My Biography:
Hello [Osiyo] Everyone:
My name is Russell "Little-Hawk" Oliver;[Wuseli Litili-hagi Olaiwa]; I am the Founder and Director of Stepping Stones & Mountain Tones Ministries: I grew up Marion County Florida, graduated High School 1977, and Enlisted in United States Air Force August 24, 1977, where I served for fourteen years. A few years after leaving the Air Force, I moved out here to Colorado March of 1996, and like one of my favorite Singing Artists [John Denver], I fell in love with Colorado Rocky Mountains. I grew up in the country in Florida, so setting down new roots here in Colorado was very easy, because there was something about the spirit of the mountains that was just tugging on my heart and gave me a New Journey in Life. Mountain Tones @ Hawk's Haven was born out of my faith in Jesus Christ, my love for exploring the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and sharing both with people who love to challenge themselves by embarking on High Altitude Mountain - Wilderness Hiking and Camping Adventures, combined with sharing their Faith in Jesus with others.
I am not an Ordained Pastor, but I know that God has called me to share my Faith with others , through my love for High Altitude Hiking and Camping, as well as my life long practice of Fitness Training and Nutrition Counseling.
My Vision and Desire for Stepping Stones & Mountain Tones Ministries reaching out to men and women to help them to build a stronger relationship with God and to share that relationship with others. And to bring people together to challenge themselves in exploring the wonders of God's beautiful creation in High Altitude Mountain Wilderness Adventures. Building new and hopefully Lifelong Friendships with those in their Group. God uses the Mentoring Relationship to Strengthen the Faith of everyone involved. I believe that mentoring also helps people put their faith into action. I know that there are many people that have the desire to genuinely live out and share their faith, teach others about Jesus, and come along-side someone to help build them up as Strong "Iron Sharpening Iron" Men and Women of God and Disciples of Jesus Christ.
Stepping Stones & Mountain Tones exists to show and share Jesus, make disciples strong in faith, train men and women to develop a strong intimate relationship with God, and help them to openly share their faith with others, to be strong leaders in their homes, to their families, in the community and in their church. To bring together people who have been drawn into the mountain - wilderness by God in order to hear His Voice through divine encounter with other Christians who have a heart for exploring God's created beauty in the Rocky Mountains. Who live from God's gift of a Heart and Spirit of Rugged Adventure, and to live out their faith by Challenging them to be a part of a group of people learning to Trust and Encourage one another and risk Trusting in God's Power and Strength as they Embark on such an Adventurous Journey.
My belief is that as we live out our Identity in Christ, we reflect God's Character back to Him, and reflect the Character of Christ to others around us.
Russell Vance "Little-Hawk" Oliver-- Accomplished - Published Author and Writer:
Author's Biography & Background:
R. Vance "Little-Hawk Oliver; Birth Name {Russell Vance Oliver}, his middle name (Little-Hawk) was given to him by his Grandmother. Born August 15, 1958; in St. Petersburg, FL. He grew up in Ocala, FL. Russell started his love for writing in High School in 1976-1977 during his Senior Year, where he became one of the Editor's for the Vanguard High School Poetry Club, he was also one of the Editor's for the Vanguard "EXCALIBUR" a collection of poems and essays written and composed by students and High School Staff. His first poem 'The Dawning Glory' was one of the poems published in the "EXCALIBUR."
On August 24, 1977, after graduating from High School , Russell enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served for fourteen years, from August 1977 through June 1990. During that time, he continued to write and compose his poetry and has been published over 45-times in various Poetry Anthologies, as well as five books published with Kindle Direct Publishing; [In The sanctity of My Dreams; A Time To Heal; My Path Through The Wisdom of the Elders; Iron Sharpens Iron-(Fitness Training and Daily Devotional - Prayer Journal); and Stepping Stones - New Seasons of Life). After leaving the Air Force in June 1990, Russell continued his career dreams as a Professional Fitness Trainer, as well as Sports Medicine. In March of 1996, he moved to Denver, Colorado, where continued his pursuit as a Professional Fitness Trainer and Certified Sports Medicine Injury rehabilitation Specialist.
His career in Sports Medicine and Fitness Training carried him to different parts of the country, such as Tampa, FL. (with Travel Medical and Nursing), Wichita, KS.; where he worked with Health South Sports Medicine and Injury Rehabilitation, and with YMCA's of America, as one of the Lead Fitness Trainer's, Contract Trainer. As well as going back to his Home Town in Ocala, FL. to work with his local YMCA as the Lead Fitness and Contract Trainer, and contracting with other gyms as a Professional Fitness Trainer. As well as helping to start and run as Air Force New Recruit Fitness Prep Boot Camp, for preparation into the U.S. Air Force Basic Training School. On October 4, 2014; Russell returned to Denver, CO. to work with the Air Force once again at Buckley Air Force Base - Space Force Base in Aurora, CO. and continued as one of the Lead Fitness Trainer's at the Base Fitness Center.
Today , Russell is living in Aurora, CO. where at the age of 66, has Retired from Sports Medicine , as well as Professional Fitness Training. Russell continues to Write and Compose his poetry and essays, as well as following his other outdoor passions of High Altitude Mountain Mountain Trail Hiking, Cycling, Camping, and Fishing.
My Published Books:
In The Sanctity Of My Dreams
[Reflections of My Heart]
Was my first book--a collection of poems, essays and letters, written to the lovers of love and life. For the people who have brought me so much joy and happiness in my life, and to those who have inspired me to follow my dreams. It is for those who through that they knew me; but they never really did.
For those people who wanted to know me, but were afraid to try. It's for all who have tried to love and failed, and tried again because it was worth fighting for; and or those who have failed, and tried again, only to see it slip away. And for all who have found a love that will last a life time.
I wrote the poems and essays in this book for my family and friends who have taught me what love really means.
A Time To Heal Putting My Past Behind Me
[A New Beginning]
Was the sequel to [In The Sanctity of My Dreams].
This book is dedicated to those who are waiting to start a New Life, to "Leave the Hurts of their Past Behind" and move forward into a New Season in their Life. The last thing you want to do is relive painful memories and feel stuck in the past.
You want to put that hurtful past behind you--once and for all, and move on to Cross New Bridges with confidence. The past can hold both Treasured Memories and Hurtful Memories, but for many, just thinking about the past isn't always positive or helpful.
I have crossed many bridges in my life, and have burnt down many bridges to put my past behind me, from childhood to manhood, to the military. getting married, having children, leaving the military and moving into a professional career, and now retirement. Moving from place to place, moving from job to job, trying to find my place in this life. Life-Bridges bring changes, some are good, and some were not anything like I thought they would be. But they were changes in my life that I learned to adapt to. Crossing New Bridges in Life means, leaving the past in the past, closing the door what used to be, walking into a New Life, full of New Adventures and New Relationships.
Iron Sharpens Iron & with Daily Devotional Prayer Journal One Man Sharpens Another
Fitness Training Journal with Daily Devotional Prayer Journal:
My Path Through the Wisdom of the Elders
A Native American Pathway of Wisdom and Truth:
Stepping Stones
New Seasons of Life
The New Journey Begins:
Iron Sharpens Iron As One Man Sharpens Another is a Twelve-Week Fitness Training Journal with Daily Devotional -- Prayer Journal.
It's a 12-week Combination Weight Training and Mini Boot Camp designed to increase muscle size and enhance muscular and cardiovascular endurance.
It was designed for Small Groups of Close Friends that love to work out to keep their bodies strong, as well as getting together and sharing God's Word to Sharpen One Another Spiritually.
There is a Mental and Spiritual Sharpness that comes from being around the right people. A meeting of the Minds and Hearts of Close Friends can help people see their ideas with New Clarity, Refine them, and Shape them into Brilliant Insights. This requires Friends who can Challenge One Another and Stimulate Thought, people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker. Two or more friends who bring their ideas together can help each other become sharper. The same is true , when two or more friends get together to share their faith, their focus becomes stronger and sharper.
My Path Through The Wisdom Of the Elders. Is a Native American Pathway of Wisdom and Truth, of Teachings and Stories passed down fro generation to generation. It is a collection of of Poems, lessons, and prayers that I have learned from my Elders as I seek Wisdom and Knowledge Walking the Sacred Path of Cherokee White-Wolf Medicine. And Through the Teachings of Various Tribal Elders from various Native American Tribes.
I believe that Truth and Wisdom are found in every path we take in our journey through this life. The tools from all walks of life are vital sources of personal progress. If you have learned anything from the teachings of the Old One's, keep them close to your heart and pass them on to the generations to come, because you have been blessed with the Sacred Wisdom of the Ancients who walked this earth before us.
Stepping Stones --- New Seasons of Life, is my fifth books, it is centered around the different Seasons that we encounter in life and the Stepping Stones that we used to get to where are going on this Journey called Life!
Stepping Stones can either be 'Stumbling Stones' or they can be path that leads to New Doors opening with New Opportunities.
What is your passion in life?
What are you truly passionate about?
What do you want to accomplish in life? What are you meant to be?
What gives you meaning and purpose each day? Where do you want to be in five years? How are you going to get there?
These are all Stepping Stones in Life!