*My job right now is to work

my program and stay

abstinent 1

*Spiritual gifts 2

* Fall greetings to my OA

Region 8 family! 3

* Soar Assembly 4

*Grateful to God 5

* Our Region 8 Trusted

Servants 6

*I Was in the right place 6

* OA responsibility Pledge

Portuguese , English and

Spanish 6

This past couple of months has

been pretty difficult – my

husband has been undergoing

chemotherapy for lung cancer,

my brother-in-law died as a

result of a long-term illness and

the sudden death of my mom as

a result of a one-month

diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Overwhelmed with fear and

sadness, the one underlying

directive I had was to work my

food plan as best I could – my

compulsive overeating would

make this horrible situation

even worse.

While my husband was

undergoing chemo in Florida, I

needed to take care of mom up

in Chicago – help make

healthcare decisions for her,

assist with hospice care and

make her transition to death as

smooth as possible. Abstinence

allowed me to be present to my

mom and family, to do things I

would have never thought I

could do – to be of service when

all I would have wanted to do

was curl up and cry. What a

blessing it was to be there with

my mom, holding her hand,

telling her what a wonderful job

she had done and how much she

was loved as she took her last

breath.

I’ve had to make a few tough

decisions, my service to Region 8

and my Intergroup needed to be

set aside temporarily while I stay

up in Chicago to settle mom’s

estate. I cannot thank my

Intergroup and my Region 8

family enough for the love and

support that I have received

through this difficult time. My

job right now is to work my

program, stay abstinent, attend

meetings and connect with other

compulsive overeaters as I assist

my family with moving on

without mom.

With love,

Marilyn T Englewood, Fl

Spiritual gifts

In the past two years, I have

experienced the passing of 4 women

who have been important to my life

and development. The most recent

was on August 2nd. Each of these

deaths has impressed upon me the

preciousness of life and time - both

spiritual gifts. This was most

pronounced with my

mother. During her final days in

this life I took a call from a sponsee

while at the

hospital. It only took

a few moments

of the call for me to

realize that it was

time to stop

sponsoring her. I

could no

longer spend

precious moments

listening to someone

catalogue their

problems; better to stop before

resentment surfaced in my attitude

and words. Death placed things into

a different perspective for me,

helping me to remember that time is

a spiritual gift. I continue to be very

aware of how I choose to spend my

spiritual gifts including my energy ,

financial resources and time. I

continue to give generously of my

time and myself. I continue to work

with sponsees, yet all of my choices

are more judicious.

And those choices are informed by

the losses I

have experienced ov

er the past 2 years. I

honor these

profound women

and myself by

choosing to embrace

and enjoy my life,

moment by

moment. My daily

spiritual practices,

including practice of

the Twelve Step principles, enable

me to recognize and enjoy each of

my spiritual gifts.

Thank you for allowing me a safe

space to share. A beautiful day to

all!

Atiya M.

myserenitymypeace@hotmail.com

"All of those are gifts

from God. I express my

gratitude by enjoying

them."

-Alcoholics Anonymous,

Window of Opportunity,

page 431

Do you want to know more about our Region 8 Trusted Servants and Service Job

Descriptions ? And think about giving service?

http://oaregion8.org/r8/trusted-servants.html

As a member of the 12th Step Within (TSW) Committee, the concept of OA being my chosen family has been rattling around my brain and heart. You’re probably thinking “What does this have to do with TSW?” Hang in there with me as I get to that… In Mr. Webster’s big book (pun intended), he defines the noun “family” (from Latin, familia - household) several ways: all people occupying the same house; relatives, tribe or clan; a group having common features. Metaphorically speaking, we belong to the “House of OA”, related through the disease of compulsive eating. Though we’re all different, we share common features just like a tribe or clan, right? I also like how Mr. Roget’s big book (very punny) compares family to a fellowship, group or association that is close, friendly, familiar, intimate, confidential or kindred. So far, it sure sounds like my experience, strength and hope in our OA family. And like any family, there’s a history. Maybe a little of my own OA history will clarify why I associate so closely with OA this way, as well as the tie-in with the 12th Step Within Committee. In our For Today, I remember reading the final words on Sept.

24th: ”It is my responsibility to carry the message of spiritual awakening and recovery to compulsive overeaters, wherever they may be.” Just 3+ months after joining OA (my 1st miracle) in March of 2001, my husband and I moved to Heidelberg, Germany for a 3 year commitment with the US Army there. It was exciting, but as you can imagine, scary, too, especially of losing my newfound OA fellowship. Well, never fear, HP is here! Can you believe we

were in the only city in all of Germany with an English speaking OA group?!?! (My 2nd OA miracle.) Within my 1st week there, I attended that small but friendly meeting and it immediately felt familiar. Unbeknownst to me at that time, this would be my weekly home group for over 5 ½ years. It was a mixture of Germans, Americans and other English speaking people living in the area, and through our association in OA, we became very close. Using an AL expression, “These were my people.” I learned we were part of the Region 9 English Language Service Board (ELSB) and pretty soon my OA family expanded when conferences, workshops and service positions found me in Switzerland, Belgium, France and of course, other places in Germany. I met kindred spirits from all over Europe, the USA and Middle East. Our area Region 9 ELSB hosted a yearly retreat in the magical town of Bacharach overlooking the Rhine River in a castle. Talk about awesome! This yearly service helped me understand deeply that This OA family knew me, loved me and helped me as we stuck together and recovered together. Back in north Alabama now for 9 years, and as chairperson of the

Tennessee Valley Intergroup (TVI) and Region 8 TSW Committee member, I try to share that recovery all the more.

Note this excerpt from the Region 8 TSW pamphlet: “Anyone who is abstinent and working his or her own recovery can do twelfth step within service. No special qualifications are necessary; only willingness is needed. We can all help carry the message of recovery through abstinence and working the steps by 1) being well ourselves; 2) giving service, sponsorship and friendship; 3) encouraging membership retention; and 4) attending meetings and OA events.” These TSW principles applied in Germany as well as Region 8.

I’ve always believed gifts and miracles bear responsibilities. No one has stated this better than our late founder, in the OA Promise or Rozanne’s Prayer: “I put my hand in yours,

and together we can do what we could never do alone. No longer is there a sense of hopelessness, no longer must we each depend upon our own unsteady willpower. We are all together now, reaching out our hands for power and strength greater than ours, and as we join hands, we find love and

understanding beyond our wildest dreams.”

This March is my 15th OA Birthday, and when I look back over my miraculous recovery, Rozanne’s words strike me more than ever how important the 12th step within concept is all about.

Everyone in OA can reach out with “carefrontation” to other members that are struggling. Just think what could happen if each one of us did?!?!

So, I challenge you, my OA family: let’s all work the steps, receive the spiritual awakening, practice the OA principles in all

our affairs and reach out to give the OA message of recovery to compulsive eaters in our group, intergroup and region. You never know, YOU may be the one being helped the most… Yours in blessed recovery,

Chris

I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams. I

arrived in China for a short term mission to

help kids with disabilities. Staying abstinent

with God’s help. I have tremendous help from

team leaders here for my food needs. The

leader appears to be very food focused.

Orders too much food each meal, but the

grace is he tries hard to make sure I'm taken

care of.

Shenyang is a very big city and very modern.

Lots of sky scraper apartment buildings. Busy

streets. Have not seen older section. Mostly

we are at a hotel preparing for the family

retreat. We are learning silly things with

choreography (I think maybe sign language

for some words like Change, God, Strength,

etc.). Planning and preparing craft materials.

I met a local mission organization led by a

woman called to China 36 years ago. She

adopted 12 children with disabilities. The

government got upset and took away 6. Here,

disabilities are shameful; and although you

could have more than one child if the first

was disabled, most people couldn't afford to.

People here are not allowed to talk about

specific religions, Jesus, read the Bible in

public, or have large churches or gatherings.

So they still have a lot of underground

churches, which is much looser than before.

People are able to wear a cross and able to

say God, in public. Amazing the freedom we

have.Although raised in a religious home, it is

only thru the miracle of the eyrie that I have

come to have a personal relationship with a

higher power of my understanding.

On the trip I was outgoing and sociable where

before being so self-centered, fear would

have crippled me.

After breaking my phone, not having a

camera, and losing my return flight info, I saw

myself sinking. Using the tools I turned over

self-pity to gratitude and thanked a kind

stranger and was met with even more

kindness.I also learned much more about

myself. I get a bit tired being with people all

day. On this trip, I respected my need for rest

and quiet time.

To think 6 years ago I was trapped, not being

able to go anywhere except work or a grocery

store, and then back home to eat and sink

into self-pity and fear.

And now with abstinence, a God of my

understanding, the steps and support of the

OA fellowship, I walked the Great Wall of

China!

SOAR8 Regional Assembly October 28th - 30th in Memphis, TN 2017 WSBC Dates: May 1–6, 2017 – Albuquerque -NM

BOARD OFFICERS

Chair: Viviana G. (Bogotá, Colombia)

Vice Chair: Aleta P. (Baton Rouge, LA )

Secretary: Janet T. (Winter Park, FL)

Treasurer: Samantha A. (St. Petersburg, FL)

WS Regional Trustee: Linda H. (Madeira Beach, FL)

Safe and loving , seeing family from near and far. People gathering from all over the world for one reason.RECOVERY ! After moving a year ago June from Long Island, New York to Pisgah Forest, North Carolina and seeing my sponsor was just a gift. Talking to her, and now being able to give her that real, honest to goodness hug !!!

All the work put into the convention reminded me of looking at the swan on the water. Serene, beautiful, yet under that water peddling their feet like crazy. Thank you Region 8 for

welcoming me into your lives !!! Taking all of you home with me in my heart. Laura

http://oaregion8.org/

Bylaws & Electronic Documents: Pam G. (Sarasota, FL)

Intergroup Outreach (IGOR): Andi S. (Coral Springs, FL)

Public Information/Professional Outreach (PIPO): Bonnie V. (Boynton Beach, FL)

Technology/Website (Tech-Web): Michelle D. (Little Rock, AR )

Twelfth Step Within (TSW): JC D. (Clearwater, FL)

Unity with Diversity: Cici B. (Palm Beach, FL)

Ways and Means: Patty G. (Palm Beach, FL)

COMMITTEE CHAIRS

COMPROMISSO DE

RESPONSABILIDADE DE

CCA:

"Sempre estender a mão e o

coração de CCA a todos que

compartilham da minha

compulsão, por isto, eu sou

responsável.”

Portuguese

OA RESPONSIBILITY

PLEDGE:

"Always to extend the hand

and heart of AO to all who

share my compulsion, for this, I

am responsible.”

English

LA DECLARACIÓN DE

RESPONSABILIDAD DE OA

“Siempre extender la mano y

el corazón de OA a todos

aquellos que comparten mi

compulsión; de esto, soy

responsable.”

Spanish

Region 8 Trusted Servants

On arriving in Boston, I knew I was in the right place!!