Dora The Explorer

A few years ago, my ship moved to three different states, in a short time. My soror called her, Dora the Explorer. At the time, I thought Dora was a little Hispanic girl who traveled across the globe, just because she could. And then, when Jocelyn became older, she loved Dora.. so like many parents, I, unfortunately, began watching Dora with her. To my surprise, Dora was a little Hispanic girl who was bilingual and used her map, backpack and friend Boots to go on these excursions---getting from point A to C, by way of B.

Last week, as I sat down with Jocelyn and watched Dora, I was amazed at how this fantasy world is actually a metaphor for life.

Like Dora, we all have to get from one destination to another (from career to career, to graduation and even location to location) and we rely on our GPS, friends and family to support us get where we need to be. But how often do we actually explore and tackle the situations that surface in moving from A to C? For instance, Dora and her team, usually have to stop Swiper, solve the Grumpy Ol Troll's riddles and go through some act of nature (like climbing a mountain) to get to C. And while moving from A to B to C-- Dora, with a smile, stops Swiper (he goes away, sometimes coming back); She crosses some bridge with missing pieces--she stops, counts, finds the missing pieces and continues her journey. And when getting to where she needs to go, Dora celebrates! She sings and dances about her journey, names each problem and even mentions Swiper's name! How bold is this little girl?

So, what about you or I?

When we move to from point A to B, do we stop satan and keep going? Or do we internalize him, the problem and allow him to stay put? And when he leaves and comes back, what do we do then? When we've gotten through that hurdle, moving from B to C, do we stop or count the blessings that God has provided us? Even when we won’t stop to solve life's riddles and smile? Do we stop to help others along our journeys? What about when we've finally reached C, do we sing, dance and mention each trial—celebrating what we’ve overcome?

Maybe we should start being more like Dora and move from each point in our journeys with tenacity, strength, a smile and joy.. and moving from A to B to C, can be colorful and filled with more blessings, waiting to be explored.

Exploring,
~Mrs. G


My fellow peeps.. It's been over 2 months since I've blogged.. and I am sooo sorry! Life, finals, a growing toddler, travel and work have kept me extremely busy. But.. I’m back! :)

Strategic Relationships

Jeremy and I are people-people. We like people.. we smile, we laugh, we hug, we greet.. we like people. He likes everybody.. me on the other hand, I have to pray first because I like old friends, comfortable relationships and have gotten to the point where I do not want new friends because they're all over the place.. and not where we are! BUT! Since relocating and having to recreate new friendships, I've noticed that these relationships (whether I try to avoid them or not) are strategic.

For example (I like examples)- when we first got to Durham, I was so lonely!! My sisters (from another mother) called me every day to make sure I was ok. From that, our relationship became more of a support system and they were nurturing throughout the beginning of our D-town journey. (I love you ladies.. so much!)

Then, I got a job (within 20 days--when God shows up, He shows OUT!). At my job, I met a few co-workers, but one became a big brother, who was not only married to one of the best women I have ever met, but introduced us to their church, children and loved on Miss Jocey! They helped make our transition smooth at the job, finding a church, securing a babysitter and provided support and advice for our future and our faith walk. Now, this relationship was not by accident, it was strategic because, once we found more babysitters, doctors, a church, God has uprooted their family to a better opportunity.. Congrats, Gooden’s!

And finally, our Divinity School Family.. Now, this one relationship is definitely.. interesting.

There's a guy in Jeremy's program..let's call him Jeremy 2. Jeremy 2 plays an instrument, preached his first sermon in 2004 and has a wife, who's having a baby, June 30! Still don't get it? Jeremy (G), plays an instrument, preached his first sermon in 2004, has a wife who had a baby, June 29! The similarities in this relationship continue and are not only interesting..but designed by God.

And then there are the Divinity Spouses.. this group of ladies have become a backbone for me, not many of my friends are Pastor's wives in training.. so this common bond has fostered growth, support, studies and awesome learning opportunities. The fact that we're all going through the exact same thing, at the exact time, is not by accident but by God's divine coordination.

While meeting people has been important to me, understanding each relationship has become even more important. I realized, I don't want surface friends. I want relationships that help foster maturity, spiritual growth, laughter and support.

For you, if possible, take the time to evaluate your relationships, rather they be friends, boyfriends/girlfriends; husbands/wives.. if these relationships are not ordained by God, seek help to change that. Having toxic relationships is not helpful to you, your family and most important, the body of Christ.

Relational,
~Mrs. G

Ashley’s B-day Blog- 28 Questions

So, in honor of me turning 28—I have a few questions, I’ve always wanted to know. Maybe, I’m alone in this, but there are some questions that run through my mind, frequently. Now, these questions are not only meant to make you laugh but to think.. :) Here we go!

1. Why is facebook so addictive?
2. Will Mark Zuckerberg and I ever meet?
3. And, what is poking?
4. Do you really know all of your fb friends?
5. Why do people enter Wal-Mart through the exit doors?
6. Are equate products really just as good as the name brand?
7. Why is gas so high!?!
8. Why are grapes so expensive? $1.99lb is a little outrageous! Don’t you think?!
9. Do airlines really have to charge for luggage?
10. Does anybody else think the flight attendant on JetBlue, was right in his actions?
11. Whatever happened to Black Planet?
12. Why are college degrees the cost of a mortgage?
13. Why doesn’t Alzheimer’s disease have a cure?
14. Does anyone else believe in the birth order of siblings, middle child syndrome, only children, etc?
15. What is wrong with counseling?! I really don’t get it.
16. Is anyone still on MySpace?
17. Why aren’t there more hours in a day? Sometimes, these 24 hours are not enough.
18. Why are the Kardashians so popular? Where did they come from?
19. Anyone else notice, how we’re recycling decades? Platform shoes, big hair..just a thought.
20. Can reality TV go away? I know plenty of writers who could probably make a great sitcom?
21. Is it me or does gospel music sound too secular? (Not hating, just asking!)
22. What was communication like before texting?
23. Is George Bush a Muslim?
24. Will the Divine 9, ever stop competing?
25. Am I the only person that loves Youtube, The Young Black and Fabulous and CNN?
26. Is the Wii not one of the greatest inventions ever?
27. Has anyone else unlocked all of the training videos on the MJ Experience?
28. Are children not the best thing ever?

Ok, so I have a few more I’d like to ask.. but I’ll cut them off. Happy birthday to me! I’m blessed and grateful for this day! I have an anointed husband, a brilliant daughter, great family, blessed friends and most importantly, God’s favor.. Happy February 15th, 2011!

Blessed,
~Mrs.G

My Granny, My Blessing

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy New You and all that good stuff! I can NOT believe it has been almost two months since my last post. There has been so much going on, I'd have to blog all day to tell you what was going on..but, like the older saints used to say at my home church, 'Charge it to my head and not my heart!'

Now, if you go back through my blog, you'll read that my granny has Alzheimer's Disease. Over the past two years, the progression of this disease has been extremely rapid. When we first started noticing little odds and ends, my mother, aunt, uncle and myself, thought nothing of it..until she came to help take care of Jocelyn and didn't know that she had three children (she couldn't remember giving birth to my mom). After that, things got extremely difficult and it seemed almost instantly, she went from stage 1 to stage 3-4. (In case you're not familiar with Alzheimer's Disease, follow this link for more information http://www.alz.org/)

As the disease got worse.. so did my granny's actions, vocabulary and of course, memory. She lost a generation of her family. My mother and I are her sisters and she doesn't remember that some of her siblings have passed away (my granny is the oldest of 12!) Her prognosis bothered me slightly until she know longer knew who I was. I was hurt and sad that the person I admired and loved, did not know that I was Ashley, her granddaughter--whom she raised. I tried to let it go and to not think about it.. I kept telling myself that it was the disease.. and I know it is. But, being forgotten, is.. well.. hurtful. I eventually cried and cried and cried.. and I prayed and prayed and prayed.. that my granny would always be, my granny. That I would not let this disease allow me to forget who she was and is to me.. that I would cherish her just the same as I did when she knew me.. the wisdom and kind heart she showed toward others, stays with me.. regardless of her mind.

Last weekend, I was able to go home and while it was soo good to be with my mother, in laws and sisters from other mothers, it was still hard to see my granny. She didn't know totally who I was and I could see in her eyes, she barely knows who anyone is.. it was disheartening. However, at the end of my trip, the somewhat hardest moment came when we put my granny into the Alzheimer's unit of a nursing home. It has been a difficult week because of so many transitions (me returning to Durham sick, Jocelyn sick, work, Jeremy's school work, the Indiana snowstorm) but my mom goes and visits when she can and reassures me that my granny is all good.. having fun and that this will help her, as the Alzheimer's progresses. I wasn't convinced until I talked to her myself and she sounded so peaceful.. that put me at ease. My mom then told me Granny even has a little circle of friends and they get their hair done! Lol.. I can see my granny getting pampered and loving it.. :)

Just wanted to keep you up-to-date on my granny. The aging process is difficult so please continue to pray for my granny and our family.. Thanks for taking this journey with me too.. this has truly helped me, help my family. :)

Joyful for my Granny,

~Mrs. G

(I lovingly borrowed the saying, my granny, my blessing from my best friends, Tennia. Thanks, T! :)

Tis the Season Update

Update: God is in the blessing business!! At the beginning of the week, I was feeling down by having given the last of what we had.. and, low and behold, a blessed couple, blessed us with a gift card for food and gas!! Look at God! Now, I'm not telling you to tithe so that you can get something in return, I'm telling you to tithe because God honors your faith and devotion to Him.. Jesus is the reason to give!

Miracle on Mayfield,

~Mrs. G

Today on facebook (my favorite past time—hey, don’t judge me!), I put on my status that I needed a miracle. I said that because Jeremy and I are down to our last (and I mean our complete last) and with the little money we do have, I paid tithes. And mentally, I kept trying to come up with a reason to wait to give..I would forget and think about it and get convicted and try to ration with God.. I feel like I work so hard for the little money I do make that I need to keep something!

And then, I thought about the season we’re in.. and I think the real reason I want more money (because in all actuality—its more than enough) is so I can get things I want.. a pretty Christmas tree, lights for Jocelyn to break (smh), really nice gifts for our family members and just to say we have (and maybe so I can get some shoes out of the deal—but hey! Don’t judge me!)

But I get convicted because I would get upset with people who talk more about presents than the real reason for the Christmas season.. CHRIST! Growing up, I would hear my friends talk about what they would get their parents or as adults, what they would get their kids and I never understood, why getting broke for some gifts were so important! And here I am, complaining about not having enough for the same things I got frustrated about.

And then it dawned on me!

My miracle has already happened! The real and ultimate reason for CHRISTmas! Jesus! Emmanuel!

Yes, Christmas is pretty with lights and bows and money is funny and comes and goes but joy, love and more of Christ is the real reason for this season. The ultimate blessing in this is that Jeremy and I can teach Jocelyn about the real meaning of Christmas without the presents but with the presence of Jesus (ponder that).

Now, here I am at the end of the blog, no longer worried about the money we don’t have but the joy we do have for what we have. We still wake up in a warm home, with food and diapers, cable and toys. How can I be so ungrateful!? Forgive me Lord! And thank You for being the ultimate miracle!

As the 25th approaches, please remember the real reason for Christmas. It’s difficult to purchase presents and to give, if we don’t know why we’re giving.


Learning presents vs. presence,
~Mrs. G

The First 45

Wow! Time has truly flown by! It’s November already, meaning that a new year is approaching!!

For me, this year has been the year of faith. Growing up, I wasn’t taught how or when to activate my faith.. so this year has been difficult as I’ve learned to come into my own—spiritually and somehow through that, emotionally. But, this post is not to discuss my faith or my journey...

This post is about you! With 45 days left in this year I’m writing to urge you to do something (within God’s eyes) that you never thought possible... to step out on faith and watch how transformed your mind, your actions, your daily routine becomes.

God has been really been working with me on numbers and understanding how He works.. in His time. (I’ll get into this in another blog—soon.. I promise!)—Often, we are stifled by what we can’t see and don’t know.. but surrendering everything to God.. is so awesome.. and makes life less complicated. Before we moved, my best friend encouraged me by saying, “your move is like jumping and not looking.. and having the faith to know that God will land you securely where you need to be.” (Thanks, BFF!)

So for you, unsure of how to manage a relationship, unsure of which career path to take, what church to go to.. you have 45 days to take baby steps in your faith journey.. I guarantee you by January 1, the New Year’s resolution you usually create, will not be necessary because you trust God to do the unthinkable.

Prayer is essential for this 45 day journey so email me (gilmore06@gmail.com) and I will pray with you. Please know that surrendering is not an easy task.. it’s going to be difficult and emotionally draining but He promised us that He will never leave us.. He’s a comforter! And that is reassuring to know :).

So.. let the 45 day journey begin… I hope today you step out on faith and watch what mountains {see below} you move!

Moving Mountains,
~Mrs. G


Matthew 17:19-21 (NLT)--Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?” “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

My Two JA(D)G's

I have been thinking about what I would blog about for the past week.. and I couldn't come up with anything worth writing or reading about.. until, I thought of what makes me happy..

and these two make me happy :)

Since we've moved to Durham, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions.. (as you can read in my previous posts) and no matter what.. Jeremy and Jocelyn have been encouraging in one way or another.


Like Jeremy, for instance, listens when I can not decide what I want to do with anything! My hair, school, career.. he's always listening and praying. Through my tears, he manages to make me laugh and through my smile, he manages to make me smile harder. Even with his intense school load, he's there for me.



And Jocelyn, my little poo-poo, never ceases to amaze me! Like, when she blows me kisses or jumps on me when we're lying on the floor.. Or how she knows sign language and loves helping me in the kitchen! Such an inquisitive little person! Her smile melts my heart and her tantrums make me cringe.. but she's there for me..

So, I dedicate this blog to my JA(d)G's.. My two loves, my hearts, my encouragement..

*Photography by Elaine Bollhorst of Bloomington, Indiana