Graduation Week 2017

Below are the six days of posts I placed on Facebook, celebrating The Girl's graduation week.  This has been a fun week for her...and for myself.  This is exactly how this week should feel!

Hummmm...you may want to begin at the bottom of this post and read each day in reverse!  

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Graduation Day!

Pic 6 of 6: From here through tonight, you have come a long ways, Holly Gayle Gillmore!

We are proud of you

To be continued = more pics later! Yay!

One day to G-Day = Graduation!

Pic 5.1 and 5.2 of 6: Holly is who she is because of her Friel heritage, a family full of faith. We are soooo thankful for the aunts and uncle on this side of the fam who love Holly unconditionally, who laugh with her, who encourage her, and who have prayed many prayers for The Girl. When I have needed prayers, the Three J's get a message...and I know the prayers are immediately sent. This is a blessing...beyond measure.

Because my parents raised "two sets of kids," I grew up with nieces and nephews who were more more like brothers and sisters...precious memories...then that extended into our kids being raised together. Thanks Leah and Mike and Melanie and Brian...who took Holly in and loved on her as one of theirs!

Two summers ago, we all shared more time together than we really wanted when Janet spent some time in the hospital...today, Janet is having surgery again, and I would ask that you join my family of faith and pray for her this morning and throughout the next few days. Janet's words to me last night, "I believe." What a testimony she now has...just ask her!

My anthem song through the years has been "Only Believe"...many with whom I grew up know this song. There's a line in that song about the doors being shut...I lived this one night in ICU with Holly when they shut our glass paneled walls...as our little neighbor eased into Heaven. He surrounded that family and mine...because we only have to believe. From there years ago to here today...because we believed.

The girls tell me dad "would have loved Holly," who she has yet to meet. I agree. She would have been one of his "pride and joys."

Tonight, is Vespers...the church service for our seniors. This is my favorite event of this week (yes, even more so than graduation), for tonight is REALLY what it is all about. Tonight...at 7:30 at First Baptist. Love seeing how they believe.

Two Days to G-Day = Graduation!

Pic 4 of 6: Today is all about the G. First, becoming a Gillmore...what a blessing and a gift in both our lives, changing us, empowering us, loving us

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Holly has also been blessed with other names also through the Gillmores...she became a sister, a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter, a sister-in-law...later an aunt to three. Yay!

Holly's life has been forever changed because of Gillmore Farm: she obtained a dad, another family, a home, hayrides, bonfires, shooting guns, deer hunting, and several dogs (and rabbits and horses...and few critters that The Man ensures I do not see!)

Second...Holly's middle name Gayle is spelled exactly like Gayle Ross for a reason...her namesake. Gayle, a friend, a strength, a mentor, a "focal point," just there, always giving to us, a gift from God when Holly and I so needed her...all the way through surgery four (well, she and Johnnie might have learned more about kidney stones on that trip...amongst other things!)

Holly and the G's...goodness all summed up...

Three days to G-Day...Graduation!

NOTE: this is such a fun week! Hope everyone is having as much fun as I am...this is how it should feel!

Pic 3 of 6: Holly has always been my sidekick (and Johnnie's) when it comes to school. Dressing up and trying out clubs and activities and attending events...that's just who we were and are.

This began long before she was ever in school...or even preschool. Holly spent her first Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day in ACH (that was our longest stay...six weeks to the day). Johnnie just thought she needed to celebrate...so she bought the outfit, and we dressed up her...as best as one can with tubes and such also being our friends.

Holly has run more errands, bought more Sonic drinks (thanks, Holly!), sat and waited on me "to finish" whatever I was working on, "volunteered" to help (or was firmly persuaded), adopted family and attended many baseball games watching "my little cousin," grew up, in part, at Keely's house with another teacher mom...then went to church and did this all over again...all because she was blessed to be a teacher's kid and live in that environment...often our home away from home.

To all who have had a part in the "fun" of being a student the last 13+ years...the trips, the events...the molding and shaping of the person living within...thank YOU!

Holly would not be The Holly we know...without YOU!

As for Holly's bangs, I like to think we got better with time. :) Maybe?

Four Days to G-Day = Graduation!

Pic 2 of 6: This one was taken a few days before Holly Gayle Gillmore had her fourth heart/lung surgery. Here on earth, I may never know all the answers to the "why?" Holly has gone through what she has...BUT as Jeremiah tell us, "He knows the plans..." I could share several of those answers, for He was and certainly has been with us every step, set-back, ride (ambulances), flight (ACH jet), and miracle along the way, ever increasing our faith because of the gift of His Faith and His Faithfulness. This was grounded into me by my parents...as we have attempted to ground faith into Holly. May we continue to have the grace to raise her up in His Ways.

To ALL...and there are so many...who have prayed for us, assisted us, laughed and cried with us...as part of Holly's Journey...thank YOU! To family who are blood...and to friends who became family along the way...thank YOU!

Now...as for those earrings...well, if you have ever raised kids...you know...sometimes, you pick your battles! :)

Five days until G-Day (Graduation!)

Part 1 of 6 days of posts...so bear with me?

Picture 1: Even back then, maybe she knew that one day she would leave the baby phase of her life...enter 13 years of public education...to leave...to enter the next phase...to begin the phase of obtaining her degree in education...maybe?

To all of you who have had an impact on Holly Gayle Gillmore's education...we thank YOU!

I Just Finished...

For the first time ever, I endeavored to participate in Lent...in my own personal way...and one also encouraged by a group of ladies across the nation, as we read Liz Curtis Higgs' The Women of Easter.  This has been the most amazing 39 days...just an increased awareness as I walked the paths, observed the relationships, listened to the conversations of all the many Mary's...and others...as their relationships with Jesus Christ came ever more alive for me.

Part of the book study involved journaling at the end of each chapter.  This I enjoyed also, for through writing, I reflect and learn more about myself.  I hear various authors encourage this, and as an English teacher, I get it (encourage...okay, make...my students write daily, even multiple times).  Just seems as if time evades me, though, being used up by other tasks or seemingly more pressing deadlines.  Yes, I know...one makes time for what one wants the most.  (That was a bit hard to type!)

Challenge to self:  keep that journal close and reflect as I read the Bible, adding further to those reflections here on this blog!  Yay!  Good plan!  Now, Time...be my friend!

ALSO...very excited to say...I saw and heard Liz Curtis Higgs during this read when I attended (and was sooooo blessed) Women of Joy in Branson.  Listen!  I tweeted out that I had just seen her...and was starstruck!  Then, she tweeted me back!  How cool is that!?  I went by her booth a few times but never caught her there.

Then, she spoke. To me...and 3,999 other women.  :)  The woman is amazing...humble, loving, inspiring...and, oh, so funny!

Now, if I type here that I hope to hear her again in November in Springfield, MO, will that make this a bit too much?  Well, I am...and so do some of the other ladies who attended Women of Joy with me.  Yay!  Going to get our worship on with Liz Curtis Higgs who directs all worship to Him.

Now....back to The Women of Easter...

1. My Favorite Mary:  Mary of Magdeline.  As I noted in my journal, maybe she is my favorite because I learned the most about her?  She was there...everywhere.  The Lord had done amazing things for her.  Cast out demons.  Delivered her.  Liberated her.  Loved her.  Then, that one-way street became a two-way.  She loved Him back, always wanting to learn more.  There, I am.  I always tell people who are a bit discouraged or disgruntled:  when you go to church, plan for Him to meet you there...in song, in fellowship, in message, for He has told us...where two or three are gathered, He's there.  (Sidenote:  just imagine how much of Him was there when 4000 gathered at Women of Joy!  Answer:  the same amount as when two or three are gathered.  Powerful He is!
2. The Scriptures:  LCH slows the Bible down...reading, studying, analyzing verse by verse...sometimes, word by word.  "Woman!"  Again, there I am!  Right there, in the scriptures, He's speaking to me.  This method is powerful, for often in our speed to read, we miss the nuggets gleaned from a word study.  Sometimes, we miss the lessons learned between the verses themselves, as we slow down and consider what happened between the time spans of the words and verses.

I plan to study/read Higgs' The Women of Christmas this way this year...just a few pages each morning.  Looking forward to it!

Tomorrow, is Day 40.  Easter.  Then, I will land in His Word, in His House, with His People...for He will be there, too.

He is risen!  Hallelujah!

#lizcurtishiggs #WomenofEaster #HeIsRisen!  #Hallelujah!

A Good, Good Friday

May I share a poem I just wrote...just for today...on this Good Friday...?

In celebration of National Poetry Month...celebrating the Spoken Word...

A Good, Good Friday

A four day week, for little snow did the clouds release.
A four day week, an extra day to our weekend increase.
A four day week, a Good Friday to celebrate:
No school.  This day the Lord sin did dominate.

On this Good Friday, I remember...
The walk.
The women.
The seven sayings.
The body gently placed.
All my sins forgiven, grace and mercy interlaced.

On this Good Friday, I remember...
My job is not finished.
My salvation joy again replenished.
My love for Him never to be diminished
His Light, His Love, His Grace...never extinguished.

On this Good Friday, I remember...
...to spend time with Him.
...He gave time for me.
...for today He gave His Only Son.
...this He did just for me.

Yes...this is a Good, Good Friday.

Inspire Me More

Yesterday, friend Brenda and I spent the day with several ladies from our area...and 600 from our state...at the annual Inspire Conference.  My third time to attend, I so enjoyed...and needed...this time for me.

This year's theme was More of Jesus:  in all areas, including church, work, family, friendships...and... I attended the breakout sessions on friendship and work, both areas in which I pray the Lord would use me...more.

Three more of my favorites:

1. Keynote Speaker Rachel Lovingood listened to the Lord and called for those wanting to repent at the beginning of her last session...and one responded, and I rejoiced.  This part of a conference is ever becoming my favorite part.  Another name was written down.  That is just perfection.
2. Lovingood also closed with a candle lighting service, which the ladies went to the light, instead of simply spreading the light, just as we must always go to the light before we can spread our light.  Lord, give me some fire...give me more light.  Very powerful!
3. Coffee...for the third year, Captain Jack's served coffee to the ladies.  I just love this mission work, a group who sends 1/3 of their profits back to a village in Guatemala, a village that is advancing because we here in America drink their coffees.  Now, this is just a win-win!  Two years ago, at one the Inspire Conference, I bought a Captain Jack's  coffee mug and began something new...each time I drank coffee from that mug, I prayed for that mission work.  This is  good thing...and so is the coffee.  

Would you say Philippians 4:13 with me:

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

For My Two Ears...Part 1

Currently, my Sunday evening class is studying the seven churches in Revelation.  Using the study materials from Beth Moore's The Beloved Disciple (via the Masterwork curriculum and her own books) and Sam Storms To the One Who Conquers, we are focusing on what the message to each church is saying to us, individually, today.

So far, we have studied the churches of Ephesus and Smyrna.  So very interesting.

• Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7):  From this church, the Lord reminded me...do not leave your first love.  Do not love "doing" more than than praising, worshiping, and spending time with just the Lord, for when you read the message to the Ephesian church, they most certainly sound like the most diligent of churches.  As our pastor first noted, "This is a church our would want to be like...except..."  Right.  Except.  Except they had left their first love.
  HOW DOES ONE NOT LEAVE the FIRST LOVE?  Stay in The Word.  Quiet time with the Lord.  Stay in The Word.  Yes, remain in The Word.
• Smyrna (Revelation 2: 8-11):  The Suffering Church.  Suffering for Him.  He who did not rescue them from the suffering but further prepared them for the suffering.  This He does for us, for not always are we spared the suffering, but He never leaves us, never abandons us.

This study is so interesting.  Just have to be honest...as I always am...I have never slowed down and read the words to the churches this slowly, identifying the five parts of the message to each church:

1. Identification
2. Commendation
3. Rebuke - only two of the seven had reason for NO rebuke.
4. Exhortation
5. Encouragement

As I mentioned above, to assist in studying in this manner, I encourage the use of the following two books...AND, of course, a good study Bible:

1. Sam Storms' To the One Who Conquers:  very in depth, with much history and expounding on the words within each verse, as this is a 50-day meditation on these churches.  VERY good resource.
2. Beth Moore's The Beloved Disciple:  Her chapters shorter, Moore's book reiterates, while at the same time, approaching the topics with different insights.  Maybe having a male and female perspective is a powerful way to approach a subject?

I very much look forward to what this ear needs to hear from the remaining messages to the churches.  So very interesting and timely and needed.

Through His Word

For the past two weeks, my Sunday School, using the Gospel Project curriculum, has been studying Nehemiah...one of my favorite books of the Bible...definitely in the top 66!

Several years ago, the Lord spoke to me through this book, in a mighty and powerful way.

Let me pause...God speaks to me through His Word often, but two times, He has spoken more loudly, more profoundly (if possible), more direct.  When I read Nehemiah 6:3 that day, I stopped, re-read...and re-read:  I am doing a good work, and I cannot come down.

The second time this occurred, a few years later, happened while reading II Chronicles 20:15b.  Yes, the battle's not mine...but His.

Through these scriptures, I have learned much:

1. God's Word is alive.  He speaks, sometimes quietly, sometimes so loudly you have to sit and make sure that He is finished, heart beating a bit faster, listening for more.
2. I have learned that I can be less verbal, less active, for when I am less involved, He receives all The Glory.  Yes.
3. He is ever mindful, knowing exactly what I need, when I need it.  His timeliness is perfect.

Tonight, in Discipleship Training class as we studied the Seven Church Ages, one of several lessons of which we were reminded...He wants us to ever be getting to know Him...through His Word, through praise and worship, through Quiet Time...just by spending time with Him.

As we noted tonight, I want to love Him more.  More tomorrow than I did today.  More next week than last month.  Just more....

Blessings...

Preparing the Way

In my Bible read this morning, I learned about Moses for the first time.  Okay, I didn't learn about Moses for the first time...I gained an insight, a nugget, that had never sparked for me before.

Remember, when Moses leaves Egypt, helps some girls water their animals, meets their dad, marries one of those girls?  You want me to write here that "they lived happily ever after," don't you?  Even as you know they don't!  You remember the story...they would spend a long time...40 years...roaming...

Let's go back to Midian; that time he spent there...meeting his girl, becoming a dad...he was learning about contrasts between a prince and a shepherd, even as God prepared him for leadership, even as he learned about living in a wilderness, even as he was humbled.

This time had to happen.  This time needed to happen.

This time was on-the-job training for The Job that Moses would almost see to completion.  Spoiler Alert:  Moses does not enter the Promise Land.

Now, advance forward to the 21st Century and you and myself.  Have you ever felt as if God had left in you a strange land, with no foreseeable way out, even as he blesses you with family...and things...and stuff...yet you feel that calling to more...and more?

Then, God sends an angel.  Then, God himself speaks.

"Here I am!" Moses replied.

"Here I am!" you reply.

"Here I am!" I reply.

That on-the-job training can just be so hard.  So hard.

The Bible tells us it must happen.  There, we meet Jesus.  He meets us right there.

Are you there now?