Dearest Palmtree, the greatest of love and peace to you! No, I have not read it and can't find it. Can you post the link? Thanks MUCH!
Dear, dear Outlaw - the greatest of love and peace to you, too... and my apologies for overlooking your curiousity about how my experience went. Well, it went rather well, actually, but "interesting" in that we ended up at the "wrong" KH... but for the "right" reason! Last year, we went to our old congregation (a sister Body member, who has been attending and partaking with me for the past 11 years... and I - we used to hold hands for support - but since holding hands is a "no-no" now, well, I guess we won't be doing THAT anymore - yeah, right! LOLOLOLOL!).
Anyway, last year "everyone" was there except the PO that I've mentioned in other threads (the one who gave the talk at the DC who I spoke to about the whole separating work thing). We didn't know what happened to him. But everyone else was there... and talk about your weeping and gnashing of teeth - as I said, one of my former JC members looked as if he would grind his teeth down to the bone!
THis year we called earlier in the day to get the time and were told that the congregation would meet at 7:15pm. So, we arrived at 7:10pm or so. However, their meeting was actually scheduled for 9:15pm! So... we left and came back. When we parked, we asked the "brothers" where this particular congregation was meeting and they pointed to the west side of the building (it's a brand spanking new "double" KH... where 6 congregations meet. No, it doesn't necessarily mean they're growing - four met at the previous hall but only two now meet there).
So... we went in and sat down. And who should we see but Brother PO... who kind of "jumped" when he saw us. He hadn't seen us since the year BEFORE. At that time (before), I went up and greeted him and he said, "Why do you keep coming here? If we're SO bad, why are you bothering with us?" I was speechless, at first, and then I simply said to him, "Because my love for you all did not fail, Brother. It was your love for me that ran short. Mine for you still remains. I did not leave you - you asked me to leave." He stared at me for a second... then the "anger" on his face disappeared. But then he just turned and walked away.
Back to last night. Sometime before the meeting started, a dear old white-haired lady sitting directly in front turned to greet us (no one else did, which is notable and you'll understand why in a sec). I told to her, "Thank you so much, Sister, and I don't want to alarm you, but I don't think the elders wish you to speak to us." She looked at me and smile ever so slightly and then said, "Oh, yes. Thank you!" and then moved off. The sister and I were becoming a little confused, though, because other than Brother PO and his wife we virtually did not recognize another single soul in the place - except a woman who sat in the row in front of me, two seats to my left... who used to work for me but didn't seem to recognize me - we haven't seen each other in close to 20 years and she was always a little "ditzy" so it made sense... and a young woman who just happens to be the dear one who accompanied me's massuese! YEP! My dear sister said, "I didn't know she was a Witness!!" Well, apparently, she isn't because as soon as she caught my companion's eye... she headed over! When she crouched down next to us, my companion introduced us and we exchanged names and shook hands. Then my companion said to her what I had said to the elderly woman. And the young woman replied, "Oh, what scandalous thing have you done?" and began laughing. My companion said, "I'll tell you at our session Friday," to which the young woman responded, "Will it require strong drink? Cause you know I'm down with that!" and then laughed out loud again. She then returned to her seat and we concluded that perhaps she was "studying." I'll let you all know when I find out.
So, the meeting starts... and Brother Big Shot From Patterson gave the discourse. Then they passed the "refreshments" and, as I stated in another thread, the "elder" who handled our row laugh-snorted when we broke the bread and ate. Idjit. After the discourse, however, Brother Big Shot did the usual WTBTS recruiting attempt, and in doing so said something very interesting. He asked the audience to turn to 1 Corinthians 7:23, and then read it, directing his comments to the entire audience, INCLUDING (and particularly) guests! Interestingly enough, there Paul wrote:
"You were bought with a price; stop becoming slaves... of MEN."
Do you think anyone in the audience saw the irony in that verse? Nope. Because Brother Big Shot took it upon himself to explain that what the verse actually meant was that "perhaps one is putting in too much time at work... and so can't fully participate in the preaching work... or maybe spending too much time in the mall... and so can't make it to meetings." Seriously. I kid you not... that was what HE said that verse was referring to... that "slaving for men" had to do with the time you gave to your employer... or to, well, I can't remember exactly how he said it but the gist was "greedy capitalists." What I thought was interesting is that he acknowledged that it applied to everyone. I mean, I thought... by what it states... that it was speaking only to those who WERE bought... which, as far as I know, are those mentioned at Revelation 5:9,10 and 14:3... which in his TALK he indicated did NOT pertain to the "great crowd." Oh, what a tangled web we weave!!
Be that as it may... the event came to an end and Brother Big Shot called for the "Chairman" to come up and say the "closing prayer." "Chairman?" Then it dawned on my companion and me that the "chairman" wasn't Brother (we now guess, former) PO. Indeed, it dawned on us that not only was he no longer PO (or chairman - is that what they're called now? Or is the "chairman" only in charge of this particular event?)... but perhaps he wasn't even an elder any longer! We based that on that fact that:
(1) It was just him and his wife. None of his four children were present. True, they're all "of age" now, but they weren't the kind of family that, you know, the kids don't go with mom and dad to the memorial, even if they're grown. Something wasn't quite "right" about that, to us...
(2) He never left his seat. Although he stood near his seat... he did not mingle... he did not make an effort to greet anyone... and we did not see him speak to any of the other "elders" (including those who passed around the "refreshments"). We saw maybe one or two people come up and speak to him... and several to Mrs. Former PO, but it was VERY brief. We saw the women directly in front and directly behind his wife speak to his wife... but not to him (I did see the one behind put her hand on his shoulder); and
(3) Although we didn't stay long afterward, I was the only who went up and spoke to him... during the period we DID stay...
I spoke to him because I usually greet him. We had been friends previously and he HAD tried to stop my DF'g. But eventually he gave into pressure and "got on board." And stayed on board for 13 years. Until this year. THIS year... something was different THIS year, when I went up to him his face did not cloud over. THIS year... there was no anger evident. In fact, THIS year... he smiled at me (slightly, yes, but for the first time in 14 years!). I thought, "Hmmmmm..." And so I said to him, "You know I don't slave for men, brother." And he looked at me... and nodded ever so slightly. I said, "You know I am a slave of Christ." And, again, he nodded, this time more obviously. I continued. "You know I follow no one but the Christ... (he nodded outright)... and he has said to me that I must forgive you... and I do forgive you." This time, he nodded one deep obvious... acknowledging... nod. And I finished by saying, "Please know that I hold nothing against you... because my love for you has NOT failed. My love for you remains still." And he looked at me, nodded again... this time slightly again... and then I left him. It was enough... and time to go home.
And sister companion and I left the KH "rejoicing"... after whch I dropped her off... picked my daughter up... and drove the 100+ miles back home to my dear husband (he went with two of his brothers, one of whom now partakes, as does his wife, the other whose wife is an "non-believer"... to support them...) and my beloved puppies. I was snuggled up in bed (it had been pouring outside!) by 1am with two little furry "heaters" at my feet.
And THAT'S how my evening went, dear Outlaw, thank you for asking - LOLOLOLOLOL!
Again, PEACE to you, my dear one... and may JAH bless!
YOUR servant, friend, and a slave of CHRIST... the One who paid the price to "buy" ME...
SA - Oh, and yes, the songs were quite dreary (as someone mentioned elsewhere). They were also nothing more than reworked old songs - new melody, same lyrics. Made 'em worse, IMHO.
