Thanks so much everyone. I am trying to word things in my head how I’ll tell my parents without getting into too much detail. They have to understand that I feel so good about leaving and free of stress. I think that right there has to say something. Why do u think everyone at the mtgs are “weighed down”? It’s because of all the pressure and guilt everyone faces in the name of the “truth”. It’s not right. Doing something you love shouldn’t make people have depressions and burnouts. Anyways, I want to keep it simple with my parents and be upbeat about it so they can see that I am doing really well. They are taught that when someone leaves they are all down and out and nothing can go right for them. That is the furthest from the truth for my family and myself personally.
As far as the elders are concerned, I have been ignoring them for weeks now. I hate to be the “home but hiding” type, but I really don’t have anything to say to them. They are like the police at this point. When I was fading for the last year or so, I hardly had a phone call. (not that I’m complaining). But if you look at it from their standpoint, don’t you think if they felt it was so important that they would have tried harder to help me at the time? I was a spiritual single parent, dragging my kids out several times a week to mtgs and service. They saw that for 2 years and also saw in the last year a big difference in my attendance, yet not much attention was given. Again, not that I am complaining. All that to say, I go “missing” for a month and I have the elders on my back like I’m a criminal. Weird, but not surprising. I have not spoken to anyone since my last mtg in January. I do not intend to try to talk to anyone either. There were some very nice people in my hall that had kids and that I got along with, but I really just want to sever all ties to that religion and move on.
Sorry for the long winded post. I have not talked to anyone but my husband about all my feelings, so I guess here is a good way to vent. Take care y’all and hope to hear from you again…
avidbiblereader: thanks for your direct advice. You’re right about asking why I would have to tell my parents. I don’t really plan to come out and tell them without them asking about it. So far, they seem to be avoiding the subject and we do a lot of chatting online. I am planning to just tell them when they ask. I just want to be prepared for when the time comes. I have my other sister coming to see me in May and she is pioneering, so a part of me wants to tell her ahead of time rather than springing it on her. That part I haven’t quite thought out enough. Anyways, ttyl and thanks again.. (even if the elders do catch me at some point, there is nothing they can do to make me go back. My decision is final!)