I know how overwhelming it can be. To be honest, after I bought my Viking Diamond the embroidery unit stayed in the case for 3 1/2 years! I finally took it out, and committed to getting through 1 -2 pages of instructions from the book per evening. In a week I had a full design embroidered. Be patient with yourself, go back and tell the shop you don't understand and ask if they have regular groups hat get together. My local shop has monthly digitizing and embroidery groups.
Another possibility, sign up fr a class, and let them know when you register for it that you are a novice. People there will be very willing to help you.