goodseed

"But I cherish the good times, cast off the bad, and have no regrets, other than I wish I had been more vocal and less afraid to voice objections to the inequities that crossed my path, as they came into view. And yet, I met some of the finest people I will ever know when I was in The Way." Johnny - take it from me - I was vocal on many occasions, and it did no good. Having been on staff, but not WC, and having been married to a man whose trade was needed at the root level, I often confronted leadership on stuff pretty much knowing I would not be let go because they needed him. While at Indaiana Campus I would schedule time with DEW, our Dean at the time, whenever he visited. I would point out how what we were taught in PFAL and in SNS did not even resemble what went on at the root level. Did my homework, presented things in a lovingly confrontational manner, la,la, la..... I loved Don and Wanda, but those meetings NEVER resulted in change. Later, when I tried to confront Loy-boy, I was not granted an audience. Even Rosie wouldn't talk to me. They knew more about what was wrong than I did, and they had no intention of changing. Talk about conscience seared with a hot iron! What the h*** was I thinking? That the Word meant something to them? Silly me! But, like Johnny, I still think back on the hundreds of wonderful believers, my brothers and sisters in Christ I would not have otherwise met, and I did learn a lot - by negative example of a few and by positive example of many. A few will have some 'splaining to do at the Bema...

While I'm here, I'd like to mention that my most horrific TWI staff assignment, and I had many in my 20+ years on staff, the absolute WORST for me was as administrative assistant (his words - "My right-hand arm" - whatever that was supposed to mean) to Tom J*nk*ns*n at Indiana Campus. The worst part was sitting right outside his office watching a constant stream of people enter, endure seemingly endless verbal abuse as he chewed them up, and then leave after he spat them out. Several years later I ran into a Fam. Corps woman who had been one of those sheep to the slaughter, and she mentioned to me how painful it was to see me because she was so embarrassed that I was there and probably heard the horrible things he had said to her that day, and that I must think she was a horrible person. How my heart went out to her! We talked, and I believe she and I both began to heal from that encounter. One day after having been in the admin position for about a month, Tom's wife Arleen came to me and asked me how the job was going. I'm sure she expected some gushing dribble about how spiritually enlightening, etc., but I looked her straight in the eye and told her that I thanked God every day that I didn't have to go home to him. She gasped and mumbled something about how he's not as bad at home. I fully expected to be called on the carpet for that (kind of wanted it), but she must have been afraid to tell him. Too bad.

Actually, bek's favorite stupor-visor was Angela Cr*tch*r. JM had already been banished by the time bek took up the toilet brush for Jesus.

23 + Would have been longer if LCM hadn't done me a favor and MA-ligned me. Jerk had his goons enter my house (not on TWI property) while I was at work and put the letter on my dining room table. The M&A really didn't bother me as much as the home invasion. I was actually proud that he considered me to be such a threat to his throne.

I don't know that I would come to an online chat for someone to trust. I have had my trust shattered too many times - I am far more wary now than in my blissfully ignorant youth. Come to a site like this for conversation, a little fellowship, maybe even some objective advice, but in the end don't leave yourself vulnerable with a cyber-buddy (or anyone else for that matter!). Trust me.... :)

dear 2027, Thanks for the kind words. I do feel welcome, and although I doubt I will become one of the more prolific posters (I'd have some MAJOR catching up to do!), I expect I will become more of a regular here at the cafe. I've switched to decaf, but no cream or sugar, please.

Longtime staffers and 6th corps. Anyone know whereabouts and whatabouts? I worked with them at Indiana Campus and HQ.

I would have to agree that one's motive could easily change from day to day. One day to bless another who needs a little compassion; another day to be on the recieving end. Either way, I guess we all come to get blessed, or we wouldn't be here. I'm back after a few years off. I spent several hours last night reading the posts of dear ones who are awaiting the return. I was saddened to learn that Joe Guarini, that incredibly loving man who got me into PFAL was included on that list. My heartfelt love and prayers go out to Ruthie and the kids. A few of the others very dear to my heart - Coramae Peters, Aunt Naomi, Phil Skapura, Peter Qualtieri, Milford Bowen, and of course Mrs. W., brought to mind the reason I have to look back on my 20+ years with a certain amount of joy. Were it not for TWI, I would never have met these and countless other wonderful believers who deeply touched my life for the better. As DEW used to say, "hold fast to the good." Sometimes there wasn't much good to hold on to, but in retrospect, I'm thankful. And now I'm thankful to have moved on, but I have returned to reconnect to some of the most wonderful people in the world. OK - sounds pretty sappy, but I really mean it!

Just a note about the toilet paper teaching - t was poor Sunny Sanders who was "blessed" with that assignment, and her "blessed" audience was the sickth WC (no - not water closet). I was on staff, and did not actually hear the teaching, but believe me, I heard the outrage. The girls I worked with the next morning were livid! But honestly, that was probably right up there on the list of reasons to leave for poor Sunny! I can't even begin to imagine the misery she endured with LCM and VPW