A Letter to My Granny

Hi Granny,

I miss you! It's been a very long time since we had a fruitful conversation--one where I share my joys and fears and where you implement your favorite and most anointed phrase-- "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand."

Life has been different these past few years. I find myself sad so often--because life changes so much! And while I appreciate and am motivated by change, somethings, like you, I never thought would or wanted to change. It hurts that God has our family going through so many things at once--I want to be you, but Granny,you have big..huge shoes to fill! :)

You would be happy to know, that I cook breakfast for Jocelyn on Saturday and Sunday mornings.. that she wears dresses to church and that her ears are clean. And, Jeremy has gained a little bit of weight. I still can't cook candy yams or make your dressing but I can bake a good cake and a mean pancake! I'm still taking care of Mom--not physically but emotionally, just like you taught me. I listen and pray, love her and laugh (with and at her).

I pray like you taught me and read my bible every morning-- I don't get on my knees like you did until your knees got bad (like 3 years ago) but I listen in church and don't turn around to see who's coming in the door. :)-- Even Jocelyn claps and shouts "Hallelujah" from time to time.

Oh-- I created a team for you for the Alzheimer's Association walk here in Durham-- Jeremy, Jocelyn, some friends and myself have signed up to walk for you and others who suffer from this disease. We even had friends who donated!! It's important for me to do something since I'm not a neurologist and can't find a cure for you, you know?

I hope I've made you proud, Granny-- you've taught me so much! I look forward to being you to my grandchildren in 25-30 years.

Be good and nice to the other ladies on your floor! I love you-- so much!

Your baby,
Ash

There's Power in Patience

Welp-- patience is truly a virtue. When relocating to Durham, as you know, I did not have a job. Within 20 days of us being here, I was hired as a Purchasing Assistant for Procurement here at Duke, ordering medical and athletic supplies for the health system and the athletic department. And to say the least, I was so unhappy because I felt like I worked hard to obtain a Master's degree and felt like I shouldn't have to start over in an administrative role. So--I looked for jobs, I cried- a lot and asked God, why is this happening? I applied to several jobs, took the Praxis 2 to become a licensed school counselor--anything to utilize my degree and to work a job where I was happy, mentally, emotionally, etc.

At the beginning of this year, I prayed and declared to God that by August 1, I wanted to be in a different position--one where I could utilize the talents God provided but also to pay back my school loans! :) And then.. July came and time moved so fast. I started wondering if I would ever leave this position. But the Spirit kept telling me to be patient.. to pray and to praise. And on July 7, I applied for a job that had its base in the Divinity School. I applied and after two interviews, much prayer and very little talking, I was offered the position! I am sooo grateful! And once again, I have learned a lesson in patience

The position is a Program Coordinator for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. I coordinate a summer program that teaches rising juniors the purpose of worship, ordinances of the church in addition to procurement responsibilities. How cool is that?! It's sooo me!

I thank God that He heard my declaration for a new position by August 1; I praise God because He taught me to again, be patient and to depend on Him; I honor God because He taught me to fight for what I want. I'm grateful. I say this to say-- pray, praise and honor God--before while in the storm. And, most of all, be patient! What He does for one, He'll do for you!

Patiently Coordinating,
~Mrs. G

The Central Perspective-10 Years Later

This weekend the EC Central Class of 2001 will hold our 10 year class reunion. And due to circumstances beyond our control, I am unable to end this monumental event and I am sad about it. While I don't have the fondest memories of high school, my senior year is where I began to flourish and realize that life exists outside of high school. My senior year, I served as the editor of the school newspaper. I was instrumental in making sure our school newspaper was a source of fun, information and opinions. So as a tribute to my class I wanted to provide some headlines from over the last 10 years-- Cheers to the Class of 2001!

2001 8/26-R&B Singer Aaliyah killed in plane crash; 9/11- Terrorists strike the World Trade Centers in NY with plane crashes in Penn and VA killing 3,000.

2002 9/11-- 9/11- One Year Later: Now What?; 10/24/ John Muhammad and Lee Malvo AKA Beltway Snipers are captured after a terrifying 3 week shooting spree along I-95. Deaths: Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes.

2003 3/19-War in Iraq begins; 6/4Martha Stewart indicted for obstructing a federal investigation;12/13-Suddam Hussein, former president of Iraq is captured. Deaths: Nell Carter (Actress Gimme a Break); Nina Simone (Songstress); Barry White (Singer); Frank O'Bannon (Former Indiana Governor)

2004 2/1- New England Patriots win the Superbowl (and go to Disney World); 2/4-Facebook was founded in Cambridge, Mass at Harvard U; 2/12 San Francisco issues marriage licenses for same-sex couples; 11/19-Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers engage in a brawl, causing Ron Artest to be suspended for the rest of the season; 12/26- World's largest earthquake hits Southeast Asia killing 186,983. Deaths: 11/13-Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rapper)

2005-- Many of us graduate from College! :) 1/20-George Bush inaugurated into a 2nd presidential term; 4/25 Pope Benedict XVI succeeds; 8/29- Hurricane Katrina hits the Golf (including New Orleans, LA) killing 1836- several still unaccounted for. Deaths: 1/23- Johnny Carson (Late Night Talk Host); 3/22-Clemente Dominguez y Gomez (Spanish spiritual leader); 3/29-Johnny Cochran (Lawyer known for the OJ Simpson Trial); 4/2-Pope John Paul II (Pope of the Roman Catholic Church); 7/1-Luther Vandross (Singer)

2006 (My high school sweetheart and I got married!)-2/19-69 miners are killed following an explosion in Nueva Rosita, Mexico; 11/5 Former Iraq President Suddam Hussein is sentenced to death by handing; Deaths: 1/30- Coretta Scott King (wife of Civil Rights Leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.); 6/23- Aaron Spelling (Creator of Beverly Hills 90210); 12/30-Suddam Hussein

2007 Not much activity in 2007 to report about.. Deaths: 2/8-Anna Nicole Smith (Former Model/Socialite); 3/12 Antonio Ortiz Mena- Mexican Politician; 5/15-Yolanda King (daughter of Martin and Coretta King); 6/14-Ruth Bell Graham (wife of Billy Graham); 12/4- Pimp C (Rapper)

2008 1/2-petroleum (gas) hits $100 a barrel for the first time; 2/3-US Stock Market plunges 3% after inquiry into an economic recession; 2/19-Fidel Castro resigns; 5/3- over 100,000 killed by Cyclone Nargis in Burmar/Myanmar; 8/8-24- Summer Olympics held in Beijing; 11/4 President Barack Obama is elected 44th President of the United States--the first African-American to hold this office. Deaths: 1/22- Heath Ledger (Actor, Brokeback Mountain); 7/22-Estelle Getty (Actress, Golden Girls); 8/9-Bernie Mac (Comedian);

2009 1/20-the First African American President-Barack Obama is inaugurated in Wasthington, DC. 4/24-World Health Organization concerned about influenza traveling from US and Mexico (later known as West Nile Virus); 9/29-30 Earthquake triggers a tsunami near Samoan Islands killing 189 and 1,000 in Indonesia. Deaths: 3/18-Natasha Richardson (Actress/wife of Liam Neeson); 4/25-Bea Arthur (Actress, Golden Girls); 6/25- Farrah Fawcett (Actress- Charlie's Angels)/Michael Jackson (American Pop Star/humanitarian); 7/17- Walter Cronkite (Journalist); 9/14-Patrick Swayze (Actor-Ghost); 11/16-Antonio de Nigris (Mexican Footballer); 12/20-Brittany Murphy (Actress- Clueless)

2010 1/12-7.0 magnitude earthquake hits the island of Haiti killing 230,000; 2/12-28- Winter Olympics are held in Vancouver & Whistler Canada; 2/27-8.8 magnitude earthquake hits Chile, causing a tsunami over the Pacific killing 497; 7/28-Wikileaks releases over 90,000 internal documents concerning the war in Afghanistan; 8/10-World Health Organization declares the H1N1 Influenza pandemic over. 8/5-10/12-69 Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days-- survived and were rescued. Deaths- 1/13-Teddy Pendergrass; 1/27-JD Salinger (Author); 5/9-Lena Horne (Actress/Musician); 5/28-Gary Coleman (Actor-Different Strokes); 6/3-Rue McClanahan (Actress-Golden Girls); 11/29-Leslie Nelson (Actor-Top Gun); 12/26-Teena Marie (Songstress)

2011 (the first half)- 3/11-9.1 magnitude earthquake hits Japan causing a tsunami killing over 15,000 and 8,000 missing; 5/1-Osama Bin Laden-terrorist and mastermind behind 9/11 is killed and buried at sea. 7/21-Space Shuttle Atlantis completes the NASA Space Shuttle program. Deaths: 5/15-Nate Dogg (Rapper); 5/23- Elizabeth Taylor (Actress); 6/23-Peter Faulk (Actor-Colombo); 7/23-Amy Winehouse (Songstress).

Reminiscing,
~Mrs. G

T-E-S-T-imony.com

DISCLAIMER: This post is in no way to show sympathy toward our situation but to testify to the Power of Prayer, Trusting God and understanding struggle is important. Please pray for us--that's all I(we) ask.

Durham has provided many ups and downs, lessons in Faith, strength in our marriage and leaning on the power of God. While it seems like we've had more downs than ups (to me), God has revealed so much to us. I feel like I've cried out for God more than I have in my entire life. Jeremy and I have worked extremely hard at Faith Traveling but I figure in order for me to understand God more, I needed to testify.

In the past year: we've met new friends, explored churches, worked jobs that we both appreciate and hope for better, established various relationships, listened and pleaded with God, found favor with our daycare, had multiple disconnect notices, two eviction notices, two impaired cars, one unhealthy spouse, one exploring toddler, two unemployed mothers, experienced divorces, witnessed births both near and far, skyped with loved ones, prayed for each other, shouted at each other, emailed, facebooked, youtubed and g-chatted blogs, scriptures, resumes, requests, and pictures.

Now--I've shared some of these Gilmore moments with you because the things that seem impossible (no place to live, one car, familial issues) God has provided. He has shown me that our testimony of faith, progress, struggle and favor may help the married couple who wrestle with leaving their family or that being uncomfortable comes with a price but a great reward at the end or that you have to do what you have to do, to grow in Him and most importantly, within yourself.

My hope in this post is to empower you to share your TESTimony or if you don't have a TESTimony, hopefully, our TESTimony will provide you with the skills to endure. I would love to hear your testimonies, so email me at gilmore06@gmail.com or leave them in the comment section. You never know who may be encouraged by what God is doing in your life.

TESTed,
~Mrs.G

Complaining 101

So... it's hard writing a blog. You know why?

Because people hold you ACCOUNTABLE! Yes--that's that ugly 11 letter word that we adults attempt to shy from.

I've blogged about faith and holding on; having a Dora like testimony and thanking God for showing up and showing out.

But-- I find myself complaining every. single. Day. About something. And, it scares me.

I do not like my job.

Our finances are under where they should be.

We've been in school all of our 20's! And will have tons of loans to back.

We're away from family and friends (physically, spiritually and emotionally).

And..the list can go on.

And then I looked in the mirror and I got scared. How can I write about holding on and keeping your faith when I complain about everything? And then God gently reminded me on Friday and said…

But you do have a job (people don't relocate and get a job in 20 days.)

I've supplied all of your needs and even some wants.

And in your 20's--you learned, grew and followed Me. And by your 30's you'll be done with school, debt free. (Hallelujah!)

You are a family.

So--in this lesson of Complaining 101--don't do it. You may soon find that once you begin complaining about what you do have, God finds it hard to bless you with more. (Luke 12:48b).

Lord, please forgive me for not appreciating what You have blessed me with. I apologize that I feel what I have, is not good enough or that I covet my friends because they have newer cars, homes or are close to their families. Create in me a clean and thankful heart. Thank You most of all, for showing me myself and for standing behind, in front, and around me when I forget that I am Your child. I rebuke a negative and complaining spirit and I speak words of life, positivity and thankfulness into my life.
Forgive me Father.

Apologetic,
~Mrs. G

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