I thought this merited a bigger announcement than would fit in the name change thread, though I'll link to it from there.

When the news about Jay came out, I was among the first to change my name. I remember how I scoured the internet all afternoon looking for just the right first name. I found it, after awhile; Amaris, meaning He has promised. And Mimetes, in support of our leader. I said I was going to leave the name until Jay returned to us.

I watched as person by person changed their name back, all giving valid reasons, but I stubbornly stuck to my change. Yes, this was partly stubbornness, but it was also a sincere desire to show how I believed in Jay, no matter what.

That hasn't changed. I believe in Jay, I support him in his trials, and I respect him and care for him. But over the past few weeks, I've come to realize something that many have said before me. And that is this:

HolyWorlds is not about Jay. HolyWorlds is about Christ, and fellow Christians seeking to encourage and help one another. If we make it about Jay, or treat his leadership as irreplaceable or infallible, then we will fall. And it is idolatry.

I'm not saying that anyone who keeps Mimetes in their name is idolizing Jay, or anything of the sort. I'm not even saying that I did. I'm just saying that for me, it was time to separate HolyWorlds and my HolyWorlds identity from being irrevocably linked to Jay. I still pray for him. I still love him. But it's time for me to stand up and let my username be a reminder of who I am in Christ, not how I relate to Jay.

So now, I am J. Grace Pennington. And in the end, isn't that more meaningful? Pennington, my family name. J, my first initial, something that sets me apart from other Grace Penningtons. And most of all, Grace. Who I am, and a constant reminder that it is God who makes us who we are: beautiful treasures and objects of his boundless love.

I like the name change. *smiles* And I agree with your reasons for changing it back. My name staying the same isn't really much of an issue since I've never used my real name here, and my old name was cool, but not as cool as Lycanis. However, I think I would change it back if I had something worth changing it to... I suppose also since I never knew Jay as well, it's never been as big of an issue (separating HW from him, etc).

Thank you for taking the effort to explain so well, and being a good example.

*smiles* Proud of you Gracie. Follow wherever God leads you.

Good thoughts, Grace.

As for me...I would have changed my name long ago, had I not expressly promised myself I would keep Mimetes in my name. This is to me a representation of my desire to keep my word no matter what.

I had felt that way for a long time, Milly. However, it was a growing process for me as I realized that there are times that a foolish promise should be broken, even though it is a serious thing. I'm not saying yours was a foolish promise, but for me, even though I had publicly stated that I would keep it, the time had come that I could not keep that promise in good conscience. Which to me is a reminder to consider my promises more carefully.

I like your name change, Grace, and it's good from a professional standpoint as well, as it's your pen name.

Thank you, dearest.

I felt the same way when I changed to my proper pen name. I did give my word, but I never should have... And the meaning of the name given to me (from which my pen name is derived) is too important to deny because it is the name God has given me to use on this Earth until He whispers in secret to me the name that only He knows.