racial diversity

The Impact of Representation

This month I’m collaborating with fellow children’s book authors and featuring a series called “Why Representation Matters in Children’s Literature.” Each week, I’ll be sharing a guest essay by one of my favorite children’s book authors on this topic culminating with a book giveaway. Today I’m excited to welcome my friend Dorena to the blog. [...] Keep Reading

Flourishing together: When racism affects us all

When my late husband Ericlee and I were newlyweds, we invited my Grandpa Frank to come live with us. Several years earlier my Grandma Cora had soared to heaven, and our family knew it wasn’t good for Grandpa to be living alone anymore — far from most of our family. My generous husband offered up our guest room. He knew this was important to me. [...] Keep Reading

The Hard Work of Building Bridges

The original version of this essay was published on May 16, 2016 in Self Talk the Gospel. I’m fascinated by bridges. I live in California so you can imagine the first bridge that comes to mind is the Golden Gate Bridge. Regal. Majestic. Glorious. Poppy red-by-day and glowing-with-lights by night. Iconic to the San Francisco skyline. The [...] Keep Reading

When my daughters were little, we started a tradition during the season of Advent. I gathered up different Christmas and winter books and wrapped them. Each night of Advent (starting December 1) the girls would open one of these books, and we would read them together. Advent is a season of preparing for the birth of Christ, which we celebrate on Christmas. Reading these books together has been a sweet way to usher in the season and to center our hearts.

Check out our list here: https://dorinagilmore.com/christmasbookadvent

📚 Share your favorite Christmas or holiday book in the comments!

Nov 29

When my daughters were little, we started a tradition during the season of Advent. I gathered up different Christmas and winter books and wrapped them. Each night of Advent (starting December 1) the girls would open one of these books, and we would read them together. Advent is a season of preparing for the birth of Christ, which we celebrate on Christmas. Reading these books together has been a sweet way to usher in the season and to center our hearts.
Check out our list here: https://dorinagilmore.com/christmasbookadvent
📚 Share your favorite Christmas or holiday book in the comments!

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Now I know it takes time for a family to recalibrate when someone dies. It’s been a decade of Thankgivings since my beloved soared to heaven. Each year has been different. We have learned to blanket ourselves with grace. We have made space for the emotions and grief. We have given ourselves permission to reinvent some of the traditions without throwing aside the memories.

This year, our family made the trek to Southern California to spend Thanksgiving with Shawn’s family. Part of the redemption we have experienced through our grief journey has been in gaining more extended family when Shawn and I got married. My daughters now have a bonus grandma and more aunties, uncles and cousins, who we see regularly. I am deeply grateful for the way the Young-Chan clan has welcomed us with open arms even through years of grief and recalibrating.

I couldn’t help thinking about how God has restored so much in our lives beyond what we could ever imagine. These are my people now. We are part of the family, not just an addendum. We cook and eat and laugh and play games, and it feels natural.

Friend, what are your savoring this year? True thanksgiving doesn’t require perfection or performance. We are simply invited to receive from a God who sees us in the desert and sends streams of water.

{Read the full essay here: https://dorinaglorygram.substack.com/p/when-grief-gives-way-to-joy} #grief #GriefShare #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefandloss #GriefRecovery #griefawareness #joy #joyful #Thanksgiving #thanksgiving2023

Nov 27

Now I know it takes time for a family to recalibrate when someone dies. It’s been a decade of Thankgivings since my beloved soared to heaven. Each year has been different. We have learned to blanket ourselves with grace. We have made space for the emotions and grief. We have given ourselves permission to reinvent some of the traditions without throwing aside the memories.
This year, our family made the trek to Southern California to spend Thanksgiving with Shawn’s family. Part of the redemption we have experienced through our grief journey has been in gaining more extended family when Shawn and I got married. My daughters now have a bonus grandma and more aunties, uncles and cousins, who we see regularly. I am deeply grateful for the way the Young-Chan clan has welcomed us with open arms even through years of grief and recalibrating.
I couldn’t help thinking about how God has restored so much in our lives beyond what we could ever imagine. These are my people now. We are part of the family, not just an addendum. We cook and eat and laugh and play games, and it feels natural.
Friend, what are your savoring this year? True thanksgiving doesn’t require perfection or performance. We are simply invited to receive from a God who sees us in the desert and sends streams of water.
{Read the full essay here: https://dorinaglorygram.substack.com/p/when-grief-gives-way-to-joy} #grief #GriefShare #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefandloss #GriefRecovery #griefawareness #joy #joyful #Thanksgiving #thanksgiving2023

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Are you supporting local businesses today? Consider giving the gift of books this year! Here are five of my book babies for readers of all ages available anywhere books are sold!

📚 Breathing Through Grief (devotional journal)
📚Create in Me a Heart of Mercy (Bible study)
📚Chasing God’s Glory (children’s book)
📚 Cora Cooks Pancit (children’s book)
📚 Walk Run Soar (devotional training journal)

Details at www.DorinaGilmore.com/books #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner

Nov 25

Are you supporting local businesses today? Consider giving the gift of books this year! Here are five of my book babies for readers of all ages available anywhere books are sold!
📚 Breathing Through Grief (devotional journal)
📚Create in Me a Heart of Mercy (Bible study)
📚Chasing God’s Glory (children’s book)
📚 Cora Cooks Pancit (children’s book)
📚 Walk Run Soar (devotional training journal)
Details at www.DorinaGilmore.com/books #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner

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Mercy is multiplied through hospitality. ❤️‍🩹

Learn more in Create in Me a Heart of Mercy, a six-week Bible study packed with relevant observations, applications, daily prayers, and Scripture memorization. Perfect for individuals or small groups, this study will help you:

🫶🏾discover the transformational power that mercy has in and through the life of the believer,
🫶🏾learn how to extend mercy to others, even in circumstances where it feels difficult or un-deserved, and
🫶🏾experience the freedom and purpose that come from multiplying mercy in a world that desperately needs it.

The mercy God has shown us through Jesus is meant to flow through us to the rest of the world as a powerful witness to God’s love and forgiveness.

Check out my latest Bible study, Create in Me a Heart of Mercy, published with @incourage & @revellbooks 🫶🏾 Find it anywhere books are sold! Consider this deep dive into the concept of mercy for yourself or your group.

👣 Details here: https://incourage.me/heartofmercy

Nov 24

Mercy is multiplied through hospitality. ❤️‍🩹
Learn more in Create in Me a Heart of Mercy, a six-week Bible study packed with relevant observations, applications, daily prayers, and Scripture memorization. Perfect for individuals or small groups, this study will help you:
🫶🏾discover the transformational power that mercy has in and through the life of the believer,
🫶🏾learn how to extend mercy to others, even in circumstances where it feels difficult or un-deserved, and
🫶🏾experience the freedom and purpose that come from multiplying mercy in a world that desperately needs it.
The mercy God has shown us through Jesus is meant to flow through us to the rest of the world as a powerful witness to God’s love and forgiveness.
Check out my latest Bible study, Create in Me a Heart of Mercy, published with @incourage & @revellbooks 🫶🏾 Find it anywhere books are sold! Consider this deep dive into the concept of mercy for yourself or your group.
👣 Details here: https://incourage.me/heartofmercy

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🦃Happy Thanksgiving from my people to yours! 🍁

🫶🏾 It’s the being together part that matters most to me. 🏞️ What are you thanking God for today?

🦃 🍽 We are feasting with Shawn’s family in Santa Clarita! I’m excited about portabella mushrooms with horseradish cream sauce right alongside the turkey! 🍽 What are you eating today?!

#glorychasers #chasingthelight

📸: @allibethesunshine

Nov 24

🦃Happy Thanksgiving from my people to yours! 🍁
🫶🏾 It’s the being together part that matters most to me. 🏞️ What are you thanking God for today?
🦃 🍽 We are feasting with Shawn’s family in Santa Clarita! I’m excited about portabella mushrooms with horseradish cream sauce right alongside the turkey! 🍽 What are you eating today?!
#glorychasers #chasingthelight
📸: @allibethesunshine

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