Bullies and the Bullied

So I have started reading the blog Single Dad Laughing and I really enjoy it. A few weeks ago he posted about bullies and his life dealing with them. This was hard to read, I was constantly picked on as a child. I was tall and lanky, all knees and elbows. I wore out of date clothes (mostly hand-me-downs from my sister) that look awful on me. I never felt pretty, I desperately wanted to be every ones friend. We were a military family and I was a perpetual new kid. I cried a lot, but I don't remember ever wanting to kill myself, mostly because I didn't want to hurt my parents. Home was my saving grace. My parents always let me know how much they loved me.
Instead of hating myself I hate cities where I was most unhappy. I hated Tucson AZ. until we went there on a vacation. For my 28th birthday I discovered Tucson was not a horrible, dark, unfriendly, hell hole. It is beautiful with all the mountains and palm trees. I still, however, hold a grudge on Lockhart TX. I was miserable in that town, my days were spent at the library and riding around on my bike avoiding certain neighborhoods where the evil bullies hung out.
I love home though, evn though it was a tiny 2bdrm single wide trailer, and my mom was quite ill(Lupus). Each morning my dad would cook us a hot breakfast and we would do a daily devotional.
In these to places I didn't even have friends my age at church! Adults adored me, but kids thought I was weird. That's until the Blankes came to town and I received the blessing of Krystal and Grace. Without them I would have had nothing. They were homeschooled and we had so many adventures at their home out in the country.
Anyway, as I have grown I have discovered that everyone needs to feel loved, and those that do not lash out at those who do. They have the goal to break down every one so they are below them. As Dan has stated in his blog, "put your arms around a bully" give them a hug. Also love those who are bullied! All of them, no matter the reason!
Yesterday I wore purple to remember the teens who have killed themselves for being bullied for being gay. Yes, conservative Christian Autumn! These kids were God's! He love all of us, no matter where we are in life. And as Christians it is up to us to love them! Shame on those who bullied them and called themselves Christians, shame on people who bully other in God's name. My God is the God of love and compassion. As a Christian I speak the truth in love, and love my neighbor and myself. You are all my neighbors! I expect you to keep me accountable for this. I have some apologizing to do, I know this. I am far from perfect but I am forgiven much, and therefor love much.

I kinda went all over the place with this post...but I hope you get my message.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

Introduction

Hello my friends, today I am all jazzed! I finally convinced Dustin to blog! Like everything else in my life, we now will share this special place.

So, without further ado,
I give you Dustin.

Sink or Swim

Learning to swim means letting go of the side of the pool, as child I am reminded of how massive the pool seemed to me and how I was so afraid of the water because it looked deeper beyond what I could see. Learning to swim is not an easy task but eventually you will have to let go. Your relationship with God in the same way requires that you let go of the world and trust in Him to keep you a float, at first you may be frightened of letting go of all the problems and worries you are drowning in, but once you let go of them and come to the surface God will be there holding out His hand to pull you out of the pool of despair. Learning to trust in God is no easy task but eventually if you let go He will pull you out of the water and you will for the first time breath easily.

Hi!

Haven't posted in a while.
I have been busy with school, and parenting and best of all making my marriage stronger than ever.
Prayer and unconditional love and understanding make such a difference! Amen!

Here are some cute moments from a zoo trip we took the other day.

 Talking about what to see first. Deep thoughts.

 Do you see how involved he is?

 Lovin' my babies!

 So big! I love how the bathroom has a sink just for little ones.

 Look at that cute face!

 Gone fishing!

 Knocked out!

Yes friends that is a genuine SMILE!