The Joy of Obedience...

"Now may the God of Peace who brought up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever & ever. Amen." Hebrews 13:20-21

Stepping out in faith at the age of 37, I followed what I felt God was leading me to do:

DTS- discipleship training school- with YWAM.

I knew in 2009 that He was calling me to YWAM Los Angeles. As I prayed about where or what He had for me after graduating music school in Kansas City, He began speaking to me. Crazy it seemed, especially to me. But I had made Him a promise: wherever & whenever, I will GO.

Through the years that followed- from co leading teams of students in the International House of Prayer University to Japan for prayer & disaster relief while in school full time, to running an orphanage in Lucknow, India, followed by an illness that nearly shut down my digestive system for two years, then becoming a long-distance caregiver for my father whose health was failing & needing full time care- through it all, God remained faithful. What I thought were delays became 'stepping stones' when I surrendered to Him.

Fast forward- at my age, it seemed ridiculous to be raising $8,000 to go to a missions school. Especially in the middle of a pandemic. Most days, if I were honest, did not look like "steps of faith" but stumbling through doubt. You see, I knew God was more than calling me to a 5 month program, but rather to lay down my life. I knew He was calling me out of Kansas City, which had become a place of refuge, lifelong friends, stability, & some of the deepest spiritual growth I've known. Into what was unknown.

"What I thought were delays became the very things that were stepping stones when surrendered to Him."

My only request was- God if this is You PLEASE allow it to be fully funded so I can focus on why I am there.

I gave notice at my very comfortable job, with families that I deeply loved. I made arrangements to give my car away- give as it had been given. God provided for me to get completely out of debt- a goal I had been working on since 2009. I was challenged to "travel light" giving away or selling nearly all I owned to face what felt like an unknown future, all on what seemed like less than a mustard seed of faith. It felt like so much loss. I imagine this must have been what Abraham felt like when God asked him to leave everything behind, not knowing where he was going because God asked him to. I thought, 'This is either the wisest step I've ever taken in faith...or the dumbest thing I've ever done.' He is worthy.

"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake, I have suffered the loss of all things, & count them rubbish in order that I may gain Christ & be found in Him..." Philippians 3:8

He brought in above & BEYOND what was needed to fund the DTS. Miraculously. Week by week, day by day, I sought God & surrendered as many times as necessary. Not my will, but Yours God! I watched as He provided- up to the dollar amount- for the school to be paid in full up front. And then as He gave me what was extra- just because He wanted to.

"WHO even is He?" is the question I have been asking myself. I did not know Him as I thought.

He transformed during DTS my understanding of who He was as "Father". He will never break down our doors in impatience, but rather stands at the door, fully involved in the process with us, waiting to be invited into our darkest corners. Then He transforms those spaces. He fills them with light. This in turn shifted my thinking, giving me grace for myself & others- to be patient in the process with them. He's not in a hurry.

I learned that He ALWAYS leads with peace, never with anxiety. I never realized how anxious I had become until I began to re-learn once again His ways. He's much like a Father quieting a worried child. I can be short-sighted, but He always sees much farther ahead, & I can TRUST that.

I've learned that compassion is viewing others through the eyes of God, & giving out of that place. To see them the way He does. Through hands-on, practical ways to remind them of their irreplaceable value to the Father. To restore them to His heart- no matter where they are. This is at the very heart of missions. Isn't this exactly what Jesus has done for us?

"To restore them to His heart...this is at the very heart of missions."

Over & over the Bible calls us to "remember" the works of God. Why? Because when we remember, it allows thankfulness to flow & as it does, it oils all those places that become hard & burdened by life. I share all of this to be a sounding board for the absolute GOODNESS of God!

This blog is just that for me: calling to mind His faithfulness. Remembering who He is, who He has been, & who He will be. He was faithful before, He will be faithful again!

**SO what's next in the journey?

I want to share some exciting (admittedly nerve-wracking) news!**

• I will be returning to YWAM Los Angeles as staff this year- Fall 2021!

• I have officially been recruited to staff with Compassion DTS Los Angeles, CA & looking to return on staff as early as the end of August! Eeek!

WHAT does that look like?

• A two year commitment with YWAM Los Angeles, California

• Missions/Staff support fundraising- $350-$500/month room & board

• Serving with Compassion DTS through "Care Portal" which connects local families in crises directly with local churches as a "bridge"- BEING the church in meeting the needs around the city, & around the base as the "hands & feet of Jesus"

• Partnering with the foster system to reach those most vulnerable

• Having opportunities to staff upcoming or ongoing DTS schools as a leader at YWAM LA! And so much more!

Los Angeles is now ground zero for the foster system. Prior to covid, the system was overrun. With the pandemic, families have not been fostering leaving the system with nowhere to turn. Children are dropped off at homeless shelters. This is where YWAM comes in. They received a call from the state asking if they could take children in- they said yes. My heart is STIRRED to step up as a mother in this time. Like Jesus said "Let the little children come to Me"- it's His heart!

Would you my family & friends-

Pray & partner with me in this next leg of the journey? I am needing both monthly & one-time financial partners who want to sow into what God is doing in our own nation, as well as the nations of the earth! It is through joining together as one "body" where the greatest works we've seen yet are accomplished! Through ordinary people like you & me! This is the beauty of "partnership"- we get to do it TOGETHER! Giving you the opportunity to reach into places you may never otherwise- this "fruit" becomes yours too!

Here's how you can give!

• Paypal! Just copy & paste this link into your browser or click the link! Find it here: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=VECUH7KPGEFPQ

• For tax-deductible giving you can either send checks directly through my home church for no fees! Find that here:

Father's Heart

3497 E. Kent Ave.

Gilbert, AZ 85296

*Please be sure if you mail a check, to put my name on a note indicating the support is for me, & not in the memo line or anywhere on the check? Thanks!

• OR directly through YWAM! Find that here: Donate/Pay – YWAM LA -6% processing fee for online donations, or 3% for checks. Checks can be sent each month, or sent directly from your bank- no headache! Find that address here:

YWAM Los Angeles 11141 Osborne St.

Sylmar, CA 91342

*Please be sure if you mail a check, to put my name on a note indicating the support is for me, & not in the memo line or anywhere on the check? Thanks!

• Venmo: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3207792894672896509&created=1625707317

I am EXCITED! I am NERVOUS! So I bring you, my family & friends into the struggle with me!

How did I arrive at this decision?

Through aLOT of prayer...

During my DTS in Los Angeles, I had been seeking the Lord for what He wanted next. I had many "plans" & "ideas" but I wanted His will. Before I left for outreach to Mexico & Columbia in March, I had been kicking around the idea of pursuing my real estate license when the Lord interrupted my thoughts with "What if I asked you to lay that down for now?" I wrestled with Him all through outreach. I knew what He was asking of me: "Would you be willing to join staff with YWAM if I asked you to?" I wanted my answer to be a resounding "Yes!" but in truth I struggled with it. By the end of outreach, I knew He was going to win. Once again, I asked Him to make it clear. I want nothing more than to be obedient, no matter what I would lay down.

When I returned to LA, I received my answer! My school leaders had a conversation with me. Unbeknownst to me, they had been praying about me & I had come up in conversation all throughout DTS. They would love if I came back, on staff. They see me as being long-term when many typically come short-term for the schools. Would I be willing to pray about it. I knew this was the confirmation I'd been praying about!

I have soaked all of this in prayer, as well as sought wise counsel. I firmly believe He is the One who "knows the plans He has for us..." Jeremiah 29:11 & He can be trusted!

Thank you for joining me in the journey- loving & supporting all along the way. For your friendship, your prayers. Believing with me in the God who STILL work miracles- He is the same! Yesterday, today, & forever!

I'll be keeping you posted as the time nears, & keeping you informed on all that He is doing!

All my love,

Joanna