Southern faith miniature horses

Donald J. Trump just declared this Sunday 3/15/2020 as a National Day of Prayer. Will you be praying? Best #POTUS ever.Donald J. Trump just declared this Sunday 3/15/2020 as a National Day of Prayer. Will you be praying? Best #POTUS ever.

This starts my 22nd year of teaching middle school. Yesterday was quite possibly one of the most impactful days I have ever had. I tried a new activity called... The Baggage Activity. I asked the kids what it meant to have baggage and they mostly said it was hurtful stuff you carry around on your shoulders. I asked them to write down on a piece of paper what was bothering them, what was heavy on their heart, what was hurting them, etc. No names were to be on a paper. They wadded the paper up, and threw it across the room. They picked up a piece of paper and took turns reading out loud what their classmate wrote. After a student read a paper, I asked who wrote that, and if they cared to share. I’m here to tell you, I have never been so moved to tears as what these kids opened up and about and shared with the class. Things like suicide, parents in prison, drugs in their family, being left by their parents, death, cancer, losing pets (one said their gerbil died cause it was fat, we giggled) and on and on. The kids who read the papers would cry because what they were reading was tough. The person who shared (if they chose to tell us it was them) would cry sometimes too. It was an emotionally draining day, but I firmly believe my kids will judge a little less, love a little more, and forgive a little faster. This bag hangs by my door to remind them that we all have baggage. We will leave it at the door. As they left I told them, they are not alone, they are loved, and we have each other’s back. I am honored to be their teacher.

A couple years ago I was working security at a bar in northern Virginia. I overheard a table of college kids arguing about gun rights and gun control and it was... getting far too emotional so I did what any sane combat veteran would do and attempted to exfiltrate. I must not have withdrawn as surreptitiously as I intended, because I was stopped in my tracks when a 5-foot-nothing brunette seemingly leapt in front of me and blurted out "excuse me, can you help us?" I'm sure I must have looked irritated as I cycled through the possible quips and excuses I considered available to me but being uncertain that she wasn't some Senator's daughter, I caved: "What's up?" She basically leads me to this table of 2 other females (probably both named Karen) and a very soft looking male. Becky: "So, we were just talking about current events and, you know. So, you look like you're probably in the military, right? Like the Army?" (When you accuse someone of being in the military you probably don't need to give an example) Me: "Similar.. yea" Becky: "Right. Okay. So, do you think civilians should be allowed to own guns?" Me: "Most of us. Yes." Becky: (clearly not happy with my answer) "Okay, so, why do you think you need a gun?" (At this point it's almost 2am and I've just given up on patience. Hold my beer) (With intentionally overt condescension): "Oh, honey, I don't. I don't need a gun." Becky stares at me blankly, so I continue, but with a more serious tone: "I could follow you home, walk up your driveway, and beat you to death with the daily newspaper. I could choke you to death with that purse. I could take a credit card, break it in half, and cut your throat open with it. With enough time and effort I could beat your boyfriend here with a rolled up pair of socks. I could probably dream up six dozen other ways I could easily end your life if you gave me an hour or so. If I wanted to, I could wrap my hand around that beer mug and kill all four of you before you could make it to the exit. The worst part is, in your utopian little fantasyland, there ain't a thing any of you could do about it. I don't need a gun. You need a gun. You need a gun because of men like me." Call me a jerk, but if you want to keep your guns, these are the conversations we all need to start having.

Those of you who do not know my brother Stacy Henderson was in a terrible accident while cutting firewood in November. He is home now but isn't able to work any...more, firewood was one of his sources of income. Since he is unable to work me and his son Brandon are doing his firewood business as much as we can. We work full time jobs but we are cutting wood in the evenings and on weekends. Please if you need firewood call Stacy's 'N' More which is his business at 404-446-8067. He will take orders for firewood weekend deliveries are better but if you need wood during the week we can get it to you. Thank you. Share this msg. See more