KFL Future

Tammi Tamara Gauldin

Due to mountains of mercy and “great big” piles of grace, I remain on my way to fulfilling an immeasurable calling that is just right for me. Coming from a wonderful family of modest means, I learned the importance of relationships of the family unit. My parents, Marvin Dean Gauldin and Shenella Ruth Gauldin gave me what I needed, when I needed it, and how much I needed – regardless of the sticker price. If I asked for $20 for dinner, my dad would give me $7, and explain that $7 is what I needed. That very simple statement evolved into a lifestyle where I desire to assist people in getting “WHAT THEY NEED!”

Convinced that I was a prophet (all baby Christians do this...don’t they?), I ambitiously became a voice for YoungLife in highschool. I spoke about the goodness of God on several platforms whenever I had the opportunity. As a freshman in high school (or a “two-year-old” Christian), I began raising money to take alternative spring breaks to do service work. This compulsion to serve continued through college, and I participated in mission trips to Chicago, Kentucky, and South Carolina. Realizing that “all nations” permeated beyond the United States, in 2001, I went on a three- month mission trip to Senegal, Africa. In ways I didn’t understand until years later, God showed up on that trip. That trip changed my life and rocked my faith, as I endured psychological and emotional wounds that handicapped “me” for years. I became confused regarding “the workings of God” and “the workings of the devil posed in sheep’s clothes.” As I struggled with my own “faith shake,” I felt incapable of sharing with others insight as to what they needed.

After my trip to Senegal, “I” decided that I would never participate in overseas missions again. “I” was convinced that mission work was not God’s will for me. “I” felt as though I needed a break, and that my calling was not in the ministry. So I took a three-year detour that reads as follows:

Tamara earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, where she double majored in Political Science and Social Work. Tamara was also a collegiate athlete and played four years for the Union University Lady Bulldog Basketball team. After graduating from Union University in 2002, Tamara earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree in 2005 from the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville. Her legal career in private practice took her to Nashville, Tennessee, which has provided her great opportunities in her community. Tamara is an active member of Born Again Church, an assistant basketball coach at St. Cecilia Academy, member of a non-profit board of directors, and member of the Napier Looby Bar Association. T. Tamara Gauldin is a practicing trial Associate in the Nashville office of ____________. Her law practice includes an emphasis on defense of workers’ compensation claims for employers, premises liability defense, and employment law.

My “detour” found me focused on becoming a great attorney and keeping God just close enough to sooth my conscience.

While I sought to distance myself from God – a foolish and a dangerous trek – God had other plans. In January of 2009, God showed up and showed out! My job had become the main focus of my life, and He took that away, along with the things that distracted me from Him. While I was laid off from my job, I attended a one-week women’s conference with my church. During that conference, it became clear to me that God wanted me to go overseas...AGAIN! It seemed that, perhaps, missions are just a part of who I am. Knowing that God does not give ultimatums, I signed up for an August, 2009 Mission Trip to Chapelton, Jamaica, even though I wasn’t sure how I was going to pay for it. In short order, however, I learned that God would provide the resources to fund the trip. In April, 2009, I was hired with Wimberly Lawson Seale Wright & Daves, PLLC. Given my personality, I was hesitant to continue with the mission trip so soon after starting my new position. I felt as though I had not worked for the firm long enough to take off 14 days. But I gathered the courage to silence the devil and I requested the time off from work. Guess what: the trip was approved. The firm has totally embraced me and this firm truly is carried by the blessings of many of its faithful attorneys – my how you can feel it!

During my trip to Jamaica, I realized that “I am enough”...5’8”, thin, dark complected, brilliant smile, with a J.D. degree, thoughtful, witty, logical, friendly, teachable, loveable, childless, and husbandless.... “I am enough.” In Jamaica, God used me. That same girl who had vowed never to step foot overseas for missions again, provided others with WHAT THEY NEEDED – Christ!