I am so happy for you, you endured it all and came out on top. I have a question though, when you die, can I have the part of your brain that thinks, speak and phrases words so elegantly? You don't have to do this for a long time, I can wait. Love you Bish.
My time in Georgia and at CITN were short about a year but the message still resonates in my soul. You have been a spiritual bridge over the troubled water of my life for the last four years! Have lost some family and friends my self....found my self! Blessings on you, your beautiful heart, spirit and soul. Thank you!!
I am happy that you are in a place where you have not only peace but Joy and true happiness. I pray that you not only grow in your personal life but also in your gift.
Well said! And I love you and admire your strength so much. You have blessed my life and I thank you....may you and Ken have abundant life together for many years....
Do you know Rev Frank Alton? He is a dear friend and has lived much of what you have experienced. He is on Facebook if you want to contact him use my name. My prayers continue to be with you in your brave decision to be who God made you to be.
I am so very proud of you and happy for you and Ken. My late partner of 11 1/2 years Ron and I did see the news story on CNN back in October 2010 regarding your coming out. I remember discussing this with Ron and I remember thinking to myself, good for him! I knew it definitely wasn't easy and for the first time in your life, you were going to be the complete you. On March 11, 2011, Ron passed away. Without going into full detail, I went through literal hell and got through it. I still have difficult moments every now and then, but I've come out the other side a stronger person. In late 2012, I was surfing videos on YouTube and found your coming out video to your congregation at CITN. I had only seen excerpts on CNN. I watched the entire video and was floored by your strength, bravery, honesty, and fortitude. Even though our situations are different, there is one major similarity. We both were, at the same time, finding out who we are. I remember a point during the video where you mentioned that you didn't know if you'd ever find someone and that you could very well be alone the rest of your life. Then Ken enters your life and the rest as they say, is history. I have no doubt you are in love with each other. I have told myself the same thing. I don't know if I'd ever find someone and I could very well be alone the rest of my life. I was blessed to have Ron and if one awesome relationship is all I'm meant to have, I am ok with that. In closing, I just wanted to say this and to let you know that I will be making the journey to Atlanta this weekend for Pride. It will be an amazing honor for me to meet you and Ken. Thank you for what you did. I know you don't know me from Adam, but I can honestly say that I look up to you and your strength and honesty has inspired me.
Wow, thanks, Ed! I really appreciate your kind words! By all means, come by and see us...we'll have our METRON service on Sunday morning, but other than that I should be at the booth for the whole time...looking forward to meeting you!
Irma Crump said...
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you, you endured it all and came out on top. I have a question though, when you die, can I have the part of your brain that thinks, speak and phrases words so elegantly? You don't have to do this for a long time, I can wait. Love you Bish.
You're a sweetheart, Irma <3
ReplyDeleteAnn Avion Jackson said...
ReplyDeleteMy time in Georgia and at CITN were short about a year but the message still resonates in my soul. You have been a spiritual bridge over the troubled water of my life for the last four years! Have lost some family and friends my self....found my self! Blessings on you, your beautiful heart, spirit and soul. Thank you!!
Thank you, Ann! That means a lot! <3
ReplyDeleteSheryl Morris Mitchell said...
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you are in a place where you have not only peace but Joy and true happiness. I pray that you not only grow in your personal life but also in your gift.
Thank you, Sheryl...I really appreciate it! <3
ReplyDeleteJean Wilkey De Sousa said...
ReplyDeleteWell said! And I love you and admire your strength so much. You have blessed my life and I thank you....may you and Ken have abundant life together for many years....
Thanks, sweet lady...love you always <3
ReplyDeleteTina Van Gorder McMurry said...
ReplyDeleteDo you know Rev Frank Alton? He is a dear friend and has lived much of what you have experienced. He is on Facebook if you want to contact him use my name. My prayers continue to be with you in your brave decision to be who God made you to be.
Thanks, Tina!
ReplyDeleteJere Luck said...
ReplyDeleteU inspire me!!
Thanks, Jeri!
ReplyDeleteEd Jarnagin said......
ReplyDeleteBishop Swilley,
I am so very proud of you and happy for you and Ken. My late partner of 11 1/2 years Ron and I did see the news story on CNN back in October 2010 regarding your coming out. I remember discussing this with Ron and I remember thinking to myself, good for him! I knew it definitely wasn't easy and for the first time in your life, you were going to be the complete you. On March 11, 2011, Ron passed away. Without going into full detail, I went through literal hell and got through it. I still have difficult moments every now and then, but I've come out the other side a stronger person. In late 2012, I was surfing videos on YouTube and found your coming out video to your congregation at CITN. I had only seen excerpts on CNN. I watched the entire video and was floored by your strength, bravery, honesty, and fortitude. Even though our situations are different, there is one major similarity. We both were, at the same time, finding out who we are. I remember a point during the video where you mentioned that you didn't know if you'd ever find someone and that you could very well be alone the rest of your life. Then Ken enters your life and the rest as they say, is history. I have no doubt you are in love with each other. I have told myself the same thing. I don't know if I'd ever find someone and I could very well be alone the rest of my life. I was blessed to have Ron and if one awesome relationship is all I'm meant to have, I am ok with that. In closing, I just wanted to say this and to let you know that I will be making the journey to Atlanta this weekend for Pride. It will be an amazing honor for me to meet you and Ken. Thank you for what you did. I know you don't know me from Adam, but I can honestly say that I look up to you and your strength and honesty has inspired me.
Wow, thanks, Ed! I really appreciate your kind words! By all means, come by and see us...we'll have our METRON service on Sunday morning, but other than that I should be at the booth for the whole time...looking forward to meeting you!
Delete