~JW Mamas Support thread~ - Page 2

[Tuesday]

Shianne - I'm glad you found a resolution. Thank you too for sharing your story. I'm not sure what the older generations experienced but I'm intrigued by how many people have told me about growing up with one JW parent and one parent in another faith - and it seems like it sometimes would work quite well.

Yes - I was kind of impressed that the ASL congregation was big enough to make the other KH congregations move. I think the ASL members are coming from all over the area (many cities). Actually, when I found out the other non-ASL congregations were moving to another KH, I was kind of surprised. Not only is there the driving issue (it's a good 25 - 3o minute drive for people in my area) or hours longer by bus; but also, the timing. I was told if I did attend KH, the congregation for my area would be meeting at 3:30 p.m. Sundays. So, I'd have to drive my kids 30 minutes for a 3:30 p.m. meeting on Sundays. I am being small minded I guess but I prefer mornings so my children can enjoy the rest of the day getting exercise and fresh air and then play and dinner with their father when he comes home after work.

I wondered how common was all this switching around of congregations.

OH well. I'm set for tonight!

[Shianne]

I don't know how popular it is for them to make the decision to move congregations around like that. The only time I've seen it done was when a KH was under construction or remodel. Usually the other cong. just move over to make room.(adjust meeting times and/or days)
I was teaching two young sisters ASL so they could go to the ASL cong. in our area. They are really expanding here as well. There is also a Yugoslavian group that is getting larger as well. I guess they are going to have to build more KHs everywhere.

I don't like the later times either. Right now ours is 9 am. I really like the 12 spot. Ours rotates every year on January 1st.

Sometimes it does work out ok with having parents of different faith. My father grew up in a Catholic/Baptist home. My mother started out being Shinto then became a witness. My father started off being very hostile to the witnesses. He would forbid my mother to have anything to do with them, but she would have her studies. I think at first because she was very lonely, she was new to this country and trying to learn English and learn the ways here and here were the sisters willing to teach her and help her.
There are some stories where the other partner becomes a witness. I hear that quite a bit. Those stories are always so nice to hear.
So keep it in prayer and lay some magazines around. Maybe your dh will pick one up and start reading and something will click. With my 1st dh, I started with the Awakes. To him they had some interesting articles and they weren't preachy.

[LeighB]

That's how it started for me- with the Awake. I was already open to the idea of learning about the Witnesses, but I was still really unsure of the religion. My husband gave me some of the Awake's and they sparked enough interest in me to learn more.

[Shianne]

How was every one's Memorial?
Our SAD is next Sunday. Has anyone had there's yet?

[NishaG]

Ours was wonderful! Although, we had quite a funny situation with our son when the bread plate came around. It seems no amount of preparing made a difference. LOL!

[Shianne]

My 4 year old saw the plate and promptly said he was hungry and he wanted to eat the crackers. We had already been invited to go out with a group so I had to convince him that we were going to eat afterward. It seemed to pacify him, but he still looked longingly as the plate went by him.

We had 33 in attendance. The brother who gave the talk was wonderful.

[zebrachick83]

we were a little worried about our ds (7 months) when the emblems were passed. he's at that age where he wants to grab at everything! but thanks to Jehovah, dh got him to sleep before then so no worries! dd has already learned not to touch a thing. maybe next year we'll let her put her hands on the emblems while we actually pass them. we'll see...

as for the celebration, it was very nice! we got to go to the assembly hall with 6 other congregations and our c.o. gave the talk.

[Pyrodjm]

Originally Posted by zebrachick83

we were a little worried about our ds (7 months) when the emblems were passed. he's at that age where he wants to grab at everything! but thanks to Jehovah, dh got him to sleep before then so no worries!

I prayed REALLY hard during the talk that DD would go to sleep before the emblems were passed. It worked. She was passed out in the sling by that time. We went out with my best friend afterward. We all had a good time.

[NishaG]

Hello, Ladies! I got a BFP yesterday!

[LeighB]

Ahh! Congratulations! :

Happy and healthy 9 months!

[zebrachick83]

Congratulations Nisha!!!!

Now we can commiserate with each other about morning sickness, swollen feet, and oh yeah, the new babies!

[thefragile7393]

Yay for BFPs!!! Except not for me for now lol.

Ds was very unhappy as the wine went by....he thought it was grape juice and was very unhappy that daddy wouldn't let him taste it.

[Shianne]

Congrats!

[NishaG]

Thank you all!

[FLDoula]

I grew up with my mom studying with us and going to the KH when we could (when dad was out of town) and going to church. Perhaps your husband would allow you to take them to the KH if when he is available he could take them to church with him? Just a thought. Then you can get there on Sunday mornings. Doesn't the Catholic church have Saturday evening mass? It is at least a possible solution. And pray incessantly about it. Maybe invite the sister who is studying over for dinner with her husband (if she is married) so your husband can meet them?

And I have a thought about the fact that people talk so badly about JWs. Why do you think that people are so adamant about people NOT having anything to do with JWs? What are they afraid of? When my mother first started to study and go to the meetings my dad said she could go ANYWHERE but the KH. She could be Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Buddhist, Presbyterian, anything. When she tells the story she said that is how she knew she had found the truth.

Just my thoughts, for what they are worth!

Originally Posted by Tuesday

Shianne - I'm sorry the car issue hasn't been resolved. That's too bad. My study partner lives on the other side of town and she actually drives about 30 minutes just to come study with me. And she has offered to drive to my house and go with me back to KH just to make me comfortable. Even in my area - the KH was changed and became an ASL congregation so all the congregations have been moved to another KH. I asked how would people get to the KH since a lot of people can't always access a car and I was told the KH was organizing car pools. I am sorry I sound like a broken record - wondering if you could approach someone as it seems important.

My DH is Catholic and wants the boys raised Catholic so that is why he is objecting to me taking them to the KH. The other issue is that at times we both find the criticisms of JW faith a little disconcerting. Me - I know JWs but he doesn't so he is afraid they are being involved in a cult to put it bluntly.

I'm just trying to move in baby steps and hope that the truth reveals itself to the family as a unit!

[CHoney]

Hi ladies, I was wondering if any of you had tips for young babies at the summer conventions? Mine will be around 10 months old. I was still planning on breastfeeding him. We just had our 2 day assembly, and he didn't want to nurse in the mother's room so I just went to the car. I'm hoping that was just a stage, cause he would rather be looking around than eating!

[Tuesday]

FLDoula - I just saw your post regarding my DH - thanks for your ideas and support!

Your story about your own parents is interesting. And what you said , "When my mother first started to study and go to the meetings my dad said she could go ANYWHERE but the KH. She could be Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Buddhist, Presbyterian, anything. When she tells the story she said that is how she knew she had found the truth.. That is exact how my DH feels.

Funny thing (well, not so funny really! ) is that DH is a lapsed Catholic. So - he is baptized but he doesn't attend mass!! So, I don't know what is his problem. It's like he is anti-religion but even more so - anti-JW - just like you described above, FLDoula. But your story made sense.

My study partner is very nice and I met her husband and he is great. My DH is introverted and a bit anti-social. We've been trying to set up a coincidental meeting at my partner's workplace - we'd just drop by and say hi and I could introduce DH to her.

Actually I've now found out that my DH's schedule changes a bit so I'm going to see if I can go KH on my own while he watches the kids and then bring them at a later date when he softens (and his work schedules changes and he can't mind them while I go alone).

My JW study teacher actually said (and quoted Scripture) the changes I make in my behaviour and the good example I set in raising my children will be the best way to convince DH - even if it takes years. And I think she is speaking from the heart since she had this experience with her own parents.

I actually enjoy hearing about people and their family backgrounds and issues - it all helps and gives support. Thanks for sharing.

[FLDoula]

Originally Posted by Tuesday

FLDoula - I just saw your post regarding my DH - thanks for your ideas and support!

Your story about your own parents is interesting. And what you said , "When my mother first started to study and go to the meetings my dad said she could go ANYWHERE but the KH. She could be Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Buddhist, Presbyterian, anything. When she tells the story she said that is how she knew she had found the truth.. That is exact how my DH feels.

Funny thing (well, not so funny really! ) is that DH is a lapsed Catholic. So - he is baptized but he doesn't attend mass!! So, I don't know what is his problem. It's like he is anti-religion but even more so - anti-JW - just like you described above, FLDoula. But your story made sense.

My study partner is very nice and I met her husband and he is great. My DH is introverted and a bit anti-social. We've been trying to set up a coincidental meeting at my partner's workplace - we'd just drop by and say hi and I could introduce DH to her.

Actually I've now found out that my DH's schedule changes a bit so I'm going to see if I can go KH on my own while he watches the kids and then bring them at a later date when he softens (and his work schedules changes and he can't mind them while I go alone).

My JW study teacher actually said (and quoted Scripture) the changes I make in my behaviour and the good example I set in raising my children will be the best way to convince DH - even if it takes years. And I think she is speaking from the heart since she had this experience with her own parents.

I actually enjoy hearing about people and their family backgrounds and issues - it all helps and gives support. Thanks for sharing.

You are more than welcome. My dad has softened some but still does not want anything to do personally with JWs. For the most part my mom can do what she wants now. What happened when he found out that she was studying with us when he told her not to is a long and drawn out story for another time. Just know that you are not alone and that Jehovah will make a way for you to get to the KH if you pray and do things toward that, just like you said your husband's schedule changed. I think that is an answer to prayers. It will all work out. You are in my prayers.

[FLDoula]

Originally Posted by CHoney

Hi ladies, I was wondering if any of you had tips for young babies at the summer conventions? Mine will be around 10 months old. I was still planning on breastfeeding him. We just had our 2 day assembly, and he didn't want to nurse in the mother's room so I just went to the car. I'm hoping that was just a stage, cause he would rather be looking around than eating!

Could you bring a nursing shawl with you, or does he not like to be covered? Then you could nurse at your seat if you wanted. Maybe that and a nursing shirt? Just a thought.

[1hautemama]

Posted by FLDoula: "And I have a thought about the fact that people talk so badly about JWs. Why do you think that people are so adamant about people NOT having anything to do with JWs? What are they afraid of? When my mother first started to study and go to the meetings my dad said she could go ANYWHERE but the KH. She could be Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Buddhist, Presbyterian, anything. When she tells the story she said that is how she knew she had found the truth. "

I attended JW meetings for a few years w/ family friends when I was nine and ten. I was curious and wanted to experience other faiths. The problem my dad had w/ JWs was the persistent witnesses coming to our home. Some other people I knew also shared my dad's sentiments about the practice being arrogant and intrusive. As a kid it was my least favorite aspect of being JW because after service I was hungry and had no desire going door to door in the Houston heat. I have never felt bothered by witnesses coming to my door, and they were always respectfull when I declined to engage in discussion. i can't think of any other reason why folks would have anything derogatory to say about JWs, and I imagine those same people would have not so nice things to say about other faiths they do not understand.
I remember being heartbroken when told that I would not be able to join a cheerleading squad, I recall the horrible teasing for sitting out the pledge of allegiance and being made fun of for belonging to a "cult"...they were so mean...It was a positive experience for me though.