Pioneer Letter

by purplesofa 17 Replies latest jw friends

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  purplesofa

  I was talking to my MOM and she has begun fulltime pioneering.

  She is grieving over the loss of her son and its all just too much.

  I told her to quit pioneering and take care of her. She said , but i gave my word.

  I said It makes me sick that you feel the pressure to do this and not give yourself time. She is already feeling rundown and beginning to hate going out and it's just the second month!

  She said the society sends a letter and tells how you will get down and depressed when pioneering and rely on encouragement from the congregation.

  Does anyone have a copy of this letter?

  purps
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  JH

  Hi purplesofa,

  She said the society sends a letter and tells how you will get down and depressed when pioneering

  I don't have that letter, but I couldn't help myself from thinking how often the elders said to go out in the service when you're feeling down and discouraged, as if it would stimulate us.

  Now they say that going out in the service (pioneering) will get you down and depressed...lol
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  daniel-p

  They send letters out to all the pioneers once a year encouraging them to keep pioneering. Yes, they often spoke of depression and lack of funds as "hurdles" to be overcome by the faithful pioneers. I have all my old ones... maybe I'll get around to scan them.
• 

  return visitor

  Dear Purplesofa

  I am sorry to hear of your and your mother's loss. I'm sorry that I don't have the letter you are looking for, however maybe you can help your mom to appreciate that if you had a child that died she would not expect you to live up to any commitment that you made prior to that childs death. And our heavenly father is far more compassionate than we could ever be. So the fact that she gave her word in no way obligates her in God's eyes. I will be praying for you both.

  RV
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  moshe

  There are support groups for parents in your Mom's situation some are online,too. I recommend that you get your Mother into one. Talk therapy is what she needs- and with a non-judgemental group.
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  ESTEE

  Does a book publishing company care if a sales staffer burns out?

  Does a book publishing company care if the local elders/managers burn out?

  or

  Does a book publishing company care about sales?

  ESTEE
• 

  purplesofa

  RV

  Thank you for your kind words and reasoning. Sometimes kind words when in distess makes one want to cry.

  Thank you all very much

  What happens if you don't meet up to your obligation of pioneering?

  purps

  moshe,

  I think you are right .......her husband and now her husbands only son have both committed suicide 17 years apart.
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  purplesofa

  daniel p

  I would appreciate that very much

  I have all my old ones... maybe I'll get around to scan them.

  purps
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  outoftheorg

  Sorry about your mothers loss.Does she have any family or friends close by that could help?

  If not, there are groups in most areas that could help. The local health dep't usually can get the phone numbers etc.

  Even you calling and talking for a while each day would help her. But might be another stress on you.

  Look out for your mother but also take care of yourself.

  Yep, live is difficult.

  Outoftheorg
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  OnTheWayOut

  What happens if you don't meet up to your obligation of pioneering?

  The brothers assign two elders to talk to and encourage you.
  If your hours are low along the way thru the year, this might take place around February or March.
  They rarely encourage you to stop pioneering, instead insist that you can do better by focusing on schedule or sacrifice.

  Tell your mother this- You hurt the pioneer average if you cannot do the hours. It doesn't effect that average if you stop pioneering. People will understand that you are going through a personal crisis. Don't continue on with a self-established obligation if it will do you harm. Carrying guilt for the next year every month that you don't get your 70 hours or burning out in one year trying is much worse than stepping aside from a privilege of service.