The fruit of our faith.

Your story begins much like most of the stories of my life – dramatic. Through walking in obedience with a sweet lady we met while serving the homeless in our city – you came to us. Not directly, definitely indirectly (as most things with God and faith are) and as a complete result of our obedience & the GREAT FAVOR of The Father that doesn’t make any sense at all. Your life is a testimony of walking step by step with the Lord, as He leads, not knowing where the blessings will come from but reaping the fruit of the unknown journey.

I’ve told your story in previous journal entries and I won’t retell here, but the last five years have been filled with exactly what the number 5 represents, grace.

Joel Nathaniel Haley.

Nathaniel was the name your birth parents gave you at birth – a Hebrew name which means, “Given by God.” Joel is the name we gave to you to represent the 7th Joel Haley in a line of very strong men (actually the first was a lady) who led in the name of the Lord. The number 7 is not an accident, as we know this means Spiritual Perfection. Joel is also a Hebrew name which means, “Yahweh is God”. And Haley – a last name that we pray continues in the legacy of defining people of faith, people of integrity, people of character that stands the test of any fire or crisis. People that choose to stand with the 2 spies that offer up the faith of walking with God into the land promised. People who build boats for 100+ years in a land that has never seen rain. People that walk into the unknown as if it were known because the Lord has already spoken it so.

Joel, you are one of a kind. You have a drive and a passion that is challenging for many to keep up with. You are forever my fella and I am forever your lady. We have been trusted to steward your fire – and my prayer is that each day you get a little closer to walking in the fullness you were crafted by your Creator for. This day, we celebrate five years of grace. Five years of joy. Five years of passion. Five years of contagious laughter. You are loved by your tribe. You are more than enough. You are fiercely made. You are a mighty warrior in training. You are a Kingdom chaser. You are a Victor of the evils that tried to capture you before you were born. You are made in the Image of God and destined for greatness. You are Joel.