Stories & Updates

Customs, Suitcases, Timetables, and Power
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

Customs, Suitcases, Timetables, and Power

What began as an ordinary trip to Africa turned into a powerful testimony of God’s protection and timing. From missed flights to supernatural intervention, experience how faith carried me through chaos, exhaustion, and a spiritual encounter that revealed God’s presence every step of the journey.

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A Word for the Year: Listening to God as We Step Forward Together
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

A Word for the Year: Listening to God as We Step Forward Together

Listening for a word from God at the start of a new year is more than a trend; it is a personal invitation to notice how He is loving, leading, and transforming us over time. In this new blog at Umbwella’s Stand, “A Word for the Year: Listening to God as We Step Forward Together,” I share how God has used simple words—like “Holy Spirit”—to anchor my prayers, shape my days, and remind me that I am both deeply seen and part of something bigger He is doing in and through His people. From birthday gifts of quiet companionship to New Year’s whispers that become year-long themes, this practice has become a gentle way to listen, surrender control, and join God in what He is already doing—without striving to understand every detail. As you step into a new year, this reflection will invite you to set aside a few quiet moments, ask the Lord if there is a word He wants to speak over your year, and hold whatever He gives you with open hands—less as a resolution to achieve and more as a holy conversation to revisit as He writes the story.

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When Christmas Isn’t Perfect: Finding Contentment in Christ
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

When Christmas Isn’t Perfect: Finding Contentment in Christ

This Christmas, are you feeling the pressure to make everything just right—the decorations, the gifts, the smiles for the family photo? You’re not alone. In the hustle for a “perfect” holiday, it’s easy to lose sight of the One who holds perfect peace. In our latest reflection, “When Christmas Isn’t Perfect: Finding Contentment in Christ,” discover how true joy and contentment don’t come from flawless plans or picture-perfect moments—but from resting in Jesus Himself. If the season feels heavy or your heart feels weary, this message will gently remind you that Christ’s love is enough—right where you are, just as you are. 🎄

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A Reformed Control Freak
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

A Reformed Control Freak

I used to be a control freak—and I don’t say that lightly. Control felt like survival. Trust felt impossible. But God gently, relentlessly led me into a life where control was no longer an option… and it changed everything.

In this post, I share how the Lord invited me into radical dependence—walking me step by step into obedience, preparation, and ultimately a two-month assignment in Africa I never could have planned or funded on my own. I write about surrender, provision, aging, grief, faith, and what it looks like to be truly free at 60 in a way I never was at 26.

If you’re holding tightly to your plans, your security, or your sense of control—or if you’re wondering whether God still has a future for you—I’d love for you to read my story.

This is an invitation to trust the One who is in control… and to discover the joy on the other side of surrender.

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A New Season
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

A New Season

When God asks you to leave without a map, what happens next? Follow this true story of a woman who packs her car, says yes to a last‑minute detour, joins a 21‑day fast, and discovers that God not only provides every need but turns her into a blessing wherever she goes. If you’ve ever wondered whether God really sees you, this faith‑filled journey through Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, and back to Florida will encourage you to trust His voice in the middle of uncertainty.

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Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

My Friend Forced to Flee

Pastor Cebo is in trouble! He and his young family have been driven out of their home and place of ministry. We have an incredible opportunity to step in and help restore him!

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Gratitude For The Struggle
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

Gratitude For The Struggle

I hadn’t planned to write a Thanksgiving post this year—until I felt the Holy Spirit nudge me. As I listened, I was reminded to be thankful for the struggle. For the seasons of hurt, pain, trauma, and grief that have shaped me far more deeply than any season of ease or happiness.

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The Promise Reinforced
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

The Promise Reinforced

I was told I’d be in a new place by Christmas… but as the days ticked down, I had no sale, no plan, and nowhere to move. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. Read the story behind the promise and the provision.

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Finishing Well
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

Finishing Well

This is my story of learning to trust God through seasons of waiting, loss, and unexpected change. From eight years of singleness to selling my home and losing my job, I’ve seen His hand guiding me in ways I never could have imagined. Through it all, He has proven patient, kind, and faithful—showing me that peace doesn’t come from knowing the outcome, but from knowing Him.

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Have You Read Your Bible?
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

Have You Read Your Bible?

Have you read your Bible lately? Need a reminder about why it’s such an incredible book? Read this week’s post to discover more about one of God’s sweetest gifts to us!

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The Next Step
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

The Next Step

After a season of shaking, prayer, and fasting, I found myself hearing God’s voice in an unexpected place—the beach. What began as rest became revelation. Through obedience, repentance, and healing, God turned stillness into purpose and silence into words that would shape my journey.

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My Spiritual Earthquake
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

My Spiritual Earthquake

🌍💔 When God shakes your world, it’s not to destroy you—it’s to rebuild you.

In this powerful story, one believer shares her spiritual earthquake—a season of brokenness, honesty, and renewal that revealed three unshakable truths:

✨ God is good.

✨ God is faithful.

✨ God is trustworthy.

If your faith feels like it’s crumbling, this testimony will remind you that even in the rubble, God is working. 🕊️

Click here to read more!

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Invitations
Story Jacki Farley Story Jacki Farley

Invitations

We are often invited into more moments than we could ever begin to imagine, what happens when we accept God’s constant invitation?

Find out by reading this week’s blog!

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Encountering the Supernatural
Jacki Farley Jacki Farley

Encountering the Supernatural

“It was a normal day… until it wasn’t. I was invited to pray at a deliverance session, not knowing I would witness — and experience — freedom like never before. Demons were cast out, hearts were healed, and I walked away forever changed. The supernatural is real. The light of Christ truly sets captives free.”

👉 Click the link in our bio to read the full story.

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