Obey right away!
I started this journey with God & the Missouri Capitol in the spring of 2021. I had NO idea what He was doing or what I was doing. I just got up every day and tried to do my best to listen to the Holy Spirit and obey.
When my sons were little, this phrase was our mantra, "Obey right away, all the way and with a good attitude every day!" We said it & sang it & clapped it & talked about it ALL. THE. TIME.
The lesson was that if they couldn't obey their dad and I - who stood right in front of them and spoke in clear English - then how would I know they could obey a still small whisper when the Holy Spirit spoke to them? That's how I want to live and it's how I want my sons to live - walking every step they take with the Lord.
With all my heart, I believe now more than ever that the Holy Spirit and our personal, intimate relationship with Him is the ONLY way we win. At anything. But especially in this war for freedom our nation and the State of Missouri is in.
Now, my goal is to do what I taught my sons, "Obey the Holy Spirit right away, all the way and with a good attitude every day." I don't always get it right. In fact, I OFTEN don't get it right. But I promise I'm trying.
gather the believers
In the spring of '21 when I was at the Capitol standing on the second level of the rotunda, He gave me a vision of a gathering of Believers across the State. I wasn't sure what it would look like exactly, but He planted a seed in my spirit that day.
A lot has happened since then and there's not room here to give you every detail,but it's time now to move forward. It's clear and He's been very consistent in His message to me to "gather the Believers," so that's what I'm going to do.
I believe we are gathering for multiple purposes.
We are gathering to seek Him FIRST in a way we've never done before.
We are gathering for worship, prayer, fellowship, testimonies and education.
We are gathering to lay hands on our sisters & brothers in Christ and pray for every piece of brokenness - whether in spirit, mind or body.
We are gathering to build relationships and to walk through whatever lies ahead hand in hand.
We are gathering to pick up our swords & our trowels. Our sword for supernatural power and wisdom & our trowel for getting the practical work done.
We'll be gathering regularly online as well as in person at events we'll host across the state.
jodi grace ministries is born
We created a faith-based nonprofit, Jodi Grace Ministries, to serve Missourians.
Our mission is to inspire, educate and empower Believers to seek FIRST the Kingdom and deeper relationship with Him so they can actively pursue the calling He has placed on their lives. We believe this will lead to a righteous cultural change in Missouri.
We are registered as a nonprofit and operating as a 508c1a, which means that all donations will be tax deductible.
If you appreciate the work I've done and will continue to do, and if you would like to join me from the ground up in cultivating change in Missouri, I'd love for you to partner with me!
awakening at the wall
We are incredibly excited about our first series of events which will kick off in Jefferson City on Saturday, August 19th!
Named for Nehemiah's wall building efforts around Jerusalem, we are calling all our wall building believers in Missouri to gather for great worship, the Word, prayer, fellowship and education.
The worship team is coming from Kingdom Church in St. Louis. You are going to LOVE them!
It's going to be a great day! Think of it like an annointed revival service with the addition of an afternoon full of practical education about what's actually happening here in Missouri.
Presentation topics in the afternoon will include a 2023 Legislation Recap & Human Trafficking right here at home.
Please plan on coming and joining me. You'll be inspired, educated and filled with hope!
Click the link below to see the schedule and get all the details. Then register & reserve your seat!
I can't wait to see you on the 19th!
the movie: Sound of freedom
I saw the movie Sound of Freedom this morning in Jefferson City. It's playing only for a few days, so I hope you'll find a showing in your area and go watch. It's worth a drive even if it's not playing in your town.
If you haven't heard about it, it's a movie that documents Tim Ballard's experience working as a federal agent catching pedophiles and then rescuing children from trafficking.
I knew it would be heavy. It was.
The little boy in the movie had dark skin, hair and eyes like my youngest son. Grant (my baby) is 12 now, but when he was younger he looked a lot like Miguel in the movie. I found myself thinking about my own boys throughout the movie. I'm sure you'll do the same and connect your own kids or grandkids to the story.
Human trafficking is a horrendous reality for millions of children as well as adults. And although the movie focused on children from far away lands, please make no mistake that it is happening more than we can fathom right here on our own soil. Right here in Missouri.
missouri foster care IS LOSING OUR KIDS!
When you walk into the movie with an awareness that the Missouri foster care system is LOSING kids and NO. ONE. is screaming about it, you leave with a heaviness that isn't easy to explain.
Yes. You read that right. Missouri is losing kids!
Kids in our foster are system are going missing at a rate that is so alarming it makes my stomach turn. ANY rate would be too many. But according to The Missouri Independent, a federal watchdog reported 1,780 kids went MISSING from Missouri's foster care system within TWO AND A HALF YEARS!!
How in the world does any one system lose nearly 2,000 children!?
And if they were missing, WHY IN THE WORLD wasn't someone screaming about it!? That's part of what makes me furious. Why isn't it in the news? Why aren't we hearing Amber Alerts, seeing social media posts or news casts about these kids?? And where are the PARENTS?!
I mean.. I know there are parental issues if they are in the custody of the State, but I can't imagine 1,780 Missouri moms just don't care about their kid gone MISSING.
Losing kids is bad enough, but this article published September 30, 2021, states they "...frequently failed to notify local and federal authorities they were missing."
ARE. YOU. KIDDING. ME!? Kids go missing and you don't report it!? This is Missouri's reality.
These bureaucrats, abusive foster parents & neglectful administrators of group homes need to be prosecuted!
"During the times in which the children were missing from care, Missouri frequently failed to comply with requirements that could have aided in locating them. Nearly half of the case files contained no evidence of Missouri reporting the children as missing, as required, to either local law enforcement or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Additionally, for many missing children, there was no evidence that Missouri made the required notifications and contacts to seek information on the children’s potential whereabouts.?
Foster care isn't the only place kids are vulnerable to trafficking and I'm not claiming any one person or organization related to our foster care system is responsible or trafficking each one of these 1780 children. But this is a HUGE problem and I can't un-know it.
I got involved in politics in Missouri because I was worried about the future for my sons. I can't know these things about kids right here in Missouri and do nothing. I just cannot look the other way.
2023 Foster Care Legislation
Along with a brilliant friend of mine, I have reviewed every bill the legislature passed this session except the budget bills. I was surprised to find that the Missouri General Assembly actually passed legislation regarding missing foster kids.
SB 186 is an omnibus public safety bill and includes specific procedures that the children's division is supposed to follow when a child in foster care is missing. A couple screenshots are below, but the bill is too large to include all the foster care language here. If you are interested to read it, please click the link to the left to see the final version of the bill. You can click "Control + F" and type "foster" in the search box. It will take you to each place where foster care is mentioned.
This bill has been delivered to the governor but it has not been signed. I expect it will be, although I'm not pleased with everything in this piece of legislation. I'll be talking more about this bill in the future.
That said, the fact they passed this language for missing foster kids is an admission that they NEED it to be in place for the protection of our kids. They don't pass legislation for no reason.
Two Frustrations
The movie was well worth seeing, but I had two frustrations with it today.
1. I wish they'd made the focus of the movie American children. That wouldn't have been Tim Ballard's story, I understand. But the movie did not show even one American child being trafficked. I think it would make an even bigger impact on our culture if it had.
2. What now? They told a horrific story and highlighted this epidemic in our culture, and they didn't give any suggestions of actions you could take to make a difference. Education without activation is a waste.
TAKE ACTION
This topic is one I've felt passionate about for a while, but honestly I haven't taken the time to dig in and find a way to be involved. A simple online search led me to lots of information and lists of ways to help fight trafficking. I'm going to share a few links with you here.
I'm praying about what, exactly, the Lord may want for me to do in this fight, specifically here in Missouri. I'll definitely be sharing when He gives me clarity.
At the very least, I'll be writing and sharing more here as I learn. So stay tuned & be sure to subscribe if you don't want to miss anything.
LINKS
Deliver Fund is a non-profit org made up of former vets, law enforcement officers, Navy SEALS, CIA, FBI & NSA who are now working to fight human trafficking in the United States.
The Missouri legislative session ended Friday May 12, 2023. There's a lot to talk about, and yet I've felt as though the Holy Spirit has held me from talking about it until today.
I know that others and especially the media sources we all watch as well as our favorite FB groups, Twitter accounts & YouTube channels have all been voicing their thoughts and opinions so I'm certain you've already heard about the "big" wins & losses. I won't go into detail about those, but here's a quick recap.
Sometime in the future, I'll be publishing a scorecard along with details of all the bills that passed as well as some I believe are worthy of mentioning even though they failed. Be sure you subscribe to the blog if you'd like to see it.
celebrating the wins
Passing these two bills was a big win in my book:
- The SAFE Act - SB 49 - No longer will children under 18 be able to get hormones or medical interventions for the purpose of gender transition!
- Save Women's Sports Act - SB 39 - Women's sports from kindergarten through college will be biological women only!
Defeating these bills & amendments was a great thing for Missourians:
- Torte Reform & Sovereign Immunity, SB 117 by Senator Luetkemeyer
- Privacy Acts amended to HB 301 by Rep Rudy Viet and filed by Rep Peggy McGaugh
- Potential Digital Currency Framework, HB 1165 by Rep Justin Hicks
- School Choice bills that would've empowered DESE even further
- Parent's Rights bills that included language allowing CRT & protected copyrighted material
counting the losses
There were definitely several losses for Missouri conservatives, including several bills passing that increased the size of government & grew spending at an unprecedented rate.
- The outrageous budget
- Expanding medicaid
- Empowering bureaucrats
- and so much more..
And then there were the things we wanted but couldn't pass even though we have a super majority of republicans. Here are a few examples:
- Protecting rural Missouri's voters in IP process
- Gold & silver as legal tender
- Transparent labeling of mRNA in our products
- Protecting our school kids from mRNA vax requirements
- Restricting DESE & freeing our local school districts
- Reducing the tax burden across the board vs favoring big business through tax credits
We are compiling a scorecard and a summary of all the stories & bill details. Be sure you click above to subscribe so you don't miss it!
the truth
This session was difficult. I was at the Capitol nearly every day until I got sick in April. Then I was back nearly every day until the last week when I was so frustrated I just couldn't go back. Instead, I listened from home on those days. When I wasn't there, a dear friend of mine was so she kept me updated and took notes.
Every bill has a story and there are several stories waiting to be told. This session, other than our girl's sports & The SAFE Act, the endings are mostly disappointing. There are no fairytales here.
However, there are definitely miracles among the muck. Even though there was frustration and several tears along the way, there were also beautiful moments & memories between patriot friends, lots of prayers shared, beautiful worship of the Lord, and hope-filled hearts watching our conservative fighters go to battle for freedom.
Throughout session, I was reminded that the ONLY way we will win this battle for the Republic and for a sovereign Missouri is being led by God Himself through the Holy Spirit.
No amount of strategizing conservative patriots will do. This enemy is bigger than all of us combined. BUT GOD... with whom ALL things are possible! He is the Way-Maker!
The enemy waging war against Biblical principles and freedom isn't flesh & bone.
Our enemy isn't democrats, although the liberal left is definitely being taken advantage of by the enemy and they will be thrown to the trash if this evil takes over.
Our enemy isn't even the RINO moderate republicans, which is mostly what we have here in Missouri and they are the biggest political problem we have as far as I'm concerned.
The actual enemy is Satan himself. Evil. Communism. Marxism. Globalism. This evil is working its way through ignorant citizens who haven't been educated and who are unaware that they've opened doors in their hearts & lives to this demonic, anti-Christian, anti-freedom, anti-American force.
The enemy has infiltrated our schools, our churches, our homes and our hearts through a host of things including laziness and apathy and it's been happening for decades.
Even most of the grandparents can't tell you the details of this nation's founding. And sadly, most of our grandparents would be uncomfortable trying to teach a Bible study as well.
We now have a Biblically & historically illiterate population.
The enemy is evil. Our culture is a wreck. The nation is in crisis,
and our cultural & governmental report card is a testimony to the failure of the church.
BUT GOD!
If the current state of our nation is the result of the church's failure, then is it the church that has the power to turn this ship?
I would make the argument that yes, it is, with one caveat - the definition of "the church."
The "church" responsible is not inside the buildings filled with smoke machines, production equipment, pews, and coffee bars where people gather once or twice a week for social hour.
The church = the PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST & COMMIT THEIR WAYS TO HIM
That church is the one that will be the catalyst of this ship turning!
The ONLY strategy that is worth our time & effort.. the ONLY way through this crisis ...
our ONLY HOPE is that the PEOPLE who are Christ followers get their hearts right before God and start being obedient to the Holy Spirit in their daily lives.
The grassroots won't strategize politics on our own well enough to win. If we could, we'd have had a good IP bill headed to Parson's office or we'd have gotten DESE reigned in a little.
We won't gather enough troops to succeed without the Holy Spirit. If the masses and phone calls could do it, the labeling bill would've passed. There were people calling from across the nation, literally clogging phone lines & inboxes for days.
The only answer that will bring victory -
God the Creator, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Guide working through the hearts, minds & actions of His people.
the call to action
It's high time Missourians get serious about REVIVAL in their individual hearts and homes & an AWAKENING to the priorities of God.
And PLEASE do NOT wait on your pastor! If you are a Christ-follower - it's on YOU.
You will answer to God one day for the way you stewarded the gifts He gave you - including this nation and the State of Missouri.
If you are relying on your pastor and not taking action because he's not talking about it or he didn't give you permission, then you'd better stop idolizing him and repent. He's not God.
If you aren't close enough to God to hear His voice or know His word, that's your first priority - above all else.
We've been told to occupy until His return & it's time to get about His business if we want true freedom.
Are you ready?
Will you commit? Not to a phone call, an email or a rally, but will you commit your heart & your days to Christ?
Will you add your name to His list & wait for your orders from the Holy Spirit...then OBEY?
Because I'm ready to go to battle and I'd love for you to join me!
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
holding kids hostage
Dean Plocher is the Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives.
A more appropriate title might be "King of the House."
The Speaker controls EVERYTHING.
We've talked about the House Rules before and why this matters, but if you need a refresher take a look at this blog I wrote earlier.
Because the Speaker controls everything, including when bills come to the floor for debate, it gives the Speaker the ability to hold bills hostage until his personal priority bills are passed. Technically, it's the Majority Floor Leader who brings bills to the floor, but it's done so in this case only at the direction of the Speaker.
That's what is happening to The SAFE Act currently.
Dean Plocher is holding the safety of MISSOURI KIDS hostage because he wants his Initiative Petition (HJR 43) bill passed.
The IP bill = abortion & rank choice voting
Let's talk about what Dean wants. He wants HJR 43 passed in its current form.
That current form would do a couple of crappy things that conservative Missourians truly do not want.
- It would allow our Missouri constitution to be changed based on a 57% majority of the popular vote WHEN the ballot measure has been brought BY THE PEOPLE through the IP process. When ballot measures are brought through the legislature, they would pass with a simple majority of the popular vote - 50% + 1 vote. In essence, it elevates the legislature's ability to change the constitution over the people's ability. Can we say double standard??
- With either a 50% or a 57% majority requirement, STILL the urban voters of Kansas City, St Louis, Springfield & Columbia will override the rural voters across the state. THIS means that ABORTION & RANK CHOICE VOTING will be easy amendments to add, enshrining both into our constitution. You can probably expect those on your ballot in November of '24.
Dean Plocher wants this. This is his PRIORITY. Why?
Well that's a great question. He's running for Lt. Governor in '24 and I highly suspect his PAC will be getting generous donations from supporters of rank choice voting and possibly also Washington University - the abortion training ground in Missouri who happens to be represented by Missouri's largest lobbying firm. Time & MEC reports will tell.
plocher for lt governor? I think not!
what can you do?
1. Call & email Plocher. Tell him you want The SAFE ACT (SB 49) on the House floor NOW. It should've been done weeks ago. We have 4 days left of session and the bill needs to pass in the House without any amendments or changes. If the House passes the bill, it will be on its way to the Governor's desk.
Use your own words and fill the email & voicemail inboxes over and over. He likely won't see the emails but his staff is required to track them. Don't let them rest.
Email: dean.plocher@house.mo.gov
Phone: 573.751.1544
2. Call & email Jon Patterson, Majority Floor Leader. Give him the same message.
Phone: 573.751.0907
bill hardwick's mrna amendment
Friday afternoon in the Missouri House of Representatives, God gave us a miracle!
There's not much that I'm thrilled with regarding legislation this session, but this is a major miracle & I can't sit by without giving thanks & praise to Him and the humans who were willing to stand in the gap for our kids!
Representative Bill Hardwick filed HB700 which would've protected employees as well as our school kids from being required to take mRNA vaccines. His original bill made it through both House committees, but Majority Floor Leader Jon Patterson refused to bring it to the floor for debate and a vote.
As a result, Rep. Hardwick chose to take the portion pertaining to school kids and add it as an amendment onto an education related bill. It was a big mountain to climb. Honestly, I had pretty much given up hope that it could happen.
he did it...and it passed!
SB 199, an education related bill sponsored by Senator Holly Rehder, had already made it through the senate and was up for debate in the House. Representative Bishop Davidson was handling it and he made a motion to add a large amendment that addressed several different things.
Rep Hardwick rose to inquire of Rep. Davidson and ask questions about his proposed amendment. While he was speaking, Hardwick's vaccine amendment was filed (thank you Rep Mazzie Boyd for the assist!) and offered as an "amendment to the amendment."
Rep Hardwick's presentation of his amendment was wonderful. The PQ halted all conversations about it and brought the issue to a vote. Thankfully, Hardwick called for a roll call vote, which records each legislator's vote. I've shown those votes below.
watch it happen
This is a video of Rep Hardwick presenting the amendment and the vote. I hope you'll watch!! He did an excellent job!
In the video, Hardwick mentions the Governor having the opinion that we shouldn't require Covid vaccines. He posted that opinion publicly on Twitter in the fall of 2022. He stated clearly that the government should not require Covid vaccines in schools.
We'll see if Governor Parson will stick to his word or try to squirm his out of protecting our kids to keep Pfizer happy.
here's the vote
republicans who voted 'no' with democrats
what's next?
I wish I could tell you that this was a done deal but we still have a ways to go. The bill now will go back to the Senate. Since it originated in the Senate and now has been changed by the House, the senate has 3 options. In order to pass a bill, BOTH chambers (House & Senate) have to agree on the final form - including every tiny detail.
When SB 199 is back in the senate, these are the options:
- Senate leadership could refuse to even take it up for a vote. This would kill the bill and our amendment.
- Senate leadership can refuse to adopt all the changes, but send it to a Conference Committee, consisting of 5 from the House & 5 from the Senate. The committee would meet, make a deal and then take the final version back to both chambers for a final vote.
- Senate leadership can choose to bring it up AND bring it to a vote.
please pray!
We only have 96 hours of session left. Time is running out & we need this amendment to pass for the sake of our kids! Please pray that God moves more mountains for this amendment to pass!
please take action.
You can help make your wishes known by making 2 phone calls and sending 2 emails. Tell them why you DON'T want schools requiring any type of mRNA vaccine and we want to keep Rep Hardwick's amendment to that effect. Be sure to politely ask for SB 199 to be brought to the floor for a vote or sent to conference committee.
1. Cindy O'Laughlin, Senate Majority Floor Leader
573-751-7985
2. Senator Holly Rehder
573-751-2459
