Meet the Women of NAOBC – Kathleen Hanley
On Mondays, we’ll take time to meet the women of NAOBC. Five questions followed by how you can connect with the NAOBC women on social media. Today’s interview is with Kathleen Hanley.
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I’m married to Dr. Ryan Hanley. We will celebrate 15 years of marriage this summer. I am a homeschool Mom to “The Fab 5” – Reas is 14, Justin, 13, Ethan, 11, Evelyn, 10, and Benjamin, 8. Thanks to Covid, “Smalls” the bunny and “Gubbles” the goldfish have joined our home.
Q: Tell us about your time at NAOBC
A: We have been at NAOBC for 15 years. We moved here in 2006 for Ryan to start his MDiv at Southern. We had been married one year and had a newborn. We served in Young Couples for 11 years and in the College ministry the last three years. Ryan has taught some discipleship classes, and we’ve led some small groups. And, of course, we serve in the nursery, because that’s where you really learn to serve. Lol, but really.
Q: What is a fun fact that most people wouldn’t know about you?
A: I’m from Fort Worth, TX. I’m the eldest of nine kids. I LOVE sunshine, trees, cuddles, fluffy soft blankets, the beach, peanut butter, the smell of a newborn’s head, really hot coffee, the French Shrimp on the Muppets, blasting worship music on the hard days, my husband’s biceps, baking, picking out candles, every shade of blue, and the sound of my kids laughter.
Q: What woman has made the most impact in your life?
A: Over the last 39 years many wonderful women have impacted my life: my Mother, teachers, mentors, authors…but the women of the church have consistently shaped me. Certainly, Jaylynn Cook, but not just the women in leadership. Women who are living out their faith, even if they didn’t know me. I was watching them. I watched how they spoke about their spouse, the way they spoke to their children, how they walked through suffering…now that is something. Watching Martha Sirles and Lettie Buchanan as they lost their children to cancer, watching Jenna Zakari worship Jesus on her deathbed, watching the women of our church serve each other, weep, and rejoice with each other. The wisdom of a thousand books has not shaped me as much as that.
Q: What is something the Lord has taught you in the last year?
A: I have found myself obsessing over the future, “the unknowns.” What job? What house? Where should we be? What’s next? Thinking on these things is somewhat necessary but obsessing makes us anxious and impatient. This past year the Lord has shown me what it means to “Seek His kingdom, first.” I should be obsessing over doing His Revealed Will. I don’t know what will happen next, but I do know: He has called me to be His image-bearer, to proclaim the gospel, to put sin to death, to put on righteousness, to be filled with the Spirit, to worship, to pray without ceasing, to give thanks, to acknowledge Him in all my ways, to love, to serve, to abide. What would my life be like if I were constantly thinking on these things? If Jesus were coming tomorrow, what would I be doing today? I would be building His kingdom and not my own. I would be focused on what’s eternal. I can tell you this shift in my thinking has helped me be more intentional, joyful, and peaceful.
You can follow Kathleen on Facebook and Instagram @pickett_and_smalls.
