Grace Valerie Claire

Sky, great post!!

Twinky, thanks for the information. I personally don't think I will get involved. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I have been out of TWI for over 30 years; I plan on keeping it that way.

T-Bone, very funny!! AEN would be proud of you!

Annio, I think I was attracted to the TWI, decades ago, because of a need to belong. Back in 1978, I didn't know TWI was a cult. I was a very young girl, and attended "Twigs," because I was loved, and accepted. At the time, I felt my family didn't love, or accept me. My early experiences with TWI, were wonderful!! I loved going to Twig, or Fellowship, because the people there were warm, loving, and kind, and gave me, a lot of positive attention, qualities that I never felt as a child. I lapped it up; I loved the joy, and fun, we had as a Twig. We had Dinners together, and had parties like some families do. Wow! I didn't know what normal families did, because my family was far from normal. To this day, I have warm feelings about those happy days in Virginia Beach, Va. However, I could feel that Twigs were changing in the 1980s. It seemed to me, that TWI had become more legalistic. Gone were the happy days of dinners, and fun-filled Twigs. I thought it was because I was growing up, and became more serious about "moving the word." Now, I know that TWI did become more legalistic; leaders were demanding us to run more classes, and give more money. The ministry was much concerned about money, and less concerned about feeding individual souls. I wish I had been smart enough, and mature enough to follow my instincts, and leave. I thought TWI would get better, if I stayed, and took more classes, and had a better relationship with God. I was a fool; TWI got worse, and worse. Finally in 1988, I left Way World, and never went back. IMHO, some people got involved with TWI, because they wanted to be loved. I know I did. However, after 10 years, I realized TWI, was much more interested in money, than in teaching The Word.

Waxit, I was badly hurt as a child. However, I am now seeing a therapist. Perhaps counseling could help you. I know it has helped me tremendously.

Sky, thanks for the information.

If he is stepping down, who will take his place?

Sky, how wonderful to hear from you again!! For me, 2020 has been a good year; I have lost a lot of weight, and started collecting SS. But many others have had a horrible year, the pandemic, layoffs, ect. I think the country will start getting better in January of 2021.

RB, I am an "Old Fart." I attended my first "Twig", well over 40 years ago. I had many positive experiences with TWI for 10 years. However, many others didn't. Many of the women, and some of the men, had very unpleasant experiences with it. I have no idea how old you are, but I am 63. Decades, and decades ago, I was sexually abused by some of the men in my family. I have struggled with PTSD my entire life. It's been very difficult to "get over it." But thank God, for therapists. My present therapist is a young man, who is an excellent therapist; probably the best one I have ever had. I have long forgiven the two men, who abused me, but I have never forgotten it. I have read some of the horrible stories that happened to others, here at the GSC. The TWI presented itself as a, Godly Christian organization. However, it has been reported over, and over, that VPW, and others raped various women, and took money, that didn't belong to them. For a "Christian man", to rape one woman, is shameful. To rape, dozens, or perhaps hundreds, is a tragedy. RB, I pray that you never experience sexual assault; it could leave you with life long scars, and mess you up emotionally for years. Just my opinion.

Wow!!

TRUE!!

How old is RR? When she dies, who will lead TWI?

DWBH, I think they used to give tours of it. Or am I wrong? For some reason, I think I went on a tour there years, and years ago. But perhaps I am wrong.

WW, in other words; VPW didn't want to take responsibility for his poor health care choices. He smoked, and drank for decades, yet blamed something else for his Cancer. What a jerk!!

WW, in other words, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Kathy, I would wear them everyday!! I love Pearls, and don't care who sent them to you. They are fabulous!! I know very little about real jewelry, but even I could see they are real. Enjoy!

Kathy, beautiful!!

DWBH, excellent post!! I remember years ago, all the Bulls--t, we had to go through to see a doctor, while in Way World. I hated that "Third-Aid," nonsense!! Inside of seeing a doctor, people would pray for you. I think praying for others, is wonderful, but sometimes you need to see a doctor, and take medication.

Rocky, true. I would like to know, if Volchic would like to share.

Volchic, hello. If you are willing to share this information, I would like to know why you left after 27 years. I left in 1988, after beginning in for 10 years. Looking back, I wish I had left much sooner, than I did.

Volchic, great post!! Thanks for the information!!

Raf, three Dorothies, and only two Rhodas??!! LMAO!!!

Raf, not bitter!! Just thinking of what brand of beer you want!!!

Raf, perhaps the best post ever on the GSC!!

DWBH,