Verna Laboy
Minister, elder, community activist, Columbia
One would never know today that Verna Laboy went into Freedom seminar insecure, uncomfortable in her own skin and afraid to share her life story.
Gil and Verna Laboy, Columbia.
“In addition to all the horrible things that happened in my life, I was finding it difficult to embrace myself,” she said. “A friend believed I deserved to go to Freedom Seminar and gave it to me as a gift.”
Through the seminar she learned to not be afraid to tell her story. “I just put myself out there and told the stories that I kept locked and secret,” she said flashing her winning smile. “I was secure and confident that no one could hurt me if I didn’t give them permission.”
She was overwhelmed by the fact that she bonded with 20 total strangers at the seminar. “I went in a broken, black woman,” she said. “I came out a whole woman who happens to be black. I realized there are more people for me than against me.”
If you go to Verna’s house whether you enter from the front or the back door you will notice the word Respect. “Freedom taught me to respect myself and the experiences I’ve been through and to honor and respect other people, all people, no matter what they think of me or how they treat me.
“I have a respect for life, a more healthy life view, as a result of going through the work that happens as a result of Freedom Seminar. I was full of stinkin’ thinkin’. I needed a tune-up. Russ and Pat Hardesty and all the Trainers helped me get just that.”
Teresa Shields Parker is a Christian weight loss author, coach, podcaster, and speaker, who has lost 250 pounds and kept it off since 2013. Her books include: “Reconnecting Jayne: Her Sister’s Support,” “Rebuilding Jayne: Her Father’s Protection,” “Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God’s Favor,” “Sweet Grace Study Guide,” “Sweet Victory: Winning the Battle,” “Sweet Surrender: Breaking Strongholds,” “Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy”, “Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God’s Help,” “Sweet Freedom Study Guide,” “Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation,” “Sweet Hunger: Developing an Appetite for God,” and “Sweet Excuses: Stop Lying to Yourself & Start Losing Weight.” She also offers Overcomers Christian Weight Loss Academy and VIP intensive coaching. Don’t miss her weekly podcast, Sweet Grace for Your Journey, where she shares tips from her personal journey of losing weight and discovering healthy living. Contact her at [email protected].