Jess, you said you don't know why you shared your story.. I'm here to tell you that 5 years later, that story was directly for me. Thank you so much for listening to the Holy Spirit and sharing what He places on your heart. My husband and I are going through a very similar thing right now, and this message was perfectly on time. Thank you💜
I just wish there was a love button on You Tube 💗❗ I am 46 and still on a journey of finding where I need/want to be. I went back to school in my late 30's to become a nurse. I absolutely love caring for people/patients but still search for the right place for me. I will continue to pray that I find the path he has prepared me for. Thank you for sharing your story💕
I am not and have never been a religious person, but I find myself crying every time I watch your devotionals. You speak with such conviction of a God I have yet to know and it burns in my heart to try and find a way to introduce myself to him. Maybe one day I will find a way.
Tara Santiago The Way is through Jesus Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth and your creator, Tara. The way to introduce yourself to Him is to get a Bible and read it. The gospel of John tells us He is the Word made flesh. Words communicate and Jesus Christ’s Spirit communicates to people through the precious, holy Bible. I would highly suggest that you get a Bible and start to read The Gospel of John in the New Testament. Every time you see see the word ”believe” in that gospel, circle it. You see, the Word of God, is a spiritual book. The Book of Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I have been a Christian for 40 years now, and I see your burning desire to know who Jess knows and your tears are an outward sign of the Spirit of God touching you by her experiences and testimonies of the Lords workings in her life. Pray that the Lord leads you and helps you as you read The Holy Book, because Gods Word gives light and life, eternal (forever) life and it begins with his salvation, and He will help you.☀️
I agree with Kelley Amador. Tara, you know what is cool? You don't have toTRY or DO anything. The gift of Jesus is FREE. He already knows you. He knows every hair on your head. He is there with open arms. “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” Psalm 139:7-18 He loves you and died for you. His Word is True. Hugs dear one.
My husband does not have a RUclips account so he asked me to let you know He loved this devotional!!! It made him cry because it hit him in the heart in a way he needed to be touched and shown the challenges in life do not remove God's calling on his life. I needed it too. I was nudged to get my RUclips channel up and running, the one that is reaching out to the hearts of those who have been through abuse like I have. Most churches do not want to deal with those kinds of issues and either tell women to return or ask them to leave the church. These are people God loves! He has powerful ministry for them to do in the future and they need to hear how loved they are! Thanks again Jess! God has used you to encourage and challenge me to press on in the calling He has on my life.
You put into words what I knew in my knower. I have patiently waited for God to give me the desires of my heart. It took 58 years!! We are building our homestead!! Thank you for sharing. You have a gift my dear.
Tears! I feel like, as I watch you speak, I see my future in a way. Your “back story” sounds so much like my NOW. Dropped out of college, got married, now a mom of 3 Little’s, photographer with a huge heart for motherhood photography. Feeling this pull to be with my babies, to homeschool, live on land and become more sustainable in our living.. I can say, I am one of your reasons for sharing. I’m in this season of “something is changing, I can feel it!” Thank you for sharing! 💛
Oh my goodness! I live in Seymour, TN and work in Knoxville! I help single moms find jobs and I'm a small business owner who is putting all my profits towards getting a bit of land! Jess, the more I listen to you, the more you bless my soul. Thank you for fearlessly speaking what God leads you to share. I'm one of the people God has used you to reach.
Just wanted to thank you for everything you do. I am not religious but I started with the pear tree video and cried my eyes out and haven’t stopped catching up on your devotionals since! ❤️❤️
When God blesses us with multiple gifts and passions, His desire is to bind them together in our heart to create a powerful ministry. When you drench that in love, it is incredibly effective. The challenge we have is we have been deceived to believe all ministry must happen under the roof of the church in one way or another. The reality is in Christ's day, there was no church building to house any of it. Yet, ministry was happening, it emerged from the hearts of people as their expression of love for Christ, to those around them. You are doing the ministry that was placed in your heart!
Thanks for your comment, it touched my heart. The ministry I want is for the fatherless children which is not directly related to something in the church.
You're not scattered at all, you are a storyteller, that is how our LORD taught life lessons too. I so appreciate your transparency and truthfulness in a medium that so many are poseurs. I look forward to your posts and honestly, you have filled a void left by my favorite channel that has stopped posting. She was a great storyteller too. I just love you Jess, thanks so much for living your calling.
Spirit speaks to me thru you in every video, whether it's a devotional or about tomato specifics! What you talked about today has weighed on my mind, wondering how you feel about me peaking onto your farm in this way. How it must be a chore sometimes when you seemingly have a very full life otherwise. My heart stirred when you said it was about fulfilment, and a choice for God. I want to whole heartedly THANK YOU for your ministry in the garden and let you know that as one of many, I appreciate YOU.
I honestly feel that He brought all those passions together for such a time as this. The mixture of hope, dreams, knowledge, and unabashed love you share on this platform is reaching literally thousands! And in such a genuine manner! It's a beautiful, gorgeous thing!
You shared it cause “you knew in your KNOWER...” ( love that!!) that we needed to hear it! You keep being obedient, and we’ll be here listening, learning, and loving your message!.... and hitting that thumbs up to help you’ll out😁
Oh Jess, you always bring the power of your conviction to your vlogs. I may be an old lady now but I'm finally living my dream with a twist. After living from hand to mouth and job to job for most of my life I became handicapped physically and I was despondent that I couldn't do the required work to make it happen. I was so focused on myself that I hadn't considered my hubby's desires and his wants. Come to find out he needed me to lean on him, not just be so independent and headstrong in my wants. When God showed me the happiness hubby felt at me needing him and I finally understand that I didn't have to do everything myself. What a load off my back, now I can pursue the arts I so love without the guilt that I'm not carrying my part of the load. God works in our favor even when we think we have lost it all, it was in my heart all along, I just needed a kick in the pants to open my eyes and heart to accepting help from the one I love only second to God. You reminded me of this today and I thank you for it. Many warm hugs and much love and peace to you and yours. Blessings
I want to thank you for inspiring my wife (Mama Z's Texas Kitchen) to pursue her dreams. I may not always understand everything about her vision, but I am so proud of her and I know that you have been such a blessing to her. Thank you for that.
Girl, I can't wait till we get to heaven and you get to see the affect you have had on my life. The Lord uses you to speak right to the heart of the matter. I love it! We are just crossing over into a new season of life where we are reaping the joy of past seeds sown. The Lord has restored our marriage! Then blessed us with a home to grow a garden and He topped it off with some sweet quail to love on. The wonderful joy of obedience is thrilling. I love that your story adds depth to ours. It allows us to run faster into what he has for us. You are an awesome mentor! Thank you for sharing your life. We love it and you!
You have been my coach in dreaming. I'm a dreamer too, and I'm just at that point where things are starting to come together. I'm fighting every day to overcome PTSD. This gives me courage to go on. Thank you for being such a blessing. You are fulfilling God's purposes.
My husband has always felt called to ministry, but we have both been badly church hurt. I believe this video is telling us to follow and see what happens. Seeing you revel in your fulfillment of your dreams (esoecially now when we see what it's lead to) is inspiring. Keep the faith
Heartfelt emotions. Keep on doing everything you do, because we all need to remember to lead with our 💓 hearts more & more each day. And GOD has opened that door for you. This is your season to share. Many of us this is our season to learn. Thank you
Oh Honey, you are blessed and you are a blessing to us. I'm guessing I'm 20 years older than you and spent most of my years doing for others & finding myself after divorce is a crazy mixed up time.... I SO relate to your message. Love Roots & Refuge. Ya done good!
I’ve been putting off watching this video since I found your channel - and I finally hit play just at the right time. I’ve been feeling such anxiety today out of nowhere. And whilst this isn’t the video I thought it was going to be, it was perfect and spoke perfectly to my heart right now. Thank you Jess.
Jess, I have watched your channel for a couple of years. But I never saw this video until now. I am one of the people this message was intended for. Thank you for being obedient and brave!
You shared it because it fed me! I want so badly to minister in these areas but am just hung up. I feel a release when I am able to write, to photograph, to develop a parable in the garden, but just cannot find that time. When it does happen, it is so fulfilling and feels like I have exhaled after holding my breath for years. Thank you for sharing. Cannot wait for your next devo. Been replaying these devos until the next one is released.
I’ve been waiting for a sign or something to present itself to me to find a way to share inspirational and meaningful proof that God is real with someone very close to me. Your video says what I have been trying to say to her but couldn’t find the words.
Jess 2 years ago I started watching your devotionals. I was an unbeliever. I was sick mentally. Anxiety hopless depression. My family was torn apart from my husband's addiction. I was living in section 8 housing with 2 little kids afraid to walk from my apartment to my car. Because of the crime there. God spoke to me through your devotional one day while I was sitting on the living room floor on my knees crying. Fast forward. Family is restored, husband has-been sober for just about 2 years. No Anxiety. Gave my life to Jesus and both baptized last fall. We have a house with land cows chicken big garden, 8 years of complete brokeness and home sick for a life i never had. god gave it to me. All the pain was used for somthing great. Your testimony brought me to God. He used you to put my heart on him. I love you for this❤
Amen!!! I never listened to this one, but it was so timely for right now and I’m so blessed! My husband of 12 years left my two children and I almost 3 years ago. The alimony and child support has been enough to live on and I decided to start my own painting business September of 2019. About a year later, fall of 2020, I began feeling the pull on my heart to do more with ART- with painting, wood, and leather. To sell stuff that I make and not just paint people’s walls. And obviously I have a dream of a homestead, and the drive is in my heart bigger than ever to read and learn as much as I can NOW. God has SO BLESSED ME and brought into my life a Good man who loves all three of us and is so patiently waiting for the complete healing that needs to happen for my children and I. He is such a friend, and such a picture of the heart of Jesus the Redeemer! And more than that- he shares SO MANY of my dreams!! For music, for a homestead, for working with our hands!! And more!! And I’m SO EXCITED- even on the days that seem like the fulfillment is taking FOREVER, I can plainly see the Fingerprints of the Father!! And this devotional has added more fuel to the creative fire under my butt!! Lol!! It’s going to take Faith. And perseverance. And I loved what you said about doing this like “He’s my boss.” That’s so good and I need that motivation. One day, I’ll look back at this waiting room and say “Wow. It really all had a purpose and a place in the plan He has for my life!!” And I’m so thankful!! And so excited! 😊
I think it’s beautiful how you share these wonderful stories, someone always listens who needs to hear it on that particular day and I truly believe we are always rewarded by our beloved Lord 🙏🙏 Amen 🙏🙏
Wow. I just found you yesterday because i was looking for chicken videos and then I watched your Proverbs 31 devotional last night and it spoke to me in such a way. So, today, I’m cleaning my kitchen and decide to watch another of your devotionals and picked this one and I’m speechless. I, too, am a photographer and a doula. Until last summer, I had such a driving passion for both of those things until I woke up one day feeling lost and burnt out. Tired of the rat race of competing with the market and spending my weekends away from my kids. Stressing about on Call life with 3 small children and no reliable childcare. I finished out my year photographing, took my last birth in July and decided to take a break this year. And lo and behold...our dream of homesteading and raising our kids to understand the responsibility of being stewards of the earth and to learn valuable life skills began to bloom. It’s incredible how parallel your story is to mine and how God is leading me to these specific devotionals. I also NEVER comment on RUclips channels but here I am...2nd comment in 24 hours. Lol. Keep singing your gifts. It’s working. The Lord is reaching us through you. Modern day deciples do exist.
Thank you for this special message. I stumbled upon this video after a personal message from God at church on Sunday. He told me to share my life, and I was so worried because I am an extreme introvert, and your sweet testimony helped encouraged me that it was possible. Thank you! ♥️
In tears! Thank you for being obedient to share this. This resonated so much. The Lord is calling me to share my story of striving and now living in a place of abiding, rest, and JOY. Excited and scared and all the things. I appreciate your encouragement! 🙏💝
And to think I found you while searching youtube for trellis ideas! Lol Yep, it was cattle panels. You are such a blessing! I feel that God just used you to speak to my heart. Encouraging me to stay the path. Thank you! God bless
God does work in mysterious ways..... exactly what I needed to hear too, because I don't know where this is going & I have at least half a dozen passions & skills, but this is all new to me & unexpected because I've always been drawn to ministry & never thought it intertwined with all of my talents, as you are using yours..... I'm exactly where you were & excited about making dreams a reality..... wherever he takes me & leads me next, thank you for sharing!!
Your post today is exactly the encouragement this almost 70 year young widow needed to hear. I am living in God's plan, sometimes I just don't know exactly what that it is. It's a daily leaning on Him, trusting in Him to work all things out. Widowhood isn't what I wanted, but, this time in my life is still part of God's plan for me. I miss my dear husband every single day. (We were married for 43 years, it's been almost 6 years since he went to be with Jesus.) You inspired me to keep 'blogging' my life, sharing the things I enjoy and love, and sharing my faith in God who is taking care of me. Thank you for being so open and honest. You are a light to the world. God's continued blessings on you and your family ~ FlowerLady
I didn't see this vid at the end of Aug. Today I am getting better but have been sick for a while. I fell asleep with youtube running and woke up to this vid. You articulated how I feel about making soap...I love making soap... people want to buy my soap. BUT it does not feel like it is where I supposed to be. I am going to continue making soap for friends and family but something I have been doing in the background for years is always there. I have always thought that I was given this disable body for a reason because my life was supposed to be used differently. I found locally that there were so many pages and sites devoted to giveaway items to the low income people. That is a beautiful thing.... but there was nothing to help low income people find the best prices on healthy groceries... nothing to teach people how to get back on their feet in our area. I don't make money off of it... but everyday and every week I put up the best prices on food and talk about food rotation, food storage, food waste, creation of a stockpile, making meals for under $5 to feed a family of 4. People didn't realize it was possible to do this. I live in Alberta... the oil patch workers have hit hard times and it has had a affect on jobs and businesses everywhere. They went from making 90K a year to sometimes homeless and had no idea how to adjust and start over. That is where I come into play. I am a second generation extreme couponer who gave up extreme couponing. Just when I was wondering if I was really helping I met one of my followers who said I changed her life. She was on budget and getting out of debt and able to afford healthy food for her family. On it's own my little group is gaining traction. People are finding deals and they are sharing and helping each other. This is the thing I have to do... that I must do first. The thing that is more rewarding than payment.
It’s amazing to know that someone has went through such similar struggles in their heart. My journey with God is fairly new but I know he wants me to farm and be with my kids. Thank you for existing and giving me motivation to keep following the Lord.
Thanks for Blessing me with your life through your video photographic eye and heart! Your story has touched me in many ways! Now I'm through my prime of life and stuck in my change of life as a widow and my only son almost 17 and missing my passions of photography, ranching, farming and family! Praying to God for direction! I have been faithful through many ups and downs! I have really appreciated You and your Sweet Mia and family!
Oh Jess watching this knowing what comes after (giggle at the line about having a passion for cooking but never sharing that) was just so heart warming and inspirational. You are absolutely doing God's work thank you for sharing!
WOW, for me your messages make me think about my self, my life. I believe words, thoughts like yours help those especially the younger. Being 72, I never heard words of encouragement, now here I am almost at the end of my life, looking back, wishing things would have been different. So keep up the good work, I know your words will touch others to think about their life.
You are making us all re-examine our dreams and goals. I was one who lived in survival mode alot of my life from the age of 7 so I dont remember any dreams of my heart but I am talking daily with Jesus again and hopefully he will help me to see my dreams he has for my life. Bless you Jess.
Jess you have 83k subs and I am sure we all hear God's message and the connections with him strengthening.The Connection with nature in the garden links others and more than one hears and feels this in their ❤
Inspiring and a necessary reminder to most of us. It is so easy to get side tracked in life and end up spinning our wheels on the side of the road wondering what happened. You are right, dreams do matter and are inside us for a reason! Thank you for sharing.
Loved this! I’m 58 and just starting to garden and have been looking at goats. I’m so excited thatI I can hardly sit still. Just letting everyone know that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, God willing.
Thank you for this. I started my RUclips channel as a ministry. Never planned it. I wanted to encourage those to heal and transform. So passionate about it. It has been 2 years and it is very small. Despite God has used us and we are thankful. 🙏🧡
I cannot begin to tell you just how much you have inspired this old lady in the last few months since I found your RUclips channel. Look, because of you, I am beginning to feel that maybe I am not too old (56 years young) to go after my dreams. That may be what I have always dreamed of doing since I was a child is still attainable. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the inspiration you have been to me. I made a huge change in my life 6 years ago when my husband moved us from the Mojave Desert to Colorado for a job and because he knew that I could no longer live in that small town I had lived in for 30+ years. Now I am about to make another very big change because my husband is changing careers again (this time for himself and for good reasons), so in the next 6 months I am about to move from Colorado back to my childhood home state of Ohio (My husband leaves in 21 days), and that is a very scary thing to do at my age. My children and grandchildren will be spread out between California and Colorado and will be even further away from me then they are now, and yet somehow I just know after listening to this video that everything is going to be ok. I can't explain it, but you have inspired me not to be so afraid of this next phase and that maybe this is what I am going to need to get out of the awful rut I have buried myself in since our eldest son was killed almost 12 years ago. It has been a very rough road these last 16 years and so many bad events have taken place in our lives, but my husband has been working really hard to better himself, which is what is leading us into this wonderful opportunity in Ohio and just maybe there will be just a little slice of heaven that I can nitch out for myself (for the both of us) once we get there and get settled. I didn't mean to talk so much or to share so much, but I really want to send a Blessing to you and your family and to again say thank you. ~SuzyJCinColorado~ (soon to be ~SuzyJCinOhio~)
I truly believe that you were called to youtube to share. You & these videos have done more for my spirit and in helping me make some choices in the last few weeks than any church ever has. ♥
THANK YOU! It's amazing how God works and how He gave you words years ago that He knew I would need to hear TODAY! I especially needed a new outlook on this whole new found RUclips gig when you said you started viewing God as your boss that was a total ah ha! moment for me! That's what I have been missing!I struggle to make the time and be disciplined enough at make videos weekly...yet I feel that is is a platform that the Lord is calling me to minister through....this new perspective to YouTubing is life changing for me ! God Bless you and your family!
You are so lovely! I came back home to TN wanting to homestead. Now I'm 50 and single with fibromyalgia and arthritis and a rental house with ebenezer scrooge for a landlord and two horribly failed garden attempts. I gave up. Now you have inspired me! Thank you so much for your wonderful posts!
God is so good all the time, and all the time He is good! When God directs our steps, we just have to stand amazed, because it is always better than we ever hoped! He gives us our dreams and passions for a reason, and He cares about us and what we care about.
Oh, Jess. I cannot tell you how much encouragement I have received from your voice here on RUclips- and even in this rambling message of truth. So often I watch your channel and am struck by how similar our stories seem to be, and it brings me great peace to be reminded that God has a plan for all these tugs I feel in my heart. Thank you so much for being brave enough to submit to your calling, and for sharing your heart with us so that we can know truth. Praise be to God.
I've heard it said that women speak from the heart, whereas men speak from the mind. I've always interpreted that as women speak emotionally, whereas men speak logically. In the most part its true and there are the moments where admittedly its mixed but that was just a beautiful example of a woman speaking from the heart. Thank you so much for sharing. You reminded me of the well spring God has for us, how it never runs dry and obtainable it is.
Shalom, IAM 63 years old and I can tell you this, it's only touching the very edge of the iceberg, our lives move in and out of different faucets creating growth in us , and the hard times and uncertainties of life draws us closer and more intimate with our Father in heaven, and the fruit of all of this is our faith and testimony that is precious to him is strengthened and so are others around us as we share our life experiences and our faith in the never ending love and grace of master artist of our lives, in Messiah Yeshua, be well
Thank you for this testimony. Like you did, I feel stuck. My passion is my online business, on trying to grow a garden that I actually have time in order to do it. I want to stay home and pursue those passions, but ever since the horrendous recession we went through, I went from making lots of money to having to close down my local store and get a job, a job I hate with as much passion as I love/loved my business. I am still in business online, and it's gotten better, but not good enough to be able to quit this horrendous job. My name is Wynter (I'm a female, many assume I'm a male due to I'm in the biker leather business). It's been so nice to "meet" you, Jess. I feel like I was led to this video. Two weeks ago I was doing a Google search about growing strawberries in gutters and as I looked at several of these videos, I got some suggestions from RUclips about garden channels and saw several channels that looked interesting and subscribed to several of them including yours. I was watching your videos about gardening and had no idea you all were Christians. I noticed that unlike so many others on RUclips, you had a joyfulness, you did not use foul language, your children seem to be so well behaved, etc., that I just instantly liked you. I even showed a couple of your videos to my husband, because I want him to build me a greenhouse like Jeremiah built for you. Anyway, then I was looking on your RUclips Channel and noticed the Devotionals and that explained so much about you and your lovely family. This video is the first one I watched. Anyway, I hope you will pray for me, that I can, like you, find a way to make a living by staying home instead of getting up every day feeling depressed about going to a job I hate and to be able to grow my business back up to where it used to be so I can stay at home and do the things I love. You are a true blessing to so many judging from the comments on your videos. Much Love, Wynter
Please do more devotionals when you have time, Jess. They really speak to me and so many others. I still have a few older ones to catch up on, but soon I will need more😀
Me. It was for me. This was absolutely what I needed to hear. And it was gentle. But exactly what I think everyone is afraid to tell me. Thank you for sharing!!!!
I want to homestead so bad but I'm in Boston, Ma., born and raised. I need prayers to get to South Carolina. My mother in law is there and so are my homestead dreams.
My husband and I watched your video together. I do believe you’re making a greater impact on many of us than you realize just by following what God puts on your heart. And THAT is inspiring. We are in what I feel is a transition stage. Some of our dreams have been fulfilled this year, and we are in what feels like a waiting period. I have had this conversation with God many nights (and days) but I remember when I was about to leave my career to be home with my two small kids and making lists of both our passions, both our skill sets and staring at that list day in day out thinking it has to mean something! But you’re absolutely right. We have to trust His timing. “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
I have realised that when you have a thought about something you really need to act on it. That the thought that appeared in your conscious mid was put in there for a purpose. So glad you followed your dream and are encouraging us
I'm sitting here just smiling, thank you for listening to the nudge to share this at this time. I'm sure there are many more people blessed but I know this was for me. I do have a dream. I love the idea of what you are speaking about, living your ministry, sharing with others and always speaking of and giving glory to the Lord. I'm excited! God Bless you, Jess!
I thank you for all of your videos and truth. I started helping my friend with her photography business and absolutely LOVED it! I was second shooter for all shoots other then newborns...they were all mine!! ;) My absolute favorite was newborn photography. I also edited the photos and "fixed" photos that needed it.......sadly It came to an end in 2013...my friend closed her business, then my dad fell sick and I jumped all in helping my dad. (Stage 4 colon cancer) Now my dad is gone, 3 of my children are grown and out of the house and I feel like I have been a mother for 21 years and now I am kind of stuck. I inherited the family farm I always wanted BUT there is SOOOO much work that needs to be done. Things keep breaking down and falling apart and my hole keeps getting bigger and bigger. I am working on my website now and put my videos on hold. It takes so much time. I still have 1 son at home and he is 9yrs old and we are homeschooling this year. Your videos give me strength to keep going!! Thank you {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} Shaina
Jess I really appreciate you and your family. God uses you in incredible ways. And you have encouraged me many times . You bring joy, hope and knowledge in a way that’s pure. Thank you 🙏🏾. Also my daughter loves watching your videos with me. “Let’s watch Jess!” She says multiple times a day ❤️. My little gardener
Coming across your channel today, because I have been craving a farm for so long. Trying to make it reality by gaining as much knowledge now, so I can manifest it into my reality! Thanks for your channel and this message! 💜💗 Big dreamer here!!!
Thank you for sharing! I have an ederly parent with dementia to care for, a child with autism I'm called to homeschool & a desire to adopt/foster kids again. All while wanting to start a homestead so we can grow our own food. All while pointing the glory to our Father! I think how in the world! ;) Its crazy to think I can do it all. I can't possibly. He can though! We have had confirmation to move forward with these desires. You sharing your story has been so encouraging. Thanks again.
I feel so called to do this!! I have just started my blog, but God is calling me to YT as well and he has for the last 7 years. I just didn't think I was hearing him right. I am encouraged thanks Jess.
This really hit home with me. My "knower" has always known certain things, but I couldn't imagine how to bring it all together to serve. This was fantastic and really blessed me. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing! I've went through quite a bit in my lifes journey, some things I went through, most people wouldn't experience in a lifetime. But I found that God has a plan for me. My dream is to help as many people as I can be kind, reconnect with nature and eachother and become United as one instead of divided and broken.
Bawling! This spoke volumes to me beautiful lady! I needed to hear this, this morning! Thank you for sharing your life, your story, your journey with us. I had to stop in the middle of this video because I felt compelled to just pray! God is so amazingly good! We don’t know each other but I just love you! I bless you! -Sandy ❤️
I have been watching you starting with your garden videos early on and yep that cattle panel trellis... got me. So beautiful was your garden. My husband has been the gardening for our 39 yrs of marriage and was organic before it was popular. You are doing a great job and my favorite to look for your videos to relax by after finished with my job. Just an FYI Roots and Refuge was mentioned today on Justin Rhodes who has over 300K followers. YOU taught them something... way to go. It was the video with the black light and the tomato horn worms. You are a blessed woman and thank you so much for sharing your blessings with us. YES DREAM BIGGER... You CANNOT DREAM BIGGER THAN GOD. You are inspiring a woman who is close to retirement and feels what is new for me to do. Glad you have found your dream and purpose or some of them. This has turned way to long. Just know you are a blessing and pleasure to so many.
Amen Jess! Thank you for being so willing to share your heart when you are prompted. It helps some of us out here know that we are not alone in these crazy dreams that God places in our hearts! Two years ago, He called us out of the city life we have always known, to a 30 acre horse ranch that will soon be a youth ministry. I still have days where I wonder if I missed Him because this is just so crazy and all the well meaning people in our life think we have jumped off the deep end. It means so much that He speaks through people like you, especially through outlets like RUclips, to keep us energized and encouraged to run our race! God bless you sweet lady!
wow, that perfectly explained the place I am right now...and I'm a photographer!!! Thank you for sharing yourself and your faith....you are such a sweet encouragement to this 54 year old :-)
You did this for me. Oh girl, I just found you and subscribed. God gave me so many talents and I never knew my purpose. It's been right in front of me all the time. I thought He just wanted me to do one thing but I can combine them all...for Him. I needed this. Thank you. This has been going on with me for years. The struggle, the dreams, the tears, it's so real and we don't have to give up everything for one thing. I get it. Thank you.
I've only started using youtube about a year or so ago! I came across your channel about 6 months ago and immediately felt connected to you so I subscribed! I have fallen in love with your garden tours as this is my first year as an adult gardening to provide for our family of 7! Now all of your previous videos keep popping up and I discovered your Devotionals, let me just say you are changing our lives! Ever since our middle child was born & needed emergency open-heart surgery our lives changed drastically! We no longer could go to the gym or church we had to keep her home & safe! I'm a stay at home mom with a 12, 10, 7, 4, & 1 yr old who has definitely lost myself while being the best mom possible for my sweet blessings! This was the video I needed to see today, you have lit a fire under this mama & you inspire me so much to do as my heart desires! Thank you so much for following your dreams and showing others the way! You are truly blessed by the best, thank you for being you Jess, Bless you
Thank you so much! I am called to be a stay at home mama right now 200%. We have adopted four wonderful children and are hoping for more. But it's can be a struggle to not loose myself in this journey. I love your videos. I love your spirit. Thank you for your work and your honesty, it nurtures a special part of me to watch. 🎥
Thanks Jess, it hit me hard as i lay here in bed watching this after a really tough night. I have some seriously debilitating health issues going on... its been a long hard road my whole young adult life and i've felt my dreams have always had to take a backwards seat due to my health issues. I have 4 things which light me up with pure joy and that even in my darkest times i constantly dream about. I guess they are my calling, im just not sure how to fully make it all happen yet even though i am doing these things on a small scale daily. Your video made me realise im doing the baby steps, the prep work and although im not full immersed in my calling yet.. i now know i just have to trust and have faith that it will happen in Gods timing. Thank you!
I too have major health struggles and spend more time in bed than not. Dreaming seems to be the only thing progressing from my calling. Hope and faith keep me above water. I will pray for you that you might have peace in the "do-nothing" times along with myself as we have to live within limitations for now.
Will pray for you Kendy and Grace as my Mom deals with a difficult health issue and I help her so I see her struggles. Am so sorry for both of your struggles. Keep the faith. Pray the armor of God to guard your minds as your body fights against you. I pray for encouragement and an idea for both of you would have that would be able to do and that would bring you joy.
There is a series of videos running about fasting and healing - "Fasting Transformation Summit" It is free check it out, also I just got done watch "GMO's Revealed", the "Really Skinny About Fat". A wealth of real health information about our bodies, health, diseases and what is going on to cause issues and take aways of what we can do to cleanse, heal and be well and thrive. Much love and prayers for you.❤💕
Keep doing what you’re doing....your gift is right where you are......you bless me more than the four walls of what is called the church......what ever we do let’s do it to the glory of Jesus ........
Yes, Amen amen to what Ralph said. God has used gardening and you and some other gardeners to bless me and speak truth than the 4 walls of manmade ideas.
Jess, I appreciate your sharing and putting God in this process. I have felt for years I’m supposed to write. And I believe the mission field is my future. I went thru a long drawn out divorce when my Christian husband, and I crumbled. I had a dark night when the feeling of not deserving life and waking up on a respirator surrounded by my family. It’s been a journey finding my path back to wholeness. I love your honesty, and seeing all your hard work multiplying into many areas.
Ministry is life, it is not talking the talk but also walking the walk. Living, and dreaming and appreciating all that he gives to us each and every day. You felt called to do this because there are people out there that need to hear this and it will touch them in ways you wont ever know about in all reality.
while looking for more of your videos and nothing new that I hadn't seen yet available, I decided to look further back to some videos I hadn't ever seen. I love your devotional videos. If by any chance you see this today the 6th of december 2022, consider giving us some more devotionals. They are lovely and He can speak through you to us. God bless you and your family
Follow the leading, follow the peace, follow through.. Follow obediently. Not our will, but His. Purposeful passions. Great testimony and great encouragement. May God continue to richly bless you and guide you.
There's 2 words that the Lord has been bringing to us lately- identity and passion. You're videos have been really speaking to us more and more on this. We have passions and know what we feel we are called to and are waiting for God to open those doors. As we walk more in our identity in Him and follow those passions that He gave us, we see His provision more and more. We've been through a lot of trials in the last couple of years but I can look back at them and see His hand molding us as we've walked through them. Living your life in front of an audience isn't always easy and is time consuming but we are feeling more like that is going to be a bigger part of our story. We already do but we go through spurts of making videos and then slack off. We're just really seeking His direction in all of this right now. Your words are always so encouraging!
Lord, thank you for these words this morning! I have felt for quite some time now that God is calling me to use my gifts to support my family (but HOW!??!). I've also felt Him saying, "Wait. Now is not the time. Prepare and be ready." Gosh, that is so much easier said than done! I'm SO anxious to get out of debt, start our homestead, build our home, and start painting. IT. FEELS. IMPOSSIBLE. It feels soooo far away. But I'm blessed to have a good husband as well, who reminds me that God, the Creator of EVERYTHING, is able to do the impossible. MAN.... Your words call to my heart this morning and I'm so grateful for them. Thank you. Can we be friends??? :)
This almost could be my story but I’m a few years behind you. Still waiting on the fulfillment of our farm-but I trust that God has put that deep desire in my heart for a reason. Until then we are learning what we can and using the space given to us grow what we can. I know there is purpose in the waiting 🙌🏻 You’ve encouraged me to get back to vlogging on my family channel. Thanks for the talk Jess 💛
LOVE when RUclips recommends old devotionals 🥰
Jess, you said you don't know why you shared your story.. I'm here to tell you that 5 years later, that story was directly for me. Thank you so much for listening to the Holy Spirit and sharing what He places on your heart. My husband and I are going through a very similar thing right now, and this message was perfectly on time. Thank you💜
I just wish there was a love button on You Tube 💗❗ I am 46 and still on a journey of finding where I need/want to be. I went back to school in my late 30's to become a nurse. I absolutely love caring for people/patients but still search for the right place for me. I will continue to pray that I find the path he has prepared me for. Thank you for sharing your story💕
I absolutely love your stories and your teaching. Thank God he blesses you so you can bless us. 😊
I am not and have never been a religious person, but I find myself crying every time I watch your devotionals. You speak with such conviction of a God I have yet to know and it burns in my heart to try and find a way to introduce myself to him. Maybe one day I will find a way.
Tara Santiago The Way is through Jesus Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth and your creator, Tara. The way to introduce yourself to Him is to get a Bible and read it. The gospel of John tells us He is the Word made flesh. Words communicate and Jesus Christ’s Spirit communicates to people through the precious, holy Bible. I would highly suggest that you get a Bible and start to read The Gospel of John in the New Testament. Every time you see see the word ”believe” in that gospel, circle it. You see, the Word of God, is a spiritual book. The Book of Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I have been a Christian for 40 years now, and I see your burning desire to know who Jess knows and your tears are an outward sign of the Spirit of God touching you by her experiences and testimonies of the Lords workings in her life. Pray that the Lord leads you and helps you as you read The Holy Book, because Gods Word gives light and life, eternal (forever) life and it begins with his salvation, and He will help you.☀️
I agree with Kelley Amador. Tara, you know what is cool? You don't have toTRY or DO anything. The gift of Jesus is FREE. He already knows you. He knows every hair on your head. He is there with open arms.
“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
Psalm 139:7-18
He loves you and died for you. His Word is True. Hugs dear one.
My husband does not have a RUclips account so he asked me to let you know He loved this devotional!!! It made him cry because it hit him in the heart in a way he needed to be touched and shown the challenges in life do not remove God's calling on his life. I needed it too. I was nudged to get my RUclips channel up and running, the one that is reaching out to the hearts of those who have been through abuse like I have. Most churches do not want to deal with those kinds of issues and either tell women to return or ask them to leave the church. These are people God loves! He has powerful ministry for them to do in the future and they need to hear how loved they are! Thanks again Jess! God has used you to encourage and challenge me to press on in the calling He has on my life.
You put into words what I knew in my knower. I have patiently waited for God to give me the desires of my heart.
It took 58 years!! We are building our homestead!! Thank you for sharing. You have a gift my dear.
Wow! That's so exciting! Waiting is definitely hard.
I needed to hear this today. I hope you're enjoying your much needed break, maybe you need to remember this too.
Tears! I feel like, as I watch you speak, I see my future in a way. Your “back story” sounds so much like my NOW. Dropped out of college, got married, now a mom of 3 Little’s, photographer with a huge heart for motherhood photography. Feeling this pull to be with my babies, to homeschool, live on land and become more sustainable in our living.. I can say, I am one of your reasons for sharing. I’m in this season of “something is changing, I can feel it!” Thank you for sharing! 💛
Oh my goodness! I live in Seymour, TN and work in Knoxville! I help single moms find jobs and I'm a small business owner who is putting all my profits towards getting a bit of land! Jess, the more I listen to you, the more you bless my soul. Thank you for fearlessly speaking what God leads you to share. I'm one of the people God has used you to reach.
Just wanted to thank you for everything you do. I am not religious but I started with the pear tree video and cried my eyes out and haven’t stopped catching up on your devotionals since!
❤️❤️
I adore how he takes so many seemingly unrelated things and weaves them together into a lovely life, ministry and testimony.
When God blesses us with multiple gifts and passions, His desire is to bind them together in our heart to create a powerful ministry. When you drench that in love, it is incredibly effective. The challenge we have is we have been deceived to believe all ministry must happen under the roof of the church in one way or another. The reality is in Christ's day, there was no church building to house any of it. Yet, ministry was happening, it emerged from the hearts of people as their expression of love for Christ, to those around them. You are doing the ministry that was placed in your heart!
Thank you sister!
Oh my word! Love this!
You are welcome.
This is so very true.
Thanks for your comment, it touched my heart. The ministry I want is for the fatherless children which is not directly related to something in the church.
You're not scattered at all, you are a storyteller, that is how our LORD taught life lessons too. I so appreciate your transparency and truthfulness in a medium that so many are poseurs. I look forward to your posts and honestly, you have filled a void left by my favorite channel that has stopped posting. She was a great storyteller too. I just love you Jess, thanks so much for living your calling.
Spirit speaks to me thru you in every video, whether it's a devotional or about tomato specifics! What you talked about today has weighed on my mind, wondering how you feel about me peaking onto your farm in this way. How it must be a chore sometimes when you seemingly have a very full life otherwise.
My heart stirred when you said it was about fulfilment, and a choice for God.
I want to whole heartedly THANK YOU for your ministry in the garden and let you know that as one of many, I appreciate YOU.
Dito
I honestly feel that He brought all those passions together for such a time as this. The mixture of hope, dreams, knowledge, and unabashed love you share on this platform is reaching literally thousands! And in such a genuine manner! It's a beautiful, gorgeous thing!
You shared it cause “you knew in your KNOWER...” ( love that!!) that we needed to hear it! You keep being obedient, and we’ll be here listening, learning, and loving your message!.... and hitting that thumbs up to help you’ll out😁
Oh Jess, you always bring the power of your conviction to your vlogs. I may be an old lady now but I'm finally living my dream with a twist. After living from hand to mouth and job to job for most of my life I became handicapped physically and I was despondent that I couldn't do the required work to make it happen. I was so focused on myself that I hadn't considered my hubby's desires and his wants. Come to find out he needed me to lean on him, not just be so independent and headstrong in my wants. When God showed me the happiness hubby felt at me needing him and I finally understand that I didn't have to do everything myself. What a load off my back, now I can pursue the arts I so love without the guilt that I'm not carrying my part of the load. God works in our favor even when we think we have lost it all, it was in my heart all along, I just needed a kick in the pants to open my eyes and heart to accepting help from the one I love only second to God. You reminded me of this today and I thank you for it. Many warm hugs and much love and peace to you and yours. Blessings
I want to thank you for inspiring my wife (Mama Z's Texas Kitchen) to pursue her dreams. I may not always understand everything about her vision, but I am so proud of her and I know that you have been such a blessing to her. Thank you for that.
Girl, I can't wait till we get to heaven and you get to see the affect you have had on my life. The Lord uses you to speak right to the heart of the matter. I love it! We are just crossing over into a new season of life where we are reaping the joy of past seeds sown. The Lord has restored our marriage! Then blessed us with a home to grow a garden and He topped it off with some sweet quail to love on. The wonderful joy of obedience is thrilling. I love that your story adds depth to ours. It allows us to run faster into what he has for us. You are an awesome mentor! Thank you for sharing your life. We love it and you!
You have been my coach in dreaming. I'm a dreamer too, and I'm just at that point where things are starting to come together. I'm fighting every day to overcome PTSD. This gives me courage to go on. Thank you for being such a blessing. You are fulfilling God's purposes.
My husband has always felt called to ministry, but we have both been badly church hurt. I believe this video is telling us to follow and see what happens. Seeing you revel in your fulfillment of your dreams (esoecially now when we see what it's lead to) is inspiring. Keep the faith
YOU ARE A TEACHER! A teacher to your children and everyone who watches your videos. Laura
Heartfelt emotions. Keep on doing everything you do, because we all need to remember to lead with our 💓 hearts more & more each day. And GOD has opened that door for you. This is your season to share. Many of us this is our season to learn.
Thank you
Oh Honey, you are blessed and you are a blessing to us. I'm guessing I'm 20 years older than you and spent most of my years doing for others & finding myself after divorce is a crazy mixed up time.... I SO relate to your message. Love Roots & Refuge. Ya done good!
I’ve been putting off watching this video since I found your channel - and I finally hit play just at the right time. I’ve been feeling such anxiety today out of nowhere. And whilst this isn’t the video I thought it was going to be, it was perfect and spoke perfectly to my heart right now. Thank you Jess.
Jess, I have watched your channel for a couple of years. But I never saw this video until now. I am one of the people this message was intended for. Thank you for being obedient and brave!
You shared it because it fed me! I want so badly to minister in these areas but am just hung up. I feel a release when I am able to write, to photograph, to develop a parable in the garden, but just cannot find that time. When it does happen, it is so fulfilling and feels like I have exhaled after holding my breath for years. Thank you for sharing. Cannot wait for your next devo. Been replaying these devos until the next one is released.
I’ve been waiting for a sign or something to present itself to me to find a way to share inspirational and meaningful proof that God is real with someone very close to me. Your video says what I have been trying to say to her but couldn’t find the words.
Jess 2 years ago I started watching your devotionals. I was an unbeliever. I was sick mentally. Anxiety hopless depression. My family was torn apart from my husband's addiction. I was living in section 8 housing with 2 little kids afraid to walk from my apartment to my car. Because of the crime there. God spoke to me through your devotional one day while I was sitting on the living room floor on my knees crying. Fast forward. Family is restored, husband has-been sober for just about 2 years. No Anxiety. Gave my life to Jesus and both baptized last fall. We have a house with land cows chicken big garden, 8 years of complete brokeness and home sick for a life i never had. god gave it to me. All the pain was used for somthing great. Your testimony brought me to God. He used you to put my heart on him. I love you for this❤
Thank you so much for sharing this with me ♥️
Amen!!! I never listened to this one, but it was so timely for right now and I’m so blessed! My husband of 12 years left my two children and I almost 3 years ago. The alimony and child support has been enough to live on and I decided to start my own painting business September of 2019. About a year later, fall of 2020, I began feeling the pull on my heart to do more with ART- with painting, wood, and leather. To sell stuff that I make and not just paint people’s walls. And obviously I have a dream of a homestead, and the drive is in my heart bigger than ever to read and learn as much as I can NOW. God has SO BLESSED ME and brought into my life a Good man who loves all three of us and is so patiently waiting for the complete healing that needs to happen for my children and I. He is such a friend, and such a picture of the heart of Jesus the Redeemer! And more than that- he shares SO MANY of my dreams!! For music, for a homestead, for working with our hands!! And more!! And I’m SO EXCITED- even on the days that seem like the fulfillment is taking FOREVER, I can plainly see the Fingerprints of the Father!! And this devotional has added more fuel to the creative fire under my butt!! Lol!! It’s going to take Faith. And perseverance. And I loved what you said about doing this like “He’s my boss.” That’s so good and I need that motivation. One day, I’ll look back at this waiting room and say “Wow. It really all had a purpose and a place in the plan He has for my life!!” And I’m so thankful!! And so excited! 😊
I think it’s beautiful how you share these wonderful stories, someone always listens who needs to hear it on that particular day and I truly believe we are always rewarded by our beloved Lord 🙏🙏 Amen 🙏🙏
Wow. I just found you yesterday because i was looking for chicken videos and then I watched your Proverbs 31 devotional last night and it spoke to me in such a way. So, today, I’m cleaning my kitchen and decide to watch another of your devotionals and picked this one and I’m speechless. I, too, am a photographer and a doula. Until last summer, I had such a driving passion for both of those things until I woke up one day feeling lost and burnt out. Tired of the rat race of competing with the market and spending my weekends away from my kids. Stressing about on Call life with 3 small children and no reliable childcare. I finished out my year photographing, took my last birth in July and decided to take a break this year. And lo and behold...our dream of homesteading and raising our kids to understand the responsibility of being stewards of the earth and to learn valuable life skills began to bloom. It’s incredible how parallel your story is to mine and how God is leading me to these specific devotionals. I also NEVER comment on RUclips channels but here I am...2nd comment in 24 hours. Lol. Keep singing your gifts. It’s working. The Lord is reaching us through you. Modern day deciples do exist.
Wow thank you so much for this.
Thank you for this special message. I stumbled upon this video after a personal message from God at church on Sunday. He told me to share my life, and I was so worried because I am an extreme introvert, and your sweet testimony helped encouraged me that it was possible. Thank you! ♥️
In tears! Thank you for being obedient to share this. This resonated so much. The Lord is calling me to share my story of striving and now living in a place of abiding, rest, and JOY. Excited and scared and all the things. I appreciate your encouragement! 🙏💝
And to think I found you while searching youtube for trellis ideas! Lol Yep, it was cattle panels. You are such a blessing! I feel that God just used you to speak to my heart. Encouraging me to stay the path. Thank you! God bless
I'm glad you're here Patty
God does work in mysterious ways..... exactly what I needed to hear too, because I don't know where this is going & I have at least half a dozen passions & skills, but this is all new to me & unexpected because I've always been drawn to ministry & never thought it intertwined with all of my talents, as you are using yours..... I'm exactly where you were & excited about making dreams a reality..... wherever he takes me & leads me next, thank you for sharing!!
Your post today is exactly the encouragement this almost 70 year young widow needed to hear. I am living in God's plan, sometimes I just don't know exactly what that it is. It's a daily leaning on Him, trusting in Him to work all things out. Widowhood isn't what I wanted, but, this time in my life is still part of God's plan for me. I miss my dear husband every single day. (We were married for 43 years, it's been almost 6 years since he went to be with Jesus.) You inspired me to keep 'blogging' my life, sharing the things I enjoy and love, and sharing my faith in God who is taking care of me.
Thank you for being so open and honest. You are a light to the world. God's continued blessings on you and your family ~ FlowerLady
I didn't see this vid at the end of Aug. Today I am getting better but have been sick for a while. I fell asleep with youtube running and woke up to this vid. You articulated how I feel about making soap...I love making soap... people want to buy my soap. BUT it does not feel like it is where I supposed to be. I am going to continue making soap for friends and family but something I have been doing in the background for years is always there. I have always thought that I was given this disable body for a reason because my life was supposed to be used differently. I found locally that there were so many pages and sites devoted to giveaway items to the low income people. That is a beautiful thing.... but there was nothing to help low income people find the best prices on healthy groceries... nothing to teach people how to get back on their feet in our area. I don't make money off of it... but everyday and every week I put up the best prices on food and talk about food rotation, food storage, food waste, creation of a stockpile, making meals for under $5 to feed a family of 4. People didn't realize it was possible to do this. I live in Alberta... the oil patch workers have hit hard times and it has had a affect on jobs and businesses everywhere. They went from making 90K a year to sometimes homeless and had no idea how to adjust and start over. That is where I come into play. I am a second generation extreme couponer who gave up extreme couponing. Just when I was wondering if I was really helping I met one of my followers who said I changed her life. She was on budget and getting out of debt and able to afford healthy food for her family. On it's own my little group is gaining traction. People are finding deals and they are sharing and helping each other. This is the thing I have to do... that I must do first. The thing that is more rewarding than payment.
It’s amazing to know that someone has went through such similar struggles in their heart.
My journey with God is fairly new but I know he wants me to farm and be with my kids.
Thank you for existing and giving me motivation to keep following the Lord.
Thanks for Blessing me with your life through your video photographic eye and heart! Your story has touched me in many ways! Now I'm through my prime of life and stuck in my change of life as a widow and my only son almost 17 and missing my passions of photography, ranching, farming and family! Praying to God for direction! I have been faithful through many ups and downs!
I have really appreciated You and your Sweet Mia and family!
Stepping up into His calling....daily. 🙏💕 Walking in obedience.
I lost my granny, my hero, the most amazing lady on the face of this planet last June. I love hearing about other people having similar relationships.
Oh Jess watching this knowing what comes after (giggle at the line about having a passion for cooking but never sharing that) was just so heart warming and inspirational. You are absolutely doing God's work thank you for sharing!
WOW, for me your messages make me think about my self, my life. I believe words, thoughts like yours help those especially the younger. Being 72, I never heard words of encouragement, now here I am almost at the end of my life, looking back, wishing things would have been different. So keep up the good work, I know your words will touch others to think about their life.
You are making us all re-examine our dreams and goals. I was one who lived in survival mode alot of my life from the age of 7 so I dont remember any dreams of my heart but I am talking daily with Jesus again and hopefully he will help me to see my dreams he has for my life. Bless you Jess.
Jess you have 83k subs and I am sure we all hear God's message and the connections with him strengthening.The Connection with nature in the garden links others and more than one hears and feels this in their ❤
Inspiring and a necessary reminder to most of us. It is so easy to get side tracked in life and end up spinning our wheels on the side of the road wondering what happened. You are right, dreams do matter and are inside us for a reason! Thank you for sharing.
Loved this! I’m 58 and just starting to garden and have been looking at goats. I’m so excited thatI I can hardly sit still. Just letting everyone know that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, God willing.
Thank you for this. I started my RUclips channel as a ministry. Never planned it. I wanted to encourage those to heal and transform. So passionate about it. It has been 2 years and it is very small. Despite God has used us and we are thankful. 🙏🧡
I cannot begin to tell you just how much you have inspired this old lady in the last few months since I found your RUclips channel. Look, because of you, I am beginning to feel that maybe I am not too old (56 years young) to go after my dreams. That may be what I have always dreamed of doing since I was a child is still attainable. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the inspiration you have been to me. I made a huge change in my life 6 years ago when my husband moved us from the Mojave Desert to Colorado for a job and because he knew that I could no longer live in that small town I had lived in for 30+ years. Now I am about to make another very big change because my husband is changing careers again (this time for himself and for good reasons), so in the next 6 months I am about to move from Colorado back to my childhood home state of Ohio (My husband leaves in 21 days), and that is a very scary thing to do at my age. My children and grandchildren will be spread out between California and Colorado and will be even further away from me then they are now, and yet somehow I just know after listening to this video that everything is going to be ok. I can't explain it, but you have inspired me not to be so afraid of this next phase and that maybe this is what I am going to need to get out of the awful rut I have buried myself in since our eldest son was killed almost 12 years ago. It has been a very rough road these last 16 years and so many bad events have taken place in our lives, but my husband has been working really hard to better himself, which is what is leading us into this wonderful opportunity in Ohio and just maybe there will be just a little slice of heaven that I can nitch out for myself (for the both of us) once we get there and get settled. I didn't mean to talk so much or to share so much, but I really want to send a Blessing to you and your family and to again say thank you. ~SuzyJCinColorado~ (soon to be ~SuzyJCinOhio~)
I truly believe that you were called to youtube to share. You & these videos have done more for my spirit and in helping me make some choices in the last few weeks than any church ever has. ♥
THANK YOU! It's amazing how God works and how He gave you words years ago that He knew I would need to hear TODAY! I especially needed a new outlook on this whole new found RUclips gig when you said you started viewing God as your boss that was a total ah ha! moment for me! That's what I have been missing!I struggle to make the time and be disciplined enough at make videos weekly...yet I feel that is is a platform that the Lord is calling me to minister through....this new perspective to YouTubing is life changing for me ! God Bless you and your family!
You are so lovely! I came back home to TN wanting to homestead. Now I'm 50 and single with fibromyalgia and arthritis and a rental house with ebenezer scrooge for a landlord and two horribly failed garden attempts. I gave up. Now you have inspired me! Thank you so much for your wonderful posts!
God is so good all the time, and all the time He is good! When God directs our steps, we just have to stand amazed, because it is always better than we ever hoped! He gives us our dreams and passions for a reason, and He cares about us and what we care about.
Oh, Jess. I cannot tell you how much encouragement I have received from your voice here on RUclips- and even in this rambling message of truth. So often I watch your channel and am struck by how similar our stories seem to be, and it brings me great peace to be reminded that God has a plan for all these tugs I feel in my heart. Thank you so much for being brave enough to submit to your calling, and for sharing your heart with us so that we can know truth. Praise be to God.
I've heard it said that women speak from the heart, whereas men speak from the mind.
I've always interpreted that as women speak emotionally, whereas men speak logically. In the most part its true and there are the moments where admittedly its mixed but that was just a beautiful example of a woman speaking from the heart.
Thank you so much for sharing.
You reminded me of the well spring God has for us, how it never runs dry and obtainable it is.
Shalom, IAM 63 years old and I can tell you this, it's only touching the very edge of the iceberg, our lives move in and out of different faucets creating growth in us , and the hard times and uncertainties of life draws us closer and more intimate with our Father in heaven, and the fruit of all of this is our faith and testimony that is precious to him is strengthened and so are others around us as we share our life experiences and our faith in the never ending love and grace of master artist of our lives, in Messiah Yeshua, be well
Amen!!! Thank you!!! The master artist of our lives, such a beautiful description and so true. ❤️❤️
Good for you! You are an inspiration. You have taught me that it's ok to need something just for you. You are such a strong woman. Yeah! YOU GO GIRL!
Huge hug! I needed that more than you'll ever know, today I needed that. Thank you
TY for being obedient to God!
Your reminder to me of who God is and what He does in different seasons of our life!!!
Thank you for this testimony. Like you did, I feel stuck. My passion is my online business, on trying to grow a garden that I actually have time in order to do it. I want to stay home and pursue those passions, but ever since the horrendous recession we went through, I went from making lots of money to having to close down my local store and get a job, a job I hate with as much passion as I love/loved my business. I am still in business online, and it's gotten better, but not good enough to be able to quit this horrendous job. My name is Wynter (I'm a female, many assume I'm a male due to I'm in the biker leather business). It's been so nice to "meet" you, Jess. I feel like I was led to this video. Two weeks ago I was doing a Google search about growing strawberries in gutters and as I looked at several of these videos, I got some suggestions from RUclips about garden channels and saw several channels that looked interesting and subscribed to several of them including yours. I was watching your videos about gardening and had no idea you all were Christians. I noticed that unlike so many others on RUclips, you had a joyfulness, you did not use foul language, your children seem to be so well behaved, etc., that I just instantly liked you. I even showed a couple of your videos to my husband, because I want him to build me a greenhouse like Jeremiah built for you. Anyway, then I was looking on your RUclips Channel and noticed the Devotionals and that explained so much about you and your lovely family. This video is the first one I watched. Anyway, I hope you will pray for me, that I can, like you, find a way to make a living by staying home instead of getting up every day feeling depressed about going to a job I hate and to be able to grow my business back up to where it used to be so I can stay at home and do the things I love. You are a true blessing to so many judging from the comments on your videos.
Much Love,
Wynter
Please do more devotionals when you have time, Jess. They really speak to me and so many others. I still have a few older ones to catch up on, but soon I will need more😀
Me. It was for me. This was absolutely what I needed to hear. And it was gentle. But exactly what I think everyone is afraid to tell me. Thank you for sharing!!!!
I want to homestead so bad but I'm in Boston, Ma., born and raised. I need prayers to get to South Carolina. My mother in law is there and so are my homestead dreams.
My husband and I watched your video together. I do believe you’re making a greater impact on many of us than you realize just by following what God puts on your heart. And THAT is inspiring. We are in what I feel is a transition stage. Some of our dreams have been fulfilled this year, and we are in what feels like a waiting period. I have had this conversation with God many nights (and days) but I remember when I was about to leave my career to be home with my two small kids and making lists of both our passions, both our skill sets and staring at that list day in day out thinking it has to mean something! But you’re absolutely right. We have to trust His timing. “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Thank you so much
I have realised that when you have a thought about something you really need to act on it. That the thought that appeared in your conscious mid was put in there for a purpose. So glad you followed your dream and are encouraging us
Thank you for being you! I have never commented on any video, but I am so thankful you are sharing your inspiring life with me! You are amazing!
I'm sitting here just smiling, thank you for listening to the nudge to share this at this time. I'm sure there are many more people blessed but I know this was for me. I do have a dream. I love the idea of what you are speaking about, living your ministry, sharing with others and always speaking of and giving glory to the Lord. I'm excited! God Bless you, Jess!
I thank you for all of your videos and truth. I started helping my friend with her photography business and absolutely LOVED it! I was second shooter for all shoots other then newborns...they were all mine!! ;) My absolute favorite was newborn photography. I also edited the photos and "fixed" photos that needed it.......sadly It came to an end in 2013...my friend closed her business, then my dad fell sick and I jumped all in helping my dad. (Stage 4 colon cancer) Now my dad is gone, 3 of my children are grown and out of the house and I feel like I have been a mother for 21 years and now I am kind of stuck. I inherited the family farm I always wanted BUT there is SOOOO much work that needs to be done. Things keep breaking down and falling apart and my hole keeps getting bigger and bigger. I am working on my website now and put my videos on hold. It takes so much time. I still have 1 son at home and he is 9yrs old and we are homeschooling this year. Your videos give me strength to keep going!! Thank you {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} Shaina
Thank you so much for posting this, your honesty and openness with all of us gives us so much more than you know.
Jess I really appreciate you and your family. God uses you in incredible ways. And you have encouraged me many times . You bring joy, hope and knowledge in a way that’s pure. Thank you 🙏🏾. Also my daughter loves watching your videos with me. “Let’s watch Jess!” She says multiple times a day ❤️. My little gardener
Coming across your channel today, because I have been craving a farm for so long. Trying to make it reality by gaining as much knowledge now, so I can manifest it into my reality! Thanks for your channel and this message! 💜💗 Big dreamer here!!!
This is why, This changed everything for me, Thank you, friend. I came back and watched this again today.
I am one of the “one person”s. Thank you for sharing your testimony. 💕
Thank you for sharing!
I have an ederly parent with dementia to care for, a child with autism I'm called to homeschool & a desire to adopt/foster kids again. All while wanting to start a homestead so we can grow our own food. All while pointing the glory to our Father!
I think how in the world! ;) Its crazy to think I can do it all.
I can't possibly.
He can though! We have had confirmation to move forward with these desires.
You sharing your story has been so encouraging. Thanks again.
I feel so called to do this!! I have just started my blog, but God is calling me to YT as well and he has for the last 7 years. I just didn't think I was hearing him right. I am encouraged thanks Jess.
This really hit home with me. My "knower" has always known certain things, but I couldn't imagine how to bring it all together to serve. This was fantastic and really blessed me. Thank you so much!
Thank you for sharing! I've went through quite a bit in my lifes journey, some things I went through, most people wouldn't experience in a lifetime. But I found that God has a plan for me. My dream is to help as many people as I can be kind, reconnect with nature and eachother and become United as one instead of divided and broken.
Bawling! This spoke volumes to me beautiful lady! I needed to hear this, this morning! Thank you for sharing your life, your story, your journey with us. I had to stop in the middle of this video because I felt compelled to just pray! God is so amazingly good! We don’t know each other but I just love you! I bless you! -Sandy ❤️
I have been watching you starting with your garden videos early on and yep that cattle panel trellis... got me. So beautiful was your garden. My husband has been the gardening for our 39 yrs of marriage and was organic before it was popular. You are doing a great job and my favorite to look for your videos to relax by after finished with my job. Just an FYI Roots and Refuge was mentioned today on Justin Rhodes who has over 300K followers. YOU taught them something... way to go. It was the video with the black light and the tomato horn worms. You are a blessed woman and thank you so much for sharing your blessings with us. YES DREAM BIGGER... You CANNOT DREAM BIGGER THAN GOD. You are inspiring a woman who is close to retirement and feels what is new for me to do. Glad you have found your dream and purpose or some of them. This has turned way to long. Just know you are a blessing and pleasure to so many.
Thank you donna!!
Amen Jess! Thank you for being so willing to share your heart when you are prompted. It helps some of us out here know that we are not alone in these crazy dreams that God places in our hearts! Two years ago, He called us out of the city life we have always known, to a 30 acre horse ranch that will soon be a youth ministry. I still have days where I wonder if I missed Him because this is just so crazy and all the well meaning people in our life think we have jumped off the deep end. It means so much that He speaks through people like you, especially through outlets like RUclips, to keep us energized and encouraged to run our race! God bless you sweet lady!
Thank God, 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻, Thank God for Jeremiah, Thank God for you and your family!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
wow, that perfectly explained the place I am right now...and I'm a photographer!!! Thank you for sharing yourself and your faith....you are such a sweet encouragement to this 54 year old :-)
You did this for me. Oh girl, I just found you and subscribed. God gave me so many talents and I never knew my purpose. It's been right in front of me all the time. I thought He just wanted me to do one thing but I can combine them all...for Him.
I needed this. Thank you. This has been going on with me for years. The struggle, the dreams, the tears, it's so real and we don't have to give up everything for one thing. I get it. Thank you.
Been going through and listening to all the devotionals and somehow they’re all perfectly timed! You are so lovely.! Thank you ❤️
I've only started using youtube about a year or so ago! I came across your channel about 6 months ago and immediately felt connected to you so I subscribed! I have fallen in love with your garden tours as this is my first year as an adult gardening to provide for our family of 7! Now all of your previous videos keep popping up and I discovered your Devotionals, let me just say you are changing our lives! Ever since our middle child was born & needed emergency open-heart surgery our lives changed drastically! We no longer could go to the gym or church we had to keep her home & safe! I'm a stay at home mom with a 12, 10, 7, 4, & 1 yr old who has definitely lost myself while being the best mom possible for my sweet blessings! This was the video I needed to see today, you have lit a fire under this mama & you inspire me so much to do as my heart desires! Thank you so much for following your dreams and showing others the way! You are truly blessed by the best, thank you for being you Jess, Bless you
Thank you so much! I am called to be a stay at home mama right now 200%. We have adopted four wonderful children and are hoping for more. But it's can be a struggle to not loose myself in this journey. I love your videos. I love your spirit. Thank you for your work and your honesty, it nurtures a special part of me to watch. 🎥
Thanks Jess, it hit me hard as i lay here in bed watching this after a really tough night.
I have some seriously debilitating health issues going on... its been a long hard road my whole young adult life and i've felt my dreams have always had to take a backwards seat due to my health issues.
I have 4 things which light me up with pure joy and that even in my darkest times i constantly dream about.
I guess they are my calling, im just not sure how to fully make it all happen yet even though i am doing these things on a small scale daily. Your video made me realise im doing the baby steps, the prep work and although im not full immersed in my calling yet.. i now know i just have to trust and have faith that it will happen in Gods timing. Thank you!
I too have major health struggles and spend more time in bed than not. Dreaming seems to be the only thing progressing from my calling. Hope and faith keep me above water. I will pray for you that you might have peace in the "do-nothing" times along with myself as we have to live within limitations for now.
Will pray for you Kendy and Grace as my Mom deals with a difficult health issue and I help her so I see her struggles. Am so sorry for both of your struggles. Keep the faith. Pray the armor of God to guard your minds as your body fights against you. I pray for encouragement and an idea for both of you would have that would be able to do and that would bring you joy.
There is a series of videos running about fasting and healing - "Fasting Transformation Summit" It is free check it out, also I just got done watch "GMO's Revealed", the "Really Skinny About Fat". A wealth of real health information about our bodies, health, diseases and what is going on to cause issues and take aways of what we can do to cleanse, heal and be well and thrive. Much love and prayers for you.❤💕
Keep doing what you’re doing....your gift is right where you are......you bless me more than the four walls of what is called the church......what ever we do let’s do it to the glory of Jesus ........
Amen! What ^^ said!!!!
Yes, Amen amen to what Ralph said. God has used gardening and you and some other gardeners to bless me and speak truth than the 4 walls of manmade ideas.
Jess, I appreciate your sharing and putting God in this process. I have felt for years I’m supposed to write. And I believe the mission field is my future. I went thru a long drawn out divorce when my Christian husband, and I crumbled. I had a dark night when the feeling of not deserving life and waking up on a respirator surrounded by my family. It’s been a journey finding my path back to wholeness. I love your honesty, and seeing all your hard work multiplying into many areas.
This is the first comment I think I have ever left, this is for me! Thank you so much for the inspiration
Wow thank you! I do hope you’ll leave more!!
Ministry is life, it is not talking the talk but also walking the walk. Living, and dreaming and appreciating all that he gives to us each and every day. You felt called to do this because there are people out there that need to hear this and it will touch them in ways you wont ever know about in all reality.
while looking for more of your videos and nothing new that I hadn't seen yet available, I decided to look further back to some videos I hadn't ever seen. I love your devotional videos. If by any chance you see this today the 6th of december 2022, consider giving us some more devotionals. They are lovely and He can speak through you to us. God bless you and your family
Follow the leading, follow the peace, follow through.. Follow obediently. Not our will, but His. Purposeful passions. Great testimony and great encouragement. May God continue to richly bless you and guide you.
There's 2 words that the Lord has been bringing to us lately- identity and passion. You're videos have been really speaking to us more and more on this. We have passions and know what we feel we are called to and are waiting for God to open those doors. As we walk more in our identity in Him and follow those passions that He gave us, we see His provision more and more. We've been through a lot of trials in the last couple of years but I can look back at them and see His hand molding us as we've walked through them. Living your life in front of an audience isn't always easy and is time consuming but we are feeling more like that is going to be a bigger part of our story. We already do but we go through spurts of making videos and then slack off. We're just really seeking His direction in all of this right now. Your words are always so encouraging!
God brought this video to my home page just when I needed it. Thank you ❤️
Lord, thank you for these words this morning! I have felt for quite some time now that God is calling me to use my gifts to support my family (but HOW!??!). I've also felt Him saying, "Wait. Now is not the time. Prepare and be ready." Gosh, that is so much easier said than done! I'm SO anxious to get out of debt, start our homestead, build our home, and start painting. IT. FEELS. IMPOSSIBLE. It feels soooo far away. But I'm blessed to have a good husband as well, who reminds me that God, the Creator of EVERYTHING, is able to do the impossible. MAN.... Your words call to my heart this morning and I'm so grateful for them. Thank you. Can we be friends??? :)
This almost could be my story but I’m a few years behind you. Still waiting on the fulfillment of our farm-but I trust that God has put that deep desire in my heart for a reason. Until then we are learning what we can and using the space given to us grow what we can. I know there is purpose in the waiting 🙌🏻 You’ve encouraged me to get back to vlogging on my family channel. Thanks for the talk Jess 💛
4 years later...your message hit home...thank you :)
lovely to sit with you in the garden and greenhouse and be inspired today. ♡
Thank you so much