Wow Paul, a big warm welcome, I was getting emotional reading your story as I am a 40 year old father with children who like you you started young (my first daughter was born when I was a 22 year old pioneer). I was born into the truth and can relate to your memory of answering up along with other memories such as the first talk given, assemblies.....
I made the mistake of waiting until my late 30's to begin the fade, my 2 oldest daughters had already stopped going and now I realise how much we have missed out in our relationships because of "spiritual responsabilities" I am attemting to make up for lost time.
Mark I am very sad for you as the last person that said this to me ended up blowing his brains out with a shot gun
Paul, over the years, so many elders and elders wives have made hurtful, insensitive comments that you look back and think they deserved one big slap across the face! I am so happy for you that you have arrived at the place you are in now with your daughter and got to enjoy the things the youth book said not too! I look forward to hearing more fom you,
Mattieu
PS _ Which country do you reside in?