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Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young

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Building a new nest: New practices born out of pandemic

Angled light makes it way quietly across the hardwood floors in my bedroom. I am still heavy with sleep when I hear the fluttering of wings and the low cooing of a Mourning dove building a nest on my balcony.

We sleep with the windows open. Cool air sashays in, gently beckoning me to arise, to enjoy just a few minutes of quiet, before my kids burst in the room.

I find my usual spot in the chaise lounge before the window and watch the colors unfold over the Sierra Mountains. There are ribbons of baby blue stretching across the canvas of the sky. I can almost feel their softness like satin. White light breaks through on the horizon.

The birds, their nest, the sky – all of it is a sign of a new season dawning, a new thing being birthed in us.

Hope is close. I can feel her presence like a baby descending the birth canal even though I can’t see the crest of her head quite yet.

Something has changed in me – in us – these last few months of sheltering at home. I have been squeezed, teased, tossed upside down. My rhythms have been reorganized. I have trembled with unspeakable fear knocking at the door. Anxiety has more than once threatened to take the reins.

I have felt the weight of grief, but I also am constantly reminded of God’s glory emanating around me.

Like the mama dove outside my window, I am building a new nest. I gather twigs, needles, and soft scraps to form a new space for my people, for my heart. I can’t rely on last year’s nest or even the method for building it. We have to start anew.

During this season, it took a little time to recalibrate, but I learned to savor the quality time with my three daughters and my husband. We hunkered down in our nest. We invited my parents to stay with us too. It was good to be together with a pandemic raging outside.

In our previous life, we were busy every night. I’d throw together quick meals after Track practices and meets and help kids get to birthday parties, concerts, and graduation ceremonies. My own calendar was full with school author talks, speaking events, and conferences.

With our schedules cleared of the usual activities these last few months, we learned to breathe again.

Sisters have deepened their friendships. My husband and I made space for reading the Bible together in the mornings before he walks to his office in our closet. We took family walks at sunset. My kids did puzzles with their grandparents for hours on end.

I returned to the kitchen for my therapy. I found daily peace in the cadence of chopping, mixing, kneading, and creating new recipes – something I truly love, but haven’t prioritized for the last few years.

We were not rushing off anywhere. We were not pushed by the clock.

We too often fill our time and run ourselves ragged, but we are invited to move gently, to listen to our bodies and our people. We do not have to keep up. We do not have to do things the way everyone else is doing them. We have permission to rest.

I have to admit that when the sheltering at home orders were lifted in Central California, where we live, I felt overwhelmed. I couldn’t just hold all my birds close in the safe little nest of our home anymore. My husband and I had to debate and consider our every move with so much conflicting information coming at us.

I was bogged down by what my mentor-friend Emily P. Freeman calls “decision fatigue.”

Should I let my daughter attend the 8th grade end-of-they-year swim party with all her classmates and families? Would we be putting my parents at risk? Could we take a trip to the beach or should we stay home? Should we attend a friend’s graduation? How could I support my friends who work in hospitals? How often should I grocery shop? My head swirled with the decisions, the ramifications, and the possible outcomes.

I know we are all experiencing this season with different nuances. Things vary according to our geographic location, our economic demographic, our contact with those who are vulnerable, and our own health concerns.

I am learning that I need to fly to God for discernment and fresh strength in these situations. He alone can guide us as we make these hard decisions. The words of Isaiah lift my heart:

“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.” Isaiah 40:31(MSG)

You and I can move slowly and tenderly. We don’t have to rush into anything. Like that mama dove, it’s ok to let yourself bring in one twig at a time to assemble your new nest. You get to choose. We are not called to judge each other.

I don’t want to forget what I’ve learned. I don’t want to go back to “normal life” as it was before this pandemic.

I want to build a new nest with these twigs of experience.

I want my heart and home to be transformed by the strength we have gained from the Lord in this season.

I want to create space so we all can soar.

Friend, what has God been teaching you in this season? What are some new practices that you have learned while sheltering at home that you want to hold on to for the future?

*I have written a new devotional book, Walk, Run, Soar, that will be released in Fall 2020. Sign up for her Glorygram here and get all the insider details about this exciting new project!

*Photo by Jon Sailer on Unsplash

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June 5, 2020 Categories: General, Navigating GriefTagged: COVID-19, WalkRunSoar

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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After my husband soared to Heaven eight years ago, my three daughters and I found ourselves on an intense grief journey. I never imagined being a widow at age 37 when my girls were just 2, 5, and 8 years old. Despite the heaviness of grief, I knew God was near. And I longed for my daughters to experience His comforting presence too. That’s how we started chasing God’s glory together.

We started with a nightly rhythm of watching the sunset together. We would step out onto our back patio or pull over on the side of the road and pause to watch the colors waltzing across the sky.

Initially, my girls asked, “Mama, why do we watch the sunset? It happens every night.” But soon they discovered that every sunset was unique. Little by little, this rhythm became something we looked forward to. There was something calming and comforting for the girls and me as we watched God paint the sky each night. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brush strokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. We felt like it was a kiss from their daddy in Heaven.

My daughters are teenagers now, but they still love to chase sunsets and tell me about the ways God showed up in their days. They text me photos or pull me out to the balcony to watch His glory chasing across the sky.

I have learned we can plant seeds of hope and faith in our kids when we go glory hunting together.

Read the full article on @herviewfromhome here: https://herviewfromhome.com/widow-at-37-gods-grace/

#chasingGodsglory #sunsetchaser #glorychasers @waterbrookmultnomahkids #sunset #parenting #gloryhunter

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Jun 7

Open
After my husband soared to Heaven eight years ago, my three daughters and I found ourselves on an intense grief journey. I never imagined being a widow at age 37 when my girls were just 2, 5, and 8 years old. Despite the heaviness of grief, I knew God was near. And I longed for my daughters to experience His comforting presence too. That’s how we started chasing God’s glory together.
We started with a nightly rhythm of watching the sunset together. We would step out onto our back patio or pull over on the side of the road and pause to watch the colors waltzing across the sky.
Initially, my girls asked, “Mama, why do we watch the sunset? It happens every night.” But soon they discovered that every sunset was unique. Little by little, this rhythm became something we looked forward to. There was something calming and comforting for the girls and me as we watched God paint the sky each night. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brush strokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. We felt like it was a kiss from their daddy in Heaven. 
My daughters are teenagers now, but they still love to chase sunsets and tell me about the ways God showed up in their days. They text me photos or pull me out to the balcony to watch His glory chasing across the sky.
I have learned we can plant seeds of hope and faith in our kids when we go glory hunting together.
Read the full article on @herviewfromhome here: https://herviewfromhome.com/widow-at-37-gods-grace/
#chasingGodsglory #sunsetchaser #glorychasers @waterbrookmultnomahkids #sunset #parenting #gloryhunter
104 13

☀️ We cherished a day of celebrating our Giada’s 8th grade promotion in Disneyland yesterday! Her sisters rallied and saved money for their tickets. Instead of a party we took a family trip to the happiest place on earth! 😃 It was a surprisingly cool, overcast day!

In the younger days, I spent more time taking them to the bathroom and making sure everyone had a buddy for roses. Now I’m enjoying Disneyland with older kids who plan the trip, strategize which rides to go on and when. We ate some yummy treats, laughed a lot, played games in line, and made it to most of our faves!

@shawnyoungruns has definitely influenced our fam with his love for all things Disney! I am not sad about it. As for me, I’m in it for the Disney-themed food! 🥨 🍍 🍹 🍔 🍦My new fave is this pineapple churro with Cheema cheese dipping sauce. Woweee!

🏰 Are you a Disney fan? What’s your favorite park, ride, food, or show?!

#globalglorychasers #disneyland #disneyfoodie

View

Jun 7

Open
☀️ We cherished a day of celebrating our Giada’s 8th grade promotion in Disneyland yesterday! Her sisters rallied and saved money for their tickets. Instead of a party we took a family trip to the happiest place on earth! 😃 It was a surprisingly cool, overcast day! 
In the younger days, I spent more time taking them to the bathroom and making sure everyone had a buddy for roses. Now I’m enjoying Disneyland with older kids who plan the trip, strategize which rides to go on and when. We ate some yummy treats, laughed a lot, played games in line, and made it to most of our faves! 
@shawnyoungruns has definitely influenced our fam with his love for all things Disney! I am not sad about it. As for me, I’m in it for the Disney-themed food! 🥨 🍍 🍹 🍔 🍦My new fave is this pineapple churro with Cheema cheese dipping sauce. Woweee! 
🏰 Are you a Disney fan? What’s your favorite park, ride, food, or show?! 
#globalglorychasers #disneyland #disneyfoodie
88 4

Last night the six of us went to see the show SIX and to cheer on my talented childhood friend Valerie Maze who was the conductor/keyboardist. This was my birthday/Mother’s Day gift from my hubby, and it was so special!

What a phenomenal and engaging way to learn about history and the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII! The music, the lights, the voices, the dancing made for a truly unique and memorable show! The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles is also one of my favorites!

And the biggest treat of all was hanging out with @valerie.maze afterwards. We haven’t been together in YEARS! And this was the first time she met my Shawn and Meilani! #sixshow #broadwaymusical #globalglorychasers

View

Jun 4

Open
Last night the six of us went to see the show SIX and to cheer on my talented childhood friend Valerie Maze who was the conductor/keyboardist. This was my birthday/Mother’s Day gift from my hubby, and it was so special! 
What a phenomenal and engaging way to learn about history and the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII! The music, the lights, the voices, the dancing made for a truly unique and memorable show! The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles is also one of my favorites! 
And the biggest treat of all was hanging out with @valerie.maze afterwards. We haven’t been together in YEARS! And this was the first time she met my Shawn and Meilani! #sixshow #broadwaymusical #globalglorychasers
38 6

Hey friend, do you know about my weekly Glorygram? Every Saturday I gently drop this gift in your inbox, which includes an encouraging essay about chasing God`s glory, a monthly book giveaway, recommendations, recipes, and more.

Consider this like sitting down at my table for some homemade lumpia and a tall glass of mango lemonade. My heart is to share in community about what God is teaching us. You can hop over to DorinaGlorygram.Substack.com and read this week`s edition. Be sure to Subscribe while you`re there so you don`t miss a thing.

In this week`s Glorygram, I`m sharing a story about the power of asking questions and five sisters who asked a question that changed history. Don`t miss it!

#glory #encouragingwords #substack #glorychasers #hesed2023 #biblereading #bibleteacher #leadership #powerfulquestions

View

Jun 3

Open
Hey friend, do you know about my weekly Glorygram? Every Saturday I gently drop this gift in your inbox, which includes an encouraging essay about chasing God's glory, a monthly book giveaway, recommendations, recipes, and more.
Consider this like sitting down at my table for some homemade lumpia and a tall glass of mango lemonade. My heart is to share in community about what God is teaching us. You can hop over to DorinaGlorygram.Substack.com and read this week's edition. Be sure to Subscribe while you're there so you don't miss a thing.
In this week's Glorygram, I'm sharing a story about the power of asking questions and five sisters who asked a question that changed history. Don't miss it!
#glory #encouragingwords #substack #glorychasers #hesed2023 #biblereading #bibleteacher #leadership #powerfulquestions
24 7

Join me for a stroll through the next psalm of ascent. Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm that walks us through what it looks like to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. If we have the fear of the Lord and choose to walk with Him, we get to step into this abundance!

-What does walking with Him look like for you in this season?

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Jun 2

Open
Join me for a stroll through the next psalm of ascent. Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm that walks us through what it looks like to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. If we have the fear of the Lord and choose to walk with Him, we get to step into this abundance!
-What does walking with Him look like for you in this season?
22 2
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