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Okay, here's my spot... I think I like it! Courtyard style homes are my jam... but this one is more like a U shape- open to the sea!

1954 was 40 years from 1914. Anticipation ran high for the 40 year cycles compared in Bible chronology (40 year wandering in wilderness, etc). And we had just entered the Atomic Age and Outer-Space competition. The year 2000 was just an add-on to the universal hysteria of possible collapse of electronic communication (due to COBOL's inability to identify the two digit year identification...was 00 the next year 2000 or the previous century 1900?)

I'm going to take a wild guess where the rest of them will be...🤣

Hey, check it out we are getting closer to actual locations .... White House launches 'Freedom Fuel' gas stations https://share.google/zjtQRevZtu21seAFQ There is now ONE for the entire state Pennsylvania. How long would that line be?

A brother recently organized a corn hole tournament, it was a lot of fun. Not everyone played, they just watched and ate BBQ..🤣

Three-legged races, softball, kickball, or other games. Sometimes the friends bring cards and play spades or Uno.

It was so good. I loved the experiences of the Tshomba family.

NWP Update 4.4.1 is available. The Google description says it has an Off Line Mode. Is that new? What is it?

What happened in 1954 and 2000?

Sad, but true. We're like sitting ducks and easy prey, and they know it. I hope at least one of the brothers or sisters was able to get the license plate number of the car, so they could report it to the police. Pitiful, just pitiful!

Be very careful, brothers and sisters, while in the ministry. Prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves. It's only going to get worse as we approach the end of it all.

Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 22:31 Dear brothers and sisters, Do you like change? I have to admit, I don't—at least not naturally. Honestly, I feel most comfortable when everything follows its familiar routine. When I know what tomorrow will bring. When I can plan ahead. That's when I feel secure. Perhaps some of you feel the same way. We all have our daily routines, our habits, and the familiar paths we've grown accustomed to. They give us a sense of stability and security. But then, something unexpected happens. Perhaps our health changes. Perhaps someone we love moves away. Perhaps we're given a new assignment. Perhaps our children leave home. Or maybe we simply grow older and realize that some things are no longer as easy as they once were. And then we come to realize something: We usually don't choose the changes that come into our lives. Yet change is a part of life. For many years I used to think, "If only everything could just stay the way it is." But eventually I came to understand something important: If everything always stayed the same, there would be no growth. A few days ago, I was standing in our garden. Perhaps you've experienced a moment like this. You step outside without expecting anything special. Then suddenly your eyes are drawn to a flower. Just a few days earlier, it had been nothing more than a small green bud. Now it had opened into a beautiful blossom. The next morning there were already two flowers. A day later, even more had appeared. And every single one was beautiful. That made me stop and ask myself, "Why do these changes make me so happy?" The answer was simple. Because change is a sign of life. A plant that never changes never grows. A tree that never produces new shoots will eventually die. A seed remains nothing more than a seed as long as it never breaks open. But the moment it does... ...new life begins. And suddenly I began thinking about myself. Isn't it the same with us? If we only hold on to what is familiar... if we never allow ourselves new experiences... if we never examine our way of thinking... then sooner or later we stop growing. Spiritually as well. The Bible expresses this thought beautifully. In Hebrews chapter 5, we read about people who still needed milk, even though by that time they should have been able to digest solid food. Jehovah never wants us to stop growing spiritually. He delights in seeing us grow. Not because He expects more from us, but because spiritual growth makes us happier. That reminded me of today's key scripture. 2 Samuel 22:31 says: "The true God—his way is perfect; Jehovah's saying is refined. He is a shield to all those taking refuge in him." What a beautiful thought. The path we plan for ourselves is not always perfect. But Jehovah's way always is. Sometimes we don't understand His guidance until much later. Yet when we look back, we often find ourselves saying, "How thankful I am that Jehovah guided me back then." May I share a simple illustration with you? Once, a mountain climber was crossing a narrow ridge. Suddenly, a thick fog rolled in. He could hardly see where to place his next step. His experienced guide said to him, "You don't have to see the whole path. You only need to take the next step with me." Isn't that exactly what Jehovah says to us? He rarely shows us the entire path our life will take. Instead, He gives us enough light for the very next step. And that is enough. The longer I reflected on what I had seen in our garden, the clearer something became. The real problem is not change itself. The real problem is our fear of change. Because change often makes us feel as though we are losing control. But have we ever really been in control? Not really. Jehovah has always been the one in control. And there is something deeply comforting about that. No one loves us more than He does. That is why we can trust Him. Not because we know what tomorrow will bring, but because we know who will be walking beside us tomorrow. And that makes all the difference. Jehovah Never Changes His Love—But He Often Changes Our Path Dear brothers and sisters, If we're honest with ourselves, we usually welcome change only when we have chosen it. When we're going on vacation, we look forward to a change of scenery. When we buy a new piece of furniture or redesign our garden, we enjoy the change. But changes we didn't choose—illness, disappointment, loss, or unexpected challenges—often feel like a burden. Why is that? Because, by nature, we like to know what lies ahead. But Jehovah invites us to something even greater. Not to a life filled with certainty, but to a life filled with trust. Abraham—Setting Out Without a Map Let's think for a moment about Abraham. Jehovah, in effect, told him: "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's household." Just imagine that. No address. No map. No GPS. No message saying, "You'll arrive in three months." Only one promise: "I will be with you." Would we have done it? Abraham could have said, "Jehovah, could you first show me exactly where I'm going? Then I'll decide whether to go." But that isn't how faith works. Faith does not mean understanding everything. Faith means trusting Jehovah, even when we cannot yet see everything. And what happened? Abraham set out on his journey. Not because the road was easy, but because he knew Jehovah. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the same could be said about us? "They knew Jehovah, and that is why they courageously kept moving forward." Moses—A New Chapter Begins at Eighty Another example has always touched my heart. Moses. When he was forty years old, he probably thought his whole life still lay ahead of him. Then suddenly, everything changed. He had to flee. For the next forty years he lived as a shepherd. Day after day, the same routine. Perhaps at times he thought, "This is how my life is going to be." And then... At the age of eighty... Jehovah appeared to him at the burning bush. Sometimes I almost picture Moses smiling and thinking, "Now? Really? At eighty?" From a human standpoint, Moses was far too old. From Jehovah's standpoint, the time was exactly right. Isn't that comforting? Sometimes we may think, "My opportunity has passed." "I'm too old." "I can't accomplish much anymore." Jehovah sees things differently. As long as we are alive, He can use us. Perhaps not with the same speed as before. Perhaps not with the same physical strength. But with greater experience. With greater patience. With deeper compassion. And very often, those qualities are exactly what others need most. Peter—Real Change Begins in the Heart Peter also had to change. He was courageous. He was honest. Sometimes he acted a little too quickly. But Jehovah never gave up on him. Just think about what happened with Cornelius. At first, Peter could hardly imagine going to the home of a Gentile. But Jehovah helped him adjust his thinking. He showed him, "Peter, I am working here too." What would have happened if Peter had stubbornly refused to change? He would have missed one of the most beautiful chapters in Christian history. How thankful we can be that he allowed Jehovah to shape him. Perhaps that is the greatest change we can make as well: Not first changing our circumstances— but allowing Jehovah to change our heart. An Illustration That Has Deeply Moved Me Have you ever watched a butterfly emerge from its cocoon? It is an exhausting struggle. It takes time. Little by little, the butterfly pushes and fights its way out. A young boy was watching this happen. He felt sorry for the butterfly. So he took a pair of scissors and carefully cut open the cocoon. The butterfly was free. But it never flew. Why? Because that difficult struggle was exactly what was needed to force the fluid from its body into its wings. The boy wanted to help. But without realizing it, he took away the very thing that would have made the butterfly strong enough to fly. Isn't life sometimes like that? Perhaps we pray, "Jehovah, please remove this difficulty right away." But Jehovah sees much farther than we do. Some challenges develop qualities within us that could never grow in any other way. Patience. Trust. Compassion. Endurance. Those qualities are rarely formed during the easiest days of our lives. More often, they grow right in the middle of life's changes. So perhaps we can ask ourselves from time to time: "Does Jehovah want to change my circumstances right now? Or is He first trying to change me?" When we honestly allow ourselves to consider that question, we often begin to see that Jehovah is lovingly working on our heart. Not to make life harder for us, but to help us become more like Him. And that is what true growth is all about. Jehovah's goal is not simply for us to have the most comfortable life possible. His goal is to help us become people who think, feel, and act more and more like Him. And for that reason, even an unexpected change can become a precious gift— although we may only recognize that much later. Embracing Change With Jehovah Dear brothers and sisters, As we come to the conclusion, I'd like to share one final thought that has meant a great deal to me. What a Tree Can Teach Us Have you ever looked at the trunk of a tree after it has been cut down? When you examine the cross-section, you can clearly see the annual rings. Every ring tells a story. Some rings are narrow—formed during years of drought or difficult conditions. Others are wide—formed during seasons of healthy growth. A forester can often tell what a tree has experienced simply by looking at those rings. But do you know what I find most beautiful? Every single ring belongs to the tree. Not only the good years— but also the difficult ones. And yet, the tree often still stands strong. Why? Because its roots reach deep into the ground. That is exactly what I want for myself. Not a life without storms, but roots that reach deep into my friendship with Jehovah. A tree with deep roots is not afraid of the wind. It may sway. It may even lose a few branches. But it remains standing. Why? Because what matters most is not what we can see above the ground, but what is hidden beneath the surface. The same is true of our faith. If our friendship with Jehovah is deeply rooted, changes may shake us— but they do not have to uproot us. Looking in the Mirror Not long ago, I stood in front of the mirror again. I couldn't help but smile. Looking back at me was someone who was no longer twenty years old. For a moment, I gently stretched the skin on my face. The wrinkles disappeared. But as soon as I let go, they came right back. And suddenly I had a thought. Maybe those wrinkles aren't my enemies after all. They tell my story. They remind me of many joyful moments. But they also remind me of worries, tears, and difficult trials. Most of all, they remind me that Jehovah has carried me through every one of those years. Not a single wrinkle would be there if Jehovah had not been with me until this very day. Each one is also a reminder of His patience. His loving kindness. His faithfulness. And suddenly I no longer felt sadness. I felt gratitude. Jehovah Never Changes There is one thing that never changes. Not our health. Not our strength. Not our circumstances. Not even our assignments. But Jehovah never changes. His love remains the same. His promises remain the same. His goodness remains the same. His patience remains the same. That is why we can face change with courage. Not because we know what tomorrow will bring, but because we know who will be with us tomorrow. One Final Illustration A little child is walking through a dense forest with his father. Slowly it begins to get dark. The shadows grow longer. The path becomes rough and uneven. The child looks around nervously. Then the father reaches out his hand. The child takes it. Has the forest changed? No. Has the path become any easier? Not at all. But something very important has changed. The child is no longer walking alone. Isn't that a beautiful picture of our relationship with Jehovah? The difficulties in life do not always disappear immediately. But we never have to take a single step alone. Jehovah holds our hand. And even if we stumble from time to time, He will never let go. Conclusion Perhaps some of us are facing a major change right now. Maybe it fills us with uncertainty. Maybe we've asked ourselves, "How am I ever going to get through this?" At times like that, let's remember the words of 2 Samuel 22:31: "The true God—his way is perfect; Jehovah's saying is refined. He is a shield to all those taking refuge in him." A shield does not remove every battle. But it protects the one who carries it. Jehovah has never promised that our lives would never change. But He has promised that He will never change. And that gives us real security. So let's not view change as an enemy. Sometimes it is part of Jehovah's loving training. It helps us trust Him more deeply, become spiritually mature, and grow to be more like Him. Perhaps one day, as we look back over our lives, we'll realize something remarkable: The very changes we feared the most were often the ones that brought us closest to Jehovah. So may we continue to reach out our hand to Him, again and again. He will always take hold of it. And as long as Jehovah is holding our hand, we never need to be afraid of whatever new path lies ahead. Thank you very much.

Hi, I've updated them several times and I'm an administrator, but the result hasn't changed. Does it work fine for you?

Anticipation is a good thing (Keep on the Watch). Do not let it grip you with inordinate expectation. I recall the published furor we had in times passed (50 years ago). From the organization (in publication): WT Dec 15, 1974, page 764,766…And now, as the critical year of 1975 enters, it may well be asked …And now, as the year 1975 opens up, some thousands of the anointed remnant, still alive on this earth, look ahead to realizing that joyful prospect. From Br. Fred Franz (Governing Body): WT May 1, 1975, page 285…“we should not think that this year of 1975 is of no significance to us,”“we are filled with anticipation for the near future” We await the GT and end of this world with calm expectation and complete trust in God and Christ. Whether in this year or in ten years, it will come on time and it will not be late. Always be focused on the work of the Kingdom and do not be distracted by any apparent "times and seasons" or possible dates. Remember our errors (done in faith) with 1914, 1925, 1954, 1975, Y2k and so on. We are eager but the Holy Spirit from Jehovah is patient. God has picked a day and hour more than 2000 years ago. It has not (and will not) change...♥️

46... devastating... Jehovah, please come !

UPDATE on Jw.org https://www.jw.org/en/news/region/venezuela/UPDATE-Multiple-Earthquakes-Devastate-Venezuela/ This update does not have any missing brothers/sisters But reports an increase in those who were killed from 6 to 46😭

✅ ✅ ✅ 😂

meantime in New York https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/man-arrested-throwing-molotov-cocktails-103141627.html

Attack on small group while on work in south africa....check out the video https://briefly.co.za/south-africa/246028-stayed-calm-cctv-shows-jehovahs-witnesses-robbed-gunpoint-morning-ministry/#google_vignette

Good point, David, and we have so many key texts that can shape our lives. We were recently looking at 1Thess 5:21 "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine". Also, with this weeks Watchtower study on bible principles it reminds us of the real value of bible reading. The complexities of modern life are made much easier when we apply bible counsel.

That's why many are drawn to Jehovah. No other god does this. Sent from my moto g stylus 5G - 2024 using Tapatalk That's why many are drawn to Jehovah. No other god does this. Sent from my moto g stylus 5G - 2024 using Tapatalk

And that, John, is where it is very helpful, having had a practical issue to sort out not long ago.