Posts by Evesapple

25

JW Mental Health

by Evesapple in

i found these two references very interesting.....i reflected on the mentality of the witnesses in my old congregations in janesville, wisconsin....i realised they weren't a 'happy' people because they had the "truth", they were in truth happy because of being all medicated (prozac).

http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw73.html

http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw72.html

Evesapple

Ralph Waldo Emerson - great quote!

Also, I don't mean to offend anyone on prozac, I too am on an anti-depressant, however, it just seems that according to the article the type of people that seem to gravitate towards the organization are people that need basically a support group of some sort. I swear to you, everyone in our kingdom hall was on something, I never met another organization in my life that had so many people on some sort of anti-depressant/anxiety whatever drug. I don't think it was coincidental. The people I group up with in the org were a mess......I think it served as a great support group, something to belong to for many people.

25

JW Mental Health

by Evesapple in

i found these two references very interesting.....i reflected on the mentality of the witnesses in my old congregations in janesville, wisconsin....i realised they weren't a 'happy' people because they had the "truth", they were in truth happy because of being all medicated (prozac).

http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw73.html

http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw72.html

Evesapple

I found these two references very interesting.....I reflected on the mentality of the Witnesses in my old congregations in Janesville, Wisconsin....I realised they weren't a 'happy' people because they had the "truth", they were in truth happy because of being all medicated (prozac). http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw73.html http://www.rickross.com/reference/jw/jw72.html

6

Happy Mother's Day!

by Evesapple in

jw
friends

ju

st wanted to wish all the mother's out there a very happy mother's day!!

!

Evesapple

Gumby,

A husband gets something for his wife because he appreciates her as the mother of his children...:)

6

Happy Mother's Day!

by Evesapple in

jw
friends

ju

st wanted to wish all the mother's out there a very happy mother's day!!

!

Evesapple

Ju st wanted to wish all the mother's out there a very happy mother's day!!!

30

Did you ever experience "Joy"?

by Pork Chop in

one thing that always struck me was the rather dour nature of the organization.

i know people laugh, and at seem to have a good time, at least occasionally.

however, one thing i just haven't seen is a real outpouring of joy, like david dancing like a crazy man or some of the other occassions in the scriptures when it seems like people were almost overcome with joy.. anyone here ever feel real joy as a witness?

Evesapple

I was just thinking about that today, looking back at my old congregation. No one really liked each other all that much, joy seemed to be displayed but it never was really genuine. It's like 'stepford' people we were all programmed to dispaly joy whether we felt it or not. I have to say today I feel true and genuine joy with my kids and my family and new friends....something I was told could never be possible on the outside, so at first I was confused as to this newfound joy if it was real or not, and now I realize it's real now, but it was definitely not back then.

17

Ex-JW Cyclists

by new light in

it's a beautiful sunday morning here and i'm looking forward to the first above-freezing ride of the year.

i'm joining a bike club and taking some group rides that invariably fall on saturday and/or sunday mornings.

it's so nice to have these time slots back.

Evesapple

I'm doing my first Century ride in Lake Tahoe in June, any advice would be helpful. As far as having my weekends back, yeah, it's the best :)

32

New Announcement At The Memorial?

by dawn27 in

jw
friends

i was just wondering if anyone has heard anything about an announcement to be made at the memorial this year?

my family is repeatedly pressuring me to go and the newest approach is that they've heard about an announcement, never made before, that concerns innactive ones or ones who have fallen away,, that is all that they would tell me.

are they going to come find and disfellowship us unless we go back or can we now come back "no questions asked" (yah right)?

Evesapple

there's always a new announcement, i can remember way back when....'oooh tonite they're going to announce something' and it was always the same old thing....blah, blah, blah, blah.....

31

Friends???????

by drnewson in

jw
friends

you all don't sound like friends of mine.

nor ones i want to be friends with.

you sound like feinds not friends.

Evesapple

This is one of the funniest threads! I love the responses........let's have some fun with this young troll.

20

Facing my family.....

by Evesapple in

although i have not really shared my story here, i have one thing i'd like to share now that makes me very nervous.

i'm going to visit some friends of mine in arizona for a week.

they are friends i had made on my own way after jw's, great, supportive, loving friends....i'm proud of them in that they truely have become my family and have re-defined the true meaning of friendship.

Evesapple

Dont be a glutton for punishment. Perhaps the reason your mother expects an ass kissing is because you are always ready to pucker up?

This leaves her in control, as is obviously the case. She benifits from her game without confrontation.

Well put, you are absolutely right LW. I will definetly keep that in mind. I have always been the peacekeeper and pleaser, and it's what she expects.

Thanks to all comments you have been very helpful and it's definetly made me a lot stronger, a little less nervous. I will probably bring a friend with me as my own support as well.

20

Facing my family.....

by Evesapple in

although i have not really shared my story here, i have one thing i'd like to share now that makes me very nervous.

i'm going to visit some friends of mine in arizona for a week.

they are friends i had made on my own way after jw's, great, supportive, loving friends....i'm proud of them in that they truely have become my family and have re-defined the true meaning of friendship.

Evesapple

Hello everyone,

Although I have not really shared my story here, I have one thing I'd like to share now that makes me very nervous. I'm going to visit some friends of mine in Arizona for a week. They are friends I had made on my own way after JW's, great, supportive, loving friends....I'm proud of them in that they truely have become my family and have re-defined the true meaning of friendship. However, all of my family lives there too. I"m taking my 10 month old son and my 13 year old daughter with me. I have been communicating with my sister via e-mail, even though she is still a witness we talk about the kids and exchange pictures. I asked my sister if we could see her and the kids since it has been so long and life is short and time doesn't stand still. She agreed and even reminded me of my visit as to when I would be coming down. My mother and father on the other hand have made absolutely no attempts to be in contact with us, no calls, no letters, no e-mails....they've even been in Chicago and never even bothered to call or stop by....this they call love. What I fear is that when I go down to see my sister my mother will want to stop by too...and I don't believe it's to see whether we're alive but rather out of curiosity....she's never seen her grandson. She expects me to continue sending her photos and updates but no reciprocation. I have to admit in the beginning I had been sending photos but have since stopped since I figure, 'why? why am I doing this?' I guess a part of me was hopeful, but now I don't feel that there is any hope. Even my daughter would prefer not to see them, mostly due to the fact that they haven't returned any of her calls either.

I just don't know what to say to her if she does show up. I have so many emotions that I don't know what one will come out. I'm somewhat angry, hurt, sad, and yet I love them and want them to love me and see that I'm happy and be supportive. The latter I know will not happen, but there is still a piece of me that wishes she'd show up and a piece of me that hopes she's just not there. I think it will be easiest for all of us if she just doesn't show. It's been almost 9 years now since I've been ot, and I've never done drugs, or led a crazy life...I've just lived, and enjoyed my freedom I feel at peace with no regrets....I don't know. Any suggestions as to how to react or say.

Thanks.