Nottawayfer

Well, I haven't met any GSers yet. But your posts made a big difference in my perspective when I first started visiting the cafe. They still do! LOL! I'm sorry that I wasn't able to make it to you and your bride's wonderful day. I really am. I am still waiting for some pictures though. :)

Bob Ed was one who helped VP get pfal off the ground. I think Mrs. W mentioned it in her book. He and his family are simple, nice foks. He will work for twi the rest of his life I bet. They live less than a mile from HQ, and have their own property. He was known to help people out a lot. He knows how to fix cars, and he gave his time to a lot of people to help them.

I think it was the other way around. Rhoda played the piano and Dorothy Owens (the etiquette lady) played the organ.

"You gotta go to grow." "You grow 10 years spiritually in 1 year." Lies....lies.....lies. I think I heard that 500 times when they were trying to get me to go out WOW. I wouldn't necessarily agree that I grew 10 years spiritually in 1 like they claimed. My WOW year was one of the most F'd up years I ever had in my life (and I was married to a drug addict for 6 years). I think I was the only one in my family who didn't have life issues like the others. Drunken debauchery was a great example of how my WOW family was. Now what does that tell you?

Ex10, Wow! I never knew about that. I always wonder why it was so long before she actually got married. I actually thought it was because she was so matronly. I think she was 42 when she married Rueben. Then they were only married for about 27 years before he died. I felt sad for her. She always seemed like the saint of TWI to me with everything she did for the Wierwilles. I wonder what kept her there so long and what kept her so dedicated. I guess an affair could be a explanation for that. I always wonder why she took such a job after being an educated woman. Women weren't always educated back then. She seemed to have so much more than to accept the position she did. I know she was a little miffed when she and Dorothy weren't chosen to play in the auditorium. She used to talk about the days when the ministry got big and how forward the girls were about exposing themselves to the men (particularly VP and Harry) by wearing very short mini skirts. I was actually surprised she told us that one day at work. She said it in a manner that was quite surprising to us all....LOL! Maybe she wasn't as matronly as I though she was....LOL! Anyway, I hope she is enjoying her life now. She liked to be able to go. I remember her driving scaring me though--especially when it was snowy out. She had a lead foot. I remember that she was always in fear that TWI would make her quit working. She really didn't have much interaction with people outside of work. I hope she isn't lonely. I am sure that Rueben's children visit her. They seem to be good that way.

I know now because I googled that name. But I won't tell because I didn't even see the movie.

Pond, With the way you feel, why are you here? I'm not being critical, so please don't read in to it that way. I think I had a critical attitude when I first came here (Chatty Kathy knows this for sure :) ), but then I realized that I cannot judge someone when I haven't walked in their shoes. I cannot say how long or when someone must simply "Get Over It." They will when they are ready. My ridicule never helped anyone heal. Love helps people heal. If I don't particularly feel like hearing someone's soapbox, I read elsewhere or I turn away from the computer and do something else. I like most Greasespotters. They are people with a story to tell. And that story has to be told. Sometimes venting helps people "Get Over It". It did for me. I no longer have rage in my heart from wrongdoings of TWI. Thanks to many GSpotters who lent me an ear to bend. :) Take care.

Rhoda is a woman who literally gave her life to The Way International. She did many things for the Wierwilles before she married VP's brother, Rueben. I spent time with her while I was on Staff as we had worked in the same Department for 3 of the years I was at HQ. She was very dedicated to TWI, and she is the longest working employee of TWI--way over 50 years. She was raised as a mennonite, yet she told me would have never pursued the position had she known what kind of church in which VP ministered. She went to his church service when she came to interview for him, and she said he was on fire. She had never heard anyone teach like that before. Yet these many years later, she didn't always speak so kindly of him--even 10 years after his death. She seemed to have "beefs" with how VP and his brother had operated the ministry financially. And she mentioned VP's arrogance and desire to have large crowds around him. Back then, I didn't dare ask prying questions to find out more. I thought she was bitter about some things, and I wouldn't dare go there. I would today. I would also ask her if she typed his book manuscripts from other books or did VP dictate them to her himself. She knew and spoke with many locals, who weren't in TWI. She said that when the ministry moved to New Knoxville, she used to go pay the bills personally so that the locals would see her and realize she wasn't just another strange person from The Way. She walked to work for many years. I wonder why they never bought her a car. She had living family the last I knew, but she rarely saw them. She mentioned to me that she desired to go to Oregon to see her sister. She wanted to go by train, but she needed a person to travel with her. I offered to go with her, but she always seemed hesitant to go. I wonder if it was because of money? She seemed so frugal, yet she mentioned to me that she didn't have a budget. She just wrote checks on her Way Credit Union account, and it would be covered. She isn't an extravagant lady, but she does enjoy eating out--especially with other people. I went to lunch with her often on Sundays. We used to get the best home made German Chocolate cake at a cafeteria she liked to frequent in St. Marys. I heard that she was seen at Mrs. Wierwille's memorial service, and that she was wheel-chair bound and living in an assisted living facility. Does this mean TWI kicked her to the curb also? They really owe this woman a lot.

I think the neighbors have been made offers in the past, but they don't want to sell. I think they like being a thorn in TWI's flesh. hehehehehe!! I've seen one of them wave a middle finger at grounds guys. heheheheheh!!!!! Temlelady, I think they are. Didn't they handcuff Doug McMillan before the real police showed up? Maybe someone else knows for sure.

My Cousin Vinnie?

I think TWI security is hooked up with the local Sheriff. While I was on Staff, the local Sheriff pulled someone over for throwing out litter on TWI grounds while he was driving by. He got reamed by the cop. The littering guy had a right to bear arms bumper sticker. He told the cop he didn't agree with the group. The cop told him that if he believed in the right to bear arms, then he had to believe in the right to religion. Linder was sharing about it at lunch like it was some kind of victory or something. :blink: If my memory serves me right, Linder does volunteer stuff for the Sheriff also. I also seem to remember hearing that security had the right to arrest people. I don't know how they get that right though. I remember them pointing radar guns at people driving by buildings at HQ. They would pull them over to tell them to slow down. This was their own Staff......Can you say anal? "I'm sorry I went 2 miles over the speed limit mr. rent-a-cop."

Oh Lord. I tried, but I just couldn't. The music was awesome! But that voice was disturbing. I never got Janis Joplin and the love for her voice??? Maybe me??? I dunno. I was just a kid back then.

OK, here's a joke: Did you know sex is a misdemeanor? The more you miss, da meaner you get.....LOLOLOLOL!! I'd rather see a disabled guy getting laid by my tax money that some greedy politician in congress buying high dollar hookers on a regular basis along with getting their $200K plus salaries and bennies that go with it. I work in County government, and I know how my boss is able to get goodies for himself. I can only imagine what it is like in congress. It's sad, but it happens. Of course if we really want to debate issues, the guy can live without sex. I know many who have gone without it for YEARS. Yeah, we don't want to, but it's life some times (even for some who are married unfortunately). Nothing guarantees we deserve to have sex. It's a fringe (french??) benefit. I wonder if his disability keeps him from masturbating..... If he does get the government to pay, then there will be a lot of people moving ot Denmark.....too funny!

That you do Mike. ROFLMAO!!! :lol:

That's awesome! Thanks for that analagy!

Many congratulations and best wishes to both of you! That is awesome to hear!

Nandon, Seems like I remembered a group when I lived in Portland Oregon singing a song about "Get Your foot in The Class." Were you there in the mid 90s?

He should charge them to show them around. It's his time right? That would separate those who REALLY want to see it from those who just want to see it. I know a lot of people have great memories (and bad ones too) of that place. I spent an advanced class there in 1995. Then I spent a week there in 1997 working my arse off doing grounds work and housekeeping there while they were trying to sell it. That place has a heck of a lot of grass to mow....I think my arms are still sore from it. I walked around by myself. It was kind of spooky seeing all of the empty rooms with beds and other furniture. I really HATED going down to the basement to get cleaning supplies. That is a freaky dark place. :blink:

I sure wish I could think that way, but I can't right now. I wanted to enjoy my nice car for awhile before someone else messed it up. I guess if they were honest about it and left me a note, I wouldn't feel so bad about it. I sure wouldn't dent someone's car and not leave them a note. The dent in the back wheel area was done at work. I can't remember who was parked next to me that day, but I double park now. If my co-workers want to make comments, let them. I am not going to let more happen. Until then, I will just have to suck it up and let my insurance fix them.

Yes, I expect some day that my car won't be totally perfect, and it will have some dents in it. However, I didn't expect that it would happen before I even made my first car payment. That first dent I'm almost sure is from someone bumping in to me. It's not a dent which can be pulled out because it is a crease. Same for the rear wheel area. Rascal, I only wished there were more honest people like you. You are doing well by teaching your children respect for others' property. Kevlar, I'm so sorry that all of that happened to a brand new car. That is a darn shame, but I guess it is the world and life in which we live right now. There are disappointments, and I guess things could be a lot worse in my life. But I've had a crappy car for years trying to stay out of debt while in twi, and now this happens. I'm sure innies would laugh saying I was stupid for going in to debt. I just couldn't stand driving a 1995 Ford Escort anymore. I wanted something better, and I could afford the car payment. I've been dreaming of having a 4 door Honda Accord for years. I wasn't hasty about buying either. I waiting until I found one I really liked. God forbid if I ever get something expensive....like a Porshe or Jaguar. It sucks. I just wish there were better ways to take care of it without emptying your pocketbook or having your insurance increase......sigh.

I just bought a new-to-me car a few months ago, car loan and all! It is a 2002 Honda Accord. It was absolutely perfect, not a dent or scratch anywhere and only had 30,000 miles when I bought it. Less than a month, hadn't even made one car payment yet, it ends up having a creased dent in the front left bumper. I was mad, but my deductible is $500 and I decided to see about paying for that myself so my insurance doesn't go up. Now, someone has opened up their door in the rear wheel side. I am so peesed off to think about this. Don't people have respect anymore? I usually park far away in a parking lot and come out to some dumpy car parked right next to me. I feel sorry for anyone who I catch opening their door up into my car. How do you guys deal with this? You do expect your car to look nice until you are able to get another, but with inconsiderate and non-thinking people out there, it makes it almost impossible.

Wow, how did I miss this thread? Especially being 12 pages long??? I don't remember reading it before. I agree with LindaZ. TWI did do things for some of us like show us to God and understanding the Word. I think now that I could have gotten all of that had I found the right church. However twi found me at a time I had a bad taste in my mouth about a church I had been going to because they didn't have answers to my questions. I think churches are a lot more savvy now. Churches have changed a lot and provide a lot for people now. It's not just sitting down, hearing the minister, eating lunch at your regular afterward, and then going home until you do it again next Sunday. Had the leaders in twi not been involved in sexual abuse, manipulation of people, tearing people down, and egotistical to name a few things, it would have been just a cult with doctrinal issues. Add the other stuff, and it makes it much worse than a group with doctrinal controversy. Like it was pounded in to our heads so much, Practical error always leads to doctrinal error. The leaders, especially lcm, said that a lot. For some reason that stuck in my head, and it helped me to put 2 and 2 together. That's the only thing I thank old Martinfart for pounding in my head. It helped me to exit that rotton place.

I remember being in a grocery store parking lot at 10:00 p.m. at night by myself once. At first, I was terrified thinking that I should absolutely not be by myself! Then I got to reality. You HAD to pick up the things you got, your roommates didn't want to come, and God is still God whether you are with people or not....logic wins. :)

I had a cockerspaniel who spoke in tongues. :P-->

That was huge copout attitude on twi's behalf. Especially since they won't find many more to take their classes. They are boooooring and not worth it. Any church I went to has offered workbooks, etc. for free. A lot of them even give out Bibles for free to those without them. The only time I ever paid money for something since I've been going to churches was for a conference which covered room and food. And then, if there were people who couldn't afford it, someone always pitched in for them whether it was someone in the congregation or the church. I've never seen people flake out of church commitments. Money doesn't necessarily make people committed.