Hey. Wow...I just got back on (busy and crazy day w/the kids). DH is out of town with work and it has been HORRIBLE here...I'm going nuts!!
Gosh, where do I begin...thank you all for your wonderful and heartfelt comments. And for sharing this info with me.
UncleBruce:
Being a JW means your children mustn't have contact with non witnesses including cousins and grandparents etc..
I wasn't aware of that, but I did suspect it. Of course, while I'm studying their not going to just come out and say that this is something that is expected. But I sensed some uneasiness when I would question them about their relatives who were not witnesses. Thanks for the warning.
LB, Princess, ISP, JBean, Mulan, OutnFree, Angharad: Thanks for sharing your stories and for your advice...and for your warm welcomes
Prisca:
Whatever you do, don't get baptised. Sure, study the religion and research as much as you can. But be aware that even those studying with you don't know the full history of their own faith. How many of them know about Beth Serim and the prophecies regarding 1925? How many know what the WTS really said about 1975?
I have already told DH that baptism wasn't even an option as far as I am concerned. I can't do that. I just can't. Too many questions brewing in this ole brain of mine to make a commitment like that. The other things...the past of the WTS...I have spoken with these particular witnesses about it. They know all about it (miracle wheat, beth serim, and the numerous other prophecies that were made and were "covered up"). Not sure if I know whatcha meant by "What the WTS
really said about 1975?
Lilacs: I would definitely welcome ANYONE who would want to share ANYTHING with me. BUT I must ask DH and see what he says. Let me get back to ya. If he says no...then I'll figure something out
Waiting: God, what can I say??? I hurt for you and your daughter. Our backgrounds sound a lot alike. Funny, but now that I've declared to my family that I am no longer celebrating holidays, it's like a Norman Rockwell painting around here. My mom poors out her heart, and my sister (with whom I never been close...long story) showed up here just today...crying. 12-21 is my b-day and she wanted me to know that she loved me and that she just COULDN'T not give me something. I AM confused. I hurt so badly that I am causing my family and (however unaware they are of it at their ages) my children such grief.
The "incest" is something that I have just now (the past couple of days) been investigating, for lack of a better word. I went to www.silentlambs.com and it completely floored me. Not just that their were so many molestation stories (because, in all honesty, that could happen in any religious org.) but that it was COVERED UP. I thought of telling DH what I read and telling him to read it but for some reason he has it in his mind that I am wishy washy (and I am sometimes) and that I am "easily swayed". He takes very little of the info that I try to share with him seriously.
Oh yeah, and we were planning to go shopping at the first of the year and buy the kids some gifts and wrap them up. Can't do that on vacation...we'll be accompanied by our JW friends ...not that DH would allow it anyway.
Waiting, thank you so much for sharing your story with me. That can't be an easy thing to talk about. Thank you!!