Twinky

Very interesting! Prototype is not the prettiest thing, but hey, if it would help people would use it! Like you, Socks, I've needed optical aids since an early age. Unaided, one eye will focus at 4 inches and the other at 9". So I'd be pretty useless in the workforce without aid. The difference that can be made for people who have cataracts is also amazing; such a simple operation and one which can be done amazingly cheaply and in minutes, in developing countries. To supply these self-adjusting specs won't solve every problem but it could solve some problems. If people can see, they can work, and that brings wealth to their whole communities. Are these to be provided free of charge (charitable) or to be paid for, in which case $19 might be difficult for some developing countries' workers.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered nearly 60 years ago. Wow, that's a loooong time. Scholars have been examining them bit by bit, very slowly to start with, but copies have been released for quite a long time now. You would think a "research" ministry would have something to say, wouldn't you? I was expecting something, at least, as Corps studies: "We don't understand all this yet, but..." Historical value and background, even if not accepted as authoritative or copies of the scriptures. There are reference books and materials available. Looks from a post on this thread that Karen M had some interest; no doubt Walter C would also be interested. But of course anyone who knew anything or had interests other than simply VPW material got run off before they could expose the guru.

Ouch, Tuxy bit me again. Well it was my own fault really. I had captured her and was stroking her in my lap. She wasn't settled and at the first opportunity jumped off. I caught her back leg and we had a serious wrestle, with her tearing up the carpet to try and escape. When I plonked a cushion on her to subdue her, I think that's when she bit me - her last resort. Yes, it got infected...again, all swollen and fiery. But it seems to have responded (to prayer) and hasn't been such a huge problem as last time, which took 3 weeks of heavy duty antibiotics. What am I supposed to do with these unhandleable creatures? Yet both are so very very much better than they were when I first got them. As for Crypto...she allowed me to stroke her once as she passed her body near my leg, this evening.

Miss the header, the morning reality, but love the new look. Great, easy to view, clear. Never liked the immediately prior "look".

No market for them in the countries where I've lived, but checking on ebay last night seems to show them on offer for $13 and upwards, softback. Mine are hardback and in VGC (the 5th collateral, due to the fact that I only read it once for the AC pre-exam!!). Maybe I can recoup some of my lost outlay. Bliss, sounds like an offer you can't refuse from Coolchef.

So what are you saying, Potato, that you have learned to manage your money better? (LOL)

Great answers, all. Humanity, compassion, living life, getting on with it, walking one's own walk. Not relying on others (especially "spiritual leaders" of various types). Confidence to make own decisions. These are all good things to learn. Maybe we would have got there without our "Way" experiences. Maybe not. I think I've learned compassion, and to like myself. To love myself, even.

We've all left The Way International for one reason or another. For many of us, leaving was stressful because we were forced to choose between family loyalties, or were kicked out, or for whatever reason. For others, it was a more reasoned choice where they saw that what was practiced was not doctrinally or practically as set out in the Bible. But apart from that - what have you learned? Generally? Life lessons? To some extent this will vary according to why and how you "got in" as well as how you "got out." To be more cynical? To think a little more? To trust a little more - or a little less? To trust your own instincts when you see those "red flags"? To see through the ads on the TV for what they are trying to sell? Closer family ties? Value friends more - or less? To be harder, softer, kinder, less kind, more compassionate, less gullible --- what is it for you? I don't want this thread to become unpleasant, nor do I want it to be a "Way bashing" thread. Just - what you've learned from the experience.

Mike, remind us which Corps you were in. And what TWI positions you held after graduation, and for how long. Many of the people posting here are actually Corps grads. You know how many times we had to study the PFAL material? Teach things from it? Field Corps often ran classes; how many times do you think they heard the material? Had to answer questions on it. Others, Corps and non-Corps alike, ran twigs at which collaterals were made available - and would have to answer questions from new twiggies on TWI material. Some of these people may have done this for many years, especially field Corps. Obviously you know it better, so I'm just asking for your creds. Also, perhaps you would tell us what non-TWI sources you have studied. There are on-line study guides, commentaries, etc (see, eg, Crosswalk) - some of which are valuable and some of which are less so. Some of them are pushing a point of view with some obviousness; others don't seem to be. Are you saying that VPW didn't push his point of view? Are you really saying that? Just like other reputable sources don't see things from their point of view? Anyway, Mike, why shouldn't it be "mixed with other teachers' comments and writings"? Who says it's "hopelessly mixed" (other than you)? I don't think even VPW said he had a monopoly on the truth. His claim was in the presentation of the truth. Shouldn't we be looking at the author and finisher of faith, the head of the Church, rather than at another disciple?

Hey Strange One, many happy returns, have a great day. Twinx

I know, I have a load of these sort of books and things, too. They'd cost a tidy pile if I were to go out and buy them all now (not that TWI would let me, probably!). I don't want to study/read them, hate to burn them, not a ready market for sale, but can't bear to give them away to a charity shop - who knows what effect they could have on some poor soul? As it happens they are in another country from where I now live, but the person in whose house they are wants me to decide what to do with them. Is it worth shipping them, so that I can have my own burn the chaff day? Do I want to clutter up my house with stuff I'll never look at? However the AoS video has already met a fiery doom. I know! I'll ship the books to Bliss and she can put them with her books.... (ducking for cover)...

Dot, you haven't failed you. We are all "a work in progress." You haven't quit, and you're still alive. Therefore you're still a work in progress. Keep on moving, babe! BTW still haven't found that item you asked me about. But I keep looking.

A "stole" seems sort of appropriate, considering the whole of TWI was founded on stolen material. The thing over a fireplace is actually a mantelpiece rather than just a "mantle". Slightly different spelling, probably archaic but same root. Also, a mantle is a sort of wick for a Tilley lamp and such like. Dictionary defines is as "a small dome shaped or cylindrical mesh, used to increase illumination in a gas or oil lamp by becoming incandescent." Perhaps that's what made LCM incandescent with rage sometimes.

Well, I'm glad this "Watch me eat, Mom" is a "normal" thing. Yes, even if there is food left in the bowl, I have to add a little more or stir it round a little. Odd. I had a nice cuddle with Tuxy the other night. I was ignoring her as she wandered across my desk and couch. This made her become very annoying and keep putting herself there. After some hours I seized her and made her lie in my lap. The usual fight, then she settled down, purring with enthusiasm, let me stroke her in places she doesn't usually allow to be touched (under the chin, etc), and eventually curled up and went to sleep, refusing to move! Hah, I thought, a real pet cat. I moved to the couch and lay down with her on my chest, and she loved it. Went to sleep very happily. All the while Crypto is watching and making her happy praaa-oow? sort of sounds. Coming very close and gazing at me and at Tuxy. I kept putting Tuxy where Crypto could see her, to show C that being fondled isn't such a scary thing. T just turned her back on C. It was nice while it lasted. We are back to normal today. Wander up and then as a hand is extended to fondle, running off immediately. And whining/mewing for attention. But Tuxy definitely fights me less than she did. She wriggles to get away but doesn't scratch at me. That's progress. And Crypto doesn't hide in cupboards any more but will sit watching me from a distance of 4 or 5 feet. That's progress, too. I will have had these little darlings (?) for a year on Jan 17. You would think that by now they would have realized that I am not going to eat them or whatever it is they are afraid of. Now Leafy, how ever did you get started on hand feeding at 3am? Take some sleeping pills (crush them into Tuffy's food!!!). Walk him to his bowl... ha ha ha

What surprises me about my two girlies is that they expect me to watch them eating. I put food down for them and go and do other things. They'll eat if really hungry but otherwise more or less leave the food. They will come and mew at me (if I'm in the house) for fresh stuff and if I put it down they will gobble it down but if I walk out of the room they will leave the fresh food - until I come back in again. Then, they will attack it with enthusiasm. They make like they want to play, but when I play with them they will just return to the food bowl. Are they just being immature cats , am I a mother subsitute, am I their guardian angel, or is something else going on here? Tuxy is thin but Crypto seems to be putting on weight (getting fatter). They are such odd creatures.

Hey! I was on Beverage Crew so often I made gallons and gallons of coffee! And we did our very best to make it pleasant to drink!!! (Sorry if it was nasty; we did our best!) Sleep...4 hours...now that was a real luxury on Bev Crew when there was a big event on...

I'm a property lawyer. And I lost my job end of last March. Absolutely zero prospects of getting taken on in that field for foreseeable future. Am looking at insolvency law right now. Am also looking at anything else that will bring in a legal income.

Well, folks - the girlies stayed home. My next door neighbors checked on them several times a day. Got back home last night and they eyed me up and avoided me. At least for a while. Taz (neighbor) said they missed me and kept looking around up the stairs for me. Friend visited last night and he said the same. But when I come down the stairs - they run off and hide! They have turned into thieves, in as much as they pull down the Go-Cat box and push it all over the floor till the contents spill out. It was nice staying with my mum over Christmas. She has "our" cat, who looks very like Crypto but is much older. Twinkle is no less than 13 and could be much older (self-rescue cat, came after being abandoned and never went away). She loves to lie on a lap or, better, on one's chest. She purrs with delight at being touched. I call her a "bendy toy" because you can grap a hold of her and position her on your lap in the way you want her to lie, and then she just gives a sigh and you can feel her body relaxing into the position you have put it in. Try doing that with the girlies. Ha ha ha. Off like a shot.

(((Dot))) Who are you? To yourself? Who do you want to be? Notta What a wonderful "happy" story. So glad it is working out so well for you!

WaXne Cl@pp at CFFM has given evidence in other child custody cases. Don't know if he would be able and willing to help. Might depend on how long, and when, you were involved, and at what level, as to whether any evidence he could give (if willing to help) would be of any value. What he can say is that TWI is a cult.

Grace and compassion. Kindness and forgiveness. ...Make a marriage work. No legalism, if you have honestly tried your best and it still doesn't work out. Sometimes the other party simply won't also try. We are not to be in bondage (well, unless mutually agreed, and both enjoy it, LOL!) Grace and compassion are not commonly found in sociopaths. :unsure:

Excellent, Mark!

Got to know yourself, as well. Why, exactly, do you want to be involved with this particular person? If you expect someone else to meet all your emotional needs, maybe you need to do a bit of growing up yourself. Likewise, if they expect you to fulfil all their emotional needs. On the other hand, loving and honest communication can help both of you grow emotionally, both as individuals and together. Balance, isn't it. Because none of us wants to be manipulated, either, and that's what the type of person discussed in this thread thrives on. He/She is emotionally needy, expects someone else to fulfil their needs. And one of their needs is to be the hunter/predator. Loves the chase, but not interested in the prey itself.

(or maybe the RC was protecting "his" flock by keeping the ravening wolf away from the women!)

As a former matrimonial lawyer, I'd have to say that so much marriage breakdown comes from the inability of the couple to really communicate. Take time to make a safe space so that the other can say what he or she wants or needs to say. Take time to learn to express what you want to say. Take time to hear what the other is saying. Forget yourself, for a change. Take time to see how the other is changing over the years, and may have different needs now. Be ready to change, knock your own rough bits off. Do it early. Do it often. When a marriage breaks down, it's rarely one person's fault. So one has an affair? Not good, but what did the other party not do, that led the "guilty" party to want to try elsewhere? It's usually lack of appreciation. And most things can be overcome, with patience, and perhaps external help. With the "romantic sociopath" - as with any partner/potential partner - take lots of time beforehand. Find out as much as you can. Make haste slowly. If considering marriage to someone who'd been married before and divorced, it might be helpful know why the previous mariage broke down, and what the potential new partner had learned from that (= would do differently now). If they blamed the other party completely and took no responsibility, it'd red-flag for me that they weren't quite ready for another marriage.