***  All quotes are used with permission of clients and all names have been changed to protect their identity   ***

I’m trying to think back to when we first had contact with each other. I know it was a phone contact around 1995 sometime. Then we met on the Via de Cristo weekend that ended on February 11, 1996. It was a life changing experience for me. We met with another lady at the Bay City Holiday Inn once every two weeks for a Via de Cristo reunion group. The rest is history. 😊 It has been quite a journey. I just wanted to tell you that you’ve had a big impact on my life, both you and Pastor. I’m so thankful that God placed you in my life. It’s a good life isn’t it? Thank you for all your help in counseling me.          —Betty

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“Good Morning, Doc.  A year ago today you said to go home and throw out all alcohol.  I was sad about it:  I knew I had to but didn’t want to.  I was a major basket case.  I hurt physically and mentally and was grieving.  I was so sick — yet the healing started this day 2014.
I drank again in May one night.  It was no fun anymore.  I hated alcohol and what it made me.  I was at an in-between place.  I craved alcohol and food but didn’t want to drink and eat so much. Still, I needed your help and was glad you were there.  You really helped me find peace and hope.
I feel I’m on the right road now.  Thank you for your guidance.  This was a big year of change for the good.  Thank you, Jesus, for helping me to keep learning and doing the next right thing.”           —Sally

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“Good evening, Dr. Baker.  Tom and I have been married for 9 months as of yesterday and I can honestly say it’s been a wonderful new chapter in our lives.  Tom is still the sweet, calm, loving man I have known since 2013.
We are taking all the proper steps to make sure his boys are happy, healthy, and content that their dad loves them very much and wants to be in their lives as much as allowed by his ex-wife. You would be proud how we have gotten Johnny to open up more and express his feelings to us.  I think he is growing more content this it’s okay to have his own opinions and feelings about things. Sam seems to have always been okay…he just spits out whatever comes to his mind….he is a trip!
Anyway, I’m sure Tom has been in your thoughts.  I know he would appreciate my telling you that he is doing very well.  I couldn’t ask for a better husband and life partner.  He is truly amazing and keeps me focused on the positives, rather than the stresses that many times bring him down.  He is the husband I have always wanted.
God bless and thank you, again, for your unconditional love for those who come to you for help.  You have done an amazing job with Tom.”     — Beth

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“Dr. Baker, I wanted to thank you for sharing the goodness of your heart with me by recommending the 1016 house. It was one of the best programs and made a big impact on my life and my recovery. I have made many changes in my life and accepted my alcoholism.

What a blessing to have people like yourself, caring and compassionate, in my life. I know that I can’t do it alone and today I don’t have to. God bless and keep you!”                   — Sam

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“My Dearest Dr. Baker, what a gem you are. You are on fire for the Lord and you make me hungry for more. Thank you for everything you did for me and continue to do because the advice and counsel you gave me, I continue to ponder and use in my daily life.

I think of you almost daily. I see your face full of enthusiasm and energy jumping out at me! See you soon.”       — Jane

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“Dr. Baker, This is just a little something to let you know how grateful I am for everything you’ve done for me.  Luckily by the grace of God our paths crossed and I believe if we never would have met I never would have realized my faults and the destructive pattern of behavior that I once lived.  God sent me a guardian angel and that angel was in the form of you, Dr. Baker!  I am forever thankful.”   — Mark

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“Words cannot express how grateful we are for all your care and compassion you have shown Brenda, especially these past two weeks.  We greatly appreciate your Christian faith, knowledge and encouragement which have helped guide Brenda through this difficult time.  God has given Brenda the strength and courage to overcome her fears and also trust that He is in control.  Our heartfelt thanks to you once again – God’s blessings to you!”    — Susan

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“Thank you for guiding me, teaching me, praying with me, relating to me, aiding in renewing my faith, encouraging me, believing in me, and most of all loving me.”   — Ann

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“Dear Doc, You’ve changed my life by sending me to FA (Food Addicts) in Recovery Anonymous.  I’ve maintained a 150 lb. weight loss for a year and a half.  I’m learning to cope with life without alcohol, flour, sugar and drugs.  My spirituality has improved because I need to go to God to do this.

I think of Kellie B.  She helps me see that I can replace any obsession/addiction with another.  Addiction/obsessions will make my life miserable and shorter than it needs to be.  But I couldn’t do this without God and you sending me to practice FA (Food Addicts Anonymous).

I have peace and a normal sized body.  Thank you, God.  — Love, Susan H.”

*****

“God bless you, Dr. Baker.  Please know I cherish all the help you have given me, my family and my marriage over the years.  I thoroughly enjoy your messages on Facebook.  I am maintaining and I am grateful and thankful for every day.  I appreciate your prayers.”  —George W.

*****

“Merry Christmas, Doc.  Greg and our kids wonder how I became the “healthy/normal child” in my family.  My sister’s life is the most cautionary tale of instruction to our three kids.  Sad, but true, and helpful to building my case of caution.  You helped me carve out this meaningful life and provide my family a much less chaotic home.  I am forever grateful!” —Connie W.

*****

“Dear Dr. Baker, I wanted to send you a very heartfelt thank you. A few years ago, my husband, Adam, and I came to see you, and I thought our marriage was ending. I did not want this, and I found out he did not want this. We were not talking; we were not connecting. We were two people living in the same house, and just living our own lives with no regard for the other person. You made us think about what we want and see things through the other persons eyes. I was doing many things to hurt our relationship, as was he. But we were only blaming each other. I thought it was the end. I could not see a light and was actually looking to move out of the house. I was pricing apartments when we started to see you.

I tell you all this, because today it is completely different. We still have disagreements, and I still do things that I am sure make Adam upset. But we talk about it. We actually have a thing where he will call me on his way home from work so I can meet him outside with a cold drink and a dog. We help each other. We talk to each other. We do things for each other. It is a partnership again.

I know it was not all you, but you provided us the tools to help ourselves. You helped us to see what we were doing to each other was also hurting our kids. You helped us see the light and reconnect. We have a new love for each other, and we are getting to know each other in the new era of our lives. We have been married for just over 20 years, and sometimes I look at him and think we definitely have at least another 20 ahead of us. We have overcome a failing marriage, cancer, and career changes. We will continue to overcome many more obstacles because we have the tools to succeed.

So, thank you. Thank you for helping to save our marriage. Thank you for believing in us and helping us to believe in us. Thank you for your continued support and friendship (I would like to say we have this as we do talk to you periodically and are neighbors). I would hate to think of what our family would look like without helping us fix our problem. I will admit it is not perfect 100% of the time, but it is rather good. We still have ups and downs, but no matter, we always come back to each other, and are stronger for it.

An incredibly grateful client, friend, and wife,

~Jennifer~

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“I have to laugh as I went to my Facebook with the intentions of posting on your wall how thankful I am for you. I wouldn’t be where I am if The Lord didn’t put you in my path. Since 2008 you’ve been there no matter what. Your door, your words, your kindness, your understanding, your heart, your passion, your belief in me, your strength, your courage, your continuous support, your encouragement, your dedication  to stopping abuse, your ability to offer support to both parties to become better people, your acknowledgement that one is heard, your ability to stand up for justice/the truth, and  your Faith/belief in The Lord never once failed.  Again this Thanksgiving I give thanks to you Sherry Baker. ”

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“Dear Sherry, I’m writing you this letter to give you an update on my life. The last few years were very hard but I made it! Your words kept coming back about not getting into a relationship until I was no longer broken. You said God will send someone when I was ready. It was the hardest thing to stand alone.

I met a simple wonderful Christian man, non-smoking, non-drinker, who treats me like a queen and with respect. We got engaged on Christmas Eve and are planning a wedding for 2022. It feels so good to love again and to trust at 58 years old. I thank you for all of your encouragement and lots of prayers.

I have learned a hard lesson and I won’t do any more mistakes. I just want to say thank you, thank you, and God bless. I told my new man we pray together, we stay together. We put God first in our relationship and everything else will follow. Thank you again Dr. Baker!—Love, E.C.

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Hi Dr. Sherry ~ Not sure if you remember me but it’s been a few years. You saw Frank and I in your office dealing with abuse and marriage issues. I am turning 38 this week so as part of an exercise I am writing to the 40 most influential people in my life and you are on my list! Life looks very different today as we are now divorced. After he eventually put me in the ER, it was clear I made the right choice.

You were at the very beginning of my journey and I wanted to say thank you for helping me with not only tools and resources but the encouragement to find my voice. I still have a sticky note in my bathroom you wrote with affirmations. The way you listened to my story and gently encouraged me to give myself the same advice I would give my daughters has stuck with me. I go back to that often.

I have just recently (after being divorced 4 years) met a wonderful man and feel more hopeful than I have in a long time. He is an attorney with 4 children! Combined with my 3 it’s the Brady Bunch Show but I am enjoying it and haven’t felt this free in a long time.

Thank you for being that light and voice in my life for that season. I’m forever grateful.—Sincerely, T.C.