Latest / Arise Women of God / Self-Doubt to Strength: Building Christian Women's Confidence
Transcript
- 0:00There it's always going to be self doubt.
- 0:02Who am I to blank?
- 0:05I know so many more people that are way better and way more qualified and a million things right.
- 0:10We all have those lists of people that should be doing what we were trying to do.
- 0:13But then I have to remember like, but God created me in a unique way to do my own work.
- 0:20I don't have to be her or him.
- 0:23He just wants me to be Hailey.
- 0:24He wants me to grow in being truly who I am.
- 0:31Are you a woman who knows God is calling you to something more but you're unsure where to start or how to grow it into something impactful?
- 0:40You are not alone and you're in the right place.
- 0:43Welcome to the Arise Women of God podcast, a show for Christian women who feel called to shine his light and step into their divine purpose.
- 0:54Each week you'll hear stories of faithful women, both from the Bible and today, who heard God's voice and chose to say yes even when it felt uncomfortable or uncertain, to step with faith into the unknown.
- 1:08You'll walk away with encouragement, spiritual insight, and practical steps to follow those holy promptings in your own life.
- 1:17So let's arise together as women warriors of light.
- 1:21Let's do it God's way.
- 1:23God strong.
- 1:28Hello and welcome to another episode of the Arise Women of God podcast.
- 1:32I'm your host, Tamara K.
- 1:34Anderson.
- 1:35And joining me today we have another woman warrior spotlight is Haley Murray.
- 1:41Haley, thank you so much for coming on the show today.
- 1:44Thank you for having me.
- 1:45I'm really excited.
- 1:47And I have to tell you just a little bit about Haley, because I was able to meet her at a networking meeting a couple months ago, and she was showing us her horses, and it was just the most
- 2:00delightful thing.
- 2:01She did this wonderful example of showing us that the horses who trusted her the most followed her commands without reward.
- 2:11They would just follow her wherever she went, whatever she asked them to do.
- 2:15And some of them trusted her more than others.
- 2:17And it was the ones you'd have the longest, right?
- 2:20Yep.
- 2:20Yep.
- 2:22Anyway, it was the most cool thing I.
- 2:25I think I've ever seen.
- 2:26Anyway, so she is amazing.
- 2:28And yes, we're going to be talking about horses today.
- 2:31But first, before we get into it, let me formally introduce Haley to you.
- 2:36Haley Murray is the founder of Horse Connections, where she creates events and opportunities for people to come and connect with horses.
- 2:46She loved horses from an early age and for the past decade has dedicated herself to studying horsemanship and finding her inner cowgirl.
- 2:56I like that because I'd love to find My inner cowgirl, someday.
- 3:00I don't know if I ever will, but maybe someday.
- 3:05She believes when you connect with a horse, you connect with yourself and hopes to share this experience with others.
- 3:12So, Haley, let's dive into you and your story a little bit.
- 3:18Obviously, you.
- 3:19You have ne your hosting classes about helping women connect to their inn cowgirl, but let's kind of back up a little bit and take us on this journey of how you felt.
- 3:30God calling you to do this.
- 3:32Tell me a little bit about that.
- 3:34Yeah, great question.
- 3:36So even as a little girl, I've always loved horses.
- 3:40My dad's from Wyoming, and so we'd go there every summer to see my grandpa and his horses.
- 3:45And I begged my dad for years to get a horse, but he'd been a rancher his whole life, and so he was like, no, no, we're good.
- 3:52And so I'd ride all the horses my neighbors had.
- 3:55But, um, it wasn't until later, after I had had my last baby, that I got connected with a local rancher here in Bountiful, and him and my friend and I helped him with his horses.
- 4:07And in the process, I was able to ride his horses.
- 4:12And so then I started taking lessons and just learning all that I could.
- 4:17And I just loved the.
- 4:21All of it.
- 4:22The hard, the easy, the connecting.
- 4:25That's really what I love the most.
- 4:27When I could slow down enough to really listen to the horse, they really have a lot to say.
- 4:33And, you know, they challenge us, they inspire us, they carry us.
- 4:40And I just love that about them.
- 4:42They're so honest.
- 4:43They.
- 4:44They're just a mirror to our souls.
- 4:47And so, anyway, over the last four or five years, I partnered with some friends, and we did some workshops for horsewomen, and I loved it.
- 4:56It was so much fun.
- 4:57I learned a ton.
- 4:59And then as their businesses grew, we kind of parted ways.
- 5:02You know, we were a little too busy.
- 5:04And so then I realized that I really missed doing those types of workshops.
- 5:11But I also kind of saw that there was this whole other, you know, niche, right, People who don't have horses, but maybe also people that don't need counseling with horses or equine therapy, because there are amazing resources out
- 5:28there for that, and I highly recommend all of those.
- 5:32But I wanted to kind of provide a place where the everyday person or teenager or woman could also come and connect with the horse in meaningful ways, whether it's taking a writing class or working on our courage on
- 5:47the ground, or a liberty class where you learn how to cue and really join up with the horse and play with them that way.
- 5:54There's just so many great ways to connect with them.
- 5:57And so that's really what I wanted to do after kind of the dust settled and I'm, you know, started my own thing.
- 6:05And so I just feel like God has called me to, to just share his light through this experiential learning with horses and in the mountains.
- 6:16Someday I really want to continue that work in the mountains as well.
- 6:21And I do retreats in the mountains.
- 6:24But anyway, just want to keep kind of building on that.
- 6:28So that's kind of, in a nutshell, my path so far.
- 6:34Wow, that is incredible.
- 6:36So I just have a little bit of a follow up question here.
- 6:39Yes.
- 6:39So you said that you love watching that connecting happen.
- 6:44Tell me what happens when people connect with horses.
- 6:47Tell me what you have observed.
- 6:49Because I think this is powerful, being with God and nature and I mean, these are some of God's creations.
- 6:54How does that benefit us, first of all, as women?
- 6:58Because obviously he's guiding you to this for a reason.
- 7:01What, what is the, the gap that you see that this is helping with?
- 7:07I think a lot of times we hide things or we pretend we're okay, but the horse always knows if we're telling the truth.
- 7:16So I love when people come and let's say they've never been around a horse and they're, they're, they're gonna be nervous, right?
- 7:24They might pretend they're fine, but the horse, you can see it like, oh, why are they nervous?
- 7:29And so I'll watch the horse's body language, and I'll watch their body language.
- 7:32And then pretty soon as I kind of invite them to do something small like, hey, let's, let's start grooming this horse.
- 7:38And they're like, I have no idea how to do that.
- 7:40And you start teaching them, and they're touching the horse and then they're starting to connect with the horse.
- 7:45And there's a lot of science that shows when you're with a horse, soon even your heartbeats will become synchronized.
- 7:53And so if the horse is even calmer, he'll help you start to feel calmer and vice versa.
- 8:00And so it's really cool to watch these two beings come together and teaching them like, okay, just try to, now just try to breathe and let go of all your stress from today.
- 8:12And they really help make you become present.
- 8:16I think that's one of their greatest gifts.
- 8:19You got to pay attention.
- 8:20I worked with an autistic boy once, and I'm not a therapist but it was my friend's son.
- 8:25And it was really beautiful watching because he could see it.
- 8:30He was so in tune with body language, he immediately knew what the horse was saying.
- 8:34And so that was really cool to see him really calm down.
- 8:37When he could tell his energy was too much for the horse, he would immediately back off.
- 8:42And he was even more insightful than a lot of, you know, other people.
- 8:46And so it's just watching two beings start to listen to each other and even help each other, and that is, I think, really the magic.
- 8:57And then when I start to teach them what their body language is saying or showing me it, they become even more aware, like, oh, you're right, I was nervous, or you're right, I was going too fast or asking
- 9:10too much.
- 9:11And so they learn that give and take, we call it feel.
- 9:15In horsemanship, you have to develop feel, but I can't give it to you.
- 9:19Like, it just takes time.
- 9:21It takes learning that moment where the horse gave to you for you to give back, to not always be a taker.
- 9:29And so that.
- 9:30It's hard to explain, but it really is magic when that works, when that harmony is.
- 9:36Is there and then there's peace.
- 9:38Both.
- 9:39Both sides feel very peaceful.
- 9:40And it's.
- 9:41It's amazing.
- 9:43Yeah.
- 9:43Isn't that amazing?
- 9:45I'm sitting here listening to you.
- 9:46I'm like, basically, God has called you to help people heal with horses, right?
- 9:51That's, you know, I mean, I think.
- 9:54And it's really the horses.
- 9:55I'm just there and the horses do it because they killed me.
- 10:01But it's like, that's the cool part.
- 10:03Like, they.
- 10:05They do it because they're so noble.
- 10:08It's not always pretty and easy.
- 10:11I've had my ego handed back to me many times.
- 10:14I've had my fears showed up in a mirror, and I'm like, oh, that's ugly.
- 10:18Oh, I don't.
- 10:19I don't want to feel that way.
- 10:21And so they show you a lot, a lot of good things, but it sure teaches you well.
- 10:30It sure sounds like it.
- 10:34Talk me through now.
- 10:36When God calls us to do things, he often obstacles come up because the adversary doesn't want Haley out there helping women heal and feel more connected and confident and at peace.
- 10:49You know, he wants us to stay in agitation.
- 10:53What obstacles have you had to battle through to step into this calling that God has placed on your heart?
- 11:02Holy cow.
- 11:03Yeah, there.
- 11:04It's always going to be self doubt.
- 11:07Who am I to blank?
- 11:10I know so many more people that are way better and way More qualified and a million things, right?
- 11:14We all have those lists of people that should be doing what we were trying to do.
- 11:18But then I have to remember, like, but God created me in a unique way to do my own work.
- 11:25I don't have to be her or him.
- 11:27He just wants me to be Hayley.
- 11:29He wants me to grow in being truly who I am.
- 11:33And so, yeah, that's a battle I face every day.
- 11:36It's like, oh, should I even try this?
- 11:39But then when I listen to my heart, my heart is always telling me, keep going, keep going.
- 11:46You know, and fear and anxiety are also a big thing for me.
- 11:51So I was abused when I was little.
- 11:53And so I am very hyper vigilant, just like a horse.
- 11:57Horses are always reading the room.
- 12:00Horses are ready to run.
- 12:01And I've always been a runner.
- 12:03And so that's helped me kind of see that in myself and also helping myself regulate.
- 12:11Like, oh, just because I feel afraid doesn't mean that this is true, that a monster is going to get me.
- 12:18Just like I try to help a horse maybe going through an obstacle.
- 12:22Let's say I'm asking a horse to walk across a tarp.
- 12:25That tarp makes a scary sound.
- 12:27He may have never seen it.
- 12:29And so I'm asking him to trust me.
- 12:31And if I haven't known him very long, he might say, no, thanks, I'm going to run the other way.
- 12:37But I know that the tarp is not going to hurt him, but he doesn't.
- 12:42And so I've seen that in my own self, like, oh, Haley, you can try this, but I'm afraid that's my tarp, whatever that is.
- 12:51And so God is like the horse trainer, you know, do we trust him enough to say, okay, God, I will take a step on that tarp, I will try it.
- 13:00And then knowing that we're okay, knowing he will have our back, it's been fun to see that play out with horses because then I'm like, okay, if this horse can do that, then I can show up and try
- 13:13to.
- 13:14To listen to what God wants me to.
- 13:16To do and help bring in in the world too.
- 13:21I love that so much.
- 13:22And I love that you, you exemplify just what you've learned with horses is an exact example of you taking steps forward with God.
- 13:34You know, I love how the two parallel each other.
- 13:37You know, it's so fun that you can draw on these beautiful animals to share your journey with God and battling your own self demons, right?
- 13:47The self doubt that imposter syndrome that we struggle with so much.
- 13:53And I loved your tip of listening to your heart, just pausing and saying, no, God has called me.
- 13:58I'm unique.
- 13:59I can do it my way.
- 14:00I can do it Haley's way.
- 14:01He's calling me to do it Haley's way.
- 14:03Right.
- 14:04That is a beautiful way to do that.
- 14:06And then you also mentioned the fear and anxiety, and I think we all struggle with that, especially with something new.
- 14:15And I liked your example of the horse and the tarp, because sometimes I think that's how God sees it.
- 14:20Like, come on, just come explain.
- 14:23We're like, it's too scary.
- 14:24God, I can't start a business.
- 14:26I can't do.
- 14:28Yeah, I've never done this before.
- 14:30He's like, I know.
- 14:31You'll be fine.
- 14:33So.
- 14:34So let me.
- 14:34Let me ask this.
- 14:36How do you feel your confidence in God has grown through this journey of stepping into.
- 14:44I'm doing this my own way, the way God is calling me to do it.
- 14:48Do you feel your relationship has strengthened?
- 14:50And if so, how.
- 14:52Any thoughts there?
- 14:55Yeah.
- 14:55So a few years back, I was going to.
- 14:59I was visiting a friend, and she had this horse that she was like, hey, I just.
- 15:03I have cancer right now, and I have too many horses.
- 15:05You should really buy this horse.
- 15:06And I wasn't really in the market yet, and I'm just like, I don't know about that.
- 15:10Anyway, ended up buying him.
- 15:12His name was Spiro and thought he'd already been kind of trained and started, and turned out he.
- 15:20He wasn't.
- 15:21He was terrified of most things.
- 15:24So most horses, when you start them, will take, like, about three months maybe, then you should be able to start riding them.
- 15:30Hopefully less than that.
- 15:31Much less.
- 15:32But for him, it was like a year and a half.
- 15:35And I had two trainers tell me, like, yeah, I'd be done.
- 15:39And I was like, okay.
- 15:41But I really felt like I literally.
- 15:44My dad, who's passed away, him and my grandpa both said, that's your horse.
- 15:49And so I knew, like, I was supposed to get that horse.
- 15:52And I was just like.
- 15:52I even named him Spiro, which means courage.
- 15:55And I'm just like, what the heck?
- 15:56You know?
- 15:57So I was kind of like, God, I really am trying to follow what you said, but, like, this is way harder than I ever thought it would be.
- 16:04And I don't know if I.
- 16:05How much longer, and I don't want to get hurt.
- 16:07And on and on.
- 16:08Right.
- 16:09So my husband was like, just.
- 16:10Just hang on.
- 16:11Just keep him.
- 16:11Let's just try a little longer.
- 16:13And I found this other gal, and she helped me all winter, and we kept working with him, and he was just so athletic that his fear would turn into pretty big stuff, right?
- 16:25Luckily, I'd never.
- 16:26He never hurt me, and I never was writing him when it happened.
- 16:29But anyway, I remember we went to this clinic with her mentor, and I thought, this is going to be a total nightmare, right?
- 16:38He's going to freak out.
- 16:39This is going to be.
- 16:40I'm going to be the circus at this place.
- 16:42But whatever, I need help, so I'm gonna go.
- 16:45And I'll never forget, that horse totally changed.
- 16:52It was, like, one minute he was terrifying Spiro, who's gonna blow up and buck and freak out.
- 16:58And then it was like all the pieces kind of just kind of came together.
- 17:02And because I was probably gonna sell him, like, the next month, I was like, this is it, buddy.
- 17:07I've given you all my shots, right?
- 17:09And I'll never forget sitting in the crowd as we're waiting to go out and ride, thinking, oh, my gosh, he's standing still.
- 17:16He's not freaking out.
- 17:17Okay, that's interesting.
- 17:19And then working with Bill, he helped us do some groundwork.
- 17:22And then we all got on the horses, and a lot of them were on colts who were real babies.
- 17:27And we were all riding around, and one of the horses got spooked, and they all started running towards me and Spiro.
- 17:33We were kind of in the back, and I'm like, oh, well, this is probably the end, because I know what he's gonna do.
- 17:40That little horse just stood there and almost, like, blocked them.
- 17:44He turned, didn't move a muscle.
- 17:46They all ran by us, and.
- 17:48And I could almost hear him saying, like, I promise I'll keep you safe.
- 17:52And, like, that little moment with him just changed my whole perspective.
- 17:59I just thought, wow, if this horse can change, truly, anyone can change.
- 18:05And so that.
- 18:06That really built my trust in God, because I was just trying to hold that little sliver of faith at the end.
- 18:14Like, God, I did what I thought you said, and this isn't looking good.
- 18:18Things aren't looking good for me.
- 18:20And so that's also helped me in my business, because we all get to these little places where it's like, this just isn't working.
- 18:26I'm trying to do what you said, but I don't see the next step right?
- 18:30Or things get worse for a minute.
- 18:32But that really taught me that, like, if you.
- 18:36If your heart said to do it, just try hanging on another day and then another day.
- 18:41And then if it's Time to cut your losses.
- 18:43You'll know.
- 18:44But otherwise, you gotta hang in there.
- 18:46And so that's really what that horse taught me.
- 18:48And now he's an amazing horse.
- 18:51Best horse.
- 18:52He loves me.
- 18:53He always waits at the gate.
- 18:55And I think it's because I didn't give up on him, and he didn't give up on me.
- 19:00And we have.
- 19:00We have lots to learn still, but.
- 19:02But I believe we can do it.
- 19:06So.
- 19:08Yeah, that is such a beautiful story.
- 19:10I love how you tied your relationship with that in, because there is such a parallel there, you know, And.
- 19:18And we.
- 19:19We do feel like a scared horse sometimes.
- 19:23Like, I can't do this, but I love how you brought out the virtue of patience and trust and long suffering.
- 19:32I mean, these are all qualities that we're told to develop in the scriptures, right?
- 19:38And sometimes it's so much easier to talk about them than it is to, like, put it into practice.
- 19:48Like, you were talking about years, you know, working with him for years.
- 19:52And this isn't just a month.
- 19:53This isn't six months.
- 19:55This is, you know, a year and a half.
- 19:56You're trying to get him to trust you.
- 19:59And that is what patience and long suffering is all about.
- 20:02But it's amazing how God was teaching you a little bit about him and maybe backing up and seeing, like, I've got this perspective on this horse.
- 20:11You need to get this horse right.
- 20:14Like, sweet.
- 20:15It's going to be sunshine and roses.
- 20:17Totally.
- 20:19The carpet is out.
- 20:20I bought the horse.
- 20:21It's going to be amazing and perfect.
- 20:24Nope.
- 20:25But it was perfect because it helped me become more perfected in my relationship with God.
- 20:32It was ugly, and that's where God always finds me.
- 20:37So perhaps Spiro is the horse you needed more for that relationship with God, right?
- 20:43Oh, that's a really good way of looking at trials.
- 20:46I remember one day when I thought, I think I'm gonna sell him.
- 20:49I don't.
- 20:49I don't think this is gonna work.
- 20:51I happened to turn the TV on to Heartland, which is obviously cheesy, but good in some ways.
- 20:56I.
- 20:56I do like it anyway.
- 20:58And she had bought this horse, and she was like, oh, debating between these two horses, and she was like, I know that horse over there seems like the perfect horse, but I think this is actually the perfect horse
- 21:09for me for what I need to learn.
- 21:10And God was just telling me that, like, it's not going to be easy, but it's going to be so worth it because of all that will come from it, and all you'll Learn and how he'll be transformed, and
- 21:22that will help you as well.
- 21:24I was like, dang if I.
- 21:26Good thing you don't know all the time, right?
- 21:28All the steps.
- 21:28Oh, but it was cool.
- 21:31And one thing I wanted to share really quick.
- 21:34One day when going back to the fear idea, I had put, like, little plastic bags around the round pen, and it was windy, you know, lots of things, like, freaking him out, right?
- 21:45And then I tied a couple on the saddle.
- 21:47Because you're just trying to get him, like, don't be afraid of sound.
- 21:50It's not going to hurt you.
- 21:51Because I might have a coat on one day that sounds like a bag.
- 21:55And what if I take it off and he launches, right?
- 21:57So you're just trying to, like, you can't desensitize them to everything, but you're just building that confidence, right?
- 22:03And I remember, like, having him start trotting around me, and then all of a sudden, it was like, oh, there's a bag on my back.
- 22:10And, I mean, he took off, and he kept running and running, and I just stood in the middle watching, like, I'm just gonna let him figure this out.
- 22:19And.
- 22:20And then I was like, oh, my gosh.
- 22:22That's what I do.
- 22:23I try to run faster, away from those fears, but they're not going anywhere.
- 22:27They're still.
- 22:28They're still tied to my saddle, so I might as well slow down and see what.
- 22:32What is really.
- 22:33You know, what's really there.
- 22:35And then that horse, bless his heart, he finally slowed down and looked at me like, oh, they're just bags.
- 22:42And then he came right in, like, sorry, I just.
- 22:44I didn't know what those were.
- 22:46I had a moment, and it was just really cute.
- 22:50And then after that, he was like, okay, I can do this.
- 22:58And I love that you bring this in, that we need to be patient with ourselves, because sometimes we don't realize what God is working with us on, right?
- 23:06Hey, you've got this fear, this bag tied to your back.
- 23:09We're gonna work on that.
- 23:11You're like, no, no, no, no.
- 23:14We're gonna also add some wind just so it's not too easy.
- 23:18We're gonna have a few things out here.
- 23:20But that is such a beautiful story.
- 23:24I.
- 23:25I love.
- 23:26I love that you see the parallels here, the parallels between Spiro and your journey.
- 23:32And it does sound like he was the right horse for you, right?
- 23:36For this journey of growth, for this journey with God, for this journey of healing.
- 23:41And it's so interesting now that Spiro and you are At a better place.
- 23:46He's like, now guess what?
- 23:48You get to help other women through this process.
- 23:52You know, how.
- 23:54How do you feel that going from where you were to where you are now helps you?
- 24:00Because often our.
- 24:02Our.
- 24:03The things that were our pains in the past end up becoming our passion.
- 24:07And God's like, look where you were, look where you are now.
- 24:10Help others.
- 24:11Do you know what I mean?
- 24:12Totally.
- 24:13Totally.
- 24:14So, yeah, I feel like you're totally right.
- 24:16Our pain usually becomes our purpose in some way.
- 24:21So, like, when I grew up, like I said I was, I was being abused.
- 24:24Nobody knew.
- 24:25And my sisters were too.
- 24:26And then when that all came out, you know, it was like, oh, thank heavens we finally, you know, let this out.
- 24:32But.
- 24:32And I was like, oh, I'm fine, it's all good.
- 24:34But then later, of course, as you become an adult, you're like, oh, wait, I still have a few hang ups from that I should probably work through.
- 24:41And then my parents also got divorced around that time too.
- 24:44So it was like two pretty big bombs went off in my young life.
- 24:47And so I was pretty freaked out about a lot of things.
- 24:52Right.
- 24:53And so working with horses later in life taught me a lot about trying to let go of control and trying to really listen and really be present.
- 25:07It's like, I'm safe right now.
- 25:08No one's hurting me.
- 25:10And if they are, I know what to do.
- 25:12I'm not that little girl anymore.
- 25:14I can use my voice.
- 25:16And with horses, you have to be a good leader, a fair leader.
- 25:21They respect boundaries that are fair and they respect people who love them but also have boundaries.
- 25:28Otherwise they're going to walk all over you or they're going to become spoiled, just like children.
- 25:33And so horses have taught me a healthy way to use my voice.
- 25:41My dad was pretty assertive and my mom was pretty passive.
- 25:43And horses need you right in the middle.
- 25:46Sorry.
- 25:47My dad was a little more aggressive.
- 25:48So they want you to be assertive.
- 25:50They don't want you to be aggressive or passive.
- 25:53So I've tried to find that middle place.
- 25:55And horses have been the best teacher for it because, wow, I was pretty passive.
- 26:01And then I'd flip to being aggressive and it was like, oh, no, none of those are going to work.
- 26:06And so that's really helped me a lot.
- 26:08And so it's like, oh, how cool would that be?
- 26:11Because I understand what people have gone through.
- 26:13And again, I'm not a therapist, so that is a whole different thing.
- 26:16Find an equine therapist for deep stuff.
- 26:19But it's like, still, horses can teach you a lot in the everyday about confidence, courage, and learning how to set appropriate boundaries so that you're safe and they're safe, and that there's.
- 26:35They're always looking for the leader, who's the leader, and they.
- 26:38They really want you to be.
- 26:40Otherwise, they're pretty worried, and they're trying to get back to their buddies.
- 26:44So in your partnership of two, you've got to be the leader, but it doesn't mean you're dominating them.
- 26:49You're just your partners.
- 26:51But, you know, you're the one saying, let's do this together.
- 26:55So that's been really helpful for me because I was like a middle child, and I was just kind of.
- 27:02I was a fade into the background kid.
- 27:05Even now, it's hard for me.
- 27:06Like, so you want me to show up and be seen?
- 27:10You know, I think that's maybe also why God's like, haley, it's okay.
- 27:16You can do this.
- 27:17You can talk, you can be seen.
- 27:20And just.
- 27:21I love, love helping women and teens, especially.
- 27:26Like, I'll have faith groups come down and we'll do a session, and it is so cool to watch.
- 27:31In, like, an hour and a half, these girls go from, like, barely looking or making eye contact to, like, leading these horses around.
- 27:41And I'm like, hey, go take them over there.
- 27:42You got to go through that obstacle.
- 27:44And so it's just really fun to watch that confidence grow as they feel empowered.
- 27:49And I'm like, you gotta back that horse up.
- 27:50He's.
- 27:51He's crowding into ya.
- 27:52And so they also learn those boundaries in a simple way, you know?
- 27:57And I love seeing that.
- 27:58I wish I'd had that.
- 28:00Yeah.
- 28:01Oh, that is so beautiful and powerful.
- 28:05What an amazing mission.
- 28:06And I was just thinking of the parallel with the horse needing a leader and us needing a leader, you know, and our leader is God, Right.
- 28:15And he's guiding us to do these things.
- 28:17And look at the joy that you have found on the other side of facing your fears.
- 28:22Your joy is helping others who are facing their fears come out of that, right?
- 28:27Yep, totally.
- 28:29Fear is a dark, sad place to be.
- 28:32And so we can just put some light on that, his light, and, like, help people know, like, you're not alone.
- 28:39It's okay to talk about this stuff.
- 28:41And that's what horses.
- 28:43I think that's what's cool is you don't have to talk about it.
- 28:46You can just go do something, and you'll.
- 28:49You'll feel better, or they can just go brush the horse and Just breathe with them for a minute or if you ride them, like, there's so many great ways to do that.
- 29:00Wow.
- 29:02Oh, Haley, this has been so fun to dive into your story, to hear your wonderful stories of Spiro especially, but also seeing the difference you're making in the world today and what an amazing journey God has brought you
- 29:16on.
- 29:18Are there any favorite Bible verses that you found that have helped you.
- 29:22You while you've gone on this journey with God?
- 29:25Oh, yes.
- 29:27I mean, so many.
- 29:28One of the first ones that really keyed into this is one of the ones that actually says the pronoun she.
- 29:35Blessed is she that believed, for God will honor those promises.
- 29:42And it's Mary.
- 29:43That verse with Mary, and I loved that.
- 29:45For with God, nothing shall be impossible.
- 29:47And.
- 29:48And so I just thought, okay, I can believe.
- 29:51I can do that.
- 29:52I can keep showing up and trying.
- 29:55I can do this and this.
- 29:57Right?
- 29:58And then I can trust that God can help me do what feels impossible.
- 30:02Whatever that tarp is or that obstacle.
- 30:06Like, with him, anything's possible.
- 30:09Right.
- 30:09And so not limiting God's ability to help us bless the world.
- 30:15Ooh.
- 30:17Because I think sometimes we put these big limits on what he can do, and it's like, actually, he can do anything.
- 30:24Thank heavens.
- 30:28I love how you said that.
- 30:30That is so powerful, because you're right.
- 30:32We do well.
- 30:33We put limits on ourself, and then that naturally projects to God.
- 30:38Well, I can't do that.
- 30:41You know?
- 30:41And God's, like, in the background going, oh, my young child, it's okay.
- 30:46You can, and we'll get there, but we're gonna take baby steps.
- 30:51And.
- 30:52And I love so many of the scriptural stories, like when they crossed the River Jordan, that river didn't move until those feet were in the water.
- 31:02Until those priests took that step, they still were like, I don't know.
- 31:07Do you think this is really gonna work?
- 31:09And then it was like God's like, I just need that.
- 31:11That step.
- 31:12And that's all I asked the horse, can you give me one step towards that fear?
- 31:17Can you step towards me in faith?
- 31:19Just one little step?
- 31:20I will always accept that God just wants us to keep trying.
- 31:24And then the miracles, big or small, he always has them.
- 31:29You just have to keep calling someday, that is.
- 31:35Those are both beautiful verses.
- 31:37Oh, my goodness.
- 31:37Thank you for sharing those.
- 31:39Now, Haley, I know there's going to be people who, after listening to your story, are going to want to follow you on Instagram or find you online.
- 31:47Where can people find you?
- 31:50Yeah.
- 31:50So I'm on instagram, just@horse.connections.com and I, I just started it, so I don't have tons of followers yet.
- 31:58But come along.
- 31:59I would love to share the journey.
- 32:00I would love to see some of you.
- 32:02My classes, they're fun and relaxing.
- 32:06And next year, the farm that I have my horses at, they're really going to have a beautiful flower crop.
- 32:12It's a flower farm as well.
- 32:14And they've done a lot of work down there.
- 32:16So I think it'll just be a beautiful place of healing.
- 32:19So I'd love to see you there.
- 32:21My website is horse-connections.com and so that has some fun gallery pictures.
- 32:28Lots of events.
- 32:29Obviously, winter's coming, so it'll be a little quiet for a minute.
- 32:32But yeah, I'm just really excited about continuing this work and love collaborating with people.
- 32:40You know, if you do events and maybe you just want to add a little horse component, reach out.
- 32:44It's always fun.
- 32:45I've gone to women's retreats and I've just done a little mini class or there's just so many fun ways to.
- 32:52To add it in.
- 32:53So, yeah, would love to hear from you.
- 32:55Oh, that's so great.
- 32:57Any final thoughts?
- 32:59Haley, for.
- 33:01For women who are stepping into something God has called them to do.
- 33:06Thoughts, inspiration.
- 33:09I think the.
- 33:11The best gift you can give yourself is to take that time, that quiet time, to really listen to your heart.
- 33:22Because whenever I do that, that's where I always find him.
- 33:27It's like he's waiting there.
- 33:29And so if I can get out of my head and all the voices and just like, go inside for a minute, then I can always hear the truth.
- 33:38I can always hear what he would like me to do.
- 33:43And I, I, honestly, the other night, I'd had a pretty rough week with horses.
- 33:48I was pretty discouraged.
- 33:50I thought, what am I even doing?
- 33:51Maybe I should just be done.
- 33:52And I, I took a minute to meditate and I, when I looked inside myself, I could literally see God holding my heart in his hands.
- 34:03And I just thought, okay, well, I guess that means hold on.
- 34:08And so I think just knowing, like, he's there, he's with you, and he will bless you to do your life's work.
- 34:17Just take that little step and I know you'll do amazing things.
- 34:23Thanks for tuning in to the Arise Women of God podcast brought to you by Women warriors of Light.
- 34:28If you're feeling unsure how to move forward in your calling or just tired of doing it alone, visit womenwarriorsoflight.com you'll find resources, accountability, and a community of.
- 34:41Women who get it.
- 34:44Sometimes the calling feels bigger than you.
- 34:47That's when you need steady reminders of the powerful God who called you.
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- 34:57Because with him, nothing is impossible.
- 35:00And you're not the only one God is calling that friend on your heart right now.
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- 35:12Until next time.
- 35:13May you arise, walk God's way and stand God strong.