Saturday, August 6, 2011

Article featuring my cousin Rebecca Gore's Legacy



Watch for the one word that is changed in this familiar quote from Jesus: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many ranches ... I go to prepare a place for you ... and I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
The Rev. Alan Anglin inserted ranches in the place of mansions, saying that's the way Rebecca Jeanne Gore, 19, would have read the verses. She loved horses.

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"I can just see Rebecca riding white horses in heaven," family friend Nii Adjei imagined aloud.
The men were speaking at her funeral in Nacogdoches, on June 12, 2011. She died June 8 in an accident while driving to work. She worked in administration for the Nacogdoches Police Department.

During her senior year, she was a receptionist for His Love Counseling Services. Often, Rebecca grabbed Kelly Tindall, our manager, to have a session of prayer for someone about whom she was concerned. She grew up and was home-schooled in our area. Eight police honor guardsmen filed in and filled the first pew of the left side of the funeral chapel. Reverently entering behind them were personnel from the police, fire and rescue departments of the city of Nacogdoches. After impressively filling six reserved pews on the left side, they filled the first pew on the right side.

Before the service began and during the visitation the day before, two honor guardsmen stood at attention at the head and foot of Rebecca's casket, in front of United States and Texas flags. A ceremonial changing of the guard occurred every few minutes. Five guardsmen participated, complete with white gloves, showing immense respect. "God will let Rebecca's legacy complete her mission in life," someone noted during the service. Her legacy is evident in the following inspirational quotes:

"Thank you for being here to honor my baby," Reginna Gore, Rebecca's mother, said at the podium. "I can stand before you today because in tears there can be joy. I thank God that he loaned Rebecca to me for 19 years. She slowed us down to see the world around us. With molasses in her veins, life was a journey, and she was on a stroll. Rebecca, who was a part of my past, is now a part of my future."

Rachel Gore said, "My little sister loved her country and wanted to be a politician as early as 8 years old. I thank God that he sent his only son to redeem my baby sister and take her to heaven."

JoAnna Moore, a close childhood friend, said, "When Rebecca was 13, she asked me this question: ‘God gave us our freedom, why is America not praising him?' Even as a younger child, she was a grown-up in a little body. She had no idea that she was tiny. She was ready to take on anything."

Someone added, "Rebecca was a big person in a fun-sized body, and she had a heart for the underdog or cat or horse."
That was because Rebecca orchestrated her life in harmony with her defining Bible verses: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9, New International Version).

Adriana "Bubbles" Galvan, another close friend, said, "Rebecca was an encourager and exhorter. She was a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, no doubt about it. She'd say, ‘Bubbles, come on! We need to pray for someone!'"
Aunt Toni Gore also spoke about Rebecca's prayer life, "Even at 4 or 5 years old, she laid her tiny hands on me when I was sick, and prayed for me with words beyond her years. I soon felt better. As a little kid, Rebecca was so smart, interesting and hilarious."

About recent times, Aunt Toni added, "On her own, without asking for help, Rebecca cooked for the homeless and took it to them. If they had a dog, she took something for it, too."

Her compassion, in fact, bore fruit in her starting her own ministry as a teenager, Rendered Hope Outreach. She designed it to help the homeless and to help stop human trafficking (renderedhope.org). For a career, she dreamed of becoming a positive force on staff with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Rebecca certainly was a positive force on my staff. She loved ministry and the people we serve. All were delighted by her precious presence.

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Love you my sweet girl. So thankful that her legacy lives on. What an amazing light and gift from God. I love you Becca, see you soon.

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