Name: Sara Radicchi Aslund
Age: 20
Location: Brazil

The truth is that I don’t know where to start, but with everything that has happened, I feel compelled to defend what I believe in and try to help you see the other side of the “story”.

I could, of course, reiterate the horror of what has happened and how appalled I am, but hopefully we all know that, its common sense! Murder is not and will never be justifiable. I’ve heard the most atrocious comments made from some former members about what has happened and seeing the way that they are trying to defend murder and justify it is just unbelievable!! How blind can people get?

What puzzles me the most is how people can blindly be accusing Maria who they most probably don’t even know!! Imagine if your son, who you haven’t seen for years and who hasn’t contacted you either, kills someone you love and then takes his own life. And then you get people who didn’t know either of you deciding to blame you for the tragedy. I don’t think there is another soul on earth who would have the ability to handle this situation as bravely as she has. My heart goes out to her and I pray God will give her the strength to bear it.

I know that what I might say might not change your mind, but it if at least it makes you pause to really think about what is happening and not just go with the “flow” and let it take you away, than it will be worth it.

I am a full-time member of the Family and have been since birth and can testify that these people who are propagating things about us have their story severely messed up.

People say we live in a “bubble”. Well, thank God for that! Never have I been so sure of my calling as now, and I am so proud and privileged to be answering God’s calling for my life.

I have had a wonderful life and am so thankful for it. I have two sisters and four brothers. We’ve been home schooled, and have had lives filled with education, excitement, excursions, outings and visits to museums in the different cities and countries I’ve lived in. Honestly, I think I’ve had more fun and special privileges in my childhood than your average child now-a-days.

My parents and we kids actually lived alone for a year, being full time missionaries, but as associate members of the Family. Of course, we still had fun; and my parents really outdid themselves for us. So I do have fond memories of that time, but during that year I really missed all my friends and living communally, having classes together, participating in performances and just doing the stuff I always did as a child. Thank God, a few months later we became full time members again, which became a dream come true for me.

I’ve always had everything I needed and even most things I’ve wanted. A couple years ago I decided to move to another field to continue doing missionary work and I was given the opportunity to try out various ministries and see which one I would chose to major in.

As much as I didn’t think I liked taking care of kids, I decided to give it a try and believe it or not now I love it and greatly value all the joy children bring. I feel very much fulfilled in what I do. I am able to work along side other very experienced teachers and mothers.

Many people outside our communities, after seeing the way we rear our children, have requested our help and assistance. I was in a conversation once with a midwife from a private clinic and she was telling me how young mothers go to their clinic for counsel and directions on how to care for their children, and I was surprised to hear that most everything that she had studied long and hard to know about and make a living from, I already knew and was using this knowledge in my interactions with children daily.

I have friends who have left the Family who I love dearly and I keep in touch with regularly. Although I miss having them around, I am happy for them because they have been able to keep living fruitful lives. They still love God and believe in prayer and it’s obvious the Lord has really blessed them and they’re doing well! Thank God, they have a brain and use it wisely!!

When it comes to our apostates… forgive my bluntness, but lying is a sin, the thought of evil is sin, and they are guilty of both. They are trying hard to destroy and harm our wonderful lives of service to God and others, and are obviously miserable in the process. As for me, well this is my life and I have chosen to keep it as such, don’t help to ruin it.