Grace Valerie Claire

Scott, thanks for sharing your story. I left TWI, in 1988, after being in for ten years. I sent WOW, hated it, took the AC, and thought it was a lot of S--t. I left TWI, quietly, and wish I had left sooner than I did. I had some wonderful times in TWI, but it took up so much of my time, and money, I left. I know about dead end jobs; I've had more than my share. Back in 1985, I was tired of being poor, so I joined the Navy. One woman from the 14th Corps, wanted me to go WOW again, and I decided I was 28, and old enough to make my own decisions. Life in the Navy, wasn't all Moonlight, and Roses, but it was better than starving as a WOW. Nowadays, life is good! I officially retired a year ago, and have money in the bank. It used to drive me nuts, when people in TWI, told me what I should do with my life. Once I left, I suddenly had more time, and money. I will always be thankful for TWI, for turning me on to God, but 10 years of my life in the Ministry was more than enough.

Annio, personally, with Covid going around, I am not up to visiting other people, but even a phone call nowadays would be welcomed. Hopefully, some time this year, Covid will be brought under control, and life will go on somewhat normally. But before then, phone calls, and other forms of communication, will be a blessing to many of us.

Annio, why can't you connect with your old friends?? It's not for me to tell you what to do, but I love to connect with old friends. Once I get my vaccine shots, I plan on visiting some old friends in RI, and taking a cruise with my family members. They have their views, I have mine. We are adults; we can agree to disagree. If the topics get too political, we can stop, and discuss other things. Best in 2021 to everyone here at the GSC!!

T-Bone, not true!! I think you do know what you are talking about! I think your posts, are kind, and gentle, and interesting. Just my POV.

T-Bone, as usual, I look forward to your posts. I think the key word in your post, is the word, "civil." Yes, we can agree to disagree, but please let us be civil. I try to be civil in my posts, but I am sure I might have unintentionally been rude, or disrespectful to others. If I have, please forgive me. Thanks.

Rocky, I read that book years ago, and I thought it was well-written, and very illuminating. I would highly recommend it, and his other books. I believe EW won the Nobel Peace Prize, back in 1988.

WW, interesting post. I wonder if VPW, wanted to leave Ohio, and see a foreign country, on OPM. Just a guess, on my part, but perhaps he felt he was entitled to live on other people's money, because he was a MOG,(if only in his mind.) I think VPW, had a hearing problem; he heard what he wanted to hear, and nothing he didn't.

Allan, I don't think they will get back together. Donna likes power, and position, neither of which Craig has.

WW, you are so right!! I often wonder why he couldn't wait a year, or two to take his entire family, including JP, to India. I can't imagine leaving a newborn, behind on such a long trip. I never understood why VPW, was hell-bent on going to India in the first place. What was his purpose in dragging, his wife, and other family members on the trip?

Rubina, I think it was sad, that parents were so busy, with TWI "responsibilities", they didn't have time to raise their kids. I often wonder how much time, VPW spent raising his kids.

Socks, what a shame!! So that's what happened to JN. How sad. I have long forgotten most of the teachings, I heard in TWI, but I still remember JN's music. Even today, I still sing their songs, and it makes me happy!

Annio, very interesting topic. Thanks for posting. I just wanted to add my two cents: When I was young, and insecure, I needed a lot of attention. I think for some kids, attention is a form of security; thus it equals love. However, my mother never understood this; she was very self-absorbed. Throughout, my childhood, I felt unloved, and because of it, I was a very insecure, and unhappy person. However, one day, I realized God loves me. What a profound impact that had on me!! God, Almighty, the Creator of Heaven, and Earth, loves me. Why, I will never know; I am nothing special. I'm not gifted in anything; nor am I particularly intelligent. I am not beautiful, nor am I wealthy. But for some reason, God loves me. His son Jesus, died for me, a sinner. In my case, a sinner unknown by most of the world. To this day, that fact astonishes me, but it warms my heart daily. I know my siblings love me, and I love them in return. I have a few friends, that I love dearly. However, my inability to be a perfect, loving person, at all times, is fine with God. He knows my heart; He knows I strive to be a loving, kind person every day. Some days I am, and some days, I'm not. In my own humble way, I strive to be the woman God wants me to be. I don't need the world's love, and acclaim, I have God's. Thus, I am secure nowadays, in ways I wasn't as a child. I don't need to feed my small ego, in self-destructive ways. No power in this world, will ever separate me from God, and His love. None!!

TLB, good for you honey!! Love is love; gay or straight.

LU, I went WOW in 1978, and vaguely remember that meeting. What did he expect when he sent out families, of two young men, and two young women?

T-Bone, oh yes, I remember people like that out on the field when I was a WOW years ago. Perhaps some of them really did enjoy the teaching(s), but I think many of them were phonies. Some teachings were great, some su--ked. I hated all the phoniness in TWI, and there was an excessive amount of it. I always tried to be the "real" me, but sometimes people thought I wasn't being "spiritually-mined." Nowadays, I try to be a "real person", instead of a phony. Most people can deal with the "real me", as long as I am, polite, and respectful of their opinions. How life has changed, and for better IMHO.

Annio, wow!! Good point!

WW, yes it was "quite a level of delusion." I look back on my life, and realize, how many mistakes I made, and wish I could undo them. I can't go back, but I can learn from them, and try to be a better person today. I think VPW died, believing he really was a MOG. I think he lived most of his life in denial. When my life ends, I want to know, I made the world a better place, for at least one person. To me, that equals a happy, successful life.

George, great post!! Thanks!!

LU, thanks for the compliment, but if I do have a "beautiful heart", it's due to God. God has rescued me, from so many potential mistakes, I have made over the years. Sexual assault is sexual assault, whether it happens as a child, or an adult. I also have access to wonderful therapists; they believe me when I talk about my childhood trauma. I have spoken to a number of female Veterans, who experienced Military Sexual Trama, (MST), while serving in various branches of the military. Interesting, many people forget men are also victims of MST. LU, years ago, a woman here at the GSC, described her sexual assault in graphic images, during her time in TWI. It made me cry, but it also made me realize many of us, are victims of sexual assault. There is life after sexual abuse, but it has taken me decades, and decades to process my experiences of sexual abuse as a child. But, God is merciful, and He is capable of healing our hearts. For this, I am thankful.

T-Bone, I think life after TWI, is very liberating. I have far more time, and money now, than I did during my time in TWI. I'm not out wasting my time, "witnessing ", nor am I taking a lot of boring, meaningless Bible Classes. I sat through the PFAL class, at least a dozen times, and hated it. I am much kinder, and loving now, than I was as a "believer. " Nowadays, I say what I mean, and mean what I say. I am allowed to be my authentic self; not what some one thinks I should be. Looking back, I think I was an jerk, while in TWI. We were always expected to stay "positive," even during times of sorrow. Nowadays, I have the right to agree, or disagree with various POVS. Years ago, whatever TWI said, was what we all said, even if we privately disagreed with it. Nowadays, my life is wonderful, and I am free to be the person God wants me to be. How liberating that is!!

Raf, bless you, and all the others who keep this cafe open.

STL, I wonder if they connect with her. My grandmother died 30 years ago, and never did that woman ever say anything nice to me. When she died, she died. I didn't go to her funeral, and to this day, I can't remember one nice thing she ever did for me, or said to me.

STL, wow!! Your post brought back a lot of memories. Years ago, when I was in the Navy, mail call really was the high light of the day. A letter from home, was priceless. My mother, God bless her, used to write me several times a week. Even, of she just discussed the weather, it was wonderful to hear from her. Years ago, when I was stationed in Italy, one day I received five letters from her!! I think some of the other Navy members were a bit envious of me, because I got so many letters from home. My first year in Italy was horrible; I was homesick, as Hell. Italy is a wonderful country, and I am thankful I lived there for two years, but home is the US. I I didn't like the Navy, but I did learn a lot. Overall, I had a rough time, during my five year career. I never saw combat, unlike some of my Male relatives. Even today, I am thankful for our military men, and women. They risk so much, and ask for very little.

Twinky, out completely? Or, out part way?

T-Bone, yes it is horrible. I never understood why so many of us were forced, to choose between TWI, and our families. I personally think, families are the anchors, that keep us going through the rough spots of life. My family told me years ago, that TWI, was a cult. But, I was young, and naive, and thought I knew better than they. Thank God, they stood by me after I left.