A message to women, mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmothers…. an unwelcomed message by most.

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Women, we have been told a lie for generations and have believed it. We have been deceived into thinking so many things about ourselves that are not truth, not biblical, not accurate. Women, we have bought the lie again and again. What lie, you may ask? The lie that feminism, abortion and mental health are truth and are good. Our families, our minds and our homes are under attack and we are not even fighting the right enemy.

Before you completely check out and stop listening. Please note that my entire message is taken from scripture and comes from a place of love and experience. I welcome discussions about all of this – in a respectful way. Our God is longing for relationship with every person in the world and the only way to keep his creation, mankind, from running to Him is to distort the truth.

We must enter our hearts and minds into a place of submission and surrender. We must declare that the enemy has no power over our hearts, minds, our marriages and our homes. We must seek God’s face. We must seek His Holiness. We must see His Purpose. Jesus has covered your sins and created you for such a time as this. Today. 2026. We must recognize who the Lord is – and who he is not.

May we as women take up the mantle of prayer to truly provide the help to our world we were called to… what if the true “helper” position we were called to is prayer? In Genesis 2:18, God declared that it was not good for man to be alone, ‘I will make him a helper suitable for him.’ I am not saying this is the only position and role that we play in the world – we each have our own gifts and talents and callings, but what if the primary role is to battle on our knees for our families and our world around.

God’s House shall be called a House of Prayer – Matthew 21:13. Jesus declares that His House shall be called a House of Prayer. We know He was referencing the physical temple (Jerusalem), and especially in this moment when he was running off the “den of robbers” We know that later, Paul speaks of our bodies becoming the temple of God because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Over the course of the last year, I have been challenged with the idea that my body, my mind, my soul has become a den of robbers and have drifted away from my first love of being a house of prayer – in my body, my mind and my soul.

What if we have failed in our true God-given role as women in the lack of praying, battling for our families, friends, nations and world? Instead of fighting where it matters, on our knees, we are fighting with our words, our rights, our control, our needs, our victimhood – missing the whole point and not really showing up to the true fight. Consider the writings of Ezekiel 9…

“Then I heard him call out in a loud voice, “Bring near those who are appointed to execute judgment on the city, each with a weapon in his hand.” And I saw six men coming from the direction of the upper gate, which faces north, each with a deadly weapon in his hand. With them, was a man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. They came in and stood beside the bronze altar. Now, the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then, the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple. Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city.  While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?” He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’  So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.” Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”

I ask you to consider to search God’s Word in what God says the answers to these questions are. I also ask you to search your heart and ask God to search your heart with the answers to these questions.

  • Do we grieve and lament (passionate expression of deep sadness, or regret) the detestable things?
  • What is detestable to God?
  • What does pursuing Holiness look like?
  • What is the role of a women?
  • What is the role of prayer?
  • What is the role of a wife?
  • What is the purpose of a mother?
  • Where have we missed the eternal value and purpose?

In today’s world, we have never needed a source of truth more than today. I remember growing up, my youth minister spoke to the fact that we were moving as a society to a place where absolute truth would no longer exist. We are definitely there. But does that mean that absolute truth doesn’t exist just because society doesn’t accept it? By no means. The truth is the truth. The truth is what sets you free.

What is the truth about women, babies, hope? Full Disclosure: The Bible is the full source of all truth – it has every answer to every question. That is my opinion and that is where you find my complete inspiration. Women, we are called to surrender and submit to our husbands. When we do this, it is never more holy. Be wise about who you choose to be your husband, ladies. Babies and children are a blessing, there is nothing to changes that – not the way they are conceived matters to the definition that a new life is a blessing. I will tell you right now, if you are considering aborting your baby – don’t. My husband and me will gladly accept them as our own {or facilitate healthy and happy homes for them}, no questions asked. Do not become a murderer on top of everything else. And lastly, mental health. The lives of a human are not separate from one another and the health and soul are intimately interwoven. You can see many scientific studies speaking to how the lack of forgiveness can cause massive health problems within your physical body. But how does this impact mental health – I dare say, without Christ, you have no chance of overcoming mental health woes. Medicine can impact symptoms, but the root problem is not healed without the truth hope to your mind and body – Jesus Christ.

God created us and the world… and without Jesus, there is no hope. Spiritual warfare, demons and angels are both real. When we deny those realities, we are already starting at a massive deficit. You are saying, “the book is old, it cannot possibly have bearings on my 2026 life.” TEST IT. TRY IT. PROVE ME WRONG WHEN YOU BEGIN IN THIS JOURNEY. I challenge you to the very fact that you will never encounter more truth than the Word of God. Not the Preacher, not the teacher, not the TikTok influencer, not the bible study material – the Word of God itself. I challenge you, for the first time for many, to open the Bible and read it for yourself. I can give testimony for my life that there has not been anything in this world that I cannot give answer or clarity to from the book. In my own personal struggles and trials, He has given me Words from His Word that brought clarity and encouragement. Not a moment of my life have I been alone. Not a moment of my life have I been without His clarity and comfort. His Word brings truth. If you don’t own a bible, grab it on Amazon now: https://amzn.to/3VqqzUi

The Book of Jude reads – Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.  They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt;  save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Back to Heather talking. Thank you, Jude, for powerfully enlightening our soft generation with some very hard truths. Short book – powerful truths. We were never intended to identify ourselves (male or female), or the reason for our existence or the part that we play in the world. God already did. The Word already did.

In summary, what tables need to be overturned in your heart? What lies of the world have we held onto and taken as truth? What worldly perspectives are we holding onto that we should be speaking against in this world? If your mind and heart are in turmoil – what are you worshipping? Who is Lord of your life? Are we weeping and mourning for our own sin and the sin all around us? Are we grieved over the detestable things?

Need some direction?

  • 5.8 billion people identify as non-Christian in the world today – 70%
  • 60 million legal abortions have taken place in the United States since 1980
  • 673 million people are facing chronic hunger in the world today
  • 150 million orphans are in the world today
  • 258 million widows are in the world today
  • 50 million people have died since 1980 due to genocides and politicides

“Lord, who may reside in Your tent? Who may settle on Your holy hill?
One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.
He does not slander with his tongue, Nor do evil to his neighbor,
Nor bring shame on his friend; A despicable person is despised in his eyes,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He takes an oath to his own detriment, and does not change;
He does not lend his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15

She owned the experience…

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A normal travel day.

A quick bathroom break in the cleanest bathrooms at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

The Delta Sky Club, D Terminal.

Her name is Carolyn.

She created the most positive experience- she was singing, laughing, smiling and absolutely enjoying her day and her job. She greeted every single customer as if they were walking into her home or church. She made everyone smile. She made everyone talk to one another.

She took sad business women, tired from managing life and made them look up and beyond their own thoughts. She broke through the invisible barriers we each create in public busy spaces – she encountered our souls.

She owned her position. She drastically changed the environment. She maintained the women’s restroom – and after each guest concluded, she made sure the next guest entered a perfect space.

She cared about her role. She cared about the position she was in. She cared about the people who crossed her path. She made a difference and impact in my life. I knew her for less than ten minutes. And I pray I never forget her and the way she made me feel.

Carolyn, you change the world.

May I leave the same powerful mark on those I encounter in the space I own.

Book Review: The Awe of God by John Bevere

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“I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.” Psalm 119:15

“The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.” Charles Spurgeon.

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Apostle Paul, Philippians 2:12

We are called to fear God. We are not called to a spirit of fear. We are called to honor Him, submit to Him and declare Him as LORD of our lives – and in order to do so, we must know Him. This book has brought me to a more intimate place and was used to challenge and convict me. This book has been written to remind the people of God what our actual role with God is. This book has been used mightily to teach me what fearing God is and why it matters. He has invited us into relationship with Him on purpose, by design – why would we ever say no?! We are not made for this world – it is much grandeur than this beautiful place.

In week one, day three, Bevere says the following,

“To fear God is to Hallow Him.

To fear God is to esteem, respect, honor, venerate, adore Him above anyone or anything else.

To fear God is to hate sin.

To fear God is to hate injustice.

To fear God is to depart from evil in every sense – thought, word, and action.

To fear God is to walk in authentic humility before God and mankind.

To fear God is to obey Him.

To fear God is to ABSTAIN FROM EVERY FORM OF complaining, murmuring, or grumbling.

The fear of the LORD shapes our intentions, thoughts, words, and actions.”

I was challenged with the overwhelming thought, nearly on every page, do I truly fear God? I have been a Christian for nearly thirty years – and I would say most of it truly pursuing Him, His Word, His fellowship with other believers, His Mission for the Kingdom. But have I ever considered, do I truly fear God? Does my life, or should I say the fruit of my life, reflect a true submission of my will to His Will.

I appreciate Bevere’s further explanation in his book The King is Coming where he states the following, “One who fears God is not afraid of Him; rather, he or she is terrified of being away from Him.” Am I truly terrified of missing Him for a moment? Am I so afraid of following the wrong voice that I discipline myself to consume His Word before ever starting my full day? Do I truly fear the God that I have stated as my Redeemer, Messiah and Friend? The God that I declare publicly as my LORD?

This book is not set up like a normal book on Christian education, encouragement and teaching. Bevere does a great job of breaking it down into small, manageable chapters with the intention that you read one-two chapters per day for 3-6 weeks. He desires that you truly slow down enough to embrace the message found within each chapter and truly seek the truth in prayer.

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding…. nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13, 15. True Godly Wisdom is only found in salvation. Not through experience, but in salvation and sanctification – just ask James. And when that person has found it, JOY follows. To find wisdom – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom.” Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10. The fear of the Lord… why do so few of us have joy? Where is the wisdom? Where is the fear?

I originally purchased this book because I felt like I needed to read it before I read the other book I really wanted to read of Bevere’s called The King is Coming. I have never been more thankful that I did. Sadly, I go to church every Sunday, participate in many Bible Study groups, listen to podcasts, worship music, etc… and as of late my fear of God has dwindled. I think it comes with being in the Christian scene – it is easy to follow the crowd, even though God has called and declared in you a different mission and a different calling. Rarely in my life have I ever been one to follow the crowd. I tend to be more of the challenger, the questioner, the kid in class no one wants to raise their hand so that class ends early. And this study has reignited a fire within me that I did not even realize had gone out – true, vibrant, real, joyful, wise, fear of God.

I don’t want to be, even for one minute, in one place the Lord doesn’t desire me to be. AND I don’t want to miss being in the exact spot He has crafted me and placed me to be in. I want Him. I want His perfect Will for my life. I want His perfect Will for my family. YOUR Will be done in the Haley home on earth as it is in Heaven. And LORD, may I finish well….

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His Glorious Presence without a single fault.” Jude 24 | Be it unto me, LORD.

The wonder of it all…

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The Savior birthed. The Savior slain. The Savior arose.

The headline. The turmoil and chaos. The unknowing and unthinkable of the Creator God in man form. Why is it that we can look on these things and not consider the real life ramifications? Why is it we can look at our world and government and current state of affairs and not consider the grandeur scene at play? Why is it we can wake up, review our favorite news channel and not consider that we are living in the days of the prophetic books of old?

The decisions of life are beautifully calculated in the midst of thirty-three years of His. Every defining moment and every future plan speak to the goodness and fullness of who He Is.

The same people shouted “Hosanna” and “crucify” to Jesus – within the same week. Hosanna means “save us now” and that is exactly what He did as shouts of “crucify Him” rang out.

The words of men shall be taken lightly. The actions of men shall be viewed with the eyes of eternity in mind. When you pause, reflect and take inventory of the moments of life it makes it easier to see the story unfolding.

Remind yourself today to view everything in this temporary space with eternity in mind. And what our mission as Christians actual is – love as you have been loved; forgive as you have been forgiven; go and make disciples of all nations. Be Jesus today.

Clifton Haley Photography, Yosemite 2026

To love, honor & cherish…

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42. Happy birthday #42. For the past twenty-four years we have shared birthdays together. Each with its own personality and feel. Each defined by pre-kids, post-kids, fighting, blissful, struggling with grief or despair, and then even joy and pain. This year’s birthday is no different in that it brings its own measure of grace and redemption.

Birthdays are important. They are markers in time, much like the markers of a New Year – the definition of a season. Hence why I think you should celebrate all week or month long! You have been my person for twenty years. You are my “better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness and health” partner. We have laughed a lot and definitely cried. We see the world together and raise our little kingdom warriors together.

You have been my protector and leader. We have grown together. We have learned how to be adults together, parents together and lovers together. We are the furthest thing from perfect – we fight and many times unfairly. We have chosen others and things over each other. We haven’t loved with patience and kindness – but guess what, that doesn’t define us. What defines us is how we recover and respond to the storms of life, and we have faced more than our fair share of storms. We are one unit – one team – one covenant relationship.

Every day I consider myself honored to celebrate the day with you and this birthday is another special blessing of more time together.

This weekend, we celebrate the day of your birth. You are loved. You are honored. You are cherished. You are part of me and I am part of you. You are valued. You are the joy of our home. You are the best at nearly all things (really all things) in the house and my favorite dance partner. I pray the next twenty years with you and your next 42 years of life are full of joy, peace, understanding, life and freedom. Our time together is so bright it will always cause blindness. We love you and are beyond blessed to follow wherever you lead.

Never forget that we are always in your corner. Happy birthday, my man.

Pank.

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The bird that changed the Haley family for the last two months. If you know our family, you know we are always on the prowl for people and animals we can help. Two months ago, we were no different – well, my in laws were no different. While my father-in-law was doing ministry and loving on the beautiful homeless people living under the bridge, the bird introduced himself by falling from the bridge and landing right in front of him.

And that is where the story of Pank begins – at first his name was Pigeon. Then Piglet. Then Hank. And then the final name became Pank. He wasn’t able to fly because his wing had been damaged. So my incredible in-laws began to nurse him back to health. This bird became a fixture with the kids and the whole tribe was fully engaged with loving this small, pitiful bird. He got better.

He was fed and encouraged to fly. And he did.

He was loved by the whole tribe and it was quite an emotional day when he was found this week. But his last two months were most likely some of his best days – he found a family. He found a home. He found a group of people who loved seeing him and knowing him. He wouldn’t have made it these last two months without the help and support of the family – not me, I helped none, but they all loved super big.

The boys dug the hole. Joel gave an excellent eulogy. And goodbyes were given. Tears were shed.

But what was the bigger purpose. Why did we get the privilege to meet this special little bird? Maybe, just maybe, he represented all the people we are to pick up who are wounded and need nursed back to health. Maybe, just maybe, he is our avian reminder that God calls us to do more in this life than to just live it. Maybe, just maybe, Pank is our family’s example of caring for the least of these.

May you fly high, Pank. Thanks for filling this family with some awesome fun memories these last few months.

  • Screenshot

24 years dating

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For the past twenty-four years, I have been dating this guy. Yeah, sure, we made marriage covenant twenty years ago this year… but June 7 (yesterday – yes, a day late and a dollar short always) we became boyfriend and girlfriend. The picture attached is at his house in Rutledge, the summer before our senior year in high school began, just before we left to take him to the airport for a mission trip to Scotland. He decided to ask me to be his girlfriend and then got on a plane minutes later – I now see this was going to be prophetic of our relationship together. Every day a new adventure, every day a new plan, every day a new dream, every day a new destination.

He arrives home today from his latest adventure of leading photographers to better see God’s Masterpiece in Yosemite and Lake Tahoe and we are counting down the minutes until he steps off that plane in our beautiful East Tennessee. Each trip is a testing period for us. Most say, I am sure they have not seen struggle and that is the only reason they have been together for so long. And I say to that “YOU ARE CRAZY!” Life with any human creates chaos – it creates chaos in ways only those living with oxygen in their lungs can understand. Living is a choice. Marriage is a choice. Covenant is a choice. And all of it creates chaos in some form or another.

This summer, I am walking through a study on marriage, men, women & family with my group at church. Which is really kind of cool because in Kenya this year, me and some ladies were speaking about how we should cover the topic of marriage on our Kenya 2027 trip. But again, I digress. We are also studying with this same group what God’s Word says about Covenant. Let’s just say, God is at work in revealing Himself to us in a beautiful way. Not to mention, our Sunday nights opening up the book of James – in a deeper, convicting, life-altering way. I am honored to have a group of people to open the Book with. I am honored to have a group of people to walk in life with. We, as a couple, are honored to have a group of married men and women walking in this journey of life together with. And soon serve together with as the Lord reveals our next steps. There is not enough time on this earth to search and know God. When we make His Word our meal, our feast – we are always left with room for more. He satisfies, but also creates a deeper and greater hunger for Him.

We opened our Word together yesterday morning to take a deeper look at the first marriage – Adam in Eve found in Genesis 2. Did you know that marriage was established and created before the fall? Did you know that beautiful relationship was created before the great sin entered the world? Did you know that marriage was God’s idea? Did you know that God shared the entire creation story with us in Genesis – we don’t have to wonder about many things that He didn’t give us the answers for? Did you know… did you know… did you know… so many things I constantly and laughing at how God shows Himself to me.

Genesis 2:18-25

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” 19 And out of the ground the Lord God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22 And the Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“At last this is bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called ‘woman,’
Because she was taken out of man.”

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked, but they were not ashamed.

So many things to unpack. Listen, I definitely do not have all of the answers. I am only a wild-eyed, short crazy lady who has consumed one too many cups of coffee and desperately needs her calm, realistic husband to come home. However, I challenge everyone to look at this passage. Read this passage. Look to God and ask Him – what do I need to better understand about marriage? What do I need to better understand about my role as a woman in society in 2026? Lord, what do I need to hear from you today? And He says “you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. Now He was also speaking this to the Israelites who were exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem – so context is key. But I think this core principal of God holds true to to us today. He will not leave us wandering this early alone without a hope and without a direction – He wants to guide us and have relationship with us.

Today – make a point to say, where are you God? What does Your Word say? And open it. In January I started The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble in the Bible app – all free goods. And I know a lot of people use it to study God’s Word and read through it within the year. I am doing it within the year, but I am listening to the Word. If you never done this, do this. It is a great way to be in the Word daily. It is a great guide. And you don’t have to wait for January. Start today. Oh, and thanks for reading another ramble session with HH.

May 2026 | 24 years together with two kids who wear matching Ronald Acuna Jr shirts (completely by accident and I thought was great, Georgia is mortified) and Chickfila ice cream AT the airport.
June 7, 2002. Babies.

a day with mom on a sunny day

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Every day is a gift. Every day is a choice of how you spend the minutes. Every day we make the decisions of what to do with our 24 hours. I have heard it said and I have often said myself, I just wish I had a few more hours. Ha! We would waste that too without proper mindset. Kind of like the person who wishes they had more money to get out of debt… when all along the problem is not the top line, but the expense line… sorry, I digress. Just a take a way, I have the same amount of hours in my day as Elon Musk, Thomas Edison and of course Jesus. Each with the same 24 hours.

Yesterday was a perfect day. Beautiful temperatures, sun out – a restful morning of sleeping in until 6:49 AM with a relaxed Bible Study, time on the back porch with my book and coffee and LEG DAY with Faster Way. A peaceful morning. Joel, of course, awake by 7:50 AM to start his day of adventure with Legos and the continuation of fascination with Bad Guys book series and it’s author. Georgia the pre-teen sleeping in until someone from the otherworld wakes her from her deep grip on dreams.

And then off to the races we began! We had told mom the day prior that we would go on an adventure. At the time, I was completely unclear on what that adventure might be – I needed the Lord to tell me for certain what He intended our free day to look like. I cancelled my evening plans, as He directed, and chose to not be rushed and live in the day. Now, I had received a facetime message clearly asking me to pick up a gift for some sweet friends of ours 50th wedding anniversary from my mom – she made it clear that she was not going to forget about this gift and if I came without it…. we would be doing that first. So, I quickly took care of that and the Benedryl cream for Joel’s bee stings from the day prior, and we were off to the races.

Three years ago this August, my dad passed away. Six years ago this August, my sister passed away. In our family, memories matter. Days are important. We live each day to the absolute fullest and refuse to waste a moment. A blessing and a curse because you find yourself never really resting and breathing – so crash days are incredibly important. August is a big deal month that we all try to forget and hold our breath to get through.

I am currently reading a book called The Awe of God by John Bevere. I highly recommend to anyone wanting more out of life and wanting more in obedience to the Lord. I am finding that I have feared men way more than I have feared God and that is a bad deal. I also just finished two other books – A Million Miles In a Thousand Years by Donald Miller AND The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. Both are life changing and should be on every human’s reading list.

Also, I noticed that kids have summer reading books assigned for upcoming 7th graders, 4th graders, etc. Where is the summer reading list for upcoming 41 year olds? Who know… maybe I am drafting that now. Back to the story.

For those who are unaware, my mom was diagnosed with vascular dementia not long after my father passed away. For most of her adult life she struggled with depression, anxiety and deep sadness. I think from many of the things she experienced and never really sought help for – the loss of her first born baby among those things. However, in the season of her diagnosis, my brother and I have noticed that you will not find an overall happier person. I say in her case, the dementia has been a gift to her in her later years. Not remembering the pain. Not remembering the struggles. Only remembering the good. And that seems to be the case – and I pray it always is. But I am curious if maybe the Lord has a way of giving us the beautiful holy form of dementia that keeps us logged into only the good, forgetting the bad, and only doing whatever He tells us to do next…. like she only does whatever the person she trusts around her tells her to do next. Maybe there is something to this dementia story that longs for one to press in and better understand.

We took off! Sunroom open and music blaring! Singing and dancing down the road. All the way to the local library for my kiddos to get some more of those summer reading books and my mom to break all of the sound ordinance rules within the public library. I am not sure the lady has ever been in one, well, she says she hasn’t. But who knows. She made friends with everyone, like always, so no one could tell her to hush… even though I tried. And then, once my kiddos got the maximum they could check out, we were off to lunch. Humble Hog in downtown Knoxville – HH is the logo. For those who know, you know… HH. I HIGHLY recommend this great dive for home cooked, gluten free goodness. We even ordered chicken livers, which have always made me want to gag – but my dad loved them. So we gave them a try! TEN out of ten! Our perfect handicap parking spot on Gay Street, 20 steps from the entrance made this the perfect spot and moment. There is nothing quite like eating outside in a downtown scene. Lots to see – people, graffiti artwork, sunshine. It was just great! So, moral of the story, go to the Humble Hog, eat outside, get chicken livers OR the biggest fried bologna sandwich you’ve ever seen.

Next on the agenda, a quick trip to the mountains. Being that we are so blessed to be about one hour from the Great Smoky Mountains – we go. Not enough, but we go. We spent about one hour in The Chimneys – sitting by the water as Joel played, Georgia napped (preteens sleep all of the time) and me & mom chatted about whatever and where ever her mind took her. We were relaxed. Not rushed. Enjoying all of the Lord’s creation that man looks to destroy every chance we get. The sound of the water and birds were so loud and fulfilling. You could almost hear it all singing “how great is our God”. The absolute marvel of our Creator among the created things.

All day long, mom said this was the best vacation of her whole life. Now, we went to Alaska and Hawaii in the last few years so I am trying not to take offense. But it was a pretty awesome day.

I mentioned earlier that I am reading a book called The Awe of God by John Bevere and in one the chapters he speaks of complaining…. He spoke about the “five sins that kept Israel from its destiny: craving evil things, worshiping idols, sexual immorality, testing God and complaining” (1 Corinthians 10:6-10). He goes on to mention that complaining is “the antithesis of holy fear; it’s not trembling at His Word. We dishonor God and His Word when we think or speak from the posture of discontentment.”

Ouch. This section hit hard. Every day and every new adventure, my mom is living in a vacation. She is thrilled to be alive. She is thrilled to have people who love her surrounding her. She loves to live and just the simplest car ride down the road brings her to life. No discontentment. Just fun in the present adventure. No to do lists for that one, just whatever the person who loves her tells her to do next. Interesting thought… just do whatever the Person Who loves us tells us to do next.

To round out the day, we went looking for a few deals at the Tanger Outlet – the tennis shoe shop and underwear shop. Looking for the items we can get for less. Quite successful, all three – mom, Georgia and Joel- walked away with new shoes! It was like Christmas morning. And of course, the last stop being the ultimate Buccees. Mom was living like a kid in a candy shop. After retrieving the perfect shirt for the 4th of July AND Icees (slushies for those not local) for the kids, we were off to the house.

This day was a calm, relaxed, non eventful day. But this day left an indelible mark.

Where’s the Bread?

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

Mark 8:1-8

In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus summoned His disciples and *said to them, “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me for three days already and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?” And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.” And He *directed the people to recline on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and started giving them to His disciples to serve, and they served them to the people. They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He told the disciples to serve these as well. And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces. 

Mark 8:14

And the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and did not have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

Mark 8:16-21

And they began to discuss with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet comprehend or understand? Do you still have your heart hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.” “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.” And He was saying to them, “Do you not yet understand?”

Mark 9:17-25

And one person from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, because he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not do it.” And He answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” And they brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, the spirit immediately threw him into convulsions, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” But Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again!” 

I had the incredible privilege to spend two very full days covering Mark chapters 7-9 with the Pastor’s wives of the Maasai Tribal Churches in Kenya. We had six hours of teaching and three hours of focused prayer to anoint each Pastor and Pastor’s Wife for their ministry and calling in leading their homes and churches. Our team also lead six hours of leadership development and scriptural teaching among the Pastors in a separate set of sessions. As we prepared to embark on this trip, the Lord was clearly speaking to us to have great faith. We had great needs and we needed our Lord to truly show up to deliver on those needs.

This week’s trip began in my heart last year when I had the great opportunity to teach these same Pastor’s Wives in leading them through Mark chapters 1-3. The only reason my family decided to connect with the people of Maasai in 2025 was solely based upon a selfish ambition – my husband was going their on a work trip and I wanted to experience it with him the week before. We felt we could find a church group or someone to come alongside and encourage in the faith and see the country. Through an extensive, Providential search, I was connected with Bishop Rampei. We determined a 2-day Ladies Conference was exactly what he and his people needed. And this week, we just completed the 2nd 2-day Ladies Conference, but bigger and even better. As we began to pray for 2026 trip, our family and Bishop and Jackie Rampei prayed for some specifics:

  • A man to teach the Pastor’s at the same time as I lead the Wives. – ANSWERED.
  • Swahili Bibles. – ANSWERED.
  • Maasai Bibles. – ANSWERED.
  • Sponsorships for those Pastors with a distance to travel. – ANSWERED.
  • Basic medical supplies for the village church we attended & Pastors to take back with them to their churches. – ANSWERED. 
  • Motorbikes for those Pastors who must walk the furthest to minister to their people and work to provide for their families. ANSWERED.  FIVE!
  • More people to join in on what the Lord was doing in this tribe – evangelism is not the priority here, it is further discipleship and church leadership. – ANSWERED.

And the Lord provided.

Because of Nehemiah Baptist Church led by Pastor Keith Weaver, our first Motorbike was purchased for the first Pastor – Pastor Daniel Ng’eetiai.  Because of Fairview Knox Church led by Pastor Jeff LaBorg, our 400 Precept books were purchased for the women’s disciple for the conference & for their church groups AS WELL AS printing all of the materials created by Joshua Gass to lead the 80 Pastors.  Because of Pickering Orthodontist, we were able to give out hundreds of tooth brushes to children and parents. Because of many countless others – so many it would take a really long time to name – we were able to sponsor 50 Pastors transportation & housing for the conference, purchase 220 Swahili/Maasai Bibles, 6 suitcases full of supplies, fed the local school children through all of next year, and purchase a total of 5 motorbikes – the second for Pastor James Kipaika AND the next three to be given on Monday after Easter. 

Through leading these ladies in the scriptures of Mark 7-9, you could see a trending theme of the disciples asking at least three times “where’s the bread?” AND three times the Lord delivering.  Did they not remember what He did with the five thousand?  What about what He did for the four thousand?  Why is it we cannot seem to grasp that God is always ready to provide when we are walking in the purpose and plan He has designed us to live in.  For many years, the Lord had been developing in me the motto based upon scripture, “you have not, because you ask not.”  Often, we don’t have the miracles we desire from God because we are never bold enough to ask Him for it.  When will I understand?  When will my eyes see and my ears hear?  When will I fully grasp that He longs to give and show Himself – all we need to do is ask and walk in the Truth He has given us.

What is “the bread” we are asking for?

Have we seen Him deliver and leave the leftovers for us to take with us?

Is there “bread” you are asking Him for today?

And I have seen miracles this week.  We were given the most outstanding drivers for our Land Cruisers – Onesmus and Tony.  We learned their stories and their lives.  We learned of Onesmus’s village that is still without a well for clean water.  We learned how blessed we are to have consistent work and consistent pay checks to provide for our families. These men were a true gift for our team and a part of the blessings. They covered us in prayer, answered the many questions, they made us laugh and broke a few safari stupid rules (insert massive laugh).

Last year, my Precept Bible Study ladies wrote cards to the women of the conference that I handed out to the Pastor’s wives.  I stated that each of those women had prayed for them while writing the card and it would be amazing if they would consider praying for them in return.  And guess what, they did.  One of the ladies who joined our trip this year, wrote a card AND the very Pastor’s Wife in the room was able to meet her.  They were able to connect with one another.  The Lord is faithful. 

Lastly, we were able to visit the precious school – Oloika Primary School.  This is the school that many have been provided breakfast and lunch to the students each day for the past year and scheduled for the upcoming year.  During our visit, we began to discuss what the next needs are:

  • Shoes for the children
  • Text books in English and Swahili
  • Story books in English to practice the language
  • Potential children sponsorship so they can open the Boarding Houses.
    • $35 per month pays for one child to have breakfast, lunch, dinner, safe space to sleep and removes the burden of walking 7 miles per day round trip.

As I am sitting on a plane flying home now, we have already been discussing how to better equip the believers and use our abundance of blessings to assist with those in the most need.  We are making plans to go back next March.  We are making plans to continue discipling church leaders in making disciples.  We are making plans to lead the conferences. We are making plans to continue to grow the relationship with the Oloika Primary School in providing textbooks, shoes & leather soccer balls.  I ask only one question – is the Lord making plans for you to join in through giving, through adoption of one of these needs, through coming yourself to see what the Lord wants to do through you. 

He has a plan for each of us.  Are you walking in His plan or settling for the one you made for yourself?

March 2027… join us.

Here is the video of the Pastors receiving their motorbikes (piki pikis). Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbHxsZwpZz0

The words we pray.

/ heatherhaley07 / Leave a comment

The prophet Malachi was the last prophet before the New Testament.  The last words spoken to the Jewish people from the Living God before 400 years of silence.  These are the final Words given to them after He reprimanded them for lack of love, lack of leadership, lack of holiness, lack of obedience in giving, and then finally speaking this…

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches. But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and frolic like calves from the stall. And you will crush the wicked underfoot, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I am preparing,” says the Lord of armies.

“Remember the Law of Moses My servant, the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and strike the land with complete destruction.” Malachi 4.

And then silence.  No other words.  Nothing else said.  Silence.

For 400 years.

In the study of numbers in scripture four hundred means “divinely perfect”.  This leads us to believe this was a perfectly orchestrated period of time.  

400 years.

For 4,800 months.

For 20,857 weeks.

For 146,000 days.

For 3,504,000 hours. 

For 210,240,000 minutes.

For 12,614,400,000 seconds.

No Words from God.

Take a moment to think about how life would be without any Words from God.  No vision, no comfort, no direction, no leading and guiding – nothing.

And then we have Zacharias having an “ambush” moment while offering in the holy of holies.  The angel of the Lord said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John.  You will have joy and gladness and will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.  And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.  It is he who will go as the forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the Fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  Zechariah said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in her years.”  The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.  And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.” Luke 1:13-20.

And then Zacharias was silent.

And soon the silence stopped.  And the One True God came to earth for such at time as this, perfectly placed and perfectly planned.

 

Photo credit: Clifton Haley Photography