Posts by Monica

116

most embarrasing thing ever at a meeting ...

by alliwannadoislive in

jw
friends

hey ... i'm just getting into the swing of this great 'apostasy' thing right ... ?

... i thought y'all out there might well have a story or two to tell, so ... plz tell me tell me tell me about the most embarrasing thing you ever saw at a meeting ...

Monica

When I was about 10, our family was asked to do a little skit for a Sunday talk. My sister and I were sitting on the floor of the stage. While I was up there, my foot fell asleep. I tried to readjust, but it was really hard to do that wearing a dress. When our little skit was over, I stood up to walk off, but I couldn't feel my foot. So I lost my balance and almost fell off the stage. My mom's quick reaction saved me. That was my most embarassing moment.

Another time, I did this part in the service mtg and for some reason I got tongue-twisted and couldn't say "people". All that would come out was "beeple". I said it three times before I busted up laughing!

50

Sex during pregnancy........

by LDH in

sucks.. or is it just me?.

lisa

Monica

This thread is cracking me up!

I'd have to say with my first pregnancy, sex was no fun especially towards the end; however, it did induce my labor. My hubby squished me and it broke my water 2.5 wks early! YEA!!

The 2nd time around, it must have been hormones because I just couldn't get enough of it as long as there was no kissing (made me wanna puke!). I'm pretty sure sex induced my labor the 2nd time around too. My water broke just a few hours later - again 2.5 wks early.

Also, I actually paid for a couple of massages during my last pregnancy. Ohhhhhhh!!!! It felt soooooooo good! I highly recommend it! I know you are nearing the end though.

Hang in there! Not much longer!!

28

Special talk?

by NikL in

jw
friends

i was just fowarded this from a faithful dub.

it sounds fishy to me, like one of those e mail hoaxes that go around.

subject: special talk on september 30 2001. .

Monica

Rather than comforting those with anxious feelings about recent events, they prey off these people. Below are just a few 'scare tactic' comments that I picked out from this one JW's summary:

-The end is rushing up to meet us.
-They will insist we take a side, and when we don't, they can use this as an excuse to take action against us.
-We can look for all property owned by the watchtower society to be seized.
-Some of us may have to find shelter with other witnesses.
-We will have no legal rights to speak of.
-The bible does not tell us how far things will go
-He will do anything he can to destroy us.
-This will be worse than any war ever fought on earth before.
-God will not save each and every one of his witnesses from death...
-These will be in conjunction with his vengeance on those persecuting his people.
-How can they pull a trigger if they have no arms?
-Our main focus may be on keeping alive and enduring.
-Money, property, things, will be meaningless to us.

Regarding us rampant apostates:

They are publishing materials and speaking loudly.

Darn straight!

AND the comment:

It does make sense. All through history, many things were understood afterward.

LOL!!

The poor JW kids........

11

TR's Baptism Pic

by TR in

jw
friends

i'm the one with the glazed look and the hairy chest.. check out the dude in front of me.

looks rather dubious, don't he?.

anyone on this board in there?.

Monica

TR,

No.... that's not me. I know my mom had a picture our two somewhere of my sister and I - I'll let you know if I find any. Aren't you glad you didn't get dunked in the metal cattle trough they used to use??

Monica

11

TR's Baptism Pic

by TR in

jw
friends

i'm the one with the glazed look and the hairy chest.. check out the dude in front of me.

looks rather dubious, don't he?.

anyone on this board in there?.

Monica

TR!!

That is great! **whistle!**

Anyone on this board in there?

Can't say anyone there resembles how I looked at 15! Do you have anymore?? I am going to have to see if I can find some too!

(btw - It's been fun hearing details that I just failed to remember!!)

Monica

71

When and where baptized

by drahcir yarrum in

jw
friends

i thought it might be interesting to see how many here remember where and when they were baptised into the borg.

for some the memory may be too painful, but i'm curious.. me.

it was 1966 in vancouver, bc.

Monica

(((((TR!!))))))

Ditto!! My sister and I were 'dunked' the same day, same year, same pool!! What a small world! I was 15 and she was 13.

Isn't it great to know that three people who were baptized the same day/same place somehow managed to escape?! (woohoo!!)

94

Meet Silentlambs In Person!

by silentlambs in

i am going to be at a trial in ritzville, washington.

the town is about an hour southwest from spokane, wa.

i will be there on august 14th, which will be on a tuesday.

Monica

Tele,

Regarding compassion, today is the 1st day I've seen you make any compassionate statements towards Erica. At least my compassion was first and foremost to the victim rather than the wife of a perpetrator.

I still stand by what I said, I would be ashamed to sit on the side of the perpetrator even if I was there supporting a friend. Shunning has nothing to do with it.

94

Meet Silentlambs In Person!

by silentlambs in

i am going to be at a trial in ritzville, washington.

the town is about an hour southwest from spokane, wa.

i will be there on august 14th, which will be on a tuesday.

Monica

Tele,

How's everyone doing today? I was just reading Tele's and SL's discussion and I hope no one minds my jumping in to just say a couple of things.

Tele said:

funny.........were you there at the trial to hear the death threats? or were you there at the meeting to hear the heros welcome and crys and hugs....that is straight out bullshit...

Then SL stated,

Yes, I heard the recorded tapes of the event. Did you?

I say, Silentlambs owes no one anything by putting them on the net. If anyone is so interested in proving Silentlambs wrong, then why don't they do their own research, get the tapes and post them on the net. SL stated what HE personally got from the tapes and he did his own research. They were obviously pretty intense tapes for him to travel across the country to witness this trial first-hand. And, if what he is saying is true about the tapes, then maybe Tele's sources regarding this event aren't very reliable.

Tele, you also said:

i could give initials of the other victims who refused to testify

What exactly do you mean by "victims"? I'm very curious. You then stated this about the "victims":

The other "two children" were not children as you said. The were both married and over 25,

"Victims" over 25. I am just wondering, just what did this guy do to two women over 25 to make them victims? You stated they were victims.

It seems to me that Erica feels as though the molester has received more "Christian love" than she has, which to me is indicative by all the support HE received at the courthouse and by the names she was called. Which side did they sit on?? There were two sides to choose from. The excuse that they were there for the wife, to me is just absurd! The wife was not on trial - her husband was. I would have felt ashamed sitting on the side of a molester. But that's just me.

43

The C.O. and elder came to my house last night!

by Sarah in

jw
friends

please tell me i made the right decision.

last night the co and another elder showed up at our house just 5 minutes after my husband got home from work (i think they were sitting on the side of the road just waiting for him to come home)*stalkers*, anyway to make along story short, the pressure was on.

i felt like they were there to get us to da ourselves.

Monica

Sarah,

I will try to keep it short and simple too. I just want you to know that my heart sunk reading your story and I still have a lump in my throat. They are heartless SOBs who care not about the pain they cause. I agree with the others about printing up the articles on the JW site about how it doesn't sever ties for your family members. My thoughts are with you and your husband. The elders have not proved you 'weak', but rather the exact opposite! You two are very strong and courageous for not backing down to them! Hang in there!

One thing that helps me when I'm stressed is to light some candles, lower the lights and play some soft mellow music while enjoying a nice glass of wine (doing this in a nice warm soap-filled tub is even better). Close your eyes and take some deep breaths and throw out of your mind all your stresses. You have a right and power to chose your own thoughts.

Peace and comfort to you,
Monica

26

Domestic Violence?

by alamb in

jw
friends

has anyone ever addressed the incidence of domestic violence in witness families?

i am relatively new here and don't want to cover old ground.. thinking back, i can name multiple examples of households in each congregation i attended where domestic violence was evident.. i have an active protective order against my ex.

who is still active in the congregation he attends.

Monica

((((((Wendy))))))))

So, from what I gather, you are in an abusive relationship right now and your finances are such that you feel you can't leave? That's really sad! It sounds like you are familiar with the safe-houses. Have they been able to offer you assistance on how to make it on your own? How long have you been with this guy? What about family? Is there anyone you can turn to for temporary help until you can be stabilized financially?

I hope and pray that you get out of that situation and fast! What helped my mom get away (she's left him two times and finally left for good about 3 yrs ago), we got her to move out and told her to just view it as temporary and the longer she was away, the easier it got.

BTW, you are not the only one! My sister has a difficult time finding men who treat her right. I kind of tell her the same advice when she is trying to break away - that it takes time to get over someone, but you can do it. Love is strange. You can't just wake up one day and say, I don't love you anymore. It takes time for the love to fade. Each day and week away from an abusive guy is progress. I understand it is hard, but you can do it!

I am glad you are in contact with the safe-houses. If you ever need someone to talk to, please feel free to email me.

Billygoat,

It saddens me to know my story is much like yours. I hate to hear that others here have gone through that and again, I am just so shocked at all these similar feelings, emotions and experiences. I've never really talked to anyone else about this, except my family or to others who have never experienced anything like it.

Regarding "rejoicing" and you feeling it's sinful. Don't feel bad, my sin is worse -- I think these guys should be taken out and beat to a pulp for abusing women and children like that. Did you ever see the Godfather when the brother beat up his bro-inlaw? I have to say, I was thinking, "if only someone did that for us".

I just think some people don't understand that this abuse isn't just a one-time or two-time thing, but it is something that continues and continues year after year and the longer the victims are in that kind of environment, the more damage that is done. The elders don't understand that once it is known to them that by this time, these victims are feeling like they are in a desperate situation and need assistance. Their lack of training, to me, is no excuse; however, I blame it on the borg because they are the ones that tell the elders how to handle these situations. They know the damage they are causing - yet they do nothing! Your dad, my dad and the borg leaders on judgement day - I do not envy them.

Thank you for sharing your experience too. I am glad you found someone who loves you like you should be loved!

Monica