INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Be sure to be selective about the environment in which you tell your parents that you’re gay.  Avoid telling them right after work or when they are dealing with significant stress, like job loss or a death in the family.  Avoid being alone with them when you tell them if they are homophobic or violent.  Find a day when you all have a lot of free time. Write a letter or email if necessary. If you have decided that now is a good time to come out to your parents, make sure you are honest with them about your sexuality.  Talk to them about all of the preparation you have done for this conversation so that they know it’s serious, real, and important to you. You might say something like “Mom and Dad, I’ve been wanting to tell you this for longer than I can remember.  I’m gay.  It’s been so hard keeping this from you but I thought it was time you knew.” Monitoring your body language is part of communicating effectively. Show your parents you are listening by facing your body toward them, making eye contact, and nodding occasionally. Avoid rolling your eyes or making angry faces at them, if possible. If your mom is telling you she is disappointed, don’t look away or scowl. Instead, maintain eye contact and nod to show your are processing her words. Be respectful and understanding. You can't expect them to accept immediately. In addition to coming out, be sure to remind your parents that you love them.  This news might be hard to hear for some, but reminding them of the love that you have for them can make things a bit easier. You might say something like “I really love you both so much and not sharing this part of me with you has been hurting me for a while.” Your parents will likely have an entire range of questions to ask you, especially if they did not suspect that you were gay before now.  Try to answer their questions if you are comfortable, but know that you don’t have to answer anything that you don’t want to.  They will likely ask when you knew, if you are dating someone, and if you are sure. Feel free to avoid any questions about sex.  You could say something like “I really prefer to keep that part of my life private and I hope you respect that, Dad.” Expect the questions to continue over days and weeks, especially if they were taken by surprise. Your parents will experience a range of emotions in this process.  Some might experience denial, but you should reaffirm to them that you are gay, and tell them it’s not their fault and you don’t need counseling, if they suggest that.  Also, be aware that one parent might be slower to accept than the other. Give both of your parents the grace and space to process.  Try not to get angry or defensive, and avoid making blanket statements about how they never support or approve of you. Focus on the topic at hand. You might say something like “Mom, I know you’re not happy right now and I get it.  But please don’t blame yourself for this.  You did nothing wrong.  You have been a wonderful parent to me, but this is who I am and I hope you’ll still love and accept me.” Your parents may not know many, if any, gay people and may be struggling with this news.  Collect some pamphlets or articles for parents of gay children and give them to them to look over.  It can help walk them through the process of acceptance from the perspective of other parents dealing with the same news.  Find out if there is an organization or local group for parents and families of gay children, like PFLAG, in the area. You might say “I know this was all a bit heavy, but I did want you to know that there are resources out there to help you work through this.  I brought you these articles to read if you like.” After your conversation, give your parents some space to process.  Avoid forcing them to see your sexuality in the way that you see it.  You have been coming to terms with your identity for your whole life while they may have been in denial or had no idea.  Give them some room to accept and understand.  Consider checking in weekly if they do not reach out to you soon after the conversation. Remind them that you are here to talk and want to continue having a relationship with them.

SUMMARY: Choose the right time and place. Be honest. Show you are listening with your body language. Tell them you love them. Answer any questions they might have. Handle their reaction positively. Give them resources. Give them time.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for 30 seconds, then give it a stir. Continue to microwave it in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is smooth and pourable. You can also melt the chocolate over low heat on the stovetop if you don't want to use the microwave. Place the bananas and about 3/4 of the walnuts in a medium-sized bowl. Mix them together with your clean hands or rubber spatula. You can use a metal spoon, but be careful not to break the bananas. Your bananas should be about 1/4 inch (or about 1/2 centimeter) in thickness. Grab four small bowls or parfait glasses. First, place 1/4 cup (60 mL) of pineapple at the bottom of each bowl. Then divide the walnut-coated bananas evenly between them. Top each with a scoop of strawberry ice cream, drizzle with melted chocolate, and top with the rest of the walnuts and a cherry. You can substitute the strawberry ice cream with a low-fat variety, high protein ice cream, or frozen yogurt for healthier options.

SUMMARY: Melt the chocolate. Toss the banana slices with the walnuts. Assemble your parfaits in layers.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Ephesians 2: 8 says, "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God." Dont forget about Him when you are overjoyed about a good news or a blessing! Give praise when happy and avoid blaming when things go wrong in your life. Many times people struggle to find a way of pleasing God. Try to be sinless for God to love you. Think of Jesus as a magnet and think of yourself as iron and sin as salt. When sin is on man, just like salt on iron, man become rusty. Remember that magnet does not attract rusty iron. So be attractive, sinless like a new iron. That will please our heavenly Father always. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9-10). Let go of your old life, even though it may be difficult. God will make it easy for you if you keep on trying to be perfect and pleasing to Him. Remember, it's not by our power, but by His grace that you are forgiven and sanctified, so trust in Him even when it is hard to stay sinless. Watch what you eat and drink; eating moderately is important, because if you are very irritable from eating poorly chosen food, it is much harder to concentrate on God and meditate.

SUMMARY:
Thank God. Walk with Jesus. Repent. Live a healthy life.