Author: heatherhaley07

keep it simple

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All day every day we run the race of life. We push for more. We fight for more. We fill the schedules with every school event, work event, sports event, church event, you name it there is an event screaming for your attention. As women, we do our best to make sure all the details are covered – food, clothes, extras - presents, parties, special moments and don’t forget every small detail needed for school so the kids aren’t left out or made to feel silly. We are like little mice running a wheel all day long. Then when there isn’t any running, the necessity of making sure all the clothes are washed, dishes are clean, sheets are laundered, floors are swept and of course those pesty bathrooms. And I haven’t even begun to mention all the additional demands if you also work outside of the home. Oh, and let’s not forget exercise and diet control. That is a HUGE FACTOR as well. AND kids needing dental work, doctors’ appointments and the never-ending calls for more. More of everything. Constantly pulling at the mind of a mother. And then the kids get sick, work becomes more stressful than normal, family members suffer from major life altering moments, and your home becomes under siege. And never forget the strong desire of your heart to teach your children the intimacy of a living and breathing walk with God, as well as, protecting your own intimacy with the Father.

The demands on a woman are great. The demands on a man are great – while I watch and see those pressures from afar, I will never do justice in speaking to them with clarity and entirety. For that reason, do not hear me dismiss the demands on a man. They are strong and they are great. Men of today are dismissed and made to look inferior, weak and unintelligent. That is the furthest from the truth. Our men should be respected, honored and revered. Even at times when we feel they do not deserve it.

Women today add too many extra pressures to their hearts, minds and souls. I am the chief among them. We are constantly taking care of so many and still trying to take care of ourselves with a good amount of zeal and purpose. Sometimes all of it is just too much. Have you ever wished you could just stop the madness and the chaos? Have you ever considered stopping it all? Have you considered redefining your days, weeks and missions with a different viewpoint or foundation? 

This summer, our family did just that. Not perfectly, but at least began to put one foot in front of the other to make our world look different again. This summer, we felt led to return to a place that shook our American Christian foundation as young adults. We knew the Lord desired us to visit with Cheryl Spence at Jesus Centered Ministries in Leon, Nicaragua, and lend her a helping hand with the orphans and the cleft babies she is helping with. We started our preparations. One week later, the Lord provided all of the money we needed to for our family of four to go. We casually mentioned this to our “best couple friends” and they shared their church was planning a trip to the same place at the same time. We knew the Lord had orchestrated this time for such a time as this. And if anyone has read any of my other blogs, you understand that the number 26 holds significant meaning in my spiritual walk. The departure date was December 26. The story about the 26 (https://wordpress.com/post/heather-haley.com/516). And here we were, going to Leon after fifteen years to love on a people we hadn’t seen and honestly allowed ourselves to forget about.

As I have been in Leon this week, I have been driven to the book of Joshua for my daily study. During Joshua’s farewell address he speaks so passionately from his heart on so many points -

  • After a long time had passed, the Lord gave rest to Israel from the enemies around them.
  • He reminds them that even though they fought, it was always the Lord who had fought for them.
  • He speaks truth to them that the Lord will keep His promises and drive the enemy out before them so that they will take possession of their promised land.
  • He encourages them to “be VERY strong; be careful to obey all that is written without turning aside to the right or to the left.”
  • He cautions the people not to associate with the nations that will lead them astray and guide them away from their purpose and mission.
  • He speaks to them about how they have been stronger and mightier warriors solely because the Lord gave them the win. He is the One fighting for them and He promised that He would. 
  • BE CAREFUL TO LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD.
  • If you choose not to love the Lord, then understand fully that the punishment that comes with that – He will stop fighting for you. The nations around them will become “snares and traps” for them. 
  • YOU KNOW WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND SOUL THAT NOT ONE OF ALL THE GOOD PROMISES THE LORD YOUR GOD GAVE YOU HAS FAILED. EVERY PROMISE HAS BEEN FULFILLED; NOT ONE HAS FAILED. 
  • He speaks of serving the Lord – with all faithfulness. All faithfulness does not mean you sign up for every job needed at the church office. All faithfulness means you sit and be still and hear Him guide you and your home into all fullness and mission. You hear Him speak your mission and your calling to you.

And now to the most powerful point, in my opinion, in this text and farewell message from Joshua –

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

BUT IF SERVING THE LORD SEEMS UNDESIRABLE TO YOU.

In my entire Christian life, I don’t believe I have every paid much attention to the first nine words of this verse. We quote and embroider the rest of this verse, but how often do we incorporate that first section. 

BUT IF SERVING THE LORD SEEMS UNDESIRABLE TO YOU.

Does serving the Lord seem undesirable to you? This is a true, genuine heart question. Is this something you have honestly no desire for? As a Christian, I feel there are many reasons that you can lose your desire for the things of God. Also, if you are not a Christian then you cannot desire the things of God – it is not possible. I know in my own journey, the last three years have challenged me in what I believe about my God. I was always a person who fulfilled her days with the busyness of church and ministry. I won’t say my heart wasn’t in the right place and that I was being intentionally disobedient. I know in my own convictions that I was following as I was being led in my service to Jesus. And I walked intimately with Him. And then the loss of my sister in 2020, struck a new chord in my journey with my Saviour. In that moment, my service to the Lord stopped and my service to my family began. In my opinion, I wasn’t serving the Lord anymore, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Maybe, I have never served the Lord more fully. Or more intimately. But in these reconstruction years, my desires have been challenged. There have been days that my relationship with God has been distant – through my own making and lack of focus and attention. And through that foundational fracture, my service was not desirable. When we are not in the Word of God, the Truth struggles to take root and our service is stagnant. And then we look at all of the areas of our lives that might not be the focus area He wants us to see.

When Joshua speaks this to the Israelites, they are being bombarded with the gods of their past and the new gods in their present setting as they both compete with the One True God. This statement and challenge is not different today. We still face the demons and desires of the gods we served in our past and present day. Did we deal with addiction before Christ? Did we suffer from depression or bitterness before Christ? Or what about the constant need to be busy? And in our present settings, what are the gods pulling for our attention? Is it the push to always go above and beyond at the workplace? Or the desire to constant be on your cell phone when your kids are sitting beside you longing for your eyes? The idea that the gods we face are different is a false idea. Anything that takes your focus and attention away from the One True God is a false god. It is a competing god. What is grabbing for your attention that takes you away from walking in the fullness of God.

And let’s not forget the final point I found in Joshua 24 – “Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel.” But what happened after that? Once the people who had experienced the Joshua era of the goodness of God had died, did they continue to serve? When Joshua challenges them to choose this day who we serve, he is asking that because he is wanting them to make their worship and relationship their own and not just following the faith of the leaders above us and around us. Is your faith and your worship true and real to you? Or are you just mimicking the worship of those around you and those who lead you?

This trip for our home was to reset and recalibrate our focus and our purpose. This trip was to redefine the mission of our home as our own, not as one defined by the leaders around us. This mission was to follow the fullness that God has for us, the Haley family. Our purpose is already spoken in the Heavens by our Creator, we just have to listen.

If you are looking for a place to reset and serve – Cheryl Spence in Leon, Nicaragua, with Jesus Centered Ministries is a great place to start. Reach out and I will be glad to introduce you.

Today, determine if you desire to serve. Choose Who you are serving. And learn as a lady to relax and walk in the fullness of His plan and not your schedule.     

“I’m a Christian now…”

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says my little boy, Joel. On October 10, 2023, just after hiking to Blood Lake near Park City, Utah, my son chose to join his family in giving his life to Jesus Christ. If you know Joel, you know he is as genuine and literal as they come. And incredibly vocal. About everything. He has wanted to become a Christian for a few years now – always asking questions and wanting to do what we all had done. But these last few months, he has really been intent on making his desires known, but when we would get to the point for him to pray, he would ask to wait. Not this time.

We have been blessed since the moment we met Joel Nathaniel on July 26, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital NICU. Since that sweet day when we unexpectedly brought home a one-week-old baby with 26 hours’ notice from the Lord. That first day when you needed us for love beyond compare and to hold you tight as you faced your unknown challenges. To check out the full story of Mr. Joel, see this link: https://wordpress.com/post/heather-haley.com/726.

This story of salvation is one that has been a short while coming. Joel has always asked the deep and thought-provoking questions of life and faith. He always wants to understand every angle of a situation. He is incredibly passionate about everything he does, but very sensitive and gentle about all things related to the Lord. Our family has experienced many losses of loved ones in his short little life and I think that also has given him a deeper understanding and desire to marvel at the things about Heaven and God. His journey and short little life seems so unfair at times as he has experienced so many things taken from him – in a very short time period.

His drive, passion and purpose are magnified in many ways. His intelligence is unique (at least to me 🙂 ). He has a big mission on his life to accomplish anything the Lord directs him towards. My prayer is that we can direct his passion towards his God-given path so that he can run full speed with the mission the Lord has for him. On December 17th, 2023, at Fairview Baptist Church he followed in believer’s baptism. Much like what you saw in the New Testament after believer’s gave their lives to following Christ. 

Both of my children have accepted Jesus as their Saviour on hikes in the mountains. Georgia in the Smoky Mountains and Joel in the Rocky Mountains. I know the Lord has a story in that for me – I just don’t know it yet! Soon, I am sure. 

In the sweet words of Joel’s salvation prayer, I leave you with this – “If I see You, I will be happy. Jesus, You are the Saviour of everyone. No one can go to Heaven except through You. So many people have gone there, and I would like to go there too. I lay down my life as your servant in Christ. Amen.”

“I’m a Christian now…”

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

says my little boy, Joel. On October 10, 2023, just after hiking to Blood Lake near Park City, Utah, my son chose to join his family in giving his life to Jesus Christ. If you know Joel, you know he is as genuine and literal as they come. And incredibly vocal. About everything. He has wanted to become a Christian for a few years now – always asking questions and wanting to do what we all had done. But these last few months, he has really been intent on making his desires known, but when we would get to the point for him to pray, he would ask to wait. Not this time.

We have been blessed since the moment we met Joel Nathaniel on July 26, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital NICU. Since that sweet day when we unexpectedly brought home a one-week-old baby with 26 hours’ notice from the Lord. That first day when you needed us for love beyond compare and to hold you tight as you faced your unknown challenges. To check out the full story of Mr. Joel, see this link: https://wordpress.com/post/heather-haley.com/726.

This story of salvation is one that has been a short while coming. Joel has always asked the deep and thought-provoking questions of life and faith. He always wants to understand every angle of a situation. He is incredibly passionate about everything he does, but very sensitive and gentle about all things related to the Lord. Our family has experienced many losses of loved ones in his short little life and I think that also has given him a deeper understanding and desire to marvel at the things about Heaven and God. His journey and short little life seems so unfair at times as he has experienced so many things taken from him – in a very short time period.

His drive, passion and purpose are magnified in many ways. His intelligence is unique (at least to me 🙂 ). He has a big mission on his life to accomplish anything the Lord directs him towards. My prayer is that we can direct his passion towards his God-given path so that he can run full speed with the mission the Lord has for him. On December 17th, 2023, at Fairview Baptist Church he followed in believer’s baptism. Much like what you saw in the New Testament after believer’s gave their lives to following Christ. 

Both of my children have accepted Jesus as their Saviour on hikes in the mountains. Georgia in the Smoky Mountains and Joel in the Rocky Mountains. I know the Lord has a story in that for me – I just don’t know it yet! Soon, I am sure. 

In the sweet words of Joel’s salvation prayer, I leave you with this – “If I see You, I will be happy. Jesus, You are the Saviour of everyone. No one can go to Heaven except through You. So many people have gone there, and I would like to go there too. I lay down my life as your servant in Christ. Amen.”

The woman who could….

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Every journey of life comes wrapped in its own covering designed to create in us the version of ourselves able to achieve the great mission we have been sent on. Every moment of our journey leads us closer to the Lord and our purpose. Every trial and every joy create. Our journey of life is one that is constantly creating, as our Lord is the Master Creator, we follow in his dynamic plan. He surrounds us with all that we need to walk into the ongoing unknown territory of our future.

My oldest niece, Kayla, was one that I have given the most grief to in my life. When she joined our family, I was merely seven years old and had been the youngest child the entire time. I was the baby of the family and enjoyed every perk that gave. With older parents, and an older sister who treated me like her own baby, I was more than spoiled. And then Kayla was born. Needless to say, I was mean to her, and my friends were mean to her. In many ways we were treated like sisters.

As time went on, and I became a Christian, she became one of my closest friends. As the years have gone by, the Lord has crafted a unique storyline over her life. She has been drenched with trials, obstacles, seasons of drought and seasons of flooding. She has seen death up close and stepped into roles never intended for her. She has walked through challenges that she never dreamed she would face and has been tasked with keeping her family intact on more than one occasion. Despite all this, on the other side of every mountain, she comes out glowing. She shines brighter with the glow of the Holy Spirit on her life. She has held tighter to the Cross of Jesus. I have been reading a book about navy seals and some of their leadership training, and one of their key phrases is “the only easy day was yesterday.” This could not be truer for this sweet soul.

Kayla will always be defined as the woman who could. She loves big. She gives all. She never looks for things in return. When all was stacked up against her, she overcame. When the enemy came to take her joy, she was victorious. No, the path is not the way she planned, but it was the way intended for her and her babies. Kayla defines a woman who, while longing for an easier path, stands on top of the mountain that she just climbed, hands on hips, thankful for the journey that reinforced her God and redefined her heart.

Plan today for peace tomorrow.

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peace /pes/ noun

  1. freedom from disturbance; tranquility.
  2. a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

Peace is mentioned in four hundred verses in scripture.  Within those four hundred verses, twenty-four of those are direct quotes of Jesus Christ.  When we look at the studies of numerology of scripture, we find that twenty-four is a multiple of twelve, associated with heavenly government and worship – just as Israel was a replica of Heaven. Do we think that it might be possible that peace is a form of worship? And let’s not forget that eight and three are a great combination for twenty-four, possibly meaning that peace is the foundation of divine perfection and new beginnings.

September begins my favorite section of the calendar year. First of all, it is the beginning of my birthday month. Yes, I said month. And you should feel bad for those who live with me. College football begins and baseball kicks into gear. Pumpkin spice is here, and all things fall – colors of leaves changing, coolness in the air, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin scent. We embrace Petro’s and sweaters. I create reasons to wear sweatshirts and scarves. The launch of the notation that the end of year is near. And as we all know, the end of year brings the clean slate of yet another new beginning.

Fall is also the launch of me beginning the countdown to my most favorite days – Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year, I felt I conquered the goal of making slowness and peace as a priority from November 1 – December 31. Conquering a goal is important to me – every goal. And this year I am aiming towards an even better achievement of resting in the goodness of God. So often we find ourselves in a tizzy of checklists and motion. We obsess about dirty houses, weeds and laundry. We forget to embrace the cuddles and the mess. And then one day, they are over. Kids are grown, moments for memories are over. As I sit and think about myself turning thirty-eight this year, I am likely near the middle of my life. Have I lived these years to the fullest? Do I have regrets or just moments to improve and course correct?

Today, I am making plans for the peace that I desire in November and December. I am planning on peace. We plan on so many things – events, moments, etc. But do we make plans for peace? And if so, how? I have found that one of my most favorite passages of scripture is found in Luke 8 when a storm forms on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus and the disciples are on the boat. The disciples panic. Jesus sleeps. The disciples question their faith. Jesus sleeps. The disciples wonder if they are following the right One. Jesus sleeps. The disciples are surprised. Jesus is a peace.

Planning on peace doesn’t mean difficulties won’t come your way. Planning for peace means that when the storm is all around you, instead of panic and fear – you crawl up beside Jesus in the boat and go to sleep too. I have found that this journey constantly consists of trouble, pain, suffering, difficulty and obstacles. And being a Christian can often mean that these are more than normal. But He speaks to peace in the storm. He speaks to calm in the chaos. Peace only comes from holding as tight as you can to Jesus. Holding onto Jesus means an intimate relationship that never stops in communication. His Truth is truer than our emotions. His Word is more accurate than our feelings and thoughts. His Name is more powerful than our anger or sadness.

In a world being tossed back and forth with the waves – go to sleep with Jesus.

In John 20:26, some of the last quoted words of Christ, He repeats three times “Peace be with you.”  He made it some of His last words and He repeated it three times – how should we view the priority of being peaceful?

Fall at Biltmore Estate. Photo Credit: Clifton Haley Photography

DAD.

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“Life moves at the speed of your age. Use your time wisely because it only speeds up,” my dad said.

I remember hearing this as a 9-year-old girl begging to hurry up my birthday to turn 10 years old. It couldn’t happen fast enough. The days wouldn’t move fast enough. My father reminded me of the fact that when you are 9-year-old, you are moving at 9 miles per hour in time. Same holds true today, I am currently moving at 37 miles per hour and when my father took his last breath, he was moving at 77 miles per hour.

My dad taught me to be a good human above everything else. Work hard. Take care of family. Love with all you have. Love the Lord. Give when no one is looking. If you can, pick up the bill for others from time to time. Smile. Give thanks. Be gentle with your children – a try to be more kind than not. Eat the cookie. Let the kids eat the cookies. Make vacations important. Make memories more important. Always cheer for the VOLS and be confident they will win the next game. Never get too excited about the Braves until the post season. Go to church. Sing. If you have a gift, use it. Appreciate good music. Stay away from the drink – it will only lead to trouble. Pay your debts. Be proud to be an American. Go on mountain picnics. Spend time with family. Chili is always better the second day. The Lord will always deal with those who do wrong. Bologna sandwiches and white bread should be had on Saturday afternoons. Drink coffee. Laugh. If it is not in writing, it didn’t happen – keep a record. Sometimes the GPS takes you through small towns when the map actually has a main highway, (sorry about that time going to the beach). Keep the unity. Laugh. Try not to talk so loud and so much. Be a good steward with what you have been given. Return what you borrow. Always go and vote. Take care of your equipment and it won’t let you down. Some things you don’t cut corners on. Heart ache happens – but you have to get back up. You cannot help everyone. Don’t spend money you do not have. 

And the way my father loved, was found in the powerful demonstration of how he died.

He led in love. Now, he had grumpy moments. We all do. Especially on the travel day to vacation. As many know and many may not know, my dad has nearly died many times over the last seven years he has seen many incredibly dark and difficult days with his own health. More than once, we thought we had lost him. More than once, we were knocking on death’s door. Not to mention, his and my mom’s first-born son, Robbie, was stillborn. And then watching both of his parents pass away and then his older brother. Then, three years ago, he had to endure yet another death of his oldest daughter, Robin, due to Covid-19. But through it all – his eyes were on the Lord. But through it all – his faith grew. Not to mention a grandson born prematurely and concerns he would even live, a granddaughter who was born with a cleft lip and palate, another granddaughter not able to have children, five adopted great-grandchildren who
each have their stories of their own of pain and heart ache.

I pray that I may learn to live in the sufferings the way he did. I pray my family feels the depth of love for me when my day comes as we did for him. When he passed from death to true, abundant life, it was the most special moment of my life. Sunday had been another really rough day with him calling in the middle of morning church needing me and my brother to come and help him immediately. This had happened a few times, so we knew the drill and took off. We were able to stabilize him and bring peace to some discomfort. Now, we were planning a big family gathering to celebrate my most “princess” niece leaving for college – but dad wasn’t up for it, which was not the normal. So, we chose to forgo our normal big family time and met up for Twister’s ice cream. And then my sweet sister-in- law messaged us to get home quickly. In that moment, I knew something was different. The ambulance was on the way again – my sister-in-law screaming for me to hurry from the top of the steps, and then “crisis-mode Heather” arrived again to the scene. My middle school nephew helped me launch him from the bed to the floor to begin chest compressions until the ambulance arrived. For nearly 12 minutes his heart was stopped. He was gone.

All the years of dropping everything and running to save him were over. He was gone.

Until he wasn’t – his heart started again. He was quickly taken to the closest hospital for immediate attention. For an hour we waited. No answers, and no updates – just wondering if he was going to pull through this one too like all of the rest. From the moment the word was spoken, the family rallied together. Brother and I sitting together again at the hospital – this time without our sister. We, of course, laughing at the many moments of opportunity to find something to laugh at in the strangest of circumstances in a hospital ER waiting room. After many hours of waiting, we were able to transfer to our preferred hospital at UT Medical Center – thankful by ambulance and not by helicopter. A story for another day. The team of experts whipped into gear. And they began to prepare us for the worst of news. At 9:30 AM, we received the news that we knew was coming. The benefit of a loving family and the importance of teaching your children to be good humans is that our parents also taught us how to think about things. My brother and I were perfectly aligned in every decision.

And the family was called – and they came. Every single one of them. Not a soul missing from the room.

As we gathered, it was difficult for many to see him living on a ventilator with small tremors due to neurological damage. It was difficult to see him without a smile on his face and his hand in the air with his notorious wave. A note to consider, this week of August, three years prior, we were living the journey of the pandemic and the loss of my sister. She passed away alone on a ventilator at UT Medical Center. None of us were there – which is not who we are. We are a family that does it all together – a unit. We hurt together and celebrate together. The number three in the studies of biblical numerology means “divine perfection”. And it is very clear on this day, this week was divinely perfected.

As we joined arms and hands to surround my dad – we each became the Kingdom Priests we were designed to be. We laughed, we cried. We sang, we prayed. We held one another. We joined together to celebrate the last moments of his powerful life. In the moments when they removed the ventilator, we each watched the breathing slow and the heart slow. As we did, the worship music continued as we watched him be ushered into his eternal Heavenly home. And then Dante Bowe’s song “Voice of God” came on, and we knew it would be soon. The pulse paused on 22 beats per minute for several moments. Breathing non-existent. There are 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet – all must be present to relay the message. All of the adults of our family were in the room. We all had to be present to hear the message. 

The lyrics to Voice of God, Dante Bowe:

“And I can hear it on the wind of an early morning, 
When the fog is getting thick and the birds are chirping
Oh, it’s just something I can’t explain, no
But it makes me wanna cry
And I can hear it in the hush of a midnight hour
When I’m alone in my room, if I’m going under
Oh, I just can’t explain, no
But it brings me back to life
It’s like the sound of a newborn baby crying, yeah
Like the final breath of a loved one passing
Oh, it’s a beautiful thing, yeah
‘Cause it leads me to the light”

As the song played on, we held at 13 beats per minute – 13. In scripture the number 13 holds a similar connection to the number 8 – new beginnings.  There is a great study about numerology by EW Bullinger that gives intense insight into 13.  But in this day – I am going with 8 + 5 = 13.  Eight meaning new beginnings and five meaning grace.  This moment was definitely one of new beginnings and grace – as we watched, healed, comforted, celebrated and embraced.  We prayed for grace and mercy in this moment.  We begged God to bring peace and to be quick in receiving my father, and he definitely did.  As He always does.  And He continues to confirm His steps in us using all the ways He created.

When you lose a loved one, especially a parent, you never know all the things they did before you were born.  You only know what they tell you.  In navigating through his perfectly put together paperwork, we were able to see some of the many accolades He received, and never spoke of.  Below I wanted to brag on my awesome dad – 

“It is indeed a rare experience to be assigned such an outstanding individual as Airman Arnold…. His initiative and ability to readily comprehend carried him through a very trying time.  He has amazed this individual with his intensive interest in his work.  He has spent many overtime hours on his own, to achieve reporting accuracy.  This zealous attention to duty is greatly appreciated by the Base Civil Engineer Cost Section and by me.  Had it not been for Airman Arnold, it would have been impossible to meet the due date of the quarterly cost reports.”  Department of Air Force, 1967

“It is my sincere pleasure to inform you that your son A1C Kenneth E. Arnold has been selected as George AFB Comptroller Airman of the Month for the month of April 1968.  You may be justly proud of your son’s accomplishment.  The criteria for selection are stringent and competition is exceedingly rigorous.  Each individual selected must excel in a wide variety of areas including performance of assigned duties, initiative, job knowledge, special achievements, acceptance of responsibility, military bearing, courtesy, moral character, integrity, attitude and many others.  A1C Arnold’s selection as Comptroller Airman of the Month reflects great credit upon himself and you, his parents.  Again, may I offer my congratulations for our son’s very commendable achievement.”  Major Saunders, USAF

“There has never been a piano player who played with such passion and talent.”  Everyone he played with.

This man, our father, was truly one of a kind.  I pray the life I live and the lives I shepherd are always a reflection of his life well lived.  

Granny Judy

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“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.” 1 Timothy 2:1-7

Not all people have the opportunity to know the grandparents of their spouse before the meet their spouse, but I did. Granny Judy has been a faithful member of my church as long as I can remember and when Clif and his immediate family moved to East Tennessee, we met at our church. As a child and a young adult, we often forget that all grandparents begin their lives as children and young adults. They live – not just with gray hair, but truly live. They have full teenage and adult lives. They make mistakes and suffer great heartache. Granny Judy was no different. There are many moments of life I know she would’ve have taken back and changed. I know because she told us often. Her journey was anything but easy – but through it all, she grew in faith.

One of my earliest memories of growing in my own faith happened around age 16. Every Sunday, a small group of people would gather in our Pastor’s office for prayer before the services would begin. Granny Judy was always there. I listened to her pray. I watched her pray. I heard her tears for people and our community. I felt the presence of God in her midst. She led with a sweet, gentle spirit – that I am constantly praying for myself to magically appear. She loved greatly. She was faithful to her family and to her church.

Even as the years of dementia took over and life’s tragedies impacted her mind, she always smiled and loved well. I am blessed that my children have known and experienced a life with Granny Judy. And may we all take a lesson out of her playbook – kindness and love above all else; life is short – make sure the important things are truly the important things.

True Love

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True love is being defined in many different ways. Our absolute truths are disappearing before our eyes and being a person marked by convictions and critical thinking is now viewed with a different set of eyes.

Often we look at one another with dismissiveness and hatred without even knowing one another. We make assumptions not grounded in truth but in stereotypes and preconceived notions. In order for any society to move forward, we must always look back and review the One who created it all.

I was reading Genesis 22 over these past few weeks and realized MUCH about God.

-God tested Abraham.

-Abraham loved his son – the one he waited 100 years for. And this is the first mention of the word “love” in all of scripture.

-Immediately, Abraham obeyed God’s request. Even though it was radical.

-Abraham told his servants that he and his son were going to worship and that they would then return, together. This is the first mention of “worship” in scripture.

-Abraham knew in his heart and spoke with his words that God would provide.

-God did provide.

-All the nations of earth were blessed because Abraham obeyed. Oh, and that is the first mention of “obey” in scripture.

Abraham loved his son greatly and in that love, radically obeyed the calling and message spoke to his heart by God. He walked in the Light He had. He obeyed quickly. He took his son to worship- the only real worship there is – genuine obedience to the Father. In that obedience, his son and the world were forever changed. All because one man obeyed.

Now, bringing it home. I felt strongly that our family had drifted from mission some in these past few years of grief. And the Lord spoke – two different missions that He wanted our home to be a part of. My husband and I quickly obeyed the calling and guess what, The Lord provided.

True love for our children is not how many things we can buy them. True love for our children means simply, obey God – no matter what. Radically obey. Walk in the fullness of what God speaks to you. Abraham walked in faithful confidence in his radical obedience. He knew His God. And He followed. And Isaac was able to experience that moment. He saw it all – in full.

I am very excited to see all that the Lord has in store and how many will be blessed in our obedience. One thing is for sure – my husband and I sure are.

Genesis 22

Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”

He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.”So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you.”Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” So the two of them walked on together.Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.” Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.

Abraham called the name of that place The Lord Will Provide, as it is said to this day, “In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Six Months To Live

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

If today you heard the words, “you only have six months to live” how would that impact your actions? What would you place the highest priority on? Who would you spend time with and what daily activities would change? Would you radically change or continue to live as always? Would you speak more to those around you? Would you turn off your social media and begin making your own stories of life? Would you use the vacation time built up? Would you find a new hobby or maximize your time reading books and seeing those movies you always wanted to see? Would you sleep them away or live every second of life?

Would you go on mission? Would you share your faith and your story? Would you reach out to those you’ve hurt or been hurt by? Would you forgive? Would you let go of things faster? Would you eat the cake and ride the bike? Would you board the plane and get the passport stamped? Would you define your convictions and live them out? Would you love more? Laugh more? Give more? See more?

How would your life change? Why not live the last 6 months of 2023 as if you only have six months? Who knows… you actually might only have 6 months.

Every failure from others is another chance to show grace.

/ heatherhaley07 / 1 Comment

Today happened like every other early morning travel day. My alarm went off, I snoozed. My second alarm went off, scared me and I snoozed. Murphy, my dog nudged me telling me to stop oversleeping. My snooze alarm went off, I finally rolled out of bed and almost freaked out because I had slept so long. I rushed to the shower and while the water warmed up, I pulled my suitcase out and gathered my items to be packed.

All was normal. My sweet husband slept like a baby. Never moving and even though I am the loudest when I am trying to be quiet, he didn’t stir at all.

I zipped my bags, and rolled to the kitchen. Made my coffee and still no movement. I had a choice…. 1- do I kiss him and definitely wake the man struggling to sleep good? 2- do I keep the quiet exit going and let him rest to his fullness? I chose #2.

Then the next series of choices began. He never lets me leave anymore for my flights without walking me to the car and making sure I completely know how loved and appreciated I am. But he didn’t today. He didn’t set his alarm. He didn’t make me a priority. Or the appearance of a priority. He chose to sleep – well, His body chose to sleep. The thoughts began to bombard me – does he not love me anymore? Am I no longer valued and appreciated? Am I making this too big a deal? Was I in the wrong for not waking him and telling him I love him? Was I going to let this ruin my day? When he finally woke and realized my departure, would I respond or choose to ignore him? After about ten minutes of driving, I heard the quiet Voice.

“Every failure from others is another chance to show grace,” said the Unseen God.

On this day, I heard the Voice and obeyed. I thanked the Lord for a man who 99% of the time walks me to my car and welcomes me home in the driveway. I thanked the Lord for a man who, even though he makes mistakes, is learning the art of genuine apologies and 1 Corinthian 13 love. I thanked the Lord for the man willing to entertain all of my wild dreams and multiple personalities. Today, I chose grace. Today, I chose joy and peace. Today, I chose life.

Our 21 years of togetherness have been nothing short of eventful, dramatic, loud and chaotic. They have been full of many tears and loss. They have been full of trips to many countries and many cultures. These years are us creating a melodramatic comedy on attempting to raise some of the most strong-willed children ever to enter the world. These years are packed full of intense moments and belly laughs. Twenty-one years ago today, I said yes to dating a skinny blue-eyed fella, who had no clue on how to manage this fiery-eyed lady.

I have officially been with you, Clif, longer than I haven’t. I am thankful I said yes to “being ready” to date you 21 years ago. And I am thankful I chose to show grace and life today. I love you!

June 7, 2002 – 21 years ago…. the story began.