Posts by compound complex

22

Watchtower/Bethelite Volunteers and US Self Employment or FICA Tax?

by EnlightenedEphesian in

with so many aging bethelites being "laid off" after years of volunteer service, what hope do they have of collecting any social security retirement?

i ask because i recently learned that my mother will not receive any government retirement benefits because she did not work enough to collect the 40 credits required.

this got me to thinking about bethel volunteers.

compound complex

When I entered Bethel, 48 years ago, the first thing put upon me and the other newbies was filling out SS forms, as I recall, along the lines of what's discussed here. It was written acknowledgement of our receiving benefits; how we filled it out, I don't recall.

We received room and board; a monthly stipend of 14 dollars and travel allowance, up to 6 dollars; a yearly clothing allowance of, I think, some 75 dollars.

There was a clothes barrel that was well scrounged through by many of us poor guys, et al. Got a really cool retro-double breasted tweed suit.

44

The Latest Trend in NW England: Homeschooling Your Children

by pale.emperor in

i dont know if this is becoming a national thing or even globally.

but im hearing more and more people i knew from my jw days have taken their kids out of school to home school them instead.

in my sisters case she's taken her 8yo and 6yo children out already and her 3yo wont ever start a school.

compound complex

For many years, I have assisted JW and non-JW families with home schooling programs, in California, USA. I was there, at its inception. Many people, including truant officers, were not in on ground-floor developments. It was new, untested, suspect.

It's true, as contended, that teaching one's own children is difficult. The parent is both parent and teacher, a potentially volatile mix. Being on board, I see the anguish the children and parent/teacher/disciplinarian experience. As an outsider and neutral adult, I get results from the student that often, at least initially, elude the parent. I am an absolutely involved and enthusiastic teacher, but I must remain detached from the drama that comes and goes in the home school.

And the little home school has strict statewide standards to follow, with weekly follow up, that comprise testing and evaluation. The parent/teacher must pass muster or . . .

I love it!

11

GoBo hints we want all to dress American I

by oppostate in

in this wt literature illustration from a german kingdom hall, one can see that the two nonwestern jw's on the right are featured as needing to improve on their choice of clothing and become more american like the gobo wishes them all to be.. .. .

compound complex

Not concerning church members' sartorial appearances, per se:

I know of cases where prospective renters (of residences) came with both impeccable references and attire. Foot in the door, they never paid further monies owed and trashed said dwellings.

Legal battles ensued to get them evicted.

Appearances can be deceptive, but you know that!

34

Did you have a favorite pub . . .

by compound complex in

jw
friends

publication, that is?.

i just found all scripture is inspired of god and beneficial in storage.

i enjoyed studying it, as well as make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine.. our thinking has changed, of course, but, back then, did you have a wt publication you especially liked?.

compound complex

LongHairGal:

Me, too, re that publication.

Ed D -- suddenly forgot his last name -- was my teacher at Bethel and writer of COTLOJ. Years later, when I discovered what had happened to him, a man of integrity and loyalty, it made me realize that the good works of an individual trickle down in time and affect us -- from afar.

THANKS!

34

Did you have a favorite pub . . .

by compound complex in

jw
friends

publication, that is?.

i just found all scripture is inspired of god and beneficial in storage.

i enjoyed studying it, as well as make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine.. our thinking has changed, of course, but, back then, did you have a wt publication you especially liked?.

compound complex

Thanks, my friends, for your additions to this thread.

I enjoyed working on Aid to Bible Understanding in the press room. I labored meticulously over the so-called make ready, paper cutouts made to fill in for the hills and valleys of the rotary press cylindrical plates. It was all so primitive back then.

Those in charge chided me for being slow: "You're taking way too much time -- it's not necessary!"

20

I'm Dating . . .

by compound complex in

because i am still very much held a prisoner to past beliefs and practice, i dress in suit and tie and bring a briefcase on my frequent dates.. i talk business during the entire happy meal (macdonalds), displaying ad brochures and spreadsheets relative to whatever business plan i happen to be hawking that day.

i count the venture as a business expense and jws who frequent this fine diner know i am not on a date.

there are no smirks, no snickering, no knowing glances.

compound complex

Nancy Drew:

55

JW's And Their Education Level

by Yesu Kristo Bwana Wangu in

i was thinking about this.... in my congregation, i was literally the only one with universitary education, out of a cong from around 110 people.... and we're very close to a very big university, which makes it even weirder.. on the other hand... sooo many here with their own business, mostly small cleaning businesses.

cleaning windows, or cleaning somewhere else... painters.... all have jobs that do not require any education level, cos they never had a decent education.. how is the composition of the jw people/congs that you know about?.

how many painters... cleaners... compared to people with jobs that require higher education?.

compound complex

I quit college and got baptized and pioneered, and later to Bethel, although an anointed sister (whose son was a college professor) urged me to stay in school.

My first official janitorial job landed me in a bowling alley at 2:00 a.m., where I vacuumed acres of carpet for some 4 hours a night, about 3 times a week, and was paid $1.25 an hour, US. I was ecstatic to get so much dinero per diem (late-'60s).

Now, an autodidact, like many of you, I use high school liberal arts training and new things learned to eke out a living.

I'll never retire, at least not until the New System arrives and eases all my burdens!

34

Did you have a favorite pub . . .

by compound complex in

jw
friends

publication, that is?.

i just found all scripture is inspired of god and beneficial in storage.

i enjoyed studying it, as well as make sure of all things, hold fast to what is fine.. our thinking has changed, of course, but, back then, did you have a wt publication you especially liked?.

compound complex

Publication, that is?

I just found All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial in storage. I enjoyed studying it, as well as Make Sure of All Things, Hold Fast to What Is Fine.

Our thinking has changed, of course, but, back then, did you have a WT publication you especially liked?

45

Share, Please: Pictures of Your Garden

by compound complex in

jw
friends

paradise regained, at home:.

.

compound complex

Hi, Nancy:

I would love to be a winged sprite,

to come and perch in bower of night . . .

Secret Garden is the place for me,

Please let me in and I'll stay for free.

THANK YOU!

20

I'm Dating . . .

by compound complex in

because i am still very much held a prisoner to past beliefs and practice, i dress in suit and tie and bring a briefcase on my frequent dates.. i talk business during the entire happy meal (macdonalds), displaying ad brochures and spreadsheets relative to whatever business plan i happen to be hawking that day.

i count the venture as a business expense and jws who frequent this fine diner know i am not on a date.

there are no smirks, no snickering, no knowing glances.

compound complex

Thank you, Nancy!

A true story, a happy ending!

Well, it ain't over till it's over . . .