Living Real in a
Cover-Up Culture
Meet My People!
David is my best friend, and we have been married for 29 years. Admittedly, we both came into marriage with baggage. David brought a carry-on, but l, on the other hand, brought the extra-large Samsonite luxury edition set, hard side with double spinner wheels. We continue to unpack and process our stuff along life's journey, which is bringing healing, deeper oneness, and allowing us to travel lighter.
Along the way, the Lord has blessed us with three witty and winsome sons and a very spoiled goldendoodle. Our boys, who are now young adults, were raised cleaning toilets, showers, sinks, and doing their own laundry. Yep, you read that right, and my future daughters-in-law can thank me later! And, if I had a dollar every time someone asked me if I believed in arranged marriage, my house would be paid off. My family is awesome; we laugh a lot, and we enjoy being together.
We live in the Pacific Northwest and love the great outdoors. We've visited 14 national parks so far. A recent outdoor adventure started as a 7-mile bike ride but turned into 17 because I read the sign wrong. Half of the ride was literally uphill! Whoops. I knew it was bad when my boys sat on ice blocks during a stop at the convenience store on the way home. We could hardly sit or walk for days. You know how when you discover you have a body part only after you've injured it, well, that was the day. I can be trusted to do a lot of things, but I'm no longer trusted to plan bike rides.
There you have it - these are my people!
A Life of Ministry, Mentorship, and Inspiration
Through the years of following Jesus, through seasons of drought and doubt, sunshine and celebration, through moments of grief and joy, brokenness and betrayal, the Lord continues to graciously teach me that He. Can. Be. Trusted. He pursues me in my pain, He breathes hope into my heartache, and He shepherds my heart to believe that in the deserts of life, He is my oasis. He is faithful. He is good. He knows me personally, and He loves me deeply.
Born in the beautiful state of Oregon, I am number four of seven children and was raised by my mom and her boyfriend, who later married when I was in high school. My family began attending church when I was in junior high. With the positive influence of my loving and devoted youth leaders, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Combined with an unhealthy home life and the many prevalent pressures facing teen girls, growing in my faith, like that bike ride, became an uphill climb.
After high school, I went to a Christian college to get away from home and focus on my spiritual growth. Though many joked that I was going so I could find a husband, you know, “Ring by spring, or your money back,” I managed to finish my degree and get my “MRS.” degree as well. We followed the Lord’s calling to serve the local church in pastoral ministry for the next thirty years.
The adventure of faith is full of joy and hardship. Over the years, seasons of praise and of pain have renewed and refined my faith in the Lord as He patiently molds my heart to be conformed to the image of His Son. The potholes I have hit are the result of believing lies about myself and God. In moments of weakness, the Holy Spirit reminds me that I am made for more. With all of the speedbumps, ditches, and wrong-way signs, my journey is one of imperfect progress as I pursue Jesus, become more rooted in Him and His Word, and stay engaged in biblical community.
We all have baggage the Lord wants to help us unpack. As we ride in faith, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit is an adventure I believe we all need to keep saying “yes” to! And, if you are like me, you won’t want to forget the 85% dark chocolate and peanut butter! I hope you will join me in embracing the truth of who God is, His heart toward mankind, and how these realities impact our lives. After all, we are not alone…
Jesus is riding with us, and He is writing a better story for us in Him.
Empowering Lives Through the Power of God’s Word
Hester is ordained and has served the local church in pastoral ministry for thirty years with an emphasis in the areas of youth, women, and discipleship ministries. She has also been a chaplain the past four years, serving Christian business owners in her community. She received her Bachelor’s in Christian Education and Bible from Boise Bible College and her Master’s in Bible and Theology from Lincoln Christian University & Seminary.
Hester is the author of FAKE? Living Christlike in a Counterfeit Culture, a six-week Bible study that includes weekly teaching sessions. She is co-author of Greater Than a Superhero and co-author of devotions for Hallmark’s mini-series, When Calls the Heart, seasons 1-8. In addition, Hester is a contributing author to several books, has written numerous devotions, and has published work featured in several magazines and online sites.
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