Journey to That Great Day:: Stories of Families of Faith

By Sharon E. Wilkerson-Gilpin

Journey to that Great Day: Stories of Families of Faith is the inspiring story of families who triumph over life's trials in our changing world through their active faith in God. Their stories will deepen your faith and fuel your hope. An inspirational book for people of all races and ages, Journey to that Great Day unfolds the power of faith among families in American culture and history spanning from the South's reconstruction period to the 21st century. Bringing to life the stories of dynamic families, Journey to that Great Day explores the theme of families as ambassadors of peace, hope, unity, and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Aug 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781475935936

Sharon E. Wilkerson-Gilpin

Sharon E. Wilkerson-Gilpin, an author and journalist, is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor's degree in mass communications. Mrs. Gilpin has more than 20 years of professional experience in the field of journalism. She has worked as a newspaper repoter, radio news reporter, TV research producer, contributing magazine writer, and public affairs specialist. She served in the U.S. Coast Guard reserve as a public affairs officer and completed her training at Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, NJ. She enjoyed a rewarding career as a military journalist until she was honorably discharged. Her articles have been published in the Coast Guard Reservist, Coast Guard Magazine, Afro-American Newspapers, and Suite 101 Magazine. She is the author of a book entitled, Angles Watching Over Me, Vantage Press, and author of an award-winning poem entitled, Singing Lady Preacher, World of Poetry Press. She was awarded the Silver Poet and Golden Poet Awards for Singing Lady Preacher, which was published in the World of Poetry anthology. Mrs. Gilpin has also enjoyed a rewarding career in the social services field for more than 15 years. She works in foster care and adoption services in county government. She has a heart and compassion for helping children and families. Throughout her social services career, Mrs. Gilpin has also worked in the areas of administration and intake and stabilization family services. For her outstanding service, she was awarded the Pocahantas Award and was nominated for the Excellence in Public Service Award in Henrico County government. Mrs. Gilpin serves as a member of A.D.O.P.T., an organization that advocates for children living in foster homes who are eligible for adoption. Mrs. Gilpin lives in Henrico County near Richmond with her husband, Wayne, and family. Mr. and Mrs. Gilpin are adoptive parents of a son, Michael. They have also served as legal guardians of another child. They are strong advocates of youth and serve as teachers in their church in bible study groups and vacation bible school. They also enjoy helping the elderly as deacon and deaconess in their church. A native of Richmond, VA, Mrs. Gilpin is the eldest child of Daisy and Charles Wilkerson, Jr. She and her brother, Steven, grew up in a loving, Christian family. Her parents taught her and her brother to put God first in their lives and seek to bless the lives of others. Both of her parents worked in the helping professions and taught Christian principles and values by their examples. Her father worked as a nurse, and her mother worked as a school secretary. They were both devoted to living out their faith in God and enjoyed spending quality time with their children. Encouraged and inspired by her loving family and her faith in God, Mrs. Gilpin began writing at age 12 to enrich and bless the lives of people.

Book preview

JOURNEY TO THAT GREAT DAY:

STORIES OF FAMILIES OF FAITH

SHARON E. WILKERSON-GILPIN

iUniverse, Inc.

Bloomington

Journey to that Great Day:

Stories of Families of Faith

Copyright © 2012 by Sharon E. Wilkerson-Gilpin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-3592-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-3593-6 (ebk)

iUniverse rev. date: 07/13/2012

Contents

Peace March on Patriot Boulevard The Elliott’s Story

The Big Meetings A Family Tradition of Faith and Love

Inspirational Poems The Family

Train Up A Child

Family Love

Family Prayer

Adoption: Motherhood Blessed by God

A Mother’s Faith

We Are Family: Sharing and Caring Always

God’s Garden

My Garden of Love

Big Mama: A Lady of Virtue

A Rainbow Wedding

Mama: A Woman of Faith

A Father’s Love

Mama’s Faith: Tribute to a Single Mom

A Son’s Tribute: Honor to Mother and Father

Preface

Families anchored in God will persevere through life’s storms and emerge stronger in faith and love. Journey to That Great Day: Stories of Families of Faith is the story of families of faith. Their stories are anchored in faith in God and reflect American cultures and history spanning from the South’s Reconstruction Period, the Great