this thread is encouraging to me but in a different sort of way. so many overcame adversity at a young age and stuck to the truth or realized the importance of it later. a sister in my hall has custody of her 4 very young grandchildren. i study with the oldest & only girl who is 7. Family life is still messed up b/c her parents, who lost custody b/c of drug abuse, are still very involved w/ her. Her mother is one of the most horrible and selfish people i've ever met. not only that but she works to undo any bible training her grandmother and i give her or she gets at the meetings. i'm scared that if her mother ever gets custody again (which DYFS keeps saying will be soon) she won't be allowed to study or go to the meetings again. We only do the Bible Story book but i've been trying to teach her as much about the new system and obeying Jehovah as I can. She gets it but she is young and unbeknownst to her in a very difficult situation. I am just hoping that whatever she is taught sticks in that good little heart of hers and will be manifest when she is older no matter what happens. knowing that so many people overcome similar bad circumstances (besides the fact that Jehovah can see her heart conditions)gives me a good hope for her.