So, this is probably my last Indiana blog! The big move is 2 days away and I am a whirlwind of emotions! I'm peaceful because I know that God has directed our path.. I'm extremely sad because we're leaving our mothers, my granny and extended family; work. But, a little unsure (yet faithful) of whats to come and excited for the mini vacay as we explore what the town has to offer and to experience life closer to both the ocean and the mountains..
Stay tuned to our video blog! We're chronologing our journey from Indiana to North Carolina.. It's going to be so fun!! :) The next time I talk to you.. I'll be a Durham resident!
Ready for the ride,
~Mrs. G
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Baby Steps
In May, Jocelyn would take a couple of steps and fall down. It was like she wanted to walk but something kept her down.. I thought she was nervous or bashful that we (I) wanted her to walk so badly, that she just wouldn't do it. I eventually realized Jocelyn didn't either trust herself to make these steps, or us to keep her from falling.
Like faith, we all have these moments.. in my faith walk, I first began with no steps.. then, baby steps. Although I'm an adult and have known Jesus for quite some time, I often took (and still revert back to) baby steps--one step at a time or would fall when it comes to my faith walk.. because I couldn't trust God to keep me from falling. Moving away from our family, friends, sorors and church family, has been the hardest thing I have ever had to encounter.. moving with no job, no sense of a plan, with limited funds, has been emotionally draining. But, as I watched my daughter grow more confident in her walking abilities, I too became more comfortable with relocating and have complete trust that my steps are ordered by God. Once Jocelyn started walking, I became less worried on how we were going to make this transition more comfortable and more at peace with moving to a new beginning.
I thank God for my mother-- who inspite of her baby leaving, supports our faith move; my mother-in-law for giving Jeremy the final encouragement he's needed; my best friends (from both EC and Bloomington) for giving me the push I need as a wife and mother to be secure in taking care of my family; my church family and life group for being our spiritual sound board and for Jeremy.. for trusting God to take our ministry to new heights, in Him.
Next time you're feeling like you are unsure of your next steps, begin taking baby steps.. God will do the rest!
Walking confidently with Jocelyn,
~Mrs. G
Like faith, we all have these moments.. in my faith walk, I first began with no steps.. then, baby steps. Although I'm an adult and have known Jesus for quite some time, I often took (and still revert back to) baby steps--one step at a time or would fall when it comes to my faith walk.. because I couldn't trust God to keep me from falling. Moving away from our family, friends, sorors and church family, has been the hardest thing I have ever had to encounter.. moving with no job, no sense of a plan, with limited funds, has been emotionally draining. But, as I watched my daughter grow more confident in her walking abilities, I too became more comfortable with relocating and have complete trust that my steps are ordered by God. Once Jocelyn started walking, I became less worried on how we were going to make this transition more comfortable and more at peace with moving to a new beginning.
I thank God for my mother-- who inspite of her baby leaving, supports our faith move; my mother-in-law for giving Jeremy the final encouragement he's needed; my best friends (from both EC and Bloomington) for giving me the push I need as a wife and mother to be secure in taking care of my family; my church family and life group for being our spiritual sound board and for Jeremy.. for trusting God to take our ministry to new heights, in Him.
Next time you're feeling like you are unsure of your next steps, begin taking baby steps.. God will do the rest!
Walking confidently with Jocelyn,
~Mrs. G
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Bold Faith
When Jeremy used to teach campus bible study, every week my prayer request was for Bold Christianity. Every week, in addition to my other prayer requests, I stressed the importance of being Bold in our Christian walks, exercising our faith and being a solider for God. Most recently however, as we are preparing to move to NC, I haven’t been as bold in my walk, as I once professed. And even as of yesterday, my faith has been unwavering as I can’t see what God is going to do in our family, as we take this huge step.
We move in 8 weeks and I do not have a job yet. I have been feeling so unsure as to what I am supposed to do for income—to feed our family, to pay for insurance.. you know, the things we need to live. See, this move puts me in an uncomfortable position..we’re moving away from family, friends, confidence in who we are.. to a city, where we only know a few people, which makes me uncomfortable.
My discomfort has caused me to be faithless and honestly, I was hesitant to go because I was being selfish. I can’t help but wonder if the reason why God has not provided me with a clear vision as to what I will be doing August 2, is because I’m an infant in my faith walk. Well, I lack faith all together (in this regard). God can’t and won’t bless any of us, if we don’t boldly declare our faith and the Blood of Jesus over our circumstances, job, finances, health, etc.
So today, I boldly declare productivity in this move, me with a clear vision for our family and true, bold faith as we transition from one place to another. Please lift us up; we’re on a countdown to move to the Tar Heel State!
Praying for Bold Faith,
~Mrs. G
We move in 8 weeks and I do not have a job yet. I have been feeling so unsure as to what I am supposed to do for income—to feed our family, to pay for insurance.. you know, the things we need to live. See, this move puts me in an uncomfortable position..we’re moving away from family, friends, confidence in who we are.. to a city, where we only know a few people, which makes me uncomfortable.
My discomfort has caused me to be faithless and honestly, I was hesitant to go because I was being selfish. I can’t help but wonder if the reason why God has not provided me with a clear vision as to what I will be doing August 2, is because I’m an infant in my faith walk. Well, I lack faith all together (in this regard). God can’t and won’t bless any of us, if we don’t boldly declare our faith and the Blood of Jesus over our circumstances, job, finances, health, etc.
So today, I boldly declare productivity in this move, me with a clear vision for our family and true, bold faith as we transition from one place to another. Please lift us up; we’re on a countdown to move to the Tar Heel State!
Praying for Bold Faith,
~Mrs. G
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Mother's Day Shout Out
Today is my first official Mother's Day! I have a God-daughter, so I would have a 'God Mother's Day," but this is the first time I have a child that I carried for 9 months, here to call me 'Ma-ma.' I just want to shout-out to all the mom's that are doing what God ordained us to do.. be patient, learn, grow, sow (and to some sew), pray, talk, listen and love. A special shout-out to my own mother, Hope A. Lewis, my granny Nellie B. Thomas, my Mother-In-Law- Miss Gus and my other Mother-In Law, Veronica Brown, for showing me characteristics that I would love to pass on to Jocelyn.
If God called your mom home already, remember that God placed mother like figures in your life to continue caring, loving and listening the way your own mother did. It may not be the same, but trust that God knew best.
Finally, a thank you to the ultimate Mother, Mary! For carrying a Son that does everything for us, more than what we have and can ever imagine!
Happy Mother's Day and God Bless you!
Mothering,
~Mrs. G
If God called your mom home already, remember that God placed mother like figures in your life to continue caring, loving and listening the way your own mother did. It may not be the same, but trust that God knew best.
Finally, a thank you to the ultimate Mother, Mary! For carrying a Son that does everything for us, more than what we have and can ever imagine!
Happy Mother's Day and God Bless you!
Mothering,
~Mrs. G
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mustard Seed Faith
*Drum Roll Please*
The Gilmore’s are… MOVING! July 31st, our family is relocating to Durham, North Carolina (come on an raise up... you know the rest). Jeremy has been accepted to Duke’s Divinity School and after much prayer, God has sent us on our way... clear across the country :).
*This is the first of the next couple of blogs on faith and our move to North Carolina*
While this may be exciting news for us, it is also extremely terrifying for me. I’ve been in Indiana all of my life and while I have traveled, I never imagined leaving the state or everything I know (my family, friends, sorors, job, security), to move somewhere where I have none of that (at this time.) Yet, Jeremy has his cohort and Jocelyn will be one, she can adapt! But, for me and I’m sure many of you, being comfortable is….well, comforting! But people have been extremely supportive and encouraging. But most importantly, God has been working on me and my faith. Well, the lack of thereof.
So, I am a Christian. I grew up in the church. Got baptized when I was 5 or 6 and did the church thing for years but I never really knew what faith was, until now. Total, true and absolute faith is not seeing something and knowing that it is there. It’s like being dark in the middle of the night and having to go get a drink of water. You know where the kitchen is and to prevent waking yourself up, you trust in you to get you to the kitchen to get that water.. but when it comes to our lives, we lack the trust in God to get us from one moment to the next! So, why do we trust us in the dark but not trust God with our lives?! For me, I am truly learning that faith is not depending on God to feed and clothe me and my family, but to take care of my (our) every need.. that one little grain of a mustard seed can take us far! Imagine if we had the faith of the entire mustard seed! Wow!!
Here it is May 3, 2010 and I have finally come to terms and accepted the fact that we are relocating! And while I am apprehensive, I am truly excited!
Take this journey with our family as we learn what it means to truly depend on God. I am so excited about where we’re going! Come on! Get excited with us!
Faithful,
~Mrs. G
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Much Needed Prayers
The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16b).
Recently, I have been going through! I mean.. I can't tell if I'm coming or going. There are so many situations going on in my life and my family, that I am just mentally exhausted! Focusing on one thought daily, has become tedious.. and its get hard to keep going. I have great days because Jeremy and Jocelyn motivate me and my God teaches me, but the bad days are so low.. I feel like I could literally crawl under a rock and stay there.
So, this blog is to ask you to pray with and for me. Familial, we've got some big changes coming up and, God is moving in The Gilmore Ministry.. But, dealing with the world can be overwhelming.. so, please during your prayer time, mediation time, talks with the Master.. kindly whisper my name, for strength, peace and for my family.
On Bended Knee,
~Mrs. G
Thursday, April 1, 2010
The Virtue of Patience
You know.. today has truly been a test of patience. And, I think.. no, I know I failed. My granny is visiting for the Easter holiday and to give my mom a break. When she came to visit while Jeremy was in Africa (by the way check out his blog.. www.faithtravels.blogspot.com), things were ok for the most part. During that visit however, I knew the Alzheimer's has claimed some more brain cells and that this battle, was only going to get worse. My granny told me that I was not her granddaughter and basically, she didn't know who I was. Because I was so busy, I couldn't cry or even think about it until I was on my way back to Bloomington and it hurt.. To know the granny, I love so dearly.. my homie.. didn't and couldn't return that love. Alzheimer's is a beast!
Fast forward to today.. I brought my granny back to Bloomington and I think I may be regretting that move. When I met my Aunt in Indianapolis to pick granny up, she was wearing a gown and said it was a dress.. I knew then, in just 3 short weeks, she was deteriorating, quickly. When we got home, the stuff hit the fan! She thought I was her sister and just snapped! I became all types of names.. liar, thief, low-down and what made it worse.. she told Jocelyn was not my daughter.. in front of my daughter! Now.. you may think that is not a big deal or she's not in her right mind.. but, it js hard to still deal with that! So, the virtue of patience kicks in. Instead of yelling back, I calmly explained to my granny that she has a disease that causes her to not remember who I am, where she is or what day of the week it is. That did not calm her down and she said she was leaving (now, here I did get huffy.. but not loud) So.. in an effort to maintain my coolness, Jocey and I left the house. I tried to call my best friends and just like I knew He would, God allowed both to be busy. So, I drove in silence and prayed for strength and extra patience.
I know the Lord is teaching me how to be patient and to understand the aging process, but its getting hard.. and, I'm losing it.. slowly. So, please, please, PUH-lease pray that I am able to maintain sanity this week, not only for my own health, but for my family. When my grandmother leaves, we have to still live here and we like our peace! Lift us up, ya'll..it's hard out here in B-town!
Losing Patience,
~Mrs. G
Fast forward to today.. I brought my granny back to Bloomington and I think I may be regretting that move. When I met my Aunt in Indianapolis to pick granny up, she was wearing a gown and said it was a dress.. I knew then, in just 3 short weeks, she was deteriorating, quickly. When we got home, the stuff hit the fan! She thought I was her sister and just snapped! I became all types of names.. liar, thief, low-down and what made it worse.. she told Jocelyn was not my daughter.. in front of my daughter! Now.. you may think that is not a big deal or she's not in her right mind.. but, it js hard to still deal with that! So, the virtue of patience kicks in. Instead of yelling back, I calmly explained to my granny that she has a disease that causes her to not remember who I am, where she is or what day of the week it is. That did not calm her down and she said she was leaving (now, here I did get huffy.. but not loud) So.. in an effort to maintain my coolness, Jocey and I left the house. I tried to call my best friends and just like I knew He would, God allowed both to be busy. So, I drove in silence and prayed for strength and extra patience.
I know the Lord is teaching me how to be patient and to understand the aging process, but its getting hard.. and, I'm losing it.. slowly. So, please, please, PUH-lease pray that I am able to maintain sanity this week, not only for my own health, but for my family. When my grandmother leaves, we have to still live here and we like our peace! Lift us up, ya'll..it's hard out here in B-town!
Losing Patience,
~Mrs. G
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