I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you. I have an issue I was wondering if ya'll could help me with...

As I said in my intro, I've been married for 10 years, have children, and my hubby studied, but seems uninterested in making a dedication or continuing in the truth at the moment. In my perfect ideals of what married life would be like, I had a partner, a husband who would be my head and help raise our children. In reality, he loves us, and has strong feelings for us, but seems to take no part in parenting, and spends most of his free time sleeping or on the computer. The only time he spends with us is meals and going out to the store or errands. He likes to watch movies, but gets frustrated with the kids if they talk while he is watching one, so he usually just stays in his office until they go to bed.

What I want to know is, how can I encourage him to take part in the raising of our children? How do I get him to be more of a father instead of just the breadwinner? I have read the Family Happiness book, but it only works if he does his part, and he's not interested in reading it. What can I do? What is my part?

I am so tired all the time from my illness that I feel like I can't continue on my own. I hope you all can figure out what I'm asking, pregnancy isn't very good for the brain, makes one kinda foggy and thoughts come out jumbled...

Hello, I am Sara. I am a 27 year old, mother of 2 (soon to be 3 in February). I have been married for 10 years, and have been baptised since July 2002. I live in VA. I have recently become homebound, and the elders are working on getting me tied in over the phone and getting my magazines to me. They are also helping me get some phone territory. This is a huge adjustment for me, since I have always been a social person and I love going out in service and meeting people. I miss all my brothers and sisters from my congregation. I moved into different territory right before I became homebound, so most of them haven't been visiting.

I am worried about bringing my girls up in the truth without them going to meetings physically and not going in service physically. They need the example, and I can't do it. I really look forward to being able to associate with all of you through the friendly internet. I have been very cautious/nervous about looking for online JW communities, because I was warned of the apostasy that is rampant on the internet.

My children are Makaela who is almost 5 and Alanna who is almost 2. If the baby is a boy, his name will be Eain. I am working on a girl's name.

Oh, and my hubby was studying before we moved, but he lost interest, I guess. He has been visited and offered a new study by the brothers, but has not accepted. He doesn't reject the truth, he just seems to have lost interest in pursuing it. I am thankful that he is not againt it, or me raising the children in the truth.

OMG (G stands for goodness) i'm so excited. I got an application for regular pioneering, and i'm turning it in sunday. I thought i'd tell u guys cuz i figured...well...i dont kno why exactly why i told you guys, but...anyway!

Okay, me and one of my guy friends are really close, there is no romantic attraction between the two of us, and we never get to talk for more then 10 seconds at the meetings...okay? Alright, so recently we've been talking on the phone quite a bit, like maybe an hour or so every night...Were both 13 (3 days apart to be exact) Would that be considered a date? I don't want it to be..but if it is...well...we'll find a way to keep in touch. :) Thanks people!
~Kristin

I haven't been to a meeting in over 2 weeks and I'm starting to feel the effects. I've just been too ill to go but I feel really guilty. :(

My dad was just complaining to my mom that he has to memorize like 40 names for a reading or something. I'm sure that number is exagerated, which is pretty funny. But not as funny as what I'm listening to right now. My dad is in his study sounding out all the names using the Watchtower Library. Hehe, and he came to this one name and was like, "what!" He sounded exactly like Napoleon. And he said it like 3 times. Haha! He just did it again. "WHAT!" This is very amusing. I think you have to know my dad to understand why it's funny though. But I have to give him credit. It was a huge step he took joining the school to begin with. I should probably go help him or something. After listening, it does sound like he's got a lot of names.

ok so ive been thinking alot lately and I really feel horrible. I feel like im not even really a wittnes anymore. I try I really do but it seems like im drifting more and more. I havent prayed in a long time. everytime i try it never really turns into a real prayer. I start with jehovah i know its been so long since i have prayed and then i cant think of anything to say. its like i have all these things on my mind but i cant put them into words or even thoughts. its so frustrating. my entertainment isnt exactly what you would call wholesome. not that im doing horrible things but im not watching to right movies and I just turned 21 so i go out alot. not that i drink ALOT but im sure its not helping my spirituality. I try to study. the last few weeks ive managed to study the watchtower but no personal study. I havnt had a regular bible reading schedule in a looong time. meetings are very seldom. I try to go but i HATE going by myself and we are in a new congragation so i dont really know alot of people. my hubby is really caught up in work right now. his work is really like madness right now. I want to say that he should put kindom interests first but its not like he is doing extra for his job its just very exhausting so he doesnt want to go to meetings during the week very often. Sunday meetings are almost regular but it seems like something always comes up. neither of us go in service much. maybe like one hour a month just not to be inactive. I get a little more than that but only like 3 pitiful hours. I just feel so lost. I want to do more but it just isnt working. when i lay it all out like this i feel even worse because i havnt really looked this closely at how bad im doing. it makes me cry. i just dont know what to do. it seems like not to long ago i was in a forien language cong doing really good. now i dont know where i am...

I'm really excited to announce, that in September 2006, i'll:

BE GOING ON THE LIST!!!!

Probably, i'm regular auxiliary now, and i'm getting pioneer hours, and since i'm homeschooled, as long as i get my school work done, then i can go out in service every morning! I have a couple people who are willing to pick me up 4 service, and i'm just so so excited! I would go on next month, but i wanna go to pioneer school asap, so if i start any month besides september, i'll have to wait until the following pioneer school. I know i have to wait a year to go to pioneer school, but if i don't start in september, then i'll have to wait two years. I really can't wait, and i'll update you along the way. I just love being out in service so much. And i'm so happy that i have so many younger ones encouraging me. Espeically one sister, Erin, she's just so uplifting to be around. G2G. I'm gonna go work on a schedule. BYE!
~kristin