Posts by jillbedford

19

Who are the chief crapmongers?

by Gill in

someone, or somebodys must be coming up with all the crap that's appearing twice a month in the botchtower.

no wonder they want to remain annonymous!

judging from yesterdays article for the watchtower study, and the corny questions, ie.

jillbedford

Creative writing can make any stats look great.

19

As a single woman she became more independant

by purplesofa in

jw
friends

exerpt from 2/1/05 wt is the truth bearing fruit in those you teach?.

consider how another christian was able to help her bible student.

the student was attending meetings and sharing in the ministry and had already expressed a desire to get baptised.

jillbedford

Throw your burden on Jehovah, quit your job for more field service? Who pays the bills then?

Guess I always had goals to avoid financial disaster, even if it meant missing meetings and field service time.

I must be a very bad person...........

6

JillBedford 'First in Class' in Leukemia Marathon

by Honesty in

jw
friends

jill finished first in her class at the leukemia and lymphoma 19 mile marathon yesterday.

refusal of blood transfusions by parents is the major causes of death among juvenile jw leukemia patients.

she deserves more than an award for helping raise awareness about leukemia and proven treatments among jw's and non-jw alike.. .

I won Clydedale Female Champion in the Whitestone 30k. I came in third overall female and the first Clydesdale. The Clydedale division is for female runners over 150 lbs. The thinking is it takes us heavy runners longer due to our stocky build. And it does, this race took me 1/2 hours to finish. It was a punishing course, all hills on back country roads in Roane County.

From mile 11 thru mile 13, I was in deep prayer. Asking for strength to meet my goals, finishing the race, making a difference in the world I live in, reaching my fundraising goal to help find cure and treatment for those suffering from leukemia. The pain I was in that day matters very little compared to the pain and heartbreak endured from the leukemia patients and their familes. especially the children who struggle with this disease.

In the racing world, I am certainly not a hero. I am slow, heavy set and make the volunteers wait while I struggle along. But like the Clydesdale horse, I am strong and detirmine. I always get there. So far, I have never DNF'd (Did Not Finish, race term, happens a bunch in the long races like the 30k)

I sincerely hope, all of you will strive to meet your own goals to make a difference in the world we live in! Never give up!

And to quote my sport's hero Lance Armstrong. "Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever"

20

Body Parts

by Thinking in

jw
friends

ok........i have to take a day off from all my deep thinking and have some fun.

the question is .

what body part from a famous person would make you almost perfect?????

jillbedford

You can do anything you want. You can be anything you want.

Make a plan to get there, then DO IT!

In my opinion, I have the best body it is possible for me to have. I have become the person on the outside I am on the inside. Strong! Detirmined! A Go Getter!

One gets in better shape when they do not spend hours riding in a car in field service and sitting at meetings. I spend that time running now. I run at least 35 miles a week.

12

Then and now - dating practices

by larc in

jw
friends

i was in high school from 1954 to 1958. we did not have junior high at that time.

we had grades, 1 though 8, and high school 9 though 12. .

at any rate, we were encouraged to shop around and date several people, just like the rest of society.

jillbedford

I grew up in the 80's. We had the book, "Your Youth, Getting the Best Out of It". This was referenced whenever dating questions came up. In this publication, it was made clear that we do not date without marriage in mind. We were to start dating at a marriagable age only. A Watchtower came out with the suggested age of 22 or 23 years old. All dates were to have a chapperone to prevent any inappropriate conduct.

Needless to say, this meant no dating.

So all dating was done per double life, in secret, no chapperones. I was a regular pioneer at the time with a full time job so I did not get into much trouble anyway. But even if I was to meet the "perfect" brother, by my parents set of standards, I could not date him anyway. I was only a few steps short of arranged marriage.

I moved out at 18. I got caught kissing a brother at 19 and was asked to step down as a pioneer. I appealed this to the CO. He said no need to step down, just move away so I could not see this brother again. I took his advise and moved.

I met another brother, we kissed and went the direction of heavy petting. Given my good Christian conscience, I told the elders about it and they asked me to step down as a regular pioneer. I was 20. I had been seeing this brother for 12 weeks. We were encouraged to get married or break up. We chose to get married. We got married at the courthouse. We were married 11 years, then divorced. That is another long story.

25

Letter from PO......opinions????

by jillbedford in

after leaving jw, being a former regular pioneer for many years, i wanted to still help others is a meaningful way.

this year i am raising money for the leukemia & lymphoma society.

i am training to run a marathon, 26.2 miles as part of my fund raising.

jillbedford

After leaving JW, being a former regular pioneer for many years, I wanted to still help others is a meaningful way. This year I am raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I am training to run a Marathon, 26.2 miles as part of my fund raising. I have been sending letters to all my friends and family over the last several months asking for financial support. Any amount is appreciated, I do suggest a 26 dollar donation, thinking one dollar a mile. So far I have been overwhelming by the generosity and support of my friends. I haven't heard back from any witnesses. Yes I sent all my old witness friends and family letters as well.

I send a letter to my PO in the congregation I would be assigned to if I went. He and his wife have been by several times. They are a very nice couple.

I just got a 5 dollar contribution in mail from this brother, enclosed with a letter. So far the donation have been more generous than 5 dollars, but maybe that is all they can afford. Although they do live in a house 5 times more expensive than the apartment I live in. Also enclosed with donation so far have been notes such as, "Wish you the best! Best wishes on your training!"

In response to all donations so far, I have written a personal thank you note to that oerson, letting them know there donations will go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. That all things in life have a way of coming back to you. That there generosity will be rewarded. I let them know how training is going. And make a few comments to wish them well personally.

I am puzzled as to the best response to this donation. Please give me your advice.

This is the letter I got from the PO (I have edited names for their privacy):

Dear Jill,

*** & I would like to be able to speak to you in person, but we do want to respond to your letter regarding your running in the Country Music Marathon. Many people do many things that has some effect on the problems of this system of things. We also are running in a race for everlasting life, where there will be no more pain or sickness, or sadness.

Rev 21:3-5 "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning no outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: Look! I am making all things new. Also, he says: Write, because these words are faithful and true."

Isa 53:4 Truly our sicknesses were what he himself carried; and as for our pains, he bore them. But we ourselves accounted him as plagued, stricken by God and afflicted.

Matt 8:17 that there might be fulfilled what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, "He himself took our sicknesses and carried our diseases."

The invitation to run in this race from Jehovah and Christ Jesus our reigning King and High Priest. These are the ones who will do away with all sickness.

And that is why we are answering, the call from Jehovah and the command from Jesus to do this work.

Isa 6:8 And I began to hear the voice of Jehovah saying: " Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? And I proceeded to say: Here I am! Send me."

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus approached and spoke to them saying, "All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of people of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things."

So it is ***'s and my priviledge to share in a work that is being done by volunteers in upward of 200 lands. In all these lands, people are being invited to benefit from a program that helps people learn the Bible's answers to such questions as:

1. Why do we grow old and die?

2. What is the purpose of life?

3. How can you find real happiness?

We engage in this activity because we are genuinely interested in you and others. it is our hope that someday soon we will be able to talk to you again in Person. Please feel free call us.

"agape"

****** & ***

(Also enclosed was the "Life in a Peaceful New World" tract.)

55

You know you're NOT a JW anymore when...(add some)

by Flindersgirl in

you don't automatically wake up with a headache on sunday morning.... you no longer go around (while in field service) mentally deciding what home you'll "have" after armaggedon.... every item of clothing you buy as a woman is not first assessed for its modesty value.... you no longer worry about the 144,000 watching you have sex...:).

when on holiday you don't have to find the nearest kingdom hall asap (remember brother and sisters you are not on holiday from jehovah!!!).

being able to laugh about having a numb ass at the assemblies from sitting and the hilarity in having to tell people that you found the meeting "uplifting" when really you were fighting sleep the whole time.... you no longer have to avoid entire sections of music stores in order to make sure you don't pick up and "demonistic" vibes from backmasked cd's.

jillbedford

When you can devote the time you used spend in field service, for me that was 90 hours a month, doing work helping others in a way that really matters, like doing charity work. When you arrive at the charity locale, they are truly happy to see you are glad you came.

Not waking anyone up on Saturday morning to ask if they would like to go without holidays and change to JW. This is how I learned to back up in my car better than anyone I know. I can go backwards for miles. And I have.

Being able to donate blood when you have a sick friend. Or just because it is the right thing to do.

Being able to speak to everyone and ask how they are doing no matter what their religious affiliation is.

Re-uniting with family, who were shunned before because they dared to question the WTB&TS. So they were all D'fd. They thankfully forgive me for the years apart. Blood is thicker than water.

Not hiding when you see JW out in service in your neighborhood. Calling security instead as there is no soliciting allowed.

Finding happiness and contentment for the first time.

Not settling because this is all you know.

24

Another JW divorce!

by Goldminer in

jw
friends

.

my wife just got word that another couple in the local congregation will be divorcing.this will be the third one within 2 years,all couples in their 20's-30's,just like us here.. anyways,he committed adultery,got a std and she threw him out;the children are devastated.he was known for flirting with any attractive woman,married or not,christian or not.. what upsets me is that these people all went to the hall acting like righteous christians and pre-meditating their family-breaking adultery.meanwhile,i'm treated like shit because i don't attend all meetings here,they must have a wager on my wife and i.like i told the wife before<i'm not going anywhere and i value my family.

jillbedford

From personal experience, my witness husband and I divourced, due to adultery. We were married 11 years. The other woman was married too. I feel if we had 11 good years we could have worked out the infidelity. My reasons were based on lack of financial support. He never had a real job, just cleaning jobs like all witnesses have with their lack of education. I needed health insurance, 401k benefits, paid vacations days and sick days not only for my sake but also for the sake of my daughter.

Both of us are inactive and can still attend meetings if we wanted to.

My ex smokes now, so I guess he would get busted on those terms.

We were both in our early thirties at the time of the divource.

48

Can you comment on this story WITHOUT being negative?

by nicolaou in

just for a moment try not to be a bitter, twisted, hate spewing apostate and read this....... .

by erin concors, tribune .

jerry and crystal baxter still look back on their first major argument as newlyweds and laugh.

jillbedford

I loved reading about this couple. I hope I too, can be so lucky. The key to having a long, happy marriage is being truthful and honest with one another. Forgive one another. Accept each others differences of belief. That is the spice of life!

Thanks for posting such an inspiring post of so many levels.

37

WT Rule: Disfellowshipped Should Shun One Another!

by Swan in

anybody remember this?

two people who are disfellowshipped can't talk to one another and can't even carpool to the meeting.

i seem to remember this vaguely mentioned in a previous thread.

jillbedford

And I thought Jesus died for the redemption of all our souls, no matter what mistakes we made, he welcomed us with open heart, open minds and open arms.

Ooops! How silly of me! We are to shun those we do not meet our standards and make them fix their own vehicles late at night, and walk to the KH in sub-freezing weather!

Thank God! I am free at last!