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Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

Chasing God's glory down life's unexpected trails

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About Dorina

Aloha, my name is Dorina.

I’m an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and spoken word artist.

My passion is helping people discover God’s glory in unexpected places and flourish in their God-given callings. I want you to become a glory chaser with me – running after God’s glory rather than our own. This has made a world of difference in every facet of my life.

My happy place is near the ocean with my people or running on a trail in the mountains near our home.

I also love trying new recipes and restaurants. I wish I could have you over for dinner or meet you at one of my fave local places. I adore Butternut Squash Ravioli, Butter Chicken, Ramen, and tri-tip nachos. My beverage of choice is a lavender-infused latte from our local coffee shop or a mango kombucha. Yes, I’m totally a foodie.

I hope we will get to sit down at the table together one day. Tears, laughter, and good food are always welcome at our table. Come as you are.

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Words

I fell in love with words when I was a little girl. My mama used to read books to me before bed and recite poetry. The words of Robert Frost and Langston Hughes danced in my head each night as I drifted off to sleep.

In first grade, I tried my hand at creative writing. I imagined all sorts of wild tales about bears traveling the world and unicorns who fell in love. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Kosinski, nurtured my creativity and declared I would be a writer one day. She was right.

Right out of college, I started out in daily journalism. My love for storytelling took root as I covered stories in California’s Central Valley on everything from salsa dancing to skateboarding to Pullitzer prize-winning poets to jazz artists.

I published my first children’s book, Children of the San Joaquin Valley, in 2005, followed by A Stone in the Soup: A Hmong Girl’s Journey to the United States. My third children’s book, Cora Cooks Pancit, was awarded the Asian American Librarian Association’s Picture Book of the Year. This story tells about a Filipino-American girl who learns the recipe to her family’s favorite noodle dish and uncovers some family history in the process.

Now I continue to tell stories through writing over at www.incourage.me and right here on my blog. I share encouragement and my day-to-day life on Instagram and Facebook. If you’d like to stay in touch more personally, please subscribe to my Glorygram, which includes an inspiring story from my week and recommendations for things like podcasts, books, recipes, and goods.

My newest book, Walk, Run, Soar (Bethany House/Baker Publishing Group), released in September 2020! It’s a devotional journal for runners and walkers!

Family

I was raised in a multiracial family. My mom’s heritage is Italian; My dad is predominantly Filipino, but also has Polynesian, Chinese, Indian and African roots. My mama taught me that being mixed-race was a gift, not a curse. My parents helped me see I could be a bridge across cultural lines.

I met my Ericlee Gilmore on a mission trip to Haiti, and we were married in April 2003 in the mountains near Yosemite National Park. We had tropical flowers and bag pipes at our wedding. Both unexpected, I suppose, as was the glittery snow on that Spring day.

Ericlee and I started a non-profit in the northern mountains of Haiti, continuing the work his grandparents started as pioneer missionaries in that area. Meanwhile, we also birthed three baby girls. We also started a fair wages jewelry business called The Haitian Bead Project.

My beloved Ericlee died from melanoma cancer in September 2014. Of course, that is part of my story I never would have written for myself and my three young daughters. These past several years we have been learning together how to navigate grief and how to embrace the next chapter God is writing for us.

By God’s wild design, I married one of Ericlee’s best friends, Shawn Young, in January 2016. We had prayed for years for a wife for our dear friend – never knowing God would use Shawn to redeem our family after Ericlee soared to heaven.

Shawn and I are raising three smart, resilient daughters. They keep us on our toes (or more accurately, our knees).

Faith

My faith in God is my lifeline. He has proved faithful to me again and again – even during seasons when I have wandered.

My life isn’t perfect, but I am redeemed by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I’m daily awed by His grace and provision for our family. Because of God’s relentless love, I keep moving forward on this life trail. He’s my Pacer, and I’m chasing after Him.

As we get to know each other, you will discover I’m a leader, collaborator, and creative. God has given me a superpower called joy. I can’t help but share my joy and sense of wonder with you.

After my husband’s death, I’ve had many opportunities to share our story of grief and God’s glory in the midst of it. I recently published two Bible studies: Glory Chasers is about discovering God’s glory in unexpected places. Flourishing Together is about cultivating a fruitful life in Christ.

With every word I write or speak, I want you to hear this: You were designed to experience God’s glory. No matter what trial or tragedy you face, our God is never late. He is always working on your behalf.

Friend, it’s a privilege to run this race with you.

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Are you sick? Are you walking through a trial? Are you feeling beat down and weary?
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Let’s walk through Psalm 86 together. This personal ...

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May 20

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Are you sick? Are you walking through a trial? Are you feeling beat down and weary?
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Let’s walk through Psalm 86 together. This personal prayer written by David reminds us that when we call out to God, He is faithful to answer us.
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📚Don’t miss the recommendation at the end for a brand new book so needed for our time! 🥣
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#prayer #devotional #psalms
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🥣 This week I was gifted a bowl of love. It has not been the week we planned. Our calendar squares are always packed in May with the close of Track...

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May 19

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🥣 This week I was gifted a bowl of love. It has not been the week we planned. Our calendar squares are always packed in May with the close of Track & Field season, the end of the school year for my girls, and all the family birthdays and graduations. 
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Last Thursday I started feeling extreme fatigue, which moved into body aches, scratchy throat, and fever by Friday. After more than two years of being in this pandemic, I finally tested positive for COVID. My heart sank. Not this week. Three of us ended up sick in the house. 
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When your head aches and it’s hard to swallow or even take a deep breath, life can feel a little hard and humbling. But I discovered anew that life is also always brimming with glimpses of hope. My people showed up with bowls of love: nourishing pho, chicken soft tacos, homemade chicken noodle & veggie soup, enchilada casserole and rice left on the front porch, a mini charcuterie board spread crafted by my older girls. Food is a love language.
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I couldn’t help thinking about the story I’ve been sitting in since Easter in John 21. After His Resurrection, Jesus appears to seven of his disciples. These men are weary and traumatized by what they had experienced. Jesus simply says, “Come and Eat.” He serves up grilled fish and fresh bread by the charcoal fire on the shore. He feeds them. He takes time to nourish them physically and spiritually through this meal.
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This week, I felt weary and helpless at times, but Emmanuel came to care for me and my family through our community. He served up bowls of love. For this, I am deeply grateful.
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👉🏾Have you experienced a bowl of love this week? What has it looked like for you? TAG a friend in the comments who blessed you in a surprising way with a word or deed.
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#covidpositive #1000gifts #hopewriterlife #rejoice2022 #foodisalovelanguage #yum
101 24

Are you whirling with grief and loss today? Have the last couple years felt heavy, and you’re not sure how to process it all?

Have you ...

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May 16

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Are you whirling with grief and loss today? Have the last couple years felt heavy, and you’re not sure how to process it all? 
Have you lost a person, a dream, a community, an identity, or a sense of certainty?
Are you tired of the cliché responses to your suffering, and know there must be a better way to journey through your grief?
Join me, along with ten other speakers, as we consider how to compassionately care for ourselves & others in times of loss. The goal for this summit is to help you discover how to be honest about your pain, find comfort in God’s presence, and courageously pursue healing in community.
For 3 days, starting May 24th, Taryn Nergaard is bringing together sessions from 11 speakers who are learning to navigate the stories they didn’t choose. We hope these conversations enfold you into community with people who know grief and loss too, so you don’t feel alone in your pain.
I’m going to be sharing about:
-my own story of grief and loss in losing my husband 
-some practices that helped usher my daughters and me through our loss
-how lament in community has been valuable to me
👉🏾Register for a free ticket here: https://tarynnergaard.com/soul-care-summit?aff=8
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#soulcaresummit  #soulcare #grief #widow #loss #selfcare #lament #antiasianracism #aapimonth #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #griefjourney
75 13

Walking through Psalm 85 today, which is a community lament, written by the sons of Korah. These words are an appeal to God for forgiveness and to ...

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May 13

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Walking through Psalm 85 today, which is a community lament, written by the sons of Korah. These words are an appeal to God for forgiveness and to revive the people again. 
As I read these words, I’m  reminded:
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💛 Our God restores
💛 Our God forgives 
💛 Our God gives goodness
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Which reminder did you need today?!
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👣Walking Through His Word airs every Friday at 7 am PT | 10 am ET. Join me for this treasure hunt through scripture and prayer! 👣
#prayer #devotional #psalms #biblestudy #womenoftheword
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Taking some time to reflect tonight on what I learned and gleaned at the Ezer Collective in Sacramento this week. Grateful for time to sit under the ...

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May 13

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Taking some time to reflect tonight on what I learned and gleaned at the Ezer Collective in Sacramento this week. Grateful for time to sit under the teaching of @josaxton @pastorsteph @susiekgamez and others.
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I also treasure the time immersed in a group of dynamic women leaders from around the country working in all facets of the community. When I heard their stories and struggles, it helped me not to feel alone in mine.
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👉🏾Which one of these quotes resonates with you?
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For details about the next #ezercollective , go to www.josaxton.com/ezer-collective
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#leadership #ezernorcal #womensupportingwomen #womenleaders #leadon #leadershipquotes #ladyleaders @midtownchurch.sac
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