Natalie Lane Hallford.
I feel as if within those very few letters, so much lies. Something much deeper beyond the name is a story that my life has told, is telling, and will tell for all eternity. This is my story, this is my legacy.
I grew up in Lubbock, TX where at a very young age accepted the Lord. However, the abundant life and everything that is available to me was never my reality, but at arms length.
In 2006, a freshman in high school, I went to a summer conference at Bethany World Prayer Center that totally wrecked my life. Here I felt called to do their internship, 220i, after I graduated High school. Deeply determined, I ended up graduating a year early and left home at 17 years of age to do 220i, the thing that undoubtedly changed the course of my life FOREVER.
Here I found the healing from my past.
Deliverance from addictions and things of my old nature.
Maturity that was never tapped into.
The word of God in my heart like never before.
Prayer that became powerful.
Friends that make all the difference.
The Love of God that was so foreign to me.
An identity that wasn’t broken or based upon the opinions of man.
Impossible things turn into possible.
The humbling fact that God can use ME.
Truth about who I am in Him.
Dreams, visions, and destiny that I had always ran from.
A trust that teaches how to rest.
Hope that is eternal.
Love that never fails.
Peace that surpasses all understanding.
Discipline that one can truly love.
A heart of flesh, rather than stone.
The gifts that God has given me.
And last but certainly not least A HUGE HEART FOR MISSIONS that had fallen through the cracks.
During the internship I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Haiti and the Philippines. These two places instantly stole my heart. I was in Haiti praying for people to receive there healing when I heard an audible voice declare to me, “You will do this forever.” Mid prayer, I turned around because I thought someone was talking to me. First of all I heard it. Second of all because It was in English in a country that speaks another language. As I turned around, I heard God confirm, “That was me.”
I instantly broke down to tears and knew that my heart lived for such things as this.
My life spoke for things such as this.
And THIS is what I am called to do.
Embrace the widows and orphans, feed the hungry, be the hands and feet of JESUS, repair the broken, love the unlovable, care for the needy, give to the poor, and love, love, love, LOVE.
After the internship, I pictured myself living in a foreign country doing what I love to do. However, I felt the Lord tell me to go home and complete school. I tried to argue with God, but we all know how that ends up.
It was a little over 2 years ago that I heard about the World Race. As soon as I heard about it, I became what’s known as a “World Race Stalker.” I read blog after blog, with tears streaming down my face, and jealousy raging in my heart that I couldn’t be the one writing them. I knew that if I could make it through college, I would sign up for the race and it would FINALLY become MY TURN!
Here I am. Graduating in May 2013 with a Psychology degree and leaving in July 2013 to do what I have dreamed of doing for over 2 years!!!! Needless to say, I have been waiting for this season of life for a long time, but loving the journey on the way. I'm a firm believer that EVERY season is preparation for the next. I am so thankful that my God is a God that enables dreams to come true and is intentional in everything that He does and calls us to do.
That’s the general glimpse of my story, but let me tell you a little bit about me.
Passion could be my middle name. If I’m in at all, I’m all in and everyone pretty much knows it.
Excellence is what I stand for. If Jesus lives in me, why can’t it be?
Authenticity is one of my favorite words. One thing that I have quickly discovered is that the world doesn’t need anything else other than authentic Christianity. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to be unashamedly real about it. My relationship with God is neither a game nor an accessory for when it’s convenient to put on. It’s everything I am and it not only affects me, but everyone that I come into contact with on a daily basis.
Deeper things of life make me tick. Meaning, I’m not interested in hearing the Sunday school answer as much as I am hearing the issues of your heart. I like to get down and dirty with what drum your core is beating to. I struggle with surface conversations and will talk for hours on in about something deep.
People absolutely amaze me. I LOVE them with all that I am and sometimes until it hurts.
Identity is what makes my world go round. You become who you believe you are.
Black and White is where I dwell. Gray areas aren’t my friend. Bottom line, basic truths are easily my favorite.
Creativity is something I play with often. It keeps life interesting and it never gets old.
Counseling is my way of pouring out. I love to listen and love to hear stories. I love to get to know people and share with them my experience, my testimony, the truth of God and so much more.
Wisdom is something that I am forever greatful for. Without it, my life, my world, my everything would be a hott mess.
Courage is the only way. I've found a LOVE that surpasses all fear and compells me to speak truth to anyone.
Worship is something that consistently flows from my lips. Music is something i'm crazy about and couldn't live without. No lie.
I like to party with Jesus. I want it bad and I want it ALL. Healing, deliverance, Love, Grace, Mercy, Rebuke, Speaking in tongues, the Holy Spirit and His manifestations and all that's available. If it's in the bible, I want to experience it. If He's apart, why refuse it?
It's all about having Fun. Laughing is something I do often and good memories are always in the making.
Family and Friends are everything to me. My family is EXTREMELY close and a little out of control; to include my wonderful grandparents, aunts, uncles, and all my cousins. Without their support and love, I wouldn't be who I am today.
My dad, Perry, is a pastor at our amazing church. He also does prison and jail ministry. He's the most compassionate man you will ever meet. I am forever thankful for the restoration the Lord has done in this relationship and the man my father has become. Father to me, but a father to all.
My mom, Holly, is the most amazing woman I have ever known. Full of Wisdom and always there. One of the strongest people I know and definitely the most patient. Thankful for her loving support and her selflessness that enables her to serve everyone around her, including me.
My sister, E'Lisa, is extremely loving, generous, with heart of gold.
Her husband Steve is the same. So kind and loving. Thankful for a great brother-in-law.
My darling niece named Jaydie is too cute and I can't get enough of her. I like to call her my mini me or my "little bucket" – full of the living waters!
My brother, Casey, is absolutely amazing and one of my role models. I often think he hung the moon.
I honestly can't thank them enough for everything they have done for me and continue to do. I am so proud of them and I will certainly miss them while on the race!
There’s so much more to me and my story, but this should cover the basics. I hope that you will subscribe to my blog through the "Hear from me Often." link in order for me to bless you the way I have been blessed by the words of others on this journey!!
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, prayer requests, ANYTHING. ANYTHING AT ALL!! I would love to talk to you, meet you, and experience life together via the “I'd LOVE to hear from you” link or you can e-mail me at [email protected]
Peace& Blessins Yall,
PEACE& BLESSINs.
