Amonsgt the Living

Its been 2.5 years since I blogged last.  Its been every emotion under the sun these last 2 years. 

A year after writing the post "Going to hell?" our family went to rally - a protest.  It had been over a year since coming out as her true self. A year of growth, a year or maturity, of education and love. It was October of 2018.  Trump had rolled back educational & other protections for trans individuals put in place by Obama. Trump was also trying to erase trans people by trying to narrowly define gender as the sex you were born as. It was a rally to say "we will not be erased" to who ever would listen.  We participated as a family.  We heard people speak beautiful truths to the trans & trans allies in attendance.  My daughter also got to see the beauty in the people there.  While she was young & didn't understand much of it, she still took much of it to heart.  She still talks about it to this day. 

We were extremely privileged to be in a place where trans voices mattered.  Where a community of people rose to stand together to protect the trans, the queer individuals.  We heard people talk about how they will not be erased, that Trans people are precious chosen people. That they are children of God.  That their life fucking mattered.  We got to hear from people who were pastors of a church that were organizing this protest.  Jonah & Cameron - church planters who started a church, Zao.  Jonah always says Zao's meaning is to be among the living & that really is what Zao is.  Zao is a family, like any church, but they welcome you to the table no matter who you are or how you identify. 

I love this church, y'all. I love that my daughter gets to see every possible family make up.  I love that they teach me of the brown Jesus & how Jesus was truly for the least of these.  That he wants & looks for that lost sheep, whether they be trans, queer, gay or anywhere else on the lgbtqia rainbow they are welcomed & loved by God. 

So needless to say we started going here as said above.  And we haven't really looked back.  My kids are at an age where church is a chore & the drive is annoying to them. But I'm happy they are surrounded by an affirming church family.