(From a second-generation member of the Family)

Hi, My name is Celeste P. Schaaf, I’m 14 yrs old, and currently live in the States.

You (apostates) may say that I’m to young to know or say anything, but since I grew up in the Family my whole life I think I know what I’m talking about!

I met Angela just a few months before all this happened, and I have to say that she was one of the most loving people I have ever met! She took the time to personally talk with each of us teens, she listened to music with me while I cooked lunch, and asked me what I thought about the Family. She listened to everything I had to say, and told me what she thought as well. She was young at heart, even if she was 50-some years old. This Ricky fellow must have been extremely messed up to kill such a wonderful person!

Whether you are in the Family or not, all you ex-members have to agree with this at least, IT’S NEVER RIGHT TO KILL ANOTHER HUMAN!

From age 1, I was taught not to hit, push, or hurt anyone in anyway. I’d say this guy needed a “re-fresher” course, on what I tell my little nephews and nieces, who are by the way the healthiest, sweetest, most un-abused things on the earth!

Yeah I doubt the Family sometimes—actually as I write this I have thoughts about what I want to do with my life—but no matter what I do with my life I will always know that I have NEVER been abused, over-worked, or exploited, EVER, and if you can’t read that go get your eyes checked!

The people that have raised me haven’t ever just stuck me in front of a TV, turned it on and said “sit here for an hour, eat some of these sugar-coated cookies and some extra-sweetened milk, while I go and complain on this great site that lets me sit around for an hour and complain about how I have been so abused because I wasn’t allowed to sit in front of a TV and eat and drink junk.”

Ok so I wasn’t allowed to do that, but do you think that I would enjoy growing up to look like a old lady because I ate all that crap, and never got exercise because the TV was on? GIVE ME A BREAK!

I love sweets, there great, don’t get me wrong, but look at the facts, most kids ages 2 on up have at least 2 cavities, and are overweight because of a lack of exercise. When I go on a walk in my neighborhood I see overweight people everywhere, and it sickens me! I feel sorry for them because I know that they don’t want to be like that, and if they do then God help them!

Hearing what the guy did, this man that I read about all my life in “Life with Grandpa” has disgusted me beyond belief! I hope that he can live with himself in Heaven right now as he looks into her eyes. I doubt very much that he was abused in anyway.

My mother is the most loving thing on Earth, sure we have arguments we both have to learn to give and take, but that’s just normal for a 14 yr old and her mother wouldn’t you agree? Yeah sometimes I blame her for stuff, get mad at her. But I know without a doubt that she has never abused me, hurt me physically or mentally, she has tried to make my life better, and give me the opportunities I want.

Whether I live my whole life in the Family or not, I will NEVER be able to with a good conscience say that I was “abused", “beat", or whatever other junk they say happened to us or is “happening” to us, or them.

In the Family I have learned to dance, I have a great sister-in-law that took the time to teach me moves ,even though I was the most un-coordinated girl, she took the time, that’s what counts. I’m learning to play guitar so that I can put music to the songs I write, I love poetry, and dancing is my “passion” you could say, I get video’s from the library to teach myself, I read books and look up moves online, those are my recreational activities. I’m also learning to draw which is quite fun and interesting, painting is also another thing that I’m interested in and my mother has done nothing but encourage me!

I recently did a painting on our wall in the living room, it came out pretty good, and I got nothing but support from my family even in this little thing! I have had the choice to learn ANYTHING I want to, my mother has gone out of her way to help me progress in my endeavors, I call that LOVE. I have traveled all over the world, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, all over the States. Tell me if you can find a kid off the street that’s done that!!

I just recently moved to the States because my older brother wanted to go to school, so my mom changed her life for him!

Love? YES! In its best form!

All you ex-members that like to sit around and complain are stupid, get off your sorry asses, and get over it!! There have been mistakes in the Family, I’m not defending, or excusing those, but they HAVE been apologized for!

And the people that say “Yes they say sorry but the mental scars are still there!” Then let them be that scars, for God’s sake I don’t sit around looking at my legs picking out all the scars and saying, “Wahhhh, I hate that tree that gave me that scar, I should make a website about it!” Hello, get real.

In conclusion, I have to say that I love my Family, my brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, friends, sisters-in-law—they’ve gone through a lot with me and have put up with me and my Scorpio attitude, LOL, they’ve been there to extend their hand when I have fallen. My brother made the Bible interesting, my sister helped me dance, learn to cook, take care of children. … I can’t say all the things they have helped me with and through. They are truly WONDERFUL.

And for that loser that couldn’t get over his stupid problems … GOD HELP HIM. I have never been abused. I’d like to see someone try to come and prove that I have, that would be a kick! I am very sorry that he had to do such an evil deed. Angela made a big impression on my life as she did with others, and she will be missed. I’m just happy that she’s happy now in Heaven with no more worries. That’s what she deserves. She lived a life for others and never thought about herself.

So stop trying to say my mom and family abused me, or if you’re not saying that, the Uncles and Aunties that have raised me. In one city alone I can name dozens of SGA’s, FGA’s, Sr.Teens, and YA’s that have made my life Joy.

I have brothers and sisters that are not in the Family—in a Family with 11 children only 4 are still in. But I love them just the same! I respect their life-style, and am happy that they are happy with what they are doing! My mom doesn’t try to change their life in any way! She loves them and does not hesitate to show them!

If any of you read this I just wanna say I love you!

Celeste P. Schaaf, 14, States