in your opinion,what does it take to gain acceptance in the organization and congregation?
I never felt accepted when I went. This was probably because of the secret double life I was leading at the time.
Then when I got reproved for "pornei'a" with a non-JW woman, my reputation really took a nosedive. It wasn't long after that I simply faded away.
In my opinion, the way to be accepted is to know the right people. Also smiling a lot and saying "yes" often.
i know of a couple of elders that regularly went out in the ministry throughout the week.
no matter which street they were on, they always seemed to be near the same spot.
someone here talked about the michael jackson moonwalk.
LOL funkyderek! I especially like the one where the pioneer started counting time after throwing a tract out the window
YellowLab
i know of a couple of elders that regularly went out in the ministry throughout the week.
no matter which street they were on, they always seemed to be near the same spot.
someone here talked about the michael jackson moonwalk.
I was always fortunate enough to go out with people who went on return visits or make calls on
spiritually weak" ones. That usually involved a lot of driving, only to find out they weren't home or they were no longer interested in the first place. Then it would be time to stop for breakfast or coffee, only to be followed by more driving around and doing not-at-homes. I was always amused at how many people simply refused to answer the door, but you knew they were home (car in the driveway, garage open, lights on, etc.) I secretly had hoped for these houses so I wouldn't have to give a presentation, mostly because I feared rejection and didn't have enough self-esteem at the time to really give a good presentation, much less using the Bible and the Reasoning book. I'd usually end up reporting the total amount of hours from the time we left the KH to the time we got back.
Man, what a horrible waste of time. How do pioneers do it??
YellowLab
so, has anyone here seen any good movies lately?
i saw "bowling for columbine" by michael moore, and it was excellent!
i saw "rules of attraction" and it was bizarre, but enjoyable.
I saw "Catch Me If You Can" a few weeks ago. Great movie, I would highly recommend it.
Then again, I like all of Steven Spielberg's films.
YellowLab
even though you couldn't celebrate holidays growing up as a jw, did your parents ever have alternatives instead?
in my case, we never celebrated christmas, we had "surprise day" usually a week before.
instead of celebrating thanksgiving, we would have a turkey dinner a few weeks later.
Even though you couldn't celebrate holidays growing up as a JW, did your parents ever have alternatives instead? In my case, we never celebrated Christmas, we had "Surprise Day" usually a week before. Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving, we would have a turkey dinner a few weeks later. Instead of celebrating Halloween, you had costume parties with your Dub friends. If you had a birthday, we wouldn't celebrate it with a cake, but we'd go out to eat the following weekend. It's almost as if they didn't want us to feel "cheated out" on those kinds of things.
I'm interested in hearing your experiences.
Edited by - YellowLab on 5 February 2003 11:51:56
it's been a number of years since i've been to a district convention.
do they still have the preferred hotels list they distribute in january?
i remember how some would purposely leave the hall early that night so they could get home and call in their reservations before everyone else.
cruzanheart, what city was your convention? That sounds a lot like our convention in Madison, WI. There was a Sheraton directly across the street from the convention center where the top floor was reserved for important people/large gatherings. One year the hotel lost our reservation so we got to stay up on that floor. Could only get to it by inserting a special key in the elevator. Kinda like luxury treatment during the convention!
it's been a number of years since i've been to a district convention.
do they still have the preferred hotels list they distribute in january?
i remember how some would purposely leave the hall early that night so they could get home and call in their reservations before everyone else.
It's been a number of years since I've been to a district convention. Do they still have the preferred hotels list they distribute in January? I remember how some would purposely leave the hall early that night so they could get home and call in their reservations before everyone else. We had a big congregation so they filled up fast. Of course you'd never want to attend a non-approved hotel, otherwise you'd be disrespecting Jehovah's provision!
Ah, the memories of leaving the hotel early in the morning to reserve seats. Don't forget to pick up a cheese or apple danish and a Shasta for breakfast while you're there! LOL
YellowLab
i find myself whistling several when working and when i catch up with what's going on i stop.
anybody else?
"Sing forth with joy of heart, you too can have a part... Live for the day, when you'll say, 'Life without end at last!'"
That, and song #13. That one was played at my wedding.
YellowLab
i was just reflecting today on how wonderful it is to be freed from the watchtower way of thinking.
no more feelings of not being good enough and pressure to do more.
no more boring meetings to go to week after week.
I was just reflecting today on how wonderful it is to be freed from the Watchtower way of thinking. No more feelings of not being good enough and pressure to do more. No more boring meetings to go to week after week. Being able to have a clean conscience and use ALL your thinking faculties. Not having to second guess everything you think or say in fear of you being labeled as "untheocratic". Being able to celebrate my children and never having to read "My Book of Bible Stories" to them or pull them out of school because of holidays, birthdays, etc. And no more field service in the bitter cold and getting doors slammed in your face.
Starting over is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. For the first time in my life I have better confidence and self-esteem, without the guilt and shame that hung over my head for so long. I find it not so hard anymore to stand up for myself and voice my opinions. Something I never was able to do before. Leaving has truly allowed me to heal. And while the rank & file continue to slave away for their salvation each month, I have found inner peace and wisdom. I credit Ray Franz's books, Freeminds, and this forum for truly making my mind over.
Thanks for all of your support, it has really changed my life!!
YellowLab
Edited by - YellowLab on 29 January 2003 15:45:37
i was just driving back from the store on a street where a young man was killed a few years back, as he was murdered right on the street i often think of this every time i drive back from the store.
his house was about 100 feet from where his body lie in the street and blocks from my house.. i actually feel safe where i live and do know where to go and not to in toronto but crime happens everywhere no matter where you are, you can live in the quietest neighbourhood and right next door the worst can and has happened.
do you know where to walk at night and where not too in your town?
I live in a small town of 1700 about 40 miles southwest of Milwaukee. Lots of farmers and cornfields which are getting eaten up by suburbanization. Life is pretty slow paced around here but very safe. The major events of the day are the 12:00 noon siren and the train that goes by twice a day, that's about it. There is virtually no crime I know of, and my neighbor is a cop so that makes me feel better .
I lived on the southwest side of Milwaukee for 23 years and never did I feel unsafe or afraid to go out at night.
YellowLab
