Zshot

I poke my nose in every once in a while. I spend so much time at work on my computer, my home laptop seems like work... still down here in southern AZ

IMO, the main thing that the political forum did was raise people's blood pressure. To points made earlier. I spent a lot of time here earlier, not so much now. Different thing have come and gone in my life (as with many, I'm sure). I still do a drive by from time to time.

Sorry for the late response (I haven't been here at GS for awhile). I was a wow that year in Bossier City, LA. That was one of the worst years of my life. However, it did set the stage for decisions that I made which led me to where I am today. After my wow year, I had low self esteem, my career and job skills went backwards and I was broke. So, I went back into the Army and got everything back on track, left active duty back in 89 and got a job on Fort Devens (where I was stationed at one time) as a DA Civillian. I still work as a DA Civillian, and I retired from the Army Reserves back in 2000. Currently, I have a girlfriend (Never been in the way) who I have been dating for a few yew years, I have a cat, I get along with my Family, My house should be paid for in 5 years, my 2007 car (that I bought new) is almost paid for and I can do what I want with my free time (If my girlfriend lets me ) In short, my wow year taught me how not to live my life.

One of the things I discovered after getting out of twi and the twi mind set is: Life will have it's high and low points. I have to take responsibility for my own actions and/or in-actions and not just "blame the advesary" when things go wrong. Some people will like you and some will even love you for who you actually are (not who you might be pretending to be and/or trying to be to please someone else). God still love us. twi is not bigger that God. twi can not tell God who to bless (or not to bless) and/or how to bless them. Our families are important, to include our extended families. It is nice to have friends at work. It is nice to have friends who enjoy the same activities that you do. It nice being able to choose how I want to spend my time (when not at work). We do not have to decline job opprotunities based upon an outside influences (such as twi). Owning a hme is good.

Zix, Sorry to hear about all the stuff you have been going through. I am praying that things will soon get better. I haven't had too much time to come here lately (girl friend, work, life). Right now I am in San Diego finishing up a class I am taking for work. Craig

Sorry I am late. I was out out of town for a while... Belated Happy Birthday!! Craig

I took my cat (Scooter) to the vet for his shots, and he was mad at me and hid from me for the rest of the day. Later that day, I spent 90 min with my massage therapist. My back and the rest of my body feels alot better. A good massage is good for the body and the soul. Then later I spent time with my girlfriend Other than Scooter not being happy with me, it was a good day.

I find it interesting that he is not expecting retirement from twi. Please correct me if I am not understanding this correctly. Due to twi's debt policy, few twi followers will "own" a home, let alone a home that "exceeds their needs" as a result the possibility of this "region coordinator" moving into a house that is owned by a twi follower is slim. Most people who have "room mates" have room mate for financial reasons (Other than family or romantic). With that being said, this "region coordinator" may have a hard time finding a twi follower that will have room mates who can not pay their fair share of the expenses. It seems to me that this "region coordiantor" is setting himself up for failure later on in his life. Or are the twi followers he is referring to ar his children?

I have never worked at twi-hq. I am curious about a couple things. Were taxes such as: Federal, State, Social Security, Medicare, or any type of retirement, etc. deducted from pay checks? One of the things that is very glaring when I receive my annual report from social security that shows a lifetime of recorded income, is the low point in my earnings was during my "wow" year. I will always wonder how much this adversly affect my social security check (If social security is still around. This is a debate for a different time) when I am eligible to start drawing social security. I wonder how many people will have financial troubles due to small social security checks they will receive due to the time of working for twi when it comes time for retirement. This could be an example of twi ruining lives now and later on in life.

Was this mentioned as one of the beni's of being on staff? <_<

Some people post here as a warning to others, some as a way to sort out what they went through or put another way as part of a healing process. Some post so others may know that it wasn't "just them" that had various issues with twi. There are also other forums here at GS that frequent other than the twi topics. We can get into some interesting debates, because we do not have to think the same way (and this is a good thing). As part of a disclaimer, the forums and posts here do not replace and/or take the place of mental health professionals. Some people who have posted here have been helped by the services of mental health professionals.

I talked with a friend recently who is still in an offshoot. I am surprised at the high regard he still has for vpw and CG. I think that is is too proud of being "corps" and not wanting to see the truth about twi, vpw and cg. What I think is worse is that his two daughters think the same way.

I remember being "asked" for a special "ABS" for the auditorium.

Ejoy your Birthday!

Huh... I am surprised that CG still has a following and hasn't faded off into obsecurity. He is/was more boring than the vpw.

I haven't received mine yet :( Of course, I have moved a couple times and to a different state, and I forgot to send twi a change of address...

"leadership" thought that saying some simple catch phrase would replace sound advice or wise counsel. It was easy for them to say "trust God" and walk away and say the person was not believing God if things did not work out. They were also stupid enough to think that way corp "training" had some value in the real world and made them qualified to give advise to anybody that may have a problem. twi had a variety of scams going such as; wow program, way corps, outreach athleats, way homes, various classes etc... I am embarrassed to admit that I fell for some of there scams. It is sometimes hard to admit that you were wrong. I thought more highly of "twi leadership" than I should have and alot more than they deserve.

Good things about my Dad.... uhh.... He did pay child support till I turned 18. Didn't see him after my 6th Birthday (not sure if that is/was good or bad). However, when he died, I read his obituary and found out I have a half brother. I corresponed with my newly found brother, and we eventually met. I really like him and his wife. We recently spent a weekend together at the Grand Canyon and had a great time. (Of course, I didn't tell him that I was involved in a cult for too long.)

For where I work... We would be given the options of: 1. Go on leave with out pay. 2. You may use your sick leave. 3. You may use your regular leave. 4. Any combination of the above. Not trying to sound unsympathitic... The baby's father had a little time to find out what the company leave policy is for such events.

:unsure: How can I check what version I have?

Copenhagen, I find what you said sad and disturbing. What is sad and troubling is that I think what you are saying is true. What you said also speaks very loudly on how little value on friendships.

twi believes that it must be the most important thing in someones life. Of course they may not say it as blatently to a "new person". twi will want to run every aspect of your life. this includes (but not limited to), where to live, who you should live with, how you spend your money, who your friends are, what you should do with your "free time" etc... Obviously this dosen't happen all at once, but it happens over time and it is done subtly. At some point in time this mentality become ingrained. One of the hardest things for some who have left twi is the coming to the realization that they were conned, believed lies, acted, devoted your time money, talent and lives to those who have been lieing to you. In short, it is admitting that you were wrong in your thinking. It sounds like your gf is in denial about twi. What it was and what it is. The cold hard truth is, untill she is ready to leave twi and never return, you may be better off without her. In the short term that sucks. But, in the long run it may be the best thing. (If she does decide to leave, obviously this changes things) Good luck!

Roy, Thanks for the post. The funny thing is that my girlfriend has been using the "M" word latley :unsure: