuff'
that probably meant a great to you at one time... to follow God's guidance
and bring back to basics to all that will have it.
i just want you to know that you are a man sent by God to change this
world... one person at a time....
my whole being has been hugely changed, effected... i feel like i have
been plumeted into that 4th demention, talked about in the big book... i
can't explain it any other way!!
I THANK GOD FOR YOU...THAT YOU HAVE SOLD OUT TO DO GOD'S WILL!!
MY WORLD HAS CHANGED AS NEVER BEFORE!!
AND I HAVE TALKED TO 3 OTHER GIRLS FROM CHATTANOOGA AREA THAT HAVE SAID
BASICALLY THE SAME THING!!!
ALL THESE GIRLS HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING,,,
EACH ONE OF US HAS BEEN IN A RECENT RELAPSE!!
thank you for your committment... as was said tonight..
committment is
a difficult job... i notice the word job..
and also said was .. committment is deep calling to deep
BEGIN HEALING YOUR WORLD... (guidance tonight)
WALLY,
YOU HAVE BEGUN TO HEAL THE WORLD!!
our world has been sick because we have kicked God out
wally, you have taught me this weekend how to
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
WOW!
and many others at the meeting... and the many others we will share this
with... and on and on!!
GOD IS SOO GOOD!! THERE'S NO LIMIT TO WHAT A MAN CAN DO IF HE
LISTENS AND OBEYS GOD.
thanks for being you,
thanks for being here,
thanks for obeying God,
thanks for all that you do,
my life will never be the same because of you.
love in recovery,
freda
From Mary
Date: Sept. 30, 2002
I went to your back to basic workshop in Allen Park Michigan, that day
change my life. At the time I had 24 years sober, I had thought I
had work the steps, but my life did not seem right. That day with
you change my life, I took the steps for the first time. I found my
God. I am deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, I miss
a lot. But that day with your help I got on AA.
Because of this day, I have able to help others do this too.
In Southfield Michigan we started a meeting using the back to
basic book , we are in the fourth one, I have seen around 80
people go thu this so far and come back to help others, yes Wally this
is growing.
I have sent the Back to Basic Book to Australia, and A Group in
Australia has started a meeting to.
From: Tim M.
Date: July 19, 2001
I received a copy of your B2B book and leaders
binder a couple of months ago and recently finished reviewing and studying
it. WOW!
It was refreshing to see someone put into such a
meaningful presentation those principles which I believe will work. Those
principles that have been diluted or forgotten in most current AA
meetings.
I congratulate you again on a fine job! Your work
will save many a life.
Does your experience confirm that people could
pick up your workbook and put it into practice as they used to with the
Big Book? That is, without the benefit of attending one of your seminars.
Your philosophy is so consistent with what I am doing with my chronic
relapsing babies that I think I could do it.
Thanks for your time and God Bless.
From: William S.
Date: July 9, 2001
Your book "How To Listen To God" has
just come into my life. I am fouteen years sober and struggling with how
to turn my life over to God and with how to trust God. Never have I been
so excited with the future potential provided with your book. My thanks to
the author. Please come back to Texas so that I can attend one of your
seminars...Bill
From:
Denise P.
Subject: Back to Basics-Detroit MI
Date: Thu, 17 May 2001
Dear
Wally,
I met you last Saturday in Detroit, Michigan at the Back to Basic's
seminar. It was a very important part of my recovery to meet you.
I'm starting my 2nd 4th step this weekend.
You helped me a great deal when you told me to do a separate Step 6
& 7, just on forgiving myself. I don't hate myself today. I'm also
happy I'm still alive, clean and sober.
Not too long ago, I
felt hopeless and I wanted to die. I
had tried AA before, but it never worked.
I continued to sink deeper and deeper into my living hell.
This time I wanted to do something different.
I have a wonderful sponsor who started taking me to the Back to
Basics meetings. This time something is happening to me.
Something I can't explain, but I like it.
I have always believed in GOD.
I wouldn't be here today or a lot of other terrible things would of
happened to me if I didn't. Now,
I'm slowly feeling the spirituality of A.A. and it's awesome!!!
That deep empty hole is starting to fill up with love and
happiness.
I hope to see you again. I
plan on telling everyone I know about the Back to Basics meetings and
book. I still need to read "How to Listen to GOD."
I still feel uncomfortable doing my writing in the morning, but my
sponsor says to keep writing the thoughts down.
Thank you for helping me see that I can and GOD can help me forgive
myself. The shame and guilt
have been lifted and the freedom to grow is within me.
Love Denise P.
Username: Whitney T
Date: 07 Apr 2001
Comments:
The Back to Basics program saved my life. I had been in and out of the rooms of AA for
ten years and never been sober. Last May, I entered treatment AGAIN but was willing to
take the suggestions of my new sponsor who suggested we do Back to Basics together. I
credit Back to Basics with saving my life as I had never worked the AA program just merely
attended meetings. This program thrust me into AA and got my program going. I now have
11 months of sobriety and have completed the Back to Basics program three times. I learn
something new from it every time. God Bless.
-- Whitney T --.
Dear Mr. P.:
Would
you please send me literature, books and/or materials on your Back to
Basics program.
I feel the program would be an asset to the already existing
program of Alcoholic Anonymous.
After
Attending Back to Basics for one year I found it extremely valuable in the
beginning process of my recovery.
It would be an honor to share this with other inmates here at
Papago.
Papago
unit is mainly a D.U.I. treatment facility.
Inmates co-ordinate the AA programs.
They would welcome the approach of the Back to Basics program.
There are a lot of men here who would benefit from Back to Basics,
including myself.
I am eagerly awaiting your reply and
looking forward to your input on starting Back to Basics here at Papago.
Since you are the author of this material it will meet the
Department of Corrections criteria for me receiving books, manuals, etc.
You can send it to the above address and I will receive it
directly.
Sincerely,
Rod B. (a member of Alcoholics Anonymous)
I
want you and the group to know that I have been sober and happy since
attending B to B on Tuesdays. It
will be 2 yrs come July. The
group at B to B really put me on the right track that I just couldn't
find at other AA meetings.
Even
with the situation I am in now,.I can be happy with my three way
connection with God. The
meeting after the meeting where we shared guidance left a life-long
spiritual awakening for me.
I
am here on a previous charge (D.U.I.)that I received before meeting your
group. I wish everyone well.
I have a strong feeling that no matter what hards times fall, the
Back to Basics group will find happiness.
I know it has worked for me.
One
thing I would especially like to share here in the prison is the paper on
How to Listen to God. If you
could send me some information or a B to B book, it would be great. Thank you and the group, you're doing great work.
-- Anonymous --
|
Back to Basics
