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.
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
last stop - the senate floor
There are a few bills have already passed the MO House floor and have made their way through Senate committee. The last big hurdle on their path to the Governor's desk is the perfection process on the Senate floor.
This is, in reality, your LAST OPPORTUNITY to effectively use your voice to stop another layer of your freedom & the Republic being stripped away. Please read & pass this information on to your like-minded friends and family!!
House Bills on Third Read in the Senate as of 4/17/23 are:
HB 301 (discussed below)
HB 253 - Open Enrollment
HB 827 - Missouri Virtual School Enrollment
HBs 903, 465, 430, 499- Foreign Land Ownership
HJR 43 - Modifies Initiative Petition & MO Constitution Amendment Ratification
hb 301 - privacy actS, blair's law & local control
HB 301 is a public safety bill. The underlying bill has some problems I'll list here, but my pet peeve on this one is an amendment added to it, a "privacy act", by Representative Rudy Veit on the House floor that is a huge violation of your First Amendment Right of free speech. It protects elected officials and squelches the voices of THE PEOPLE.
The Privacy Act details are listed here first while the rest are in chronological order.
Privacy Acts
There are 2 sections that deal with protecting privacy of elected officials. The first is specific to protecting judicial officers. The second is protecting "elected officials" across the state of Missouri, including ALL political subdivisions. This would apply to all elected officials from the Governor to your city council and school board members.
- Page 22. Section 575.095 protects Judicial Officers. We already have a current statute that is being amended with an addition. The regular text here is current statute while the bold print is being added.
The Problem: If you disseminate by ANY means, ANY of these "private" details listed here (some of which are actually public information) you could be charged with a Class D Felony, which carries the potential of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Page 23. Section 578.710 - This section covers all elected officials in Missouri. See full text of this section below.
The definition of "personal information" in current statute is:
Both these sections create a huge problem for citizens who are actively working to participate in any type of government process. The way this language is written, I could be committing a felony if I publish this blog - which is naming Representative Rudy Veit and yes, I AM hoping to influence him along with other elected officials in their job performance.
I would potentially be committing a felony if I told you I ran into Senator Moon and his wife, Denise, while I was at a meeting in town and we discussed SB 49, The SAFE Act.
Ultimately - any good attorney could make the case that we are always trying to influence their job performance and if you share or share their name or phone number - you could end up in prison.
blair's law
Blair's Law is a well intentioned section of the bill which tries to protect citizens inside city limits from stray bullets fired primarily from celebratory gunfire. However, it doesn't protect citizens from firing weapons on their own property if those bullets do not leave their property.
A suggested language addition written by Ron Calzone would be to add a 4th point on Line 34 of page 22 which reads,
"4. Notwithstanding this section, or any other statute to the contrary, no order, ordinance, or regulation by any political subdivision of this state shall prohibit a person from discharging a firearm in an otherwise lawful manner as long as the projectile does not leave property by such person or property owned by another person from whom he or she has received permission to discharge a firearm."
local control
The first section of HB 301 allows the Governor to appoint a special prosecutor based on certain circumstances pertaining to total homicide cases. It would be advisable in order to protect local control to the fullest measure possible that this appointment would be made not only by the Governor but also with the advice & consent of the Senate, and also triggered by something other than total case load. Another possible trigger might be the number of cases not being addressed.
take action
1. Email YOUR Senator as well as EVERY Republican Senator and let them know you oppose 3 specific areas of HB 301. Look up your legislators HERE.
Republican Senators are listed HERE.
The pattern for senate email addresses is FIRST NAME (.) LAST NAME@Senate.Mo.Gov
- Delete the privacy acts in sections 575 & 578. They are potentially harmful to our first amendment rights and need to be stripped from the bill. Our elected officials are already protected - as we all are - from any criminal harm.
- Copy & paste the additional language above and request it to be added to Blair's Law, section 571.031.
- Request more protections for local control be added to Section 56.601 by making the suggested changes above.
protect the mo constitution
If you have been following and supporting the journey of what is called Concurrent Majority Ratification (CMR) of the Missouri Constitution, NOW is the time to take action! If you aren't familiar, I've written a couple blogs previously on the topic. Check those out for background info.
current situation
HJR 43 is in the Senate. It's a proposal to change the simple majority ratification we have now to 60% majority.
What we want is to change that 60% majority ratification to concurrent majority ratification based on Missouri House Districts. This would mean that in order for our state constitution to be changed, we would need a simple majority of voters in favor AND a majority of House Districts in favor. This would mean that every Missourian would be well represented because the House districts are the smallest political subdivisions.
HJR 43 has been through the senate committee and is heading for the Senate floor where we hope it is amended. Senator Sandy Crawford is the bill handler.
what to do
1. Email your own Missouri Senator.
Ask if they will "go on the record as supporting concurrent majority ratification (CMR) of our state constitution based on House districts with their vote." State in your email that Senator Sandy Crawford has asked to hear from him/her in regard to his/her preference.
Encourage him to vote for CMR based on House districts in order to best represent every Missourian. We do NOT want a 60% majority ratification process based or a CMR process based on Congressional districts.
A short email might look like this:
Dear Senator _____,
I am writing today to ask if you would vote FOR concurrent majority ratification of our state constitution based on House districts. I am in favor of this because it ensures every Missourian is well represented in the changing of our constitution. I have serious concerns about CMR based on congressional districts, and I absolutely oppose a 60% majority ratification.
Can I count on your vote for CMR based on House districts? If not, why and what is your preference?
Senator Sandy Crawford is asking for your input before 3pm today and I'm asking for a written response as well.
Thank. you for your time. Have a great day.
2. Call your Senator's office and refer them to your email. Tell them you've emailed regarding CMR and would like a response in writing. If you gain info on the phone, write it down and let me know.
3. When you get a response vie email or statement, please forward the email to me at jodi@jodigrace.com.
when to do it? NOW!!
PLEASE drop what you are doing & take 5 minutes to take care of this right now.
This may be our last chance to ensure that EVERY Missourian is represented well in our changes to the Missouri constitution moving forward.
