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Harve, this is for you. I believe that you had a true heart for God once. Walk away from your cult like I did in 1994. My life has been extremely gratifying and prosperous and joyful since then, and it can be for you. Do it for your family.

Johnny, this is for you. I knew Harve in Memphis and I can say that I thought VERY highly of him and Peggy. He gave me advise once that was Godly. I took the advise and my life has been better for it. Thanks, Harve. I will always have good memories of Harve. I went to his birthday party at a hotel where a twigite was performing. I have pix. May try to find them & post them.

Chas, Joe and I went to the same twig in Memphis around 1992 - 1993 or so. Our TC was Carm@n Hold@n (WC) and his wife Pat. He actually was hired by the trucking co. that I worked for at that time, but didnt stay long, due to being out so many weeks at a time. I quit twig in 1994, and he was no longer around either as far as I know. Sorry I couldnt help any more than that.

Originally posted by rascal: Were the percieved benefits that we recieved from our association with vp and his ministry truly worth it ...knowing now how others endured viscious treatment at the hands of vp and the other leaders of twi? Rascal, great thread, BTW. I spent 19 years living a lie. I am truly disgusted that I stayed that long. I continue to be horrified with the things that I have read and continue to read via GS. IMHO, NO, it was not worth it. I am a Christian, and was one before piffle. I was raised in a Christian home. I could have gotten by in life JUST FINE, thank you very much, w/o 4 crucified, JCING, etc. I do not know what to believe about any of it, and frankly, I dont care. Jesus died on that cross for my salvation, and whether there were 2 others or 4 others, does not negate my salvation. :)--> I go to church now and sometimes when I hear verses that I heard a million times over and over and over, I cringe, but just for a moment, and I remind myself that this is a whole new world and life. I do not speak in tongues now because I dont care if it is perfect prayer or not. I pray to God with my understanding and I figure that He knows everything anything, so what difference does it make? You know, the thing that made me afraid to question VP was his statement in piffle regarding: this has to fit like a hand in a glove or the WHOLE BIBLE would fall apart. My gosh, I didnt want the whole Bible to fall apart, so I CANT question him......... -->

WB, Executive Inn Rivermont Owensboro, KY 800-626-1936 I think my hubby's cousin & his wife are coming up for it, but we would love to meet you all if you make it.

WB, the Executive Inn is right near where the Bluegrass Festival will be held. According to my niece, there are still rooms available at this time. I will post the 800 # for them later. Got to get going this morning.

Originally posted by ex10: I confess to being closer to 50, than 40... OMG, what happened? I feel like I'm still my 18 year old self trapped in this 40 something body. Hey Ex10, I feel that way also except every Monday when I babysit my 5-month old nephew who weighs 20#. Then I remember that I will be 49 in July whether I 'feel like it' or not!!!

Happy 50th birthday, Hope. If you and John make it to O'boro, let me know. Would love to meet you at Moonlite Barbeque or even Old Hickory!!!

June 23-25, 2005 888-MY-BANJO River of Music Party (ROMP) www.riverofmusic.org and also www.bluegrassmuseum.org Need any other info, let me know. My niece's husband is the marketing director.

Waterbuffalo, if you like bluegrass music, there is a big festival in June in Owensboro, KY. Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent (I believe) and a host of others will be there. DMiller, are you attending? Anyway, my hubby may be working backstage. They have a website. I will post it if you are interested.

Gina Tokelau....heehee... I like my own name better. :D-->

Originally posted by GrouchoMarxJr: The "nature" of twi's conditioning inflicts a degree of harm on the individual that oftentimes, causes them severe problems for YEARS! Amen to that Groucho.... I forgot to add in my previous post, that I was scared to death for months that something awful would happen to me or my family for walking away from the 'household'. My, my, the things we forget.

1956 was indeed a good year. Happy Birthday!! AND many more, especially when you get to share them with Oakspear!!!!!!! :)-->

Groucho, we were posting at the same time. Similar thoughts!!!!!!!!!!

Growing up, I went to church twice on Sunday & every Wedn. nite. Also went to every revival at our church, and other churches as well. I was probably miserable most of the time. Then a year after graduating from high school, the guy I was dating started going to a home fellowship. (He had gone off & on during high school.) Anyway, like so many of us here, it was a person of the opposite sex that kept me going. Then we both went WOW....we broke up. Lots of things happened. I went WOW again, then came back home & got a job which I ended up staying with for 18 years, moving around for them, not for twi. Thank God for small favors. I think I went to twig out of habit. Then when I moved out of state away from my family & friends, I hooked up with the 'local believers' in SC. They were nice and I didnt have to go out & meet other friends. I had 'built-in' friends, so to speak. Then the same thing when I moved to AL, TN, and AR. I was living in AR when Loy started spewing & spewing every week about cleansing the household. My fiance' had moved from FL to AR for a job with the same co. that I worked for. So he moved in with me. Well, that was living in sin and I was contaminating the household. So one nite after another spewing teaching by Loy, I told my TC that I had never been kicked out of anything in my life, and wasnt about to start. So I quit going to twig. Thanks, Loy. My life has been SO MUCH better these past 10 years plus than the whole 19 years that I was involved with twi. Why stay when you're miserable? HABIT. I left in 1994, before it became unbearable. I have to say that I still held onto the beliefs that I had. It wasnt till my sister told me about Waydale that I learned how awful this organization was and is.

Oak and Susie, congrats to both of you. Finding your soulmate later in life is so sweet. My wedding anniversary is one week from today. 8 years of happiness and prosperity. I wish the same and MORE for you two.

outintexas, I am with A la prochaine on this one. Enjoyed your sister's story and find yours fasinating, as well. I, unfortunately, got my sister 'in the word', and she is still involved with an offshoot. So it is very interesting reading a brother and a sister story back to back.

outandabout, I am speechless. Please tell us more when you have time and feel like it. Ok, I have my speech back. :)--> I am so saddened by all that you went thru in the name of God and "His Ministry".... I am so thankful that you have the ability with words to tell your story so eloquently. Dont stop now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

outandabout, I have been reading your interesting life story also. Just havent had the heart to post lately. My mom was in the hosp. for 4 days and I just brought her home yesterday. Anyway, dont keep us in suspense too long!!! :)--> I was sent my 2nd wow year to a very small town in MD. Just 4 of us, and one guy left b4 Christmas. Never did get a class together, but I made a friend named Karen that I still think of to this day. She didnt take the class (Thank GOD) but she was a special person. In fact, if she is still married to her 1st husband, we now share the same last name!!!

HCW and Sunesis, thank you so very much for sharing Rochelle's story and life with us. I had to walk away from this thread many times to keep from crying. God Bless Rochelle's family. God Bless you, HCW, for laying your heart out on the line for us.

Ex10, mj, HCW, and excath, thanks for your posts. Hubby just got home after being gone for a few days, so I may not be back here tonite. ;)-->

Thank you, skyrider and rascal. I havent posted much lately, but still read most all the "About The Way" and some of the "Open", and the prayer requests, but this has been bothering me the past few days about some folks that think people are dwelling in their past.....and seem to think that they cant move on. They CAN and they HAVE, for the most part, IMO, BUT they still need to shout their stories from the GS Cafe Rooftop!!! Going to bed now, and gonna knit for a while. My new hobby is so much fun.

I have been reading threads for 2 1/2 years now, but many have come here since that time. I am so thankful for those to continue to tell their stories, so that TWI can be exposed. I was never hurt sexually or physically in TWI, but I have been hurt emotionally. So, those of you who think people cant let go of the past, please just dont read their posts. They are simply exposing TWI for what they were and what they are. There are many people who need to know the bad things that happened. And there are probably people who need to know that they are not alone. Sorry I cant articulate how strongly I feel about this.

See Me, I am so thankful that you & your children have been able to move on with life and 'having a blast'. That thrills my soul. I watch 'America's Most Wanted' every chance I get, and I love to see the 'bad guys' get caught, and the victims' families see justice. Thanks for being strong & being there for your children. It took much courage and backbone.

Catcup, thanks for posting this warning. I hope to soon start selling things on ebay. I have a couple of boxes of books, music, etc. from my 19 years in twi, but mostly want to sell collectibles.