MCarroll

This thread reminded me of a story.... During my first year in residence I was sent to the Indiana Campus to work for several months during the end of the year. I remember it was summer time because we had to pick strawberries in the heat of the sun. It was so hot. People were fainting from the heat. Then one day we were sent out to the corn fields. The plow had just gone by the corn rows and our job was to go behind it and dig out the corn plants from under the dirt. The corn was very small still, they were just little plants. So like good little obedient in-residence corps, we were digging out the corn plants from under the dirt. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw this shiny thing under the dirt. I dug deeper and pulled it out. To my surprise, it was a holy spirit ruby ring. It was gold, with the ruby stone and the holy spirit dove inside of the stone. I later found out that this was one of the earlier rings because the dove was inlayed INSIDE the stone instead of on top. Anyway, I picked up the ring and told a couple of people and they told me to hold on to it and let the coordinator know when he came back. I dont remember the man's last name other than his name being Tony. Probably many of you know who I am talking about. He coordinated the farms in WCOI. Old guy, skinny, glasses. Back in 1984. I put the ring in my pocket I went back to doing my work, practically forgetting about the ring. About an hour later Tony showed up to tell us it was quitting time. I started to walk away when somebody reminded me about the ring. I said: "Oh yeah, I found this holy spirit ring in the dirt". Immediately his eyes opened wide open. He said: "Where!!" and "Does it have an inscription inside?". I dont remember if I had noticed before but I do remember taking the ring out and reading the inscription inside I cant remember what it said, but I think his name was inside of it. I do remember that whatever he told me was inscribed on the inside was what was actually inscribed, so I knew it was his ring. He then began to count "8-9-10" and told us that he had lost that ring 10 years ago! After he graduated from the Corps he was assigned to the Indiana Campus. He had been working out on the fields and took his ring off. Not sure how he dropped it, but he did. Never to be found again until that day. The soil had been toiled and planted so many times and that ring just kept toiling along with the rest of the crops. It was a miracle. I remember all rejoiced with him during lunchtime when he told his story to all present. It was a nice story and one I tell often. :)-->

I have often asked myself this question...not sure if any of you have. I was practically raised in TWI from age 8 to age 26. Growing up I would hear "You have no friends when it comes to the Word", "No compromising..." and "Iron sharpeneth iron". My trust in others was shattered as I would see what would happen to somebody who would confess their weaknesses to somebody who was "sold out" in TWI. You could have a friend one day, but if you did something wrong, that SAME friend could turn around and turn you in in a heartbeat and then turn around and smile at you and say: "Im doing this because I love you." Your best friend could leave TWI and they were no longer your best friend. I was taught not to get emotionally invested in an individual since they could "cop-out" and no longer be your friend. I saw many of these in my lifetime in TWI. Growing up I always thought that "iron sharpeneth iron" meant confronting your friends no matter how harshly you did it and growth would come out of it. Forget speaking in love. "Iron sharpeneth iron" meant that you were tough and if you received my confrontation and thanked me, you were worthy to be my friend. Only the "tough believers" were allowed in my circle of friends. No wimps allowed (mentally). Now, being outside of TWI for a few years, I find it so difficult to cultivate friendships. I have failed time and time again and its always the same mistake. Being too hard on my new found friend. I'm fine at first, because Im sweet and lovable and all that sappy stuff. But once we start get into the meat of our relationship and start opening up, I just zap them! When I see weakness in their lives and I feel they are too wimpish, I speak up. I dont know how to be compasionate. But then there is a double standard with me. When they start to confront me, I always come back with a rebuttal. But wasnt that how we were taught in TWI? My husband really gets the brunt of it and I feel so sorry for him sometimes. He is not an ex-wayfer but is a christian. I see a weakness in him and try to show him what the Word says about it and wonder why he cant just receive what Im saying to him. Him on the other hand, if he sees me doing something wrong, he will be quiet and be patient with me and hope (and hopefully pray) that I will see the truth. Many times I do. I dont know if any of you out there are having a hard time at cultivating friendships like me. I know that I am making myself very vulnerable by posting this here but Im really tired of not having any friends, but I honestly dont know how to change. Thanks for listening (ahem, reading) anyway. [This message was edited by MCarroll on March 21, 2004 at 13:09.]

We got a different answer back in residence when somebody asked the same question. We were told that although they knew that some of the songs were not "accurate" that since Dr was suct a sentimentalist, that he wanted to keep these songs because it reminded him of his old days in the church growing up. He did manage to change some of the lyrics to some of the songs, once common one is: "Amazing Grace"

hhmmmm...sorry to hear...thanks for the info.

Hi lovinglife...check your Private Messages... :D-->

Yes JOhnny...same Pam... Shell...we talked on chat..so now you know. :(-->

Just wanted to wish you a good one on this Ole' St. Patty's Day!!!! Happy Bday! [This message was edited by MCarroll on March 17, 2004 at 10:20.]

Yipeeeeee!!!!! Somebody loves me!!!! Wooohoooo!

Kay...thank you for sharing your life with us. Although concise, I know your story carries alot of pain from the past. Im glad to see that God was faithful to bring you happiness at the end of that long road. God Bless you.

Thanks for the correction..you are right...Lampert. So are they an innie or an outie? :D-->

he he...actually, I was just kidding...but it does feel lonely not having any friends that miss you.... :(-->

NK...check yours... :)-->

18 years here...I was 8 when we (my whole family) first got involved. I was 26 when I left. THen for some odd reason I decided to get back in (couldnt fit in anywhere else) and only lasted 4 months. I had been out smelling the fresh air too long and was be able to recognize the manure they were throwing my way.

Last saw him in W.Palm Beach....I then read him and his wife were kicked out of the Corps for having a child without asking permission...geez! Anyone heard their whereabouts?

Anyone know where he is? Best work coordinator I ever had...

I feel sooo left out!!!! ;)-->

14th WC...huge teddy bear of a guy!!! Has anyone heard of him?

16th WC grad...got married with Brian Naylor...anyone know her whereabouts? She was such a sweetheart!

Anyone know his whereabouts? Love to get back in contact with him....super nice dude!

Two years later and he is still in in the news. I watch him almost every day.

If Im not mistaken they might still live in Arlington, VA. I attended one of their twigs a while back. You might want to do a white pages search.

Yes...John Goforth, 16th Way Corps. Mr. smiles as I call him. Always had a smile on his face and never let anything bring him down. Wonderful Corps brother.

Yes...she had a twin sister...sorry...not sure what happened to them. All I remember they were both beautiful latin women.

I dont want to start a rumor, but I believe that the last time I talked to Pam, before her wedding, she told me that Bob had died of Aids. Very sad story. I loved the Bashuras and they were an integral part in my walk with the Lord when I was 17 years old. Their unconditional love towards me changed my life and I remember that I so much wanted to be adopted by them back then. I was so hurt to see the change in lifestyle of Bob. I would have never guessed it in a million years. If anyone knows otherwise, please post. My memory fails me since it has been about 6 years since I last talked to Pam.

Sad to hear about the news that they are no longer together. They were my area coordinators in Gilroy, CA. They were a wonderful couple, I can still hear Bonnie's accent in my head...lol....Bob was so patient with us...my mom was having problems raising us teenager girls by herself and my dad was sick and in a wheelchair. Bob was the man figure in our family. I respected him a lot.