THANK YOU!!!! I've had trouble putting into words, but I'm finding this to be the case more and more.. it's like guest shaming. At one wedding they took donations for an orphanage or some central American ministry. I just felt put upon. Why can't a wedding just be a celebration... why are they making it harder and harder on guests?

I think this is a good point.

I was just coming here to recommend this show. I remember this show.. it was very haunting and sad at the same time. This guy had gone to a therapist on his own, but it was so hard because the stigma of being a pedophile was so strong. I remember the part about him talking about confessing to his mom that he had these attractions. I remember he was very frustrated in his ability to get the therapy and help he really sought and needed.

how awful.

I think that spiritual abuse can happen even amongst educated clergy, so I agree that it isn't foolproof. But I also think that any denomination that discourages higher education for anyone probably has a higher probability. I think oversight (or denominational hierarchy) is another possible indicator. Where it is lacking it seems that there are many more chances for problems... but again, it isn't going to be foolproof. There is plenty of evidence of abuse amongst traditional denominational churches (don't want to pick on anyone particular by naming names). Heck I know of plenty of independent churches that sought out some kind of oversight... or even made their own denomination, but then terrible things have come to light about spiritual abuse. Good luck with your quest. It honestly sounds like a very hard and painful topic to immerse yourself into. It is not for the faint of heart, that's for sure.

no answer for the technical question...just wanted to give you a :grouphug:

oh... I forgot about West Side Story... and Once. both really good.

I grew up on all the oldies. My dad was involved in local theater when I was kid, so I've seen a lot. I am not familiar with many of the newer ones. So my favs may be dated: Fiddler on the Roof Roar of the Greasepaint, Smell of the Crowd Cinderella (R&H - "In my own little corner, in my own little chair".. just love that song) Le Mis (makes me cry - beautiful music). A Chorus Line A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Chicago Musical Movies that I don't think we're on stage: Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang Singing in the Rain

I think the difference is that he never admitted to "doing this awful thing" until he was outed by the press. I completely agree that because someone is guilty of a serious crime doesn't mean they can no longer hold public views against that or other similar issues... but the fact is he *never* used that caveat about his prior sins and it makes it very slimy. I think that is where it descends into hypocrisy. However, I'm not sure how he could do that while preserving his victim's privacy... that would be hard to balance. edited because I can't seem to type well today... ugh.

I've been wondering the same thing..

thanks for the update.... continuing to pray.

http://www.npr.org/2015/05/22/408523960/beyond-the-bestsellers-nancy-pearl-recommends-under-the-radar-reads?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20150522 A couple of those sound very interesting. Anyone heard of these books or read them?

What???? He did what??!!! What is wrong with TLC that they think this is okay to put on TV? JimBob is getting scarier every time I read this thread. (I don't watch the show). I'm beginning to wonder if the police should start interviewing the tv crew....

I agree.. that was just horrible... and mortifying. Not only is it totally creepy, but what kind of father does that when he's out with his young adult daughter and her date??? Gross..

I would say 6 foot too. I grew up in a family with tall males (my dad is 6'7").. but married someone shorter than me. I'm 5'10" so in my mind anyone shorter than me is short... My 2 grown boys are both over 6 feet.. I suspect people, on average, are getting taller in the west. When I was a kid I was an outlier, always the tallest in class until high school and now being 5'10". I was always the tallest woman just about anywhere I went. Now it seems I see many young women as tall as or taller than me. I'm not so unusual now. Sniff, sniff..

continuing to pray

Thanks everyone... that's what I was hoping O6 - thanks for the chuckle at your "Noooooo"... LOL... I had thought about that because the only spot for the freezer is about 2 feet in front of the washer/dryer.

Our old freezer died and I've bought a slightly smaller chest freezer. It will take up more floor space in our laundry room (not heated/airconditioned) and am considering putting it in our garage up against the house (farthest away from the outside). Is this a bad idea? Will this be putting too much of a load on my freezer in the summer? It's consistently hot and humid here from June-Aug (some days going over 100, but mostly upper 80s and90s)... with sporadic hot/humid in May & Sept. Should I just bite the bullet and loose the space in my laundry room?

I know I shouldn't care, but it does bother me a bit. Perhaps if they put their old name in the siggy line that would help. There does seem to be a bit of that cliquish - "I knew who you were all along." Like everyone else is in on the secret but me (which I know isn't true...but that's how it comes across sometimes). Anyway, I usually just try to move on... If someone wants to change their names, that's fine. I think it's a nice feature. Avatars are much more distinctive and memorable ... but not everyone has one. of those.

yup... I've seen it over and over again.... and then we get stories like this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/12/affluenza-defense-probation-for-deadly-dwi_n_4430807.html Add me to the old-fashioned list. It never would have crossed my mind to hire an attorney. My kids break the rules, they live with the consequences.

I always enjoyed reading aloud - even when they were old enough to read themselves. And, I enjoyed teaching when they were younger... but my last 2 had learning difficulties... it.was.a.chore. It was a relief when I retired from homeschooling. I miss having my kids around during the day (esp. now that most have left the nest), but I do not miss homeschooling... at all.

Thank you... thanks for the update.

aww...I'm so sorry.

It all makes sense (without quoting), but much of what you've written coupled with "post-menopausal" speaks volumes. I'm usually the even-keeled, stoic one (I didn't cry at my mom's funeral)... but now that I'm in the middle of "the change" all bets are off the table.

We left after 13yrs... it was where we got married and had 5 of our 6 kids and started homeschooling. However, 2 sets of good friends had moved away and another decided to swtich churches. It was time. We just knew it. We were really holding on because of the relationships...and they were gone. There weren't any heavy theological issues we had - more logistical problems. Our church got a permanent building further from our house... it was very tiny church and we wanted something larger for the kids, and we had always had some issues with our pastor (nothing major, just the small things that tend to add up over time). Anyway, like I said...it was time. After about 6 months of being gone we realized that we wished we had done it sooner. I think looking back we could see a few more issues that we just ignored. The other 2 previous church moves were over theology and we weren't there nearly long.