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When I went to my grandpa’s funeral the other day, I honestly didn’t expect anything to break through the spiritual fog I’ve been living in. If I'm being blunt...I’ve been spiritually thin for weeks...maybe even months now...and I’ve been carrying around this quiet shame about it. I’ve been attending meetings on Zoom, half-present, half somewhere else entirely. My study habits have fallen apart. My prayers feel like they start strong in my chest...but die before they have the ability to reach my mouth. And honestly, (except for a few people), I’ve been afraid to admit any of this out loud because it feels like one more failure stacked on top of everything else that’s already crushing me. But at the end of the funeral, my Uncle gave the prayer and said something in it that stopped me cold. It clung to me...refusing to let go...and I now fully believe that wasn't JUST my Uncle speaking...that was Jehovah...talking through him...directly to me. He said Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts. Not just his presence...not just his service...but his thoughts. I don’t know why that hit me the way it did, but it felt like someone reached inside my chest and pulled a cord I didn’t even realize was still connected. Because if Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts, then Jehovah has been missing mine too...and that realization crushed me. For the first time in a while...I went home...fired up my computer, made myself a steaming hot cup of Maxwell House...and started doing some personal research. Not research for a Midweek meeting...or a Watchtower study...but just for ME. You know...Psalm 139:1-4 is one of those scriptures we hear so often that it becomes background noise. “Jehovah knows our thoughts before we speak them.” I usually take that to mean he’s interested in us...that he's aware of everything. But sitting there in my computer room...sipping from that steaming mug...I suddenly heard it differently. If Jehovah knows my thoughts before I speak them, then he also knows when those thoughts toward him have gone “quiet”. I mean, that only makes sense, right? He knows when the conversation has stopped. He knows when the prayers have dried up. He knows when the spiritual part of me that used to reach for him with wide open arms has suddenly gone silent. And if he knows what it's like when we're engaged...when we're pouring our heart out to him...if he can FEEL that...then it follows that he also feels the absence of it. But he's not angry at me...he's not judging me...he's actually longing for me to start speaking again. The more I thought about this...the more another verse began to tug at my brain...pulling me deeper into my research...pushing me further from Satan and his thinking...tugging me towards Jehovah...towards his outstretched arms. Malachi 3:16 suddenly sprang to mind...the verse about Jehovah listening so closely to the conversations of those who fear him that he writes them down in a book of remembrance. I’ve always thought of that verse as something encouraging, something that shows how much Jehovah values loyalty. But now I’m seeing the other side of it. If Jehovah "writes down" our spiritual conversations...if he records them, if he appreciates them THAT much...then what does it mean when the pages go blank...when the entries stop...when a gap appears, like when you're recording your voice and suddenly stop talking for a few seconds. Again, it means Jehovah notices. It means he feels the silence...it's like he starts straining to hear us...to detect WHY we've quit talking. It means he misses the sound of MY voice. And that’s where I’ve been...I've been living in that silence...in that “pause” of the voice recording. My wife is overseas, dealing with medical issues that keep getting mishandled. She’s in a homeless shelter. She’s not getting the help she needs. Every day I wake up with this knot in my chest that doesn’t go away, and every night I go to bed with the same knot, only tighter...thicker...heavier. My thoughts have been consumed by fear, frustration, helplessness, and guilt...that's just the plain and simple truth. And somewhere in the middle of all this chaos, my spiritual voice dimmed. Not because I stopped loving Jehovah. Not because I don’t care. But because I’ve been mentally and emotionally exhausted in a way I don’t know how to explain to anyone...not even to Jehovah. (Try THAT thought on for size) So when my Uncle said Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts, it felt like Jehovah was quietly telling me, “Tim, I miss yours too.” Not in the way to make me feel ashamed. Not in a “get it together, Tim!” kind of way either. But in a way that reminded me that my relationship with him isn’t built on perfect attendance or flawless study habits. It’s built on connection...on conversation...on thoughts that turn toward him even when life is tearing and ripping you apart...even then. That’s why I’m going to the Kingdom Hall this morning. It’s been over a month since I’ve walked through those doors. I don’t have answers for the questions people will ask. I don’t have a neat explanation for the mess my life is in. I don’t have some powerful spiritual comeback story. But I do have one desire today...just one honest, fragile goal that I desperately want to accomplish this morning. I want to turn the volume up just a little. Not all the way...I'm not ready for that yet...I'm not even sure I'm ready for this. But I'm going to try...because if there's one thing I know for certain: there is temporary pain in serving Jehovah...but there is everlasting death in choosing the other side. And if any of you reading this are struggling in your own way...if your prayers have gone quiet, if your study has gone cold, if your meeting attendance has slipped...if your thoughts toward Jehovah have been drowned out by fear or grief or exhaustion...please believe me: Jehovah misses your thoughts too! Not your performance...not your “perfection”...no, he misses your thoughts...the ones you used to give him...the ones you still want to give him even if you don’t know how. Honestly...just speaking plainly among friends...I may regress. I may crawl back into my hole and ask the ground to cover me over. I may get hurt today...someone may offend me...may unknowingly rip open wounds that are still bleeding and raw...but I'm going anyways. Why? Because Jehovah misses my thoughts...and because the silence between me and my best friend is something that I can no longer endure. Even if everyone else in that Kingdom Hall were to suddenly descend upon me and start asking hurtful questions or saying mean things, (obviously I'm exaggerating), I'm not there to listen to them anyway. I'm there because my best friend is there...because HE misses my thoughts...and truthfully...because I can no longer endure the silence between me...and Jehovah.

Please pray for us brothers, it's a difficut siituation here in Pereira. so much devestation.... Jehovah has been kind and we are endevoring to press on, but the amount of detruction is beyond anything I have ever ecperienced.

Also, a quick update on the meeting. I ended up coming in a few minutes after the meeting started. A lot of people smiled and waved and we're really happy to see me, one person even came up during the meeting and gave me a hug from behind as I sat on my chair. I really enjoyed being there in person, but I will be completely honest with you guys, my focus was inwards rather than outwards. I sat there and nearly right away, Satan jumped on my back by means of a message from my wife expressing her disgust and outrage at the legal system and hospital system in the UK...a system that was essentially leaving her to die on her own without much practical help. I know she wasn't thinking about the time difference, I know she wasn't really aware that I was sitting at the hall when she typed that message. But it immediately arrested my attention and all the feelings and emotions came rushing back. I spent the first 10 or 15 minutes of that poor brother's talk in tears, just fighting to wrestle my attention back and try to pay attention. The Watchtower study was a shambles, I faded in and out of awareness as brothers and sisters made really good comments around me. I couldn't really concentrate, I kept having to pull my attention back to the study...it was really hard not to give up and walk out and sit in my car. But I stuck it out, I stayed. One older brother approached me right after the last prayer and shook my hand and said he missed my comments and my presence and it was good to see me back, and...laying everything out on the table...it opened a wound. I know he didn't mean it that way, but it made me immediately aware of what I was NO LONGER doing...and it hurt. But I stayed, and I associated a little. A brother invited me out to eat, throwing in for good measure that he would pay for the meal, but I turned him down. I'm deeply grateful that he even thought of me, but that wasn't really the point of me going to the meeting today. I know Jehovah uses the friends, and believe me, I DID get encouragement from being there and seeing everyone...despite how I sound now. I'm just choosing to be blunt, I'm choosing to say the things that I often leave unsaid. I went because I needed to speak to my best friend today...I needed to be in his house...to be close to where he was. I felt peace sitting there, I felt like a couple of pieces of the puzzle that make up "me" suddenly clicked back into place...it felt warm and comfortable. Again, I'm not claiming that I'm healed, that everything is good now. I'm fully aware that I may regress at some point, but for right now I feel like my battery was recharged somewhat, and I'm happy with that for right now. Thank you to everyone who read, commented or left an emoji. I'm trying very hard to be transparent with all of this, it's not easy when it feels like I'm 30 ft below the surface of an ocean and I'm struggling to kick my way back up to the surface just to take a single breath of fresh air before I get sucked back under. I know Jehovah is there, he's already proven that many times over. It's on me to stay close to him, it's just a little bit harder when I feel like Satan and his demons have climbed onto my back and are refusing to let go.

One of my students mother passed away as a building collapsed. another still cannot locate his family in Cali. When it is this close, people I know and study with, pray with etc, it has an impact on my heart. I toight I had empathy before... Yesterday we were able to re-enter our building, get some stuff, clothes etc. Many arre worse off than us, and there are yet more eq in number and destruction happening even now. Fires, floods, eq, hurricanes oh we need the new world! I am trying to gather myself, for this is when the community needs the help of a better future. Gotta get out and preach!! Sorry to ramble on.

Our Hall was upgraded with AC last year. Meanwhile, Twickenham Convention starts tomorrow and we have received advice re. the hot weather: “We care deeply about those most at risk in hot weather and many have expressed appreciation for the option to enjoy the live convention programme using JW Stream. Congregation elders have the details to access this provision. We’re sure you will carefully weigh Bible principles when deciding what is best for you personally.” Along with sensible advice for those that do decide to attend.

I hope the brothers announce that the Day of Jehovah has begun instead of the Great Tribulation has begun. It puts the focus on what Jehovah is doing instead of how it will affect us.

I can’t help but wonder what it will be like to suddenly receive a warning or announcement saying, “The Great Tribulation has begun!” Have you ever imagined what our personal reaction would be? It would mark a step toward the transformation and destruction of everything we know as the system.

We love you Tim! Empathy is not my strong emotion, but you moved me too. This system stinks and watching our loved ones suffer takes it out of us. I hope your wife finds good help. That constant search is hard too. May Jehovah give you both the strength you need and the peace of God that protects your heart and mind (Phil 4:6-9).

Bro Tim. I really appreciate your honesty. It brought tears to my eyes. I have two family members that may feel this same way! I am going to send to them your thoughts and hope they honestly hear what your are saying and apply it to themselves. I have certainly applied to myself! I think we all 'slip' at times and that needs to be quickly corrected in ourselves. Thank you for your honesty and happy to hear you are 'recovering'. DG

>>He said Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts. Not just his presence...not just his service...but his thoughts. I don’t know why that hit >>me the way it did, but it felt like someone reached inside my chest and pulled a cord I didn’t even realize was still connected. Because if >>Jehovah misses my grandpa’s thoughts, then Jehovah has been missing mine too...and that realization crushed me. For the first time in a >>while...I went home...fired up my computer, made myself a steaming hot cup of Maxwell House...and started doing some personal >>research. Waoh! That's profound. Jehovah missing our thoughts when we are dead. It's a profound truth which has always been there but on reading that verse, which says Jehovah discerns our thoughts while we are living... So if he misses our thoughts when we are dead, it shows a connection to Job which says Jehovah in fact yearns to bring his faithful ones back to life. Waoh! No wonder it hit you in a different way. It hit me like a Wow! moment. I learned one thing: Our thoughts are a shared relationship we have with Jehovah and no one else, unless we choose to share with others. And if Jehovah misses it, then surely he yearns to bring us to life in the resurrection so that relationship can continue. I wish I had an opportunity to share that with someone else in a way they can understand how valuable, cherished and loved we are by Jehovah even if and when we sleep in death. That's profound bro. Very profound. Thanks for sharing. Next time I happen to read Psalm 139 I would attempt to try it on the other lines, not just that line on discerning our thoughts while alive. Thanks for sharing.

Jehovah may have been missing your thoughts, because He has been reading your heart's letters, Tim. He wants you to read them outloud to Him, dear brother

I don't care if AC makes me soft, at least I'm not sweating. 🥵

Before I went to meeting this morning I read your post out loud to my husband. We both cried. Not only because of your pain but because you said so many things we all feel at times. And so even at your lowest point my brother you helped lift so many. You pushed yourself and also pulled along those who were needing a little extra. Thank you for sharing it. We pray for you and your wife. Soon we will see Jehovah's deliverance from all our troubles.

Tim, even while you felt that your thoughts toward Jehovah had gone quiet, everything you wrote shows that your heart never really left him. You were overwhelmed, grieving, frightened for your wife, and simply exhausted—and Jehovah knew the difference between silence caused by indifference and silence caused by pain. Going to the Hall was the right thing. So is honestly telling Jehovah where you have been. You may have felt far away from him. I know he was never far away from you. ub Dave

We are praying for you and others (Venesuelans). We are devastated as if we were there with you. I can speak for myself that the emotional pain I am experiencing confuses me and hurts me because our brothers are going through so much. I wonder at times why Jehovah does not bring this system to a close. But, he has his schedule and will bring it on time. Continue praying for strength, faith and help others. We should ALL be out of this soon.

A major, shallow quake has just struck Ende, Indonesia. That makes five Major quakes in just the past four days.

It's getting hotter everywhere brother. It's not the same world as back then. We have KHs without AC that have had to go Zoom only in London during the 5 heatwaves so far this year. This is unprecedented and will only get worse. All fans and AC units in the UK sold out in June and we have none in the shops. Last week in our monthly Announcements from branch we got a reminder to check our go bags because of the risk of wildfires in the UK. Yesterday we got the fulfilment ... From BBC news.

Of course you are all in our prayers, as well as our family in Venezula. These disasters happen so fast and furious that it is hard to wrap our minds around it all. How Jehovah's organization keeps up with all the disasters is beyond me! The cost and the volunteer manpower needed for disaster relief committee's has to be enormous, yet it is always there and ready for the next disaster. Keep donating, keep praying and keep the faith!

The earth is definitely in peril. The weather patterns are so far off and every single decision greedy men and corporations make just plunge it further into disaster after disaster. These data centers going in all over the world are the last nail in the coffin I think. They will cause untold damage to the water and atmosphere and sink innocent people who depend on these resources further into despair. It's no wonder the Bible tells us that "men will become faint out of fear". The news media is geared to make people afraid of absolutely everything - everything we eat, every kind of medicine we take, every phone call or message we get, every place we go, - every decision we make is a wrong one. The stress of life is getting too great and people are going nuts because they can't handle it. Seems like life is nothing but mass murders, natural disasters, fear of another world war and general craziness. And this all BEFORE the GT happens! Life after the GT starts is something we all must spiritually and mentally prepare for now - I have a feeling what we are experiencing now will feel like a cakewalk compared to after the GT starts.

Lots of structural damage.🙈😢

I'm so proud of you. I'm proud to call you my brother. I understand why you were distracted but your presence at the meeting allowed you to receive encouragement from Jehovah and your spiritual family. One step at a time. 💚

Honestly, my cousin gave the funeral talk and he said so many things about my grandpa that I never knew...it made me feel ashamed. My grandpa was in the truth is entire life, my step dad's family has five generations in the truth, so it runs deep in the family. But to be completely honest, I never really got to know him like that. I was around him from when my Mom married my step dad at the age of 6. We moved to the family farm that had been in their family for generations only to sell the farm a couple of years later because the farm simply didn't pay for itself anymore. That sort of caused a rift in the family, so it was a bit strained growing up. As a teenager, I was too full of rebellion to really get to know him, and then I was incarcerated for 15 years after that, so I really missed out on all those memories that my cousin spoke about at the funeral. It wasn't until after I got out of prison that I really got to know him a little bit, and I liked what I saw. He loved to reminisce, he remembered things about being in the truth and the early days before they were even elders, back when they met in a tiny schoolhouse as their Kingdom Hall. We had many good conversations when I would stop by their house and visit for a while, I think one of the primary reasons that family rift healed was because I was one of the only grandchildren stopping by on a semi regular basis just to visit. But it wasn't too long before he started losing his eyesight and withdrawing into himself, although even then we had some good talks about the good old days. He had forgotten more about farming than most people would ever learn in a lifetime...and he knew more about the area where he grew up and the people in it then probably 99% of the other people living in that area. Listening to him was like watching a movie in your head, that's the best way I can describe it. He was very good with names and remembered details that most people would consider irrelevant, but those tiny little details actually gave the spice and the flavor to his stories. That's what I remember about him most, thanks for asking. I know we all look forward to seeing those we love brought back, I don't think it'll be long now

What beautiful meaningful expressions. FWIW, I have been the sister who asked about someone, something and quickly realized, within seconds, how regrettable my words were. Please know, sometimes, we goof up ... royally. Mostly it is because, sadly, we don't know what to say and say the wrong thing. Lovingly, the person responded, "It's not something I want to talk about right now." I totally respected that! She turned what I mistakenly thought was kindness back to me. Maybe, just maybe, you can prepare yourself with simple kind words to indicate one way or another, you're not open to discuss those deep thoughts, personal situations, etc etc., but you are glad to be there. Simple. If at all possible, that is. Jehovah sees you and your wife. You both matter. Thank you for sharing because it really helps us all in many ways. 💙

Who is Conner Leahy? Connor Leahy is a German-American artificial intelligence researcher, entrepreneur, and prominent advocate for AI safety and alignment. So, he's a guy that makes money off of encouraging people to make sure AI is controlled? So, he's always worried because he makes money encouraging other people to be worried? And we should listen to him so we can pay him more money? This seems circular to me....

There was a 4.8 in Spain this morning. Not a big one but it made some damages and was felt in Madrid. https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/earthquake-measuring-richter-20260815014340-nt.html

My first Kingdom Hall in the '70s had no AC, no fans, only small windows. It was miserable in the summer 🥵 Nearly impossible to keep the children still, babies whining, pregnant sisters gasping.. Yay for air con - and my sincere condolences to those without it.. 🙏🏼💐

Yes the scence of this world is getting worsen everytime as it is closer to the GT. But remember what Jesus said "...for these things must take place, but the end is not yet." (Mat 24:6) We need to endure all of this things in the last days until GT. Eduring this means our lives. fruitage of Jehovah's holy spirit helps us to make until the new world.

@ChrisW beat me to it! Very proud of you my brother. Happy to hear you went AND stuck around. ^^^^^^^^

...it used to be a forest.

Many prayers my brother.

Family Worship every single night. Conceil literature around the house. Visit, call or text the brothers every week. Check my contacts [family, coworkers, neighbors, delivery guys, ...] and offer a bible course to every one.

Hi Tim, I also really appreciate your honesty in sharing your feelings. Most of us are struggling some way emotionally at this point. This is a rhetorical question…you don’t have to answer. Is it possible you are also a little angry at Jehovah regarding the situation with your wife? If so, you are not alone in your feelings. Many deal with those feelings from time to time. I often remember the experience of the brother whose daughter was murdered when someone cut her open to steal her baby. He expressed in the article how he had to deal with his feelings of being angry at Jehovah. If you are angry, it’s ok. It’s normal and very human. Since you are in a situation where there is little you can do regarding your wife, I’m sure it’s so disheartening. We all pray with you and for you that you both are relieved soon of the stress of what is going on. Much love.

“I need to hide all my chocolate.”

Different reactions for sure. "Oh oh not yet Jesus, Ihave many things to change" "Hmm, not yet, I still have to pioneer" "I have to simply my life first" "Im living a double life, I need to change."

I'll start a day by day journal on this very day of announcement

At any time Jehovah could have stopped Cain from murdering his brother. At any time Jehovah could have prevented the Jews from killing Isaiah in such a horrific way. At any time Jehovah could have stepped to save his own Son on the torture stake. Some in the congregation may experience pain. We ourselves may also experience pain. Such as the pattern of the Witnesses of God. Witness in Greek is μάρτυς, from which we got the word 'martyr'. But never must you believe that it means Jehovah has abandonned you or does not care about you. All of your acts of long suffering are written in his book. Your hardships are not in vain, they are a response to Satan who claimed that he can make each and every individual to turn away from Jehovah the moment we face hardship. Satan's challenge involves you personnaly. Will you prove him to be a liar and sanctify the God of righteoussness?

Sunday, August 16 I wrote to you: to determine whether you would give proof of your obedience in all things.—2 Cor. 2:9. He is “good and ready to forgive,” said David. (Ps. 86:5) Micah wrote: “Who is a God like you, pardoning error and passing over the transgression?” (Mic. 7:18) And Isaiah stated: “Let the wicked man leave his way and the evil man his thoughts; let him return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will forgive in a large way.” (Isa. 55:7) To imitate Jehovah, the congregation in Corinth was told to welcome back a repentant man and assure him of their love. By following that direction, the congregation showed their “obedience in all things.” True, only months had passed since the man was removed, but the discipline had successfully led him to repentance. So there would be no point in delaying his reinstatement into the congregation. w24.08 17-18 ¶12-1

Saturday, August 15 Go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God.—Col. 1:10. Good work, as mentioned in today’s text, includes the preaching of the good news. So when we read God’s Word and meditate on it, our faith in Jehovah is strengthened and the importance of sharing the Kingdom message becomes clear. To get the most out of God’s Word, we should avoid rushing through our reading, study, and meditation. Take your time. If you come across a scripture that you have trouble understanding, do not skip over it. Instead, use the Watch Tower Publications Indexor the Research Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses to find an explanation about the verse. If you take your time when studying, you will strengthen your confidence in the truthfulness of God’s Word. (1 Thess. 5:21) The more convinced you are, the more you will enjoy sharing what you have learned with others. w24.04 15 ¶4-5

Beautiful report. I don't know why, but it has always irked me how much trouble people have with a little apostrophe S in "Jehovah's Witnesses." Even some fellow believers struggle with it. To me, that little apostrophe S carries real weight. It's the difference between simply being witnesses and being Jehovah's witnesses, people who belong to him and represent him specifically. Getting it right feels like a small way of honoring what the name actually points to. I do understand that in some pidgin and creole languages, the apostrophe S isn't used, and that's simply a language thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0gvsx3xZl4

Might we all be getting a bit soft. Oh I enjoy air-conditioning but I reflect back on the first 40 years going to the KH with no air C.

Until recently, our two-story Kingdom Hall had ceiling fans. After submitting an application to the Bethel office for renovation, we had air conditioners installed on both the first and second floors. Now we can practically freeze ourselves while listening to the program and the prepared talks.

Thursday, August 13 God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it.—1 Cor. 10:13. Seeing Jehovah as a living Person will allow us to view our trials properly. How so? We begin to see our trials as part of a bigger issue between Jehovah and Satan. The Devil claims that when we suffer hardship, we will abandon Jehovah. (Job 1:10, 11; Prov. 27:11) But when we deal with our trials successfully, we show our love for Jehovah and prove the Devil a liar. Are you facing government opposition, economic hardship, negative responses to your preaching, or some other trial? If so, remember that your situation gives you an opportunity to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. Remember, too, that he will never let you be tested beyond your limits. He will give you the strength to endure. w24.06 22 ¶9

This is a favorite scripture of mine,.. It became my favorite as my mother-in-law used to quote it often, as she suffered so many physical ailments that ultimately led to her death. We would visit her daily in the hospital. little. One day I walked in to find her hanging over the edge of her bed. She's said "I just told Jehovah he's got more confidence in my ability to suffer than I do." Jehovah was right. When it was too much, she was out, then gone. I will introduce you to her in the future. You will love her!

Archive.org has several old bibles in foreign languages. I have Biblia Sagrada - Joao Almeida 1903 (27M). Codex Vaticanus in its 3 columns of Greek (17M). Diatessaron (1867) (.5M). Latin Vulgate -Gutenberg 1462 (1.2G ouch)

Antarctica now at 2nd lowest. Massive Ice losses for 3 days straight during refreeze season. Melting season starts around Nov 1st. Ocean are at its hottest ever since record keeping began.

At least 20 dead following 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia https://edition.cnn.com/2026/08/10/world/live-news/colombia-earthquake-san-jose-del-palmar

43 now +33 = 76 Some of family died in cancer in their late 30s. Im having problem with my stomach and im having a tumor in different parts of my body .. I dunno if they're benign or cancerous .. Life is shorter these days..

Dont think anything will compare with this El Niño