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hkhb15963
03-20-2008, 01:16 PM
Hi,

My name is Jessie, and I am not defined by who I kiss goodnight.

I'm a smalltown Missouri girl who has been in Alabama for the past 15 years. At age 3, I recited the Lord's Prayer in front of my little hometown Assemblies of God congregation (although I do not remember this incident, my family swears that I refused to give the microphone back once the congregates started clapping :p ). I attended a Southern Baptist Elementary School, and completed grades 7-12 at a Non-Denominational Private Christian School here in Huntsville. I graduated officially as both Saludatorian and class-clown. Soon after, I spent my college days at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. After college I spent the majority of my twenties as a children's/youth minister and travelling around the country speaking and leading worship for a women's prayer ministry. In 2005 I was featured in a Choose Life Inspirational Video promoting Abstinence.

Oddly enough, this does not define me either...

However, in November of 2006, tucked underneath a pine tree, under an almost full moon, after years of denial, self-hatred, and pure confusion, I let love define me, and I have never looked back.

Today, my wife Sherry and I live out the greatest adventure either of us has ever experienced, with 3 insanely wonderful kids to keep us in line, and one unbelievably adorable puppy named Satchel T. McNugget to keep us on our toes. There is still plenty of adversity everyday, but I am convinced that every setback, every mountain, every wall, every injury, every small step has its purpose. I'm excited about this forum, and eager to learn more about soulforce.org. I am one of many LGBT's that has been inspired by "For The Bible Tells Me So" and look forward to lots of great interaction with this community.

~Jess

paul
03-20-2008, 01:39 PM
Hi Jessie :wave:,

What a great story...and well written too. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to SF. I am an official (not really) member of the SF welcom wagon. I am so glad to read that you escaped your past and are able to accept all of you. I do hope that you stay around (so many seem to ring and run :confused:) and become part of the gang, you are welcome. We are a diverse group, there are some truly great people here, I hope you become one of them.

Paul

Zerbie
03-20-2008, 02:35 PM
Yeah, that is a great intro! Do you work in writing, or public speaking in some capacity?

Anyway. Welcome, Jessie.
:)

hkhb15963
03-20-2008, 03:47 PM
Thanks Paul and Zerbie,

I think I'll stick around for awhile and probably talk too much, if thats all right :pray:

I love to write! Songs, Poems, Stories, Rants, Sermonettes, Love Notes... and the list continues. I don't write professionally though, however I am certainly not opposed to it. I have spoken publicly extensively, and feel almost as "at home" in front of 500 as I would 5. I am interested in community service, public relations, and activism with regard to GLBT issues especially in my home state. If either of you, or anyone else for that matter, run accross anything of interest in North Alabama, please feel free to pass it along.

Awwwwwww, I'm feeling very loved! GOOD JOB GREETERS!

Daniel
03-20-2008, 05:38 PM
May I call you Honey for the moment Jessie?

Your intro post is simply filled with the fragrance of sweetness, warmth and amber light.


However, in November of 2006, tucked underneath a pine tree, under an almost full moon, after years of denial, self-hatred, and pure confusion, I let love define me, and I have never looked back.

This is really beautiful.....letting yourself be defined by Love...makes a world of sense to me.

Welcome to Soulforce!

Gregory_de_Bois
03-20-2008, 09:33 PM
May I call you Honey for the moment Jessie?

Your intro post is simply filled with the fragrance of sweetness, warmth and amber light.



This is really beautiful.....letting yourself be defined by Love...makes a world of sense to me.

Welcome to Soulforce!

Ditto. Wow. You sound like an amazingly wonderful person;you will surely find this place and its "inhabitants" pretty sweet. The world needs more people like you. Your wife and children (and lovely canine companion, too!) are so blessed to have you. May God bless you and keep you!

Namaste,

Greg

pnggrad79
03-21-2008, 09:52 AM
Hi Jess,
I like you already. You and I have a lot in common. I was raised in a very conservative Southern Baptist home, too. I understand having a deep, rich relationship with God and meandering through the mysteries of God. I also understand the struggle you felt in realizing you are a lesbian. Oh God, that was me for so many wasted years!!!!! I thought, "How can I be in love with a woman, I am a Christian?!!!" So I denied, buried, and minimized my feelings. Finally one night, I came out to God on my knees (like He didn't know!) and came out to myself. Then I went upstairs, crawled into bed with my lover and said, " I am in love with you" and started sobbing. She grabbed me and said, "Duh, baby! I have been in love with you for years!" 7 years later, we are still crazy about each other, grappling with issues of communication, work and children, but we are gonna make it. Love is the key.

I applaud you and your wife and am amazed at your 3 kids. Did you adopt or did you or wife have them or did they come with the package? How is it living in Alabama? I can imagine it is much like living in Texas. I also know it is the greatest joy you have every known and you wouldn't trade it for anything else. Much love to you and joy and everything that is good! God Bless you and your family!

Vanessa White
03-21-2008, 12:52 PM
Welcome Jess! So glad that you found us here! And I will agree with all of my SF friends here, your writing style/talent is amazing. I could picture the pine tree and the beauty of the moment.

Sounds like you have a full life now; I am glad for you that you "found your voice" and are able to be fully who you are. I also like speaking in front of others, and although I have not had the opportunity to speak before 500, I welcome it!!

Glad you are here with us! Peace, Vanessa :love:

Gennee
03-21-2008, 06:34 PM
Hi Jessie and welcome to the site. Thank you so much for your wonderful post. It's a source of encouragement to us all. May you and Sherry be blessed by our Lord.

Gennee

:wave::love::love:

antiochian
04-01-2008, 05:17 PM
Hello and welcome!

OtterXero
04-09-2008, 03:48 AM
Oh my gosh! You sound so outgoing! That makes me so happy. I feel I can relate to you
just based off thinking about the similarities in how our lives sound to be crazy and jam-packed. It's great to hear that you are at an extremely happy place in your life. Welcome to SF!

tymejumper
04-09-2008, 06:11 PM
Welcome Jessie and family! My wife and I have 3 children ourselves. Pleased to have you here on SF. I have a friend from Arkansas but I don't know too much about Alabama.