Welcome to Transformed! I am overjoyed that you’ve stopped by. If you haven’t been here before this is my About Me page, to find blog posts CLICK HERE.
About Me and Why I blog…
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{Written September 28, 2011} I’ve been sitting here for waaaaaay too long wondering what I would write. I even snuck over to a few of my favorite bloggers to see what cool info they put on their “About Me” page…if they even had one. Then I got a phone call from a precious woman in need. She needed to know how to help her daughter whose two youngest sons are both very ill; one of which will experience heaven long before most of us ever will. She needed to know that her neighbor down the street wasn’t going to hell because he committed suicide. She needed to know that God still loved her even though her days are so full, she has not been able to study His Word. She needed to know how I am still strong even though I have been through so much this year. My heart went out to her, because I know where she is at, I understand asking the questions, “How do I keep going?” and “How can I offer someone strength…when I feel like I have none?”
I told her that someone training for a marathon doesn’t just wake up and start running 10miles every day. They build up their strength so that they can endure the race. Nor did I wake up one day as someone who was strong and my Philippians 4:6 prayer sisters can tell you, I have my share of days when my strength fails me. God has prepared me, strengthened me over the years to run this race with endurance as He has ordained it {Heb 12:1}. For before I even turned 18 I…
- Had been sexually abused on more than one occasion.
- Knew firsthand the hurt that comes from your parent’s getting a divorce.
- Worried that we would loose our home.
- Understood what it meant to feel like food was my enemy, not eating for days at a time.
- Knew what it’s like to believe that death was the only option I had to escape my pain.
- Understood other things I have not listed here.
As an adult I…
- Have felt both the physical and emotional pain of losing a child through miscarriage.
- Have endured the loss of my step-mother by suicide.
- Have wondered if the life I am leading…is the life God wanted for me.
- Have felt pulled in so many directions I have come close to just giving up and giving in.
How am I so “strong”? Frankly, I’m NOT strong at all…but Christ is my strength and through everything I have gone through, He has poured His strength into my Spirit when I had nothing left. Psalm 46:1-2 promises me…
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.
I claimed this verse when I was still in high school. In the midst of all of my hurts and pain, I didn’t think I would survive. Even then I knew the promise that God offered here was very real and He was going to make it real in my life. He taught me early on that no matter what was happening in my life, no matter what man does to me or what hardships I experience, He will always be with me, He will always be in control. Above all, He promises that He will never run out of strength to offer me, to help me move forward.
I wish I could tell you that this healing and strengthening happens over night, but it just doesn’t. Believe me, God is absolutely able to give you what you need over night and I have no doubt that for some people that is what He offers, but I know that wasn’t the case for me. You see, God is not about surface healing, He is about penetrating our hearts. He is about bringing healing from the deepest part of our hurt all the way through until His glory shines pierces the cracks and gaping holes left on the surface…however long that may take.
So what hope did I offer my friend on the phone? Well, that is between her heart and mine…My prayer is that what is posted here will bring you encouragement and help you deepen your relationship with God.
Who am I?
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I’m a Texas girl at heart who loves to kick around in her boots. I earned my degree as a Director of Christian Education at Concordia University in Austin, TX before I moved to sunny South Florida in 2005 to serve at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School. Here I serve by leading the middle and high school youth group, teach middle school religion in our school, and lead our Sunday school programing. I also volunteer at Proverbs 31 Ministries in Matthews, NC serving Melissa Taylor as she leads the online Bible studies. In my spare time, I study and write about the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines.
In 2010, I married my best friend and love of my life Daniel Bleier. I couldn’t imagine a better man to be mine for the rest of my life! He can make me laugh without even saying a word. His drive and determination always amazes me! Plus he got me addicted to our 200gal reef tank! We are expecting our first born sometime in mid December 2012 and we couldn’t be MORE excited!
Things I LOVE to do? Help women and youth draw closer to God through the study of God’s Word, prayer, worship, and fellowship. I am addicted to coffee, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to sing and act and will do so at the drop of a hat…seriously!
Want to know me more? Feel free to Like my Facebook Page or follow me on Twitter.
Laying down the law…kinda…A few things about leaving comments and more…
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- I would love for you to leave a comment on any of my posts, old or new! I am notified each time someone leaves a little note and I will most likely pop over and visit with you even if the post has already past.
- There’s a handy Search Bar to the right to help you find just what you’re looking for in anything I’ve posted.
- I reserve the right to delete any comment deemed inappropriate. Opinions are wonderful, just be sure to share your opinion in a polite manner.
- I would love for you to rate the posts you read, even if you don’t care for the post! This helps me to know what content to post. Plus, the highest rated posts appear to the right of the screen, which means each time you rate a post, YOU get to decide what appears.
- Also, at the end of each post there are little icons allowing you to share what you’ve read and I would LOVE for you to share any post or page which has inspired you.
- Finally, if you would like to subscribe and have these posts pop in your happy little inbox as they come in, enter your email address in the field at the top right.
Heather, Hi my name is Lori. I am currently involved in the “A Confident Heart” bible study with Melissa Taylor. Today I posted a prayer request and you prayed. Thank you once again! I decided to check out your blog and just had to comment. I just wanted you to know how blessed I have been by you today. I have struggled with many of the same hurts you have and get my strength for each day in Christ. The thing I have struggled with the most as an adult (and from the looks of your picture, I am old enough to be your mother) is watching my own children hurt and struggle. My daughter who is now 20 has had some big things to deal with and has not always dealth well. She currently suffers from an eating disorder, which is my main concern. Last year at this time, she was close to death,but things are looking much better. She is currently a junior in college (a nursing student) and is feeling a great deal of stress and pressure. I know that you have struggled with this issue, since I read this in your blog and I know that you are a praying woman (thanks to your prayers for my friend and her baby), so I am asking you to pray for Meghan. She is a bright, beautiful, talented young woman who seeks God’s will for her life each day, but struggles with insecurity and the affects of stress in her life. I know that you, too, have desires and I will be praying for you as well. Of the 8000 women who are currently in the bible study, thank you for allowing God to use you today to touch my heart and life. God Bless you and your husband and the family that he has for you one day.
I am glad that my story has touched you Lori, I know I have far to go but God will be with me every step of the way, He will never leave me nor forsake me.
I prayed for your daughter Meghan. If she would ever like someone to talk to, she is more than welcome to email me, same with you Lori. In the mean time, may God’s peace rest on you both! I was thrilled to read that Rachel and little Morgan Noel are doing well!
<3 Heather
Heather, it looks like our experiences are very similar. I had no idea, but I thank you for sharing. I’ve always been one of those people who just doesn’t want to talk about it. It’s not that I’m ashamed or feel like I have something to hide, but I’ve simply never wanted to feel pitied. My husband tells me that it’s important to share because there’s always a chance that my story could hep someone else. I see now that he’s right.
I’m glad that you have been able to make it through with God’s help. There have been many instances when the sadness and self pity became so much that I just had to surrender and have faith that he would pull me through. He always did and always will.
Michelle
Michelle,
Sharing here and there has made a huge difference for me. I don’t go running around telling everyone, but I do share when I feel like it will help that person to know; though I don’t hide much here. I just hope that whomever reads this would be comforted in knowing they aren’t alone, that God is and has always been with them no matter what.
If you ever want to chat, you know you can find me on FB or send me an email
.
<3 Heather
Heather, you have an amazing testimony. I am so thankful for it, and that you are willing to share it. Someone wiser than me once asked this question, “If it is through His stripes that we are healed, doesn’t it make sense that he would use our stripes to heal others?” My sense in reading about your story and a couple of your posts is that God has gifted you with a healing balm that flows out of the wounds that He has and is healing you from. Thanks for your ministry.
Blessings,
Jonathan
Hi, I have nominated you for Kreativ Blogger. If you wish to participate please check out my post http://onelovedamericangirl.com/2012/03/13/kreativ-blogger-award-nominee/. No pressure and congratulations!
~Jenny
Hello Heather! I came to your blog via the She Speaks Facebook page. It is great to read your story here. In just a few paragraphs, it is clear that the Lord has done a tremendous work of healing in your life. How wonderful that you are comforting others through your words with the comfort you have received from Christ. The Lord is so good. I look forward to reading your posts in the future. Blessings, Jenn
Hi, Heather!
I am a winner of the I Used To Be So Organized book! YAY! And THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! My Bible Study with Melissa Taylor has already begun and they are starting chapter 2. I was wondering if I ever gave my mailing address… Could you email me and I will share that information with you. Im so anxious to get started!
Thank you!!
I’ve emailed you, but I haven’t heard back. Email me your address to: thegoodariel@hotmail.com So I can send you your book
. In the mean time, you can view the first few chapters here: http://amzn.to/L8nbi3
Heather, I just wanted to quickly say, I received my book yesterday. Thank you. Now to catch up. I’m so looking forward to this
Heather,
Ive been texting with Noelle and she sent me your blog. Our life stories have much in common, thank you for sharing your story. Your courage and GOD given strength have blessed my heart beyond words.
Xo,
Audry “Hollywood”
good morning heather. thank you for sharing your testimony. i am extremely encouraged in more ways than one.
- michelle
Heather, THANK YOU for sharing your life with us!
I can relate to some of your experiences, but for me, I’m encouraged by the amazing women God has placed in my life over the past year who can relate with an experience of a child in my life (abuse). I don’t know what to say, how to address the hurt & pain, but through you and others, I know I have stories of grace and survival to share. And, above all, HIS amazing love!
(I’m one of the OBS leaders for Used to Be So Organized, and gearing up for Unglued!)
Thank you for sharing. It is amazing what God can do when we turn to him. Don’t know how many survive without him
Heather, thank you for this post, your words are always an encouragement to me. All the time I was going thru my abuse I knew there was an unseen source that held me together because I knew it wasn’t me. It wasn’t until I was out of high school that I began reading and studying God’s Word. It was then that I found the answers to the many questions I had and began to cling to them with both hands.
What a beautiful testimony. It helps me to know that others struggle with many of the things I struggle with. Thanks so much for sharing, it has blessed me.
Thank you for writing!!!
I love this community of women sharing, the honest struggles that we all have at various times in life— helps us to understand we are not alone in these struggles!
God made us for community and to bond and help —even if it may be across the country or world!
We get to share and pray and encourage in this techie world we now live in!!!
Keep up the great work you do! Be very blessed as you write and share !!!!
2 words…..THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you for all the work you do for us, you are truly a blessing!
I think it is amazing that us, normal women of every statue could write to one of you ladies and you actually take the time to think of us and pray for us. I had left a prayer request of one of your sister sites and she even left the number for me to call in to have her pray with me for a friend of mine daughter who is dying and myself for financial reason. Thank you for that and God Bless.
What a blessing you are Heather, along with all the women of Proverbs 31 ministry. You all give us hope and guidance by relating honestly and sharing what you’ve learned or are learning. Heather, you are a willing servant and vessel. Thanks for being willing. I am so glad to get to know about you and look forward to getting to know and hear from you more and more. Thanks again. Blessings dear sister!
Heather,
I’m so glad that you reposted this. God has been leading me to step out and begin writing and I keep pushing it to the side for many of the same reasons that you first stated. After speaking with you and several others that I have met through online bible studies at She Speaks, God has solidified in my mind that I need to do so. God is so faithful that when I don’t believe in myself, He will use His hands and feet to push me to do so. It will be a work in progress but I simply wanted to thank you for stepping out in boldness and in faith so that you can encourage and love others through your words and deeds. Love you girl!
Thank you so much for all you are doing to help all of us out here learn how to cope. You are amazing and I appreciate you so very much. I pray you can keep this up for a long, long time. God bless you ! Susan
Thanks so much for all the work you did on the online study for Glynnis’ book. I got so many new ideas and was so supported by you, Melissa and the other ladies involved. May the Lord bless you, your husband and the babe-to-be. I signed up for your blog.
Heather,
Thank you for sharing your heart in your blog! You are such a blessing to me and many others!
Love you, friend!
Laurie
It was neat to hear your story. I feel like I know you a little bit now. I am in Florida too, transplanted from Pennsylvania, via Maryland. Hope all is well with the baby
Heather, Thank you for sharing your story. Your story is very similar to mine and perhaps that is why it resonated so deep within my soul. Through reading your story, you have brought so much insight into my life and I know that things will get brighter. I am turning from the darkness/shadows into the light and will continue my journey towards that wonderful bright light. Thank you again for touching so many of us.
I love your blog! I found it because I’m currently in week one of the Stressed-Less OBS with Melissa Taylor and she directed us to your verse mapping. LOVE LOVE LOVE! I really appreciate all you do to encourage teens and women. Amen to your words saying God is not about surface healing – He is about penetrating our hearts. I need to allow Him to penetrate my heart, and heal my pain. My pain is brought on by my own acts of sin. Somewhere along the way I believed God would just allow me to be in the pit because I had caused the sin. I’m beginning to believe that is not His intent; I’m just now sure how to get out of a pit I caused by sin, but someone else keeps throwing me into. Trusting I will understand better how to survive in the midst of it all.