A long life in a {relatively}
short bio...
Heather was rescued by God around age 11 from a life of anxiety, shame, bitterness and abandonment. The rest of her story has been about a woman slowly figuring out what it means to be loved, and how to live life from this place of love, relaxed with Jesus and others.
In college, at one of her lowest points and sweetest surrenders, she sensed God had a bigger purpose for her heartaches when He called her to use her voice for Him:
"I’ll never forget when God gently cornered me, ‘Heather, I've given you a mouth, and I'd like to use it.’”
Since then Heather has sought opportunities to do just that -- in every classroom, co-host seat in radio, courtroom, church room, chat with women, chapters in books and today mostly with her children. Her hope is in God’s promise that He can use our redemption stories — the stories of how He meets us in our suffering with comfort — to comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Seasons change, and Heather's career has been no exception. She jokes that God took her from Law to Grace, not just in her spiritual life but in her work as well! (If you are interested you can read a bit more below.) She also shares openly of some of the treasures she and her husband found in the darkness of infertility struggle, and together they have offered counsel to many couples on the fostering and/or adoption path.
This season though her days are filled with savoring and shuffling home life: packing lunches, helping with homework, changing diapers, keeping up with her entrepreneurial husband, baking bread from grain, cooking mediocre meals, building lean muscle so she has energy to keep up with her {surprise!} baby boy, growing in faith alongside women who come sit at her table and sharing on Instagram what living with Jesus looks like on her home front. When she finally gets to put her feet up though, you’ll catch her watching Korean dramas -- and yes, she’d love you to drop her a DM sharing your favorite show!
Law
Heather received her Bachelors in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and later graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She worked for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in Washington D.C., then later at the Florida House Legislature under two administrations including for U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (formerly Florida House Speaker), and also worked in private practice doing litigation and adoption law.
Her personal passion to see women experience life with Jesus led her down a path of speaking and advocacy, and she partnered with some friends to launch a recovery program and home for women who live at-risk of homelessness in Florida’s capitol city of Tallahassee. Her special training in religious liberties defense, as well as in Biblical reconciliation, helped her later train local women to confidently lobby Congress and use their own voices.
Grace
Heather always viewed her legal career as a ministry. However, in 2011 after years of teaching or facilitating Bible studies, small groups, and retreats, an opportunity was presented to become the Women’s Ministry Director at her local church (Grace
Fellowship Church). After much prayer, she decided to move away from practicing law and lobbying, and officially went on staff in 2012.
"God’s plans have not changed – the local church is and always will be His vehicle of choice to deliver the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth!"
But wisdom led Heather to step back at the end of 2015 to pay more attention to her own soul and young family.
"Our daughter was becoming a toddler and I felt like I had been holding my breath for years as we sought to have children. Those days at home became so precious for me, God was gently healing my heart as I recovered from grief and trauma related to our story. Then God eventually opened a door for books to be published, which is abounding grace!"
Today Heather is happy to be back serving women in her local church again, and is amazed at how God is yet moving mightily in hearts of all ages, even in the midst of chaotic times. While she does speak at other churches and women's groups, she is very selective so she can prioritize this fleeting season of motherhood to little ones, and her local church sisters.
Infertility
Heather and her husband Jonathan joined the community of those with “unexplained infertility” in their story in 2011. At the time she was serving as Women’s Ministry Director for their church, which largely involved overseeing “Mom ministries” and at times she described the pain of infertility grief as overwhelming.
One of the many lessons she learned from infertility grief is that for all the joys adoption can bring, it doesn’t cure infertility. A barren womb is never satisfied. (Proverbs 30:16) If not for a loving and compassionate community of fellow journeyers, she may have been swept under by overwhelming sadness and confusion…but by God’s grace that isn’t how her story is going to end.
"If you are struggling with infertility I pray now that the words in this space guide you toward the Father’s heart for you and into your next step of healing. I pray you are also swept into a community of women growing in emotional health who can share your burden and shelter your tears. And I pray God opens your eyes to a new vision for your unique motherhood…because I believe with all my heart that you, sister, can be 'a mother of thousands.'"
Adoption & Foster Care
Heather's family has shape-shifted over the past 15 years because of both adoption and fostering. Her journey in motherhood contains indescribable joy, and devastating heartbreak. She sees this truth in all areas of life, we are always in need of Jesus.
Making a decision to grow your family is deeply personal and between you, your spouse and God. Heather and Jonathan's story is a caution to seek wise counsel and create a supportive community as you move forward.
If you are considering either becoming a foster parent, or of expanding your family through adoption, we recommend contacting an Agency or legal team committed to the gospel because God instituted adoption as a picture of our transformation into His family! Also, choose one that is ready to advocate for your family’s well-being and supports the long-term emotional health of the biological people involved.
May God bless you and give you peace as you grow!
Grow with us
