FOLLOWING JESUS
The place I meet with God
PRAYER OF SAINT AIDAN
Leave me alone with God as much as may be.
As the tide draws the waters close in upon the shore,
Make me an island, set apart,
Alone with you, God, holy to you.
Then with the turning of the tide
Prepare me to carry your presence to the busy world beyond,
The world that rushes in on me,
'Til the waters come again and fold me back to you.
Aloha E Komo Mai! (hello and welcome!)
My name is Laura Gilmore and I'm so glad you found me here on This Holy Ground!
A late-blooming contemplative, my soul flourishes in silence and solitude;
seeking God alone I've found only one thing is necessary and
the good part that will not be taken away from me.
Still, in those unforced rhythms of grace, I hear Jesus inviting me to
follow Him into the noisy, busy, shiny, cluttered world and offer His Peace
to ones who need to come away with Him for a time and rest. (Mark 6:31)
An alumna of the Renovaré International Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation,
I received my certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Transformational Listening Center
in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Hawai'i.
It is my great delight to journey with others into the heart of God.
No pilgrim or journey is the same, so each time I see the beauty of God anew.
Each person, each experience of God, reveals the Truth we see in Jesus.
Life is more abundant when we're awake to the Presence of God.
I practice seeking and listening to God with all that I am.
God does not disappoint.
I live with my beloved husband Bruce and the dog who rescued us, One (oh-nay means "sand")
here on the Big Island of Hawai'i. This life we are living is beyond our accomplishments or our earning
- it is a full measure of Grace. We practice living attuned to God's presence, promise, and beauty all around us.
We cannot help but live gratefully!
What Others Say
"Laura is a natural spiritual director. She is wonderfully attuned to God and to the person to whom she is listening. She is compassionate, prayerful, and gentle. I highly recommend her as a spiritual director." Reverend Eva Sullivan-Knoff Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader
“Laura is creative, inspirational, and reverential. She is an insightful leader whose praying-in-color retreat helped me understand myself more fully. After attending the retreat, I found myself yearning for something more purposeful in my life as I continue to ask the deeper questions.” - Retreatant
"With Laura, there's a way of seeing a 'new' God. Learning how to look at Him, His Word, His creation - everything through a new light. Learning how to KNOW and ACCEPT His love, mercy and grace." Patti Jones - Cheyenne, Wyoming
"Laura is a beautiful spirit, a deep listener, and a trustworthy companion on the journey. She takes covenant seriously (both God's and ours) and her questions have always prodded me toward deeper reflection on God's faithfulness, which in turn nurtures my own. Laura listens like no one I've ever known--not just with her mind and heart, but with her whole being-- and her friendship, guidance, and compassion reflect that deep listening." Reverend Teri Peterson, Presbyterian Church of Palatine
"Through Laura's leadership at the retreats I attended I was able to see and learn what it meant to have a heart for Jesus, which came from witnessing her own desire to grow closer to Jesus. When you would listen and talk with her you could tell that she wanted nothing more than for you to grow closer to God. My relationship with God has continued to grow stronger and stronger because of the way Laura let God work through her during those special times!" Elizabeth Zacher, Senior, University of Illinois
Come and See!
Call or email to schedule spiritual direction or a retreat.
I'd be honored to share This Holy Ground with you!