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Thank you Sister Jewel for bring up this news. The place is Kashmir and it is called "heaven on earth". (of course it is very beautiful place, even any athiest will praise the creator once he visit the place). The media always refer to it as "heaven is flooded" , "a worst crisis on heaven" etc.etc. Kashimir is partially occupied by Pakistan and other part by India. Cold war is going on over 60 years for this piece of land and various militants / terrorists have occupied the places, and they have killed thousands of lives including women and children in the name of "jihad on Kashmir" Wars were fought between India and Pakistan several times killing many soldiers and politicians exploiit the situations liberally. The rivers flow through India to Pakistan, and both places are flooded. Many temples and mosques are submerged in water - showing that these rivers have no national barriers / religious barriers - Yet when people will learn the lesson ? They are still complaining that "Indian Kashmiri people" are being given more exposure to the media while "pakistani kashmiris" are neglected etc.etc. An aerial view will show that no-one can distinguish which place belongs to Pakistan and which to India ? It looks as one land. Once the flood is receded, it is going to be same "hatred, war, fight " etc.etc. Majority will not use their mind, nor think. If any one who would start asking questions in his mind about the true God and the meaning of life, and why such things happen etc.etc. we are sure Jehovah will notice that person and he/she will get opportunity to come to the TRUTH. AMEN

The Korean IC had drones filming the whole thing. I have it on my computer!!! My daughter is home and I am a happy mama.

https://www.newsday.co.zw/2014/09/11/came-saw-made-zim-richer/ The article has on,y good things to say. It has a stack of great photos and a uotes the countries politicians. Incidentally this was sort of a trial test for Zimbabwe who want to boost religious tourism. Apparently they want the other big church's to come (and spend) like we do. Apparently we are the benchmark, the model, that all other religions should follow. I agree but of courSe they refer to the way we boosted the economy while I think that applies in all areas of life! Haha! But it seems to have been a great witness for Jehovah and his people. I doubt any other group could leave such a positve impression. Our cleanliness, organization and most of all our Love really shone here it would seem.

In S. Korea, the brothers who are studying and ones baptized just expect to be put into prison for almost 2yrs. once they turn 18yrs old. The older ones in the congregation were put in prison for 20yrs, then as time went on it got shortened to 10yrs and down to today it is just under 2yrs. The older brothers that went into prison went through much punishment during their stay but because of their faith, being kind, courteous and happy the prison guards like having the witnesses and now the witnesses are put with their brothers and kept separate from the criminals. It took time to get it this way but things are looking better. The family can only visit the brother in prison 4 times a month and for only 10 minutes at a time. And a brother can go to the prison and conduct 2 meetings a month. One brother in prison said that he would read through the bible all the way through every week. When my daughter arrived in S. Korea there were some brothers that just got out of prison and ones that were preparing to go in. They say that it is just expected and is normal. One brother that was in prison gave this experience when he got out: "When I got out of prison, many of the brothers and sisters would tell me how proud they were of me for staying neutral and serving my sentence in prison. I heard this all the time that after awhile I got sortof puffed up about it. One day I was out in service with an older brother and the older brother said to me, "You did quite well staying neutral and holding your integrity". I said "Yes I know" sort of smug like. The older brother said to me "You do think so don't you." "Well Yes" I said. The older brother told me, "You have nothing compared to what our dear sisters go through." (the ratio of sisters to brothers is quite large) "You stayed neutral for 2yrs but our sisters stay neutral for 40 or more years, all their lives they stay neutral, not marrying outside of Jehovah's organization. That is real endurance of staying neutral". The brother said:"I was quite humbled after that."

We had drones in Atlanta, too! So cool!

For Stagu just saw this. & Thought of you. lols

An encouraging experience for single sisters... Fortify us to keep our integrity!!

These pics in this article are heart wrenching. http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2014/09/historic-flooding-in-india-and-pakistan/100809/

Okay, I am so excited that my daughter is home. The stories are so wonderful. Anyway the brothers and sisters made a record of pics and videos for each delegate, first was the hours that the congregation spent in preparing for the delegates. Many nights they were up past midnight. It shows them putting the presents together and the signs and rehearsing the singing with the adults and children. Also practising with the children on instruments. Oh you just don't know how heartwarming it was to see all this love poured to people they didn't even know yet. When my daughter, her fiancee and his sister got off the plane there were many brothers and sisters waiting for them with signs that welcomed them and signs with there names on them. Then where they arrived next there was a big welcoming committee that they walked through. This is all being captured on video. A paparazzi team of brothers and sisters followed my daughter, fiancee and his sister everywhere they went so they could keep a remembrance of their trip to S. Korea. It is just overwhelming. My daughter said that she spent only $20 over there because the brothers and sisters took care of everything. Every meal, just everything they needed they took care of. Henry, my daughter's fiancee and his sister are in the spanish congregation and they said that the english think that the spanish are so loving, they said that the Korean brothers and sisters blow them out of the water. I will post some more info in a minute, my back is cramping so going to make myself more comfortable.

Here is a pic of the drone in Korea that my friend posted on Facebook.

If any new magazine isn't visible on jw.org/en/publications, use Ctrl-F5 to force-refresh the page, and the newest magazines should become visible.

I'd say Brazil because every publication (except the local km's) are written in portuguese from Brazil

The weekly Green Mask for really clean and soft skin. Plus it smells really nice and minty, spa like.

Then could you share some ideas in my skin care and make up thread

Love my kulaholic on a cold day, with a scope of vanilla ice cream in a big mug!

:-)... that made i smile....

Absolum was a typical politician then.

The Daily Mash.

A small village with 35 residence was totally gone as per the local news channel Sent from my LG-E988

I appreciate your perspective. We need the Kingdom!

I have a Ruler. It is named Jesus Christ!

JWStuff.org appears to be down or taken down? I'm getting this message... Site Not PublishedThe site you are looking for has not been published

Another clue. The booklets "Introduction to God's Word" and "A Study Guide to God's Word", which form part of the revised NWT(the bits at the beginning and end) have been released in many langauges (70+), including French, German, Polish, Spanish, Russian - but not it appears in Portuguese. Why not?

Maybe they would not need to necessarily quit their jobs. Jerry mentioned an interesting scripture above which presents a similar case: 2 Kings 5:15-18:

Here in Brazil we are not getting Bibles in any format (large edition, small, deluxe edition, etc.). These items appear as pending for quite a long time. This is a great sign!

Satan's thrown a couple things at me, I'm short my time for the first week - so I have to really exert myself this week coming up. I have had a couple more work assignments pop up than anticipated for the month.... figures eh? Brief sabbatical, I wasn't sure I was going to return. I'm still not sure I'll stay, I'm weeding out things that fritter away my time and streamlining things.

Again with a naughty brother!! Stay on topic!

I love my stomach aka food processor

I've got one of those too! Best part is, my husband can figure out how to use it and he makes my coffee for me on weekends! Love the K-cup flavors too, drining coffee never gets boring now!

This is one though that I have and I do love it. It's a nutrition center. I can make juice, pasta, grind coffee and herbs, mince garlic, and it does some other stuff. It's the Omega 8006 nutrition center juicer, and I use it alot and really love it. . I also love my bread maker. I also have two slower cookers that I use a ton of in the winter months, one large for meals, one small one for sauces or queso. I also have a very nice cappuccino maker which is awesome. Then our regular coffee maker, my coffee grinder. 3 blenders that I use for different things. Of course there is also my food processor. I don't know, I love all my stuff and I think I would be lost without them, they make my life so much easier.

Maybe not a kitchen "gadget" but, we could not survive without our Keurig! (Plus it's the only kitchen gadget I can operate!)

This being the case, the RBC isn't disbanded in purpose, just renamed and all currently working in the RBC will come under the name and direction of the Local Design Construction (LDC) which is run by full time brothers and sisters appointed by the Branch. We still have a job to do!!! And until this new arrangement meets your area, we are to continue to do just as we have always done under the domain of the RBC. Prayerfully by this new arrangement the work of designing and building Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls will progress much quicker and we will be able to keep up with the demand. Remember this arrangement will continue right along into the New World under Jesus direction as it is now. We are continuing in our training to be part of his arrangement to meet the even greater needs in that New World. At our convention this last weekend I was surprised to hear a brother I've know for years ask me if he should join the RBC. You know my immediate response, YYYYYYeeeeesssssss!!!!! He is a contractor and for some reason it never occurred to him the need to join this vital building work. I almost tripped myself on hearing this and had to bite my tongue not to say anything else but to be encouraging that he should by all means fill out his volunteer application and join us.

Al from Chicago, I'm sorry for not responding to your request for information but I have my regional convention this weekend and also I had to check my facts so I'm a little slow responding in a timely fashion. The fact is after baptism there is no waiting period after baptism for you to put in your application. The only requirements for volunteering for RBC is baptism and a good standing in your congregation, meaning the elder body has to approve your application before it is forwarded on to your RBC. Hope this is encouraging news. In another note I have some interesting news to report regarding some of the new improvements we are applying toward Kingdom Hall design. The branch is very interested in saving money for the congregations in maintaining the hall after it is build such as reducing the electric bill and toward that end we are using LED lighting as much as possible. I recently designed an electrical system for our new project which enabled us to remove a 400 amp single phase panel which was feeding all the lighting and HVAC units down to a 200 amp three phase panel which now draws 139 amps total. This use of new LED lighting and three phase for the HVAC reduced their bill by about half. And the really cool thing is these LED lights have a manufacture life time of 27 years on lights in the hall and 400 years for parking lot lights. Won't have to change bulbs till after Armageddon. The branch is also interested in having us put in solar panel on all the halls and assembly halls to reduce our dependence on the utility companies. That will reduce our electrical bill even more. To begin with there is a hiccup that states we can't use batteries to store the power but after a few years each hall can purchase batteries which will be store the electricity so it can be used at night to run the lights and possibly the HVAC we could very well turn off the utility power all together. This makes sense since the Great Tribulation is coming and some of these utilities might take it upon themselves to turn our power off any way and if Jehovah tells us to run to his house the lights will be on. The saving in power cost will allow us to recover the cost of purchasing the solar panels in about 3 1/2 years then after that power will be free as we will be making enough to pay for the HVAC and lights to run anytime we need them. That's with today's panel costs, as time goes by and the panels become cheaper to purchase the cost to put solar on a hall will be reduced even more. Besides that I don't believe the cost of electricity will go down any so it makes even more sense to install the solar panels. We also realized we don't have to put the light poles up so high using LED parking lot lights because the lights are made up of many small LED's which are directed in just the right way to cover a 48 foot area in front and side of the light and not behind the light so the neighbors won't have their yards lit up by our lights, that way they might not complain so much that our lights are shining in their eyes and keeping them up at night. By the way for those who want to know, LED stands for light emitting diode which not only emits light but does so without all the heat that regular lights radiate. I recently purchase a new LED TV and my yearly cost to run the unit is $16 which goes to show how efficient LED's work. Well, found my feet again so back off my soap box.

Say Jerry, I just couldn't get your plight out of my mind today. Your said your "first ambulance ride" as though there have been more than one. I hope you are still moving on your own steam. Sounds like your life now isn't what it used to be and that's a painful thought. If your not able to physically help I hate to think that all that experience is going to waste not being passed on to anyone else. That's why I suggested teaching. But it occurred to me there is a need in the design department for construction savvy brothers and sisters who are available to do preliminary plan checks for the team. You don't need to be able to do CAD nor even use a computer if you don't want. All you need is the ability to read and a red pen. Every sheet we produce must be checked for accuracy and clarity. Spell checking and grammar are part of the preliminary things looked at but construction experience comes in where while looking at the plan seeing if anything jumps out at you as not being clearly stated in the notes about what ever the sheet is about. Or is there a note needed to clarify what is drawn? Someone sometimes needs to look up look up hardware model numbers to verify those things are still available and lighting model numbers for the same reason. Also accuracy so the purchasing department is ordering the right items. Makeing sure the HVAC model numbers jive with what is needed to be orders and so forth. It sound like you fit that description of the construction savvy. If this sounds like something you might be interested in please contact your RBC Design Department Overseer and ask if they have this need. I know our group is always looking for this kind of help and especially so now that we've been asked if we can put out a complete, ready to go for permit, set of plans each month. As far as your issue Jules about not having anyone get in touch with you, it is as Trisha said, you need to reapply. If you changed congregations, and every time any one changes congregations, you must reapply and be approved by your current congregation. You also have to go through the safety training and get your volunteer number then go online and fill out your profile as to what you know how to do and what you want to learn to do at least once. And she is correct that you must sometimes bug your secretary to make sure the paperwork is approved by the elder body and forwarded on to the local RBC in a timely fashion. If you're in the design department you also have to go the jw.org website and register with the branch in order to then have your department overseer use your unique number so they can register you to receive Watchtower CAD free of charge to draw plans with. Who knows what other exciting opportunities will be offered. And not to leave you out Tim, but we only need 1,200 new Kingdom Halls and 1,900 remodels here in the US but globally there is a need for 13,000 Kingdom Halls now and we don't know when we may be called upon to draw for our brothers in other countries to meet their needs or maybe even be invited to personally help like we are being invited to help back East. I already am working with a brother in Panama on making territories in his assignment which doesn't have street names, numbers or a map of the local area. So thinking globally reaching out for opportunities is not out of the realm of possibility. The LDC is who will coordinate these assignments as needed and as you show a willingness to help in any way possible you may be called upon to assist. Anyone else have a comment?

No reason I don't think...I was super persistent and I think they put me in so I would stop buggin. JK I think it's just a matter of getting organized. Submit your app. In again to the secretary and follow up on it and be available at the next project and let them know you'd like to watch the safety video and be interviewed. I have a friend that's an elder that submitted app. 4 times before he was finally processed. I'm sure if you are a publisher in good standing they won't have a problem using you. I started out picking up nails with a huge magnet then chopping onions at 5am...lol don't give up!

I applied to the RBC a few years ago in the congregation I was in at the time. I was and am a publisher in good standing within the congregation. No one ever got back to me, though. It would have been nice just to have found out the reason why I couldn't participate.

Sorry about your pain. That brings to mind, "Them that can't do Teach." I hear they give classes at the builds in our area covering instruction on how to get the work done with the same mind set and techniques. My rants are not necessarily directed at you but those who are holding back from putting in their volunteer applications simply because they don't want to work for no pay, as though they're going to be exploited if they sign up and that their time is so valuable that they have to expend it making money, all the time. It's also directed at those who feel they have nothing to contribute, no construction skills. My personal opinion is if you make yourself available you might be surprised what doors open and what opportunities will present themselves, that perfect niche you fit in that Jehovah needs filled. Time flies when you're having fun, only if you make yourself available. I have an 84 year old brother in my hall who wants to help so much so that he is willing to try anything to be a contributing member of the RBC. He knows I'm in the design team and approached me a week ago to ask if I would take the time to teach him AutoCAD. I felt it my privilege and responsibility to respond "Yes". Don't know if he will be able to make quick progress but he has time on his hands and the desire to learn. He too has many years of construction experience and can't swing a hammer like he used to but he's making himself available to try anything to feel like a contributing member of the RBC. I know the Design Teams are always looking for consultants on each phase of the design for ideas and making sure we have the plans reading correctly and clearly. He turned in his volunteer application not long ago and got a cool response from the elders in our hall due to his age, that wasn't very encouraging but he is determined to find something to contribute. Like it's been already said, if you want to help there is a place for you to humbly take, to demonstrate your resolve. My advice is to list all your experience on your online profile. There are brothers who regularly peruse those files looking for slots to fill of needs that must be fulfilled. For those with a complete willing heart, there is something that you can do that is going to be needed eventually. You just have to make yourself available and Jehovah will use you. I know another brother in another state who has waited for two years just to get his application approved by his congregation because he suffers from PTSD. He made the mistake of snapping at one of his elders one time and they refused to approve his application until he demonstrated he could hold his temper in check in stressful situations. I kept encouraging him to be patient, that it would happen when Jehovah felt he could keep it together and could fill a need that he wouldn't fail at. He finally got the approval he waited so long for just to find out that his first assignment was to direct traffic at the parking lot. His response was "Old Lord." But he swallowed his pride and graciously accepted his assignment. He fretted over his assignment and prayed to Jehovah about whither he was right for this as he doesn't like dealing with people so much. I just felt a little mischievous and suggested he bar the elders in his congregation from coming in since they held him back so long from being approved, which got a good laugh, but we both know that wouldn't fly so he would never have followed that advice. But low and behold at the last possible minute someone read his online profile and saw he was a professional trucker for years with a stellar record and an active class A license and changed his assignment to trucking after asking if he was willing to help driving truck. He almost jumped out of his skin with "Yes I can do that." He called me right away to let me know the good news, I reminded him how he demonstrated patience and willingness to Jehovah and Jehovah made sure he got an assignment he was not only comfortable with but was truly able to perform successfully and bring honor to our Heavenly Father. I've known him for years as a very careful truck driver. Now he calls to tell me how much they like his driving and he has more to do than he ever expected. Just goes to show everyone, including myself, that you don't know what you'll end up with as an assignment until you sign up and make your self available. Our Heavenly Father wants us to succeed and will never allow his servants to either take on more than they can handle nor more than they can care for. He only gives us the responsibility that we can successfully handle. That applies in the congregation and in the field. He want us to succeed, and like any responsible parent he watches us first get up on our feet, waits for us to learn to walk then run. Then he gives us a little responsibility to show both him and ourselves that we can handle that responsibility successfully. He wants us to develop confidence in ourselves. Then as we mature he loads us up with all we can successfully handle to get his purpose done. Even though we have no idea what we will be called upon to do, if you have a willing heart that is completely given to do what ever Jehovah sees fit to have done, you will never be disappointed and you will have certain success. I say these words not because I'm trying to sound grandiose but it comes from my own experience and observations. I have great passion for all that put themselves out for service with disabilities, be they physical or mental, we are all losing our minds, and I've seen it over and over that not just the young and healthy have a place in Jehovah's service but all can be used by Jehovah if we just give it a chance and patiently try. Now down off my soap box.

Three yrs ago we had a sister with literally a broken back working in the dessert tent wrapping cookies brownies etc.Another brother that had neck surgery sat at the gate checking ID's. The elderly and infirmed offered their homes and sent desserts. Some were not physically there but their contributions were equally valued and everyone was encouraged by their efforts because all things are possible with Jah. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

Wish I could but we're in the dark here also about when the changes will be implemented and how many new changes are in the works. We have the same info here that change is a coming and the LDC will be the head of that change. I guess we will all have to wait on Jehovah with these new aspects of our mission to care for the millions yet to come into the organization. But the Branch did say we have to stop trying to think locally and start thinking globally and that the things being put in place now will go right on into the new world. Just think we will have already gotten our assignment for work after Armageddon before Armageddon. We will be a well oiled machine for building in the new world with all the basics for safety in building practices and construction methods already in place to hit the ground running without having to invent the wheel over again. Organization, that's the word that comes from our creator and is demonstrated all around us in his creation. I'm fairly certain Jehovah will take care of the demo work but we will have to care for the construction work. So get yourself signed up with your local RBC. Get your volunteer application filled out and submitted to your congregation secretary so you can get ready along with the rest of us to be part, not only of the great preaching and building going on now, but will be set to be part of the even greater work of turning this globe into a paradise in our new world. Millions will be resurrected needing a place to live. A place to learn about Jehovah and his righteous principles. Millions will need a long lasting home from this side of Armageddon right after Armageddon, so being part of this building work will pay benefits now and then. I see no reason why everyone is not signed up to be part of the RBC. It is not a place for only the young or young of heart. It is not a place for only those currently construction savvy. It is a place for all of Jehovah's people to step up and make yourself available and show our heavenly father where your complete heart is. There are many who are patient and willing to teach any thing you want to learn. FREE Many hands make the work go so much easier and the association is wonderful, fun and so rewarding. And it makes our heavenly father's heart glad to see the whole association of brothers and sisters working together in the field service and kingdom building work, globally. And remember he is looking for a way to bless your efforts so why not sign up with the RBC and be a part of this great work. Now to get down off my soap box. Stay tuned. As we get more information, some one will let you know of the new changes coming.

Really! RBC > LDC * Not sure when the change kicks in, but it is supposed to shift from Regional Building Committee to Local Design Construction. Tell us more ...

^MIKE^ ^TIM^

Like Hank Marvin, he does well with his work as a musician putting that in second place and the more important spiritual things in first place.

Small crew put up 2x6 stud frame Wednesday. Thursday they built inside stud walls. Today, Saturday, big crowd 240; rafters, roof decking, plywood on side walls. Moving along good; having excellent Spring weather with no humidity, although up to 90 this afternoon.

Hello Rick! It's nice to see someone from my home, Modesto on this site. When I saw N. Cal. I wondered if it was someone we knew, and the more I read, the more I was sure of it. I'm glad to see you encourage the friends to sign up for RBC because I think some have the idea they can just go to help out when a build or remodel comes to their area. (That's what I find when talking with some.) I was motivated to sign up when I learned there were jobs coming to Modesto. In Feb. we went to Stockton for an orientation, which was just wonderful to experience. We were interviewed, photographed, watched the safety video, were introduced to the builder website, given our badge, all official. What a change from the "old days." Our first experience with building a K.H. was "back in the day" before the quick build era. Our first hall in Modesto on Tully Rd (were you old enough to remember?) It took some months but anyone and everyone had a part. That is no longer a K.H., being sold to build the one on Carver Rd. My husband, Larry, being a building contractor, you'd think some of it would rub off on me, but I am as ignorant and unskilled as any newbie in that dept, but there was always plenty to do elsewhere, in food prep, cleanup, you name it. The joy of it is being with your brothers and sisters sharing in the work, knowing the reason is to have a place to worship and honor Jehovah. That is why we try to encourage all to sign up and get acquainted with the new program. Looking forward to our coming project and, though I don't know what I will be doing, it may be hard work, but it will be enjoyable. Hope to see you there.