jardinero

Suda ~ Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day to you! It's been so nice to get to know you here. What a breath of fresh air you are! Enjoy today! J.

Kit ~ Lovely sentiments this Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to you. We know that your own children are blessed because they have more of that love you give that we feel from you around GSC - - and we all feel so loved when you share here. Happy Mother's Day, sweet woman! Love, J.

Hey Sweetie! Happy special day! Hope it was a wonderful time and you did something special. Miss you! Love, J.

Kit: You know we "jardineras" LOVE this time of year. Been weeding my garden and loving it! Hi to you and Fred! J.

Happy birthday, Jonny! J.

Hey Mosh-man!!!! What great news!!! Congrats to you and mrs. P. We've missed you around these parts. Thanks for sharing your good news with us! J.

((((((((Cheffie))))))))))))) My thoughts and prayers are with you, my dear sweet friend. J.

It looks like you're logged in, Ex. Try hitting refresh, or closing your browser and coming back on. I can see it. J.

I would tend to agree with most of Wordwolf's observations. I've met Chris a number of times. Was a "corps buddy" (corps person assigned to escort/assist a visitor) for him when he visited the IN campus. Have also met Barbara and their daughters. Found them to be very polite, caring, friendly and considerate - - unlike other "leader" types I was a corps buddy for while in residence. Barbara, BTW, was the ONLY "leader" who actually sent me a thank you note (besides Sarah Wierwille) for my assistance and included $20 as a thank you for helping her with the girls. After leaving twi in the mass exodus in 1989, most of the state I lived in (AZ) continued to play fellowship a la a "way tree" structure and most rolled right over into Chris' leadership as a replacement for VPs (by their choice, not necessarily by his request). I've also taken WIGP classes (foundational, intermediate and Eastern Customs/Orientalisms) and subscribed for a while to his journals and Gartmore tapes. I found the differences and clarifications that distinguished themselves from PFAL rhetoric to be a helpful start to being able to think for myself again and question those things I had long held onto in twi. I personally no longer wish to be associated with groups that are so into bible nitpicking. Two things bother me about having any association with CG. I have tried to communicate with him in the past and received no response. (Yeah, I get he's busy and does his thing, carrying for a wife with an illness a big part of what he does.) There are former twi leaders who do receive communication from him who are involved with putting on his classes. So, he has time to earn a living and perhaps, not much else, so perhaps only wishes to communicate with those who further his mission. He also very obviously believes he is carrying out vp's last will and testement against all obstacles from twi, former members and tripped out corps. That mentality is a little disturbing to me at this point in time in my life with all that I know about vp, lcm, other leaders and twi -- available now on the Internet. Secondly, I do take issue with any former leader who has not taken the opportunity to come clean about twi's past (doctrinal error, sex scandels from vp to now, deaths/suicides, etc. that have been documented). I get that that might implicate them in some sort of lawsuits. I've only heard of a few (Ralph, JAL and Bo and a few others) who have tried to honestly discuss with former members what they knew went on and how extensively it went on. So, the fact that in my years in associating with 4 different CG-related groups in 4 different states run by former top twi leaders who are now top leaders of CG-related groups - - and HAVE NOT heard any of them recount and/or address the past twi issues, is enough for me not to want to be associated with them. So that's what I know. J.

Good discussion. Thanks for addressing it, Paw. A couple of thoughts: 1. TWI fostered a "nitpicking-ness" surrounding words, unlike any other group of people with which I've been around. That similar nitpicking and desire to be so right (for some who post here), seems to carry over in their posting syle. 2. Boundaries: there was a huge lack of respect for people's personal boundaries in twi (hence the word "cult" we often ascribe to the group) and the co-dependent mindset is alive and evident in some posters' behavior here. Without request or permission, there are some who jump right in as the defenders of all that was wrong, is wrong, may be wrong, etc. Excathedra, who IMHO has one of the worst abuse stories I've heard of here, seems quite capable of defending herself when needed (and desired), as do others if given the opportunity. 3. Misdirected anger: it happens to people all the time. I have a bad day at work, and perhaps take it out on the next person in my path. It happens. But in cyberspace, where everyone can read and refer back to your thoughts???? How about breathing, walking away for a bit, thinking, processing instead of the temptation to simply vomit your crap all over everyone? That desire to pick a fight, jump in the middle of one, add fuel to, etc. is really sometimes unbelievable to watch here. 4. Sogwap: I agree, Paw. There are stories out there that still may need to be told and HEARD. Probably painful to admit to and/or tell. I wanted clarificaton from Sogwap on her story (though I was pretty sure I got it). I PM'd her. Gave her my thoughts and she responded in a couple of days with a thoughtful, gracious response. I don't like the attack mode here. Having been around argumentative and healing people, I get it; just don't like it. J.

It's been some years now, but last I heard he lived in Albuquerque, NM, I believe. J.

(never mind) :(

Great thoughts there, Doglover. Thanks for sharing that. J.

T-Bone: That process IS painful and takes varying amounts of time. I come from a family with much alcoholism and drug use AND physical violence - - both in my immediate and extended families on both sides. My father was one of the most personable, well-liked, and well thought of people - - WHEN HE WASN'T DRINKING. When he drank, he turned into a very dangerously violent monster. My mother used to have to call the police on him regularly. My oldest sister used to go to school regularly black and blue, with welts from his beatings. My middle sister is still very scarred and an alcoholic herself. I was forced to move out in high school and support myself for my own safety. I spent years in counseling and in a cult ;). It has taken some of us years and years to get to some point of normalcy in our lives (and yes, those of you who know me well, may debate that) My oldest sister was a family counselor by profession and lead many very therapeutic discussions with family members (much like our discussions here) - - that helped all of us (in our own way and timing) talk through some of this and heal. The healing comes in waves and at unlikely moments, rarely under our own deliberate device or choice. It just happens when it happens. Or, not. Many of our extended family have not healed. Or, some of the younger members, are in the midst of healing. Over Christmas, I spent time with three cousins who are each children of alcholics, all of whom were beat regularly when their parent(s) drank. Interestingly, they each have reached out to me either while I was with them, or after via phone calls and email, to discuss the effects of our upbringing. I can't tell you how many old wounds of my own were re-opened in the process of listening to their stories, seeing their hurt, crying through stories of help and healing and finding peace. I also can't tell you the comfort they received in talking to someone who UNDERSTOOD their stories -- although mine was different, it was very similar in a lot of respects. And so, we continue to talk. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes we weep together. Sometimes we laugh in disbelief of what we lived through and how that framed who we are today. Even though, it is painful to talk through some of this, we take the time to hear each other's stories with a lot of love and a lot of compassion. Sadly, that is not the case with some of our other family members. Some of them are still so much in the midst of their pain that it is too toxic to be around them for much more than short periods of time. Their pain causes them to crap all over everyone around them whether you want it or not. It is sad, painful and grievous to see them in that pain, and although we reach out to them, they are not ready yet, but they know we are here for them when they are. We've made that much clear. So, dear T-Bone, those are some of my own thoughts on the process that many of us experience both in our own little worlds and here at the Spot. I see a similar dynamic happening here at the Spot which is why I don't engage the toxic people too often. But I've been there myself and I understand the process. I'm on my own journey as they are. It happens when it happens. J.

You're funny, Rhino. I was just tripping off the same thing! lol J.

Hi Hope ~ Happy, happy day to you! xoxoxoxo J.

I hear ya, Karmi....I'm from CA and lived in AZ for 10 years when they were first doing the smoking bans in public places. You really DO get used to a smoke free environment. After moving to the Midwest, ack! gag! cough! wheez! What a horrible experience to have to eat around all that smoke. And it seems no matter where you walk in public there's bunches of people outside standing around blowing smoke on you! Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! Great job! J.

You "may" know him Safari.... he's widely known amongst female "weenies" as: Pawvio J.

Hello and Happy Easter all~ Suda ~ Were you possibly thinking of this great old hymn???? Up from the Grave He Arose (Low in the Grave He Lay) Text: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899 Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899 Tune: CHRIST AROSE, Meter: 65.64 with Refrain 1. Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord! Refrain: Up from the grave he arose (he arose) with a mighty triumph o'er his foes; he arose a victor from the dark domain, and he lives forever, with his saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose! 2. Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior, vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! (Refrain) 3. Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior; he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! (Refrain) It's a great one and absolutely gives me chills when I hear a choir sing it. Very moving. J. P.S. Happy Easter to you and my favorite dentist!

Hey y'all ~ Rascal shared with us the new colt's name and how they came up with it (not to steal any of her thunder, but I just LOVE it!): When the baby of "Star" came exploding onto the scene, they naturally named him: NOVA Ain't that cute?????!!!!!! And little Nova was born on Rascal's youngest's ("Z") birthday!!! How cool is that??? Welcome, Nova J.

Oh Cath! What great pics! So glad to hear all is well with the little guy! Man what a treat to watch that miracle of birth, eh? I saw a calf born once and it was a fabulous experience. Whatcha gonna name him????? Love you! J.

Hello, dear AHAT ~ Here's hoping your birthday was filled with lots of joy and fun! Miss you! J.

Yeah, that's what I thought. I couldn't get the pics to load!!!! WTF????? ( I just said that for the South Park fans) :) Anyway. More power to Matt and Trey! Power to the People J. Hey Bill, would you post the "Comedy Central has refused to broadcast an image of Mohammed on their network" and the Superfriends image from Malkin's website for me? That's what I was trying to post, but I don't know how to do images. I copied and pasted the URL into the images icon, but they didn't pull up. Thanks. J.

Yeah, I agree, Bill. They caved. (probably not to the fans, but to the State Dept. or someone high up like that). (God forbid we should start a WAR over this or something!!!) Anyway, since they wouldn't air "Mohammed" last night, the blogs are all picking up the image of him from the past episode called "Super Friends" that bashed everyone and I run it here in protest of the gutless Comedy Central (who are counting their money right now on last night's most watched episode): Come burn MY house down you terrorist freaks! J.

Hi Bow and Hawk: I don't know why this is, and it may not be this way for others, but I can't get into Live Chat unless I'm logged in here first. If I'm not and try to click on Live Chat, it asks for my user name password (which is exactly the same as the ones here) and it rejects me. So, try logging on here and then going to Live Chat. Hope that works for you! Love, J.