Yes, I am back to writing on this blog. Now, you are afraid once again. But what exactly are you afraid of? Afraid that I may comment about you on my blog? I just might, and chances are you might not like it. Afraid I will write something offensive? This is a good possibility if you find reading about the life of a homosexual male to be offensive. Just remember you can always choose not to read it. Afraid links to the blog will come across your newsfeed on social media? I assure you it definitely will, unless you decide to block me from showing up in your newsfeed. If this is your choice, you are probably also afraid for the other reasons, and you should just block me completely because you are not someone I want associated with my life.
To Be Continued . . .
Saturday, February 2, 2013
TRANSITIONING FROM 2012 TO 2013
So long 2012. What a year this past year was. During the past year, I found myself staring at impending change and taking on new and rewarding challenges. As I look back, I find myself to be happier, stronger, and more in tune with change. The challenges and changes of 2012 have taught me that I am who I am because of where I have been and what I have done in life. I have found love and an amazing partner who supports me daily, I work hard to be involved with my twin sons, I pour my heart into my love for teaching, and I found myself submerged into the life of political activism. I have done more in the past year for myself and the ones I love than I have done in a long while. As 2013 begins, I choose to set my sights on bigger and better things for my future with the ones I love. I will be the best, most supportive partner to the love of my life and live every day to prove how much he means to me. I will strive daily to show my sons how to live life to the fullest without regret, while showing them unconditional love is theirs. I will seek ways to improve education for my children and my students, past and present. I will stretch beyond my comfort zone and take political activism onto new heights as I plan to speak in Washington, DC in April to spread my message nationally. 2012 showed me that I am more than one small voice, but that I am one voice that has the power to move mountains when others share the same vision. As 2012 started, I found myself a bit lost in the world, searching for a purpose. AS 2012 closes out and 2013 makes its grand entrance, I find renewed purpose in my goals and aspirations. I look to this New Year with an optimistic mind and a heart filled with passion for the people I love and the profession I hold dear. 2012 will leave me refreshed and renewed to take on the challenges of my newfound desires and my unending passions. I will take 2013 and love to the fullest as I expand my parameters of comfort and explore new endeavors. I will be all that I can be to show love, compassion, pride, and persistence for my family, friends, and colleagues nationwide. Thank you to everyone who touched me in 2012, to those who have guided me my whole life and those who are new arrivals in my journey. Together we will all accomplish great things personally and professionally as we venture into a new year with renewed strength and conviction. I will miss the loved ones who passed on this year, but I know their love is eternal. My 2013 will be lived in memory of my political heroine, my personal inspiration, my Granny. She taught me politics from an early age, and I am proud to have inherited her desire for political involvement. Granny taught me to know what I want and to go after it, to live with no regrets. I will do that in every way possible this New Year and I hope she looks down with pride as I take on this next challenge and set out to see where a new road may lead.
Monday, May 21, 2012
BAPTISMAL SUNDAY
This past weekend was spent by Rick and I traveling to Aurora for a visit to our Illinois family for baptismal Sunday at the Aurora Advent Christian Church. I must say that this weekend had a whole different meaning for me by the end. I set out on this trip excited to see my "Mom 2" and my sister Sarah, and to witness the baptism of my darling "bug-nugget". I was also looking forward to being witness to one of the last sermons at the Aurora Church for Kenny.
After our arrival on Friday evening, dinner that night, and our many events on Saturday, I began to realize the meaning of this trip. Then the true reality hit me when we arrived at Church for the early service, knowing we were going to be staying through until the end of the baptismal service as well, and faces from the past began to appear. Not just in the form of those in the sanctuary, but in my mind as well. As I listened to the message of the morning sermon, I was taken to a time when I was so unsure of my calling in life that I wanted to leave Aurora University and just go home. These people saved me. They showed me love and compassion, and allowed me to receive guidance from being a witness to their works and their own trials.
As Kenny spoke about our "calling" in life, I started to think back to my goals and dreams. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I have always felt called to be in the classroom. As I have contemplated over the past few months taking a step back and finding something else to do, this sermon struck a cord. I do not want to do anything else. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, and today I do it as my true self. I am 100% me in all that I do, and that is what we are "called" to do.
GOD "calls" each of us to be ourselves and use our gifts to help others. As I listened to the message, I realized that I strive daily to answer the "call", to serve as I am able, and to do so AS MYSELF!! So often I am ridiculed, scoffed at, and even talked about, but it is all because I am a being myself in EVERY aspect of my life. It too me years to step out of the shadows, mainly for fear of rejection by those i cared most deeply about. As I have been back to Aurora over the past couple of years, I have found I had no reason to worry. These people have accepted ME and continue to accept ME, and most recently they accept US into their "home". Rick and I have been honored to be able to attend services at the Aurora Advent Christian Church when we are in town, because we are accepted, loved, and truly blessed when we worship there.
I have searched for a while now to find a place to be who I am completely and still worship the Lord and Savior. I have found that place in Aurora, and WE are comfortable there. My heart sang loudly during worship times this Sunday as I heard Rick singing beside me, worshipping with me, and praising GOD for all he does. Our GOD is an awesome GOD, he is not a vindictive GOD of hate and damnation. He is loving, and forgiving, and ACCEPTING. Just as GOD is all these things, the wonderful congregation in Aurora is too. They know no prejudice toward anyone. They accept all who come to worship, and they praise GOD for their presence with them.
As the baptismal service proceeded, I was touched by each and every testimony, from the youngest (my 8year old bug-nugget) to the wisest. Testimonies written for Kenny to read, and the most eloquent and heartfelt testimony read by one baptism candidate them self. As these testimonies were shared, I felt my heart rise with the spirit of love in the room. I remembered my own baptism, in the YMCA pool, all those years ago and my spirit was renewed, my faith restored, that with all that is gong on in this nation, here is a place that you can go, A CHURCH, where you feel no judgment, you feel no shame, you feel no prejudice, you only feel the LOVE and ACCEPTANCE that the LORD desires of his church.
I hope to find a "home" church soon, as making the trip to Aurora every Sunday might be a bit of a stretch. Until then, I challenge everyone to remember your own Baptismal Sunday. How did you feel that day? Think about what we are all "called" to do. Not what your specific "calling" might be, but that we are all called to be ourselves and honestly love and care for our neighbors. Decide how you will use your gifts for the purpose of serving GOD by helping others, by being yourself.
GOD BLESS
After our arrival on Friday evening, dinner that night, and our many events on Saturday, I began to realize the meaning of this trip. Then the true reality hit me when we arrived at Church for the early service, knowing we were going to be staying through until the end of the baptismal service as well, and faces from the past began to appear. Not just in the form of those in the sanctuary, but in my mind as well. As I listened to the message of the morning sermon, I was taken to a time when I was so unsure of my calling in life that I wanted to leave Aurora University and just go home. These people saved me. They showed me love and compassion, and allowed me to receive guidance from being a witness to their works and their own trials.
As Kenny spoke about our "calling" in life, I started to think back to my goals and dreams. I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I have always felt called to be in the classroom. As I have contemplated over the past few months taking a step back and finding something else to do, this sermon struck a cord. I do not want to do anything else. I am doing what I am supposed to be doing, and today I do it as my true self. I am 100% me in all that I do, and that is what we are "called" to do.
GOD "calls" each of us to be ourselves and use our gifts to help others. As I listened to the message, I realized that I strive daily to answer the "call", to serve as I am able, and to do so AS MYSELF!! So often I am ridiculed, scoffed at, and even talked about, but it is all because I am a being myself in EVERY aspect of my life. It too me years to step out of the shadows, mainly for fear of rejection by those i cared most deeply about. As I have been back to Aurora over the past couple of years, I have found I had no reason to worry. These people have accepted ME and continue to accept ME, and most recently they accept US into their "home". Rick and I have been honored to be able to attend services at the Aurora Advent Christian Church when we are in town, because we are accepted, loved, and truly blessed when we worship there.
I have searched for a while now to find a place to be who I am completely and still worship the Lord and Savior. I have found that place in Aurora, and WE are comfortable there. My heart sang loudly during worship times this Sunday as I heard Rick singing beside me, worshipping with me, and praising GOD for all he does. Our GOD is an awesome GOD, he is not a vindictive GOD of hate and damnation. He is loving, and forgiving, and ACCEPTING. Just as GOD is all these things, the wonderful congregation in Aurora is too. They know no prejudice toward anyone. They accept all who come to worship, and they praise GOD for their presence with them.
As the baptismal service proceeded, I was touched by each and every testimony, from the youngest (my 8year old bug-nugget) to the wisest. Testimonies written for Kenny to read, and the most eloquent and heartfelt testimony read by one baptism candidate them self. As these testimonies were shared, I felt my heart rise with the spirit of love in the room. I remembered my own baptism, in the YMCA pool, all those years ago and my spirit was renewed, my faith restored, that with all that is gong on in this nation, here is a place that you can go, A CHURCH, where you feel no judgment, you feel no shame, you feel no prejudice, you only feel the LOVE and ACCEPTANCE that the LORD desires of his church.
I hope to find a "home" church soon, as making the trip to Aurora every Sunday might be a bit of a stretch. Until then, I challenge everyone to remember your own Baptismal Sunday. How did you feel that day? Think about what we are all "called" to do. Not what your specific "calling" might be, but that we are all called to be ourselves and honestly love and care for our neighbors. Decide how you will use your gifts for the purpose of serving GOD by helping others, by being yourself.
GOD BLESS
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