For most of my Christian walk, I felt distant from God.
Despite doing all the “good” Christian things and learning a lot about God, my reality was that I didn’t really know Him intimately, and I yearned to be closer to Him.
The in-congruency of my actual experiences and what the Scriptures taught caused me to feel fake and wonder if God is real. My faith was challenged.
Through Journaling with Jesus, I have found that God is more real, present, and good than I could have ever imagined!
He is alive and is moving in our lives.
I’ve grown in discerning His voice, developed intimacy, and received a deeper revelation of His love that has restored my heart in many ways.
He is teaching me the ease of making room for Him so I can experience His abiding love and abundant life in continually greater measure.
Today, I feel strong in my faith, and I experience a lot more peace, joy, and confidence in all of life because I know He is right there with me. I feel whole and free because His love and truth have overcome so many unwanted feelings and thoughts that bothered me.
Facilitating Journaling with Jesus is one of my greatest joys.
I treasure seeking His heart with other women who genuinely want to know Him more. Each week, His love works among us in remarkable ways.
Katie Gettmann
Iron Tribe
"I have loved studying and learning about God and His Word and serving Him in many ways. Knowledge and teaching brought me so much joy, and wisdom was my hunger.
Yet despite knowing all the promises of God, because of the deep sins of my past, I could not bring myself to trust that true forgiveness was mine. I lived under an umbrella of shame that kept my heart from trusting God’s love and the love of those around me.
Through Journaling With Jesus, I’ve learned that knowledge about God alone does not transform the heart or thought patterns. Only Jesus can heal, and only through Him personally speaking into our hearts will we have healing, freedom, and restoration. I’ve learned to make space for Him and to value His voice above all others as I take EVERYTHING to Him-my cares, my feelings, my thoughts, my burdens.
Jesus has brought deep healing, which has transformed my heart to accept and trust His love for me, and in turn, I’m able to love myself and accept and trust the love of others.
Jesus is always kind, gentle, and loving. He never condemns or shames but desires that His children are healed and made whole.
What I love most about facilitating Journaling With Jesus is watching women experience hearing directly from Jesus themselves. The change in their countenance when they hear Him is like the sun shining through a cloudy day. He speaks intimately, personally, and tenderly with each person, even in a group setting, and when we share, we are all so encouraged by His abounding love and grace."
Monie Bardoul
Lula, GA & The Well
While my faith was strong and my prayer life active, I found myself getting stuck in unhealthy emotional places. I did not know how to identify and process my feelings. Often, that left me open to believing the lies I heard in my mind and unable to counter them with the Gospel and its truths. I felt powerless at times.
I discovered in Journaling with Jesus that I can specifically name the emotions I’m dealing with and bring them directly to Jesus to see what He has to say about them.
I have learned to discern His voice, and it’s always one of comfort, love, and wisdom. I have learned my identity is secure in Him - and my feelings are safe and should be expressed to Him. His Word is a powerful tool to spur open conversation with Him. It’s beautiful to have a 2-way conversation with the Creator of the Universe, who is a tender, loving Friend.
I now seek to cast my cares on Him-to share those deep parts of my heart, place them in His capable hands, and leave them there. When I am still before Him, He gives me rest and fills me with His peace - which surpasses all human understanding. Knowing He’s for me and will never leave me has given me a deeper self-confidence and humility, allowing me to love others so much more freely. Jesus has given me the freedom to love more compassionately.
I love facilitating because I can share this same gift of freedom in Christ with women who are seeking greater peace and deeper understanding. It is so enjoyable to share the process, to have women dwell in a place where they hear answers to their questions, and then witness the revelation of how He’s touching them so very personally. It’s so fulfilling to share what Jesus is telling us individually.
It’s always beautiful.
Barb Huff
The Heartland
I have walked with the Lord for many years but never understood what it was like to hear God's voice. I was taught how to have a daily quiet time, but I never knew or understood that I could hear His voice for myself. I would listen to people share what they heard from God and always felt I was missing out. I found myself in a season where I was waiting on what the Lord had next for me and began reading books on how to hear God's voice. During this time, I was invited to Journaling with Jesus. In Journaling With Jesus, I quickly discovered that Jesus desires to speak with me more than I want to hear from Him. I learned that He has the answers for every cry of my heart and when I seek Him by being still and listening He will speak to me.
I have learned to value His voice above all others. I've grown in discerning His voice and have learned to look for Him throughout the day because He is always speaking. I wake up expectant and excited to see how the Lord will show up each day. Journaling with Jesus has equipped me to dial down and soak in His presence. I have learned more about my identity in Christ and experienced His kindness and grace in many areas of my life.
I've also truly embraced and accepted His love for me. My faith has grown in more ways than I can count and my walk with Jesus has become richer, more intimate, and more fulfilling than I could have imagined. I've also learned to point others to Jesus instead of giving advice or speaking about their circumstances.
Facilitating Journaling with Jesus has been such a blessing. Through the process, each person hears from Jesus, allowing them to walk deeper with Him. It's exciting to hear what Jesus speaks to each heart, as we are all blessed when others share about what they experience through their private journaling time with Him. It's always a sweet and sacred time, and I love witnessing how personal He is with each of His children.
Alison Dunkley
The Well
My relationship with Jesus had been strong but ritualistic.
If I did all the things: Go to church, meditate, pray, and journal, then Jesus would love me and be happy with me.
If I didn’t, He would be disappointed with me, not hear me or bless me.
I have encountered just the opposite with Journaling with Jesus. He loves me no matter what I do, longs to have conversations with me, and blesses my identity no matter what I have done.
I discovered He cares about me and all my emotions, especially the hard, raw ones. I can have sweet, intimate time with Him even in my most imperfect moments.
Jesus is kind, gentle, loving, and compassionate towards me. He loves me like no other!
My life has been forever changed. He has healed deep-seated trauma and restored my life with his love and the truth about who I truly am in Him.
In the midst of the chaos of life and unresolved emotion, I have learned to rest in His presence, and He meets me right where I am.
His voice is the loudest. His voice speaks the truth about me and my circumstances.
Facilitating Journaling with Jesus has been such a blessing. What a beautiful experience to watch women experience the love of Jesus and hear how He has met them in the depths of their hearts.
Jen Prosser
The Well
Iron Tribe
I accepted Christ as my Savior in college, but I never felt close to Him or even understood what a personal relationship with Him looked like.
I attended Bible Studies and church and tried to learn as much as I could about the Bible. I joined a church after graduation and continued to learn what I needed to do to be a Christian, but I was never led to approach Jesus with my concerns and fears. I was searching, yet I always felt like I was missing something.
I was introduced to Journaling with Jesus during a very dark time in my life, and it became my lifeline to feeling close to Jesus.
I discovered that no matter my circumstances or behavior, Jesus loves me. He defines me, not the people around me. I can find my identity in Him. I can call to Him anytime, and He will answer. He is always there, and I have often experienced His presence in surrounding and protecting me.
I have learned that the voices of this world are loud, and He is soft. I have to listen closely to hear Him.
I have learned to approach Jesus in any circumstance, at any time, and often all day. I now recognize that strong feelings indicate something is off, and I take them to Jesus. I can cast my cares to Him, and He will take them away and give me peace.
Leading a group of 9th and 10th-grade girls through Daughters of the King was such a powerful experience. Jesus moved through the room and touched every one of the girls, even the ones who didn’t want to be there. He had such an impact that everyone left smiling and laughing. Hearts received healing that day, and witnessing Christ’s work in person was such a blessing.
Alicia Korich
Daughters of the King
Before Journaling with Jesus, I was not as confident and affirmed in God’s love as I am now. I knew He loved me, but I struggled to see myself as Jesus does.
Through my time in Journal with Jesus, I have honed into how Jesus speaks to me. His voice and words are so loving, kind, encouraging, healing, and inviting.
Although I am still growing, I have become much more confident in God’s ever-abiding love for me as His child.
I have truly begun to receive and rest in how He sees me, knows me, and chose me. I am His beautiful creation.
I am so in love with Jesus!
Thinking about Him ... just makes me smile.
My eyes have changed.
I see myself and others with so much love and compassion. He loves us, y’all, and it is so so good!
His Love Brings Freedom ...
I enjoy getting the opportunity to see Jesus love on other women as a facilitator.
No matter the day or hour, Jesus always shows up and meets each of us in a very special way.
His care for us is so personal, intimate, and transformational. The transformation is Beautiful.
I am honored for the opportunity to journey as a facilitator.
Nicole Johns
The Well
I encountered Journaling With Jesus for the first time during a season of anxiety and depression. I appreciated the "lift" I received from JWJ on Tuesday nights, so I continued to attend. On especially dark days, I thought, "What's the worst that could happen? I leave feeling loved."
Something shifted in me when the JWJ sessions became less about the encouragement and teaching of others, and I began hearing God's voice.
He was talking to ME.
He wanted to have a conversation with ME. He knew the words that I desperately needed to hear and gently set them into my heart. I discovered intimacy that I had never known before. The kind I would keep coming back to again and again.
Over the past few years, God has given me insight into almost every personal relationship in my life.
Every week, His Words shift my perspective of my identity, worth, and purpose.
I love everything about JWJ.
But what means most to me is the intentional space and time to slow down and communicate with the Creator of the Universe about anything and everything.
He is amazing, and getting to know Him on a personal level is such a gift.
When facilitating a Journaling with Jesus zoom call, I love having the opportunity to share with others this beautiful process that has helped me to hear God's voice.
Rebecca Cerasani
On ZOOM
I have been a Christian for years, but a significant difference has been the discovery of my worth, purpose, and identity in Jesus.
Before encountering the love of Jesus in Journaling with Jesus, I did not see myself as cherished, accepted, prized, or lovely. Now, as I declare and accept who Jesus says I am, I act on it, believe it for myself, and for others that are around my life.
The other life changing belief that has occurred is that God loved me first. God loves me! As I embrace the love God has for me, I can love God with His love, I can love myself with His love, and with His love, I can love others.
He is giving me new grounds for believing as I walk with Him and let Him control my life.
What I love about facilitating Journaling with Jesus is the privilege of witnessing God transform lives.
Whether I am facilitating at the House of Cherith in Atlanta, in Lula, at The Well in Cumming, or on ZOOM, I have witnessed God convey his message of healing love to these beautiful ladies.
Joy Jacobsen
Lula, GA
House of Cherith
The Well
I began following Jesus as a child. As I got older, I desired to hear God’s voice & know His love, especially in my 30’s as I struggled with chronic migraines. My quiet time with the Lord was filled with begging for physical healing, as well as questions, anger, hope, doubt and tears.
During that season God brought Mary Ann into my life and she introduced me to a new way of connecting with God and hearing His voice. The more we prayed together God began to heal me emotionally from past wounds, lies, and strongholds. I began to see that God was indeed good. He did love me. In fact, He adored me & called me His beloved.
Through the beautiful process of Journaling with Jesus and taking my emotions & burdens to Him, I am becoming more whole emotionally & physically. Jesus is healing the wounds and lies I’ve believed. He is restoring me and inviting me to daily pull away from the chaos and hand over to Him any emotional angst.
As I listen to His tender words I am being renewed and healed.
I am very grateful for the beautiful friendships that have come from our JWJ community.
HE IS GOOD!
Lori Hoyt
Cumming, GA
Journaling with Jesus has been a transformative experience for me and has been an anchor for my soul, especially in the wake of profound loss. As a widow, the pages of my journal have become a sacred space where I can lay bare my grief, my loneliness, and the myriad of emotions that come with losing a spouse. It's a sacred time where the noise of the world fades away, and I can hear the gentle whisper of God's voice guiding me through the scriptures and the meditations of my heart.
The act of pouring my heart into words has been a powerful tool for healing. Each entry is a step through the valley of shadows, a testament to the strength that Jesus provides when my own strength falters.
There's a connection that forms when I journal with Jesus, a dialogue that transcends the here and now, bridging the gap between heaven and earth. It's a reminder that even in the depths of sorrow, I am not alone.
His words, captured in scripture and echoed in my own writings and paintings have been a source
of hope and courage, gently guiding me towards a future where memories are cherished, and new joys can be found. It's a personal testament to the power of prayer and the comfort found in casting my cares upon Him who cares for me deeply.
Vanessa Eberbach
The Well
I have been a Jesus follower for most of my life. I have been in and led incredible Bible studies, prayer groups, discipleship groups, and recovery groups. I’ve grown and connected with Jesus in each of those groups in different ways, but nothing has compared to the growth I have experienced through Journaling with Jesus. I was invited by my friend in May of 2023, and it was life changing from my first experience. I was missing deeper connection with other women in my life post covid and was asking the Lord to help me find it. Like usual, He answered that prayer in a greater way than I could have asked or imagined. I was looking for deeper connection with other women and He provided deeper connection with Him (more than I have ever experienced) and a group of amazing women. We get to do it together! He connects with each of us personally and then we get to share and connect with each other. I love it and look forward to it every week.
I began leading my own group in September of 2023 and it has been such a privilege sharing Journaling with Jesus with others and seeing them connect with Jesus in deeper and more intimate ways. I believe God is creating a movement of intimacy with Him that is unlike anything we have ever seen or experienced.
Sally Conroy
Good News Church
When I was a child, I wrote my secrets in a diary that had a tiny lock on it. As a teenager, I continued keeping a diary, writing about my daily life. After I got married, I switched over to journaling my prayers to God, I poured my heart out to Him. Occasionally, I would write down a verse or a sentence that He whispered to me, but it was primarily one-way prayer.
Because of my love of journaling, when God led me to The Well, I was happy to find a class called Journaling With Jesus. What I didn’t know is how life-changing it would be for me! When I practiced being still and gave Him space and room, Jesus began showing up. I have encountered Him in very intimate ways, the places where He meets me are so personally tailored just for the two of us! I discovered that when I ask Him questions, He answers, often in ways that I could never think of or make up.
Now, my time with Him, instead of being a one-way prayer, is a two-way conversation. Through JWJ, I have learned to recognize and know His beautiful voice; it is so gentle, yet powerful, one word from Him changes everything! He loves, He reassures, He heals, He delivers, He speaks life, He provides solutions, He gives hope for the future! I no longer have to hide away my secrets, feelings, dreams or fears with a tiny lock. Instead, I share them with my loving Father and with Jesus and they speak directly to me about them. God takes my cares, and in return, exchanges them for His gentle, personal, tender care for me!
Because of what I’ve experienced, I want to share this with everyone I come in contact with! This is one of the reasons I am excited about being a facilitator. My desire is for everyone to really know Him and to hear His voice for themselves. As Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
Cheryl (Ché) Ferreira
Dawsonville, GA
I’ve always believed in Jesus and love my church, bible studies and my quiet time, but I longed to hear His voice. In my 30’s Jesus healed my anxiety and I no longer needed anxiety meds. In my 40’s he healed me from auto immune conditions that multiple doctors told me couldn’t be healed. I knew Jesus was capable of doing the impossible, but I still longed to hear Him speak. I wanted to know what He called me. I know what the Bible says, I’m his daughter, His beloved, His bride - which is beautiful and incredible. But was there a name Jesus called just me?
Earlier this year my friend invited me over to experience Mary Ann facilitating Journaling with Jesus. As I journaled I felt His presence and His words filled my pages. As I read over my journal I saw that Jesus called me “love” and “lil one”. I was filled with His love and peace. This experience unlocked something I had been longing for. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, Jesus calls me His child and tells me He sees me, He’s with me, He’s got me. He turns the feelings I don’t like into feelings of peace.
Now I start everyday encountering Jesus and hearing His voice. I love everything about Him. Every. Thing. He always shows up. He covers me in His peace, gentleness and humility. I’ve experienced so much healing that I didn’t realize I needed. I find myself giving less advice and leading those around me to Him.
I’m so incredibly grateful for Mary Ann and Tom and I’m so excited about this journey ahead with Jesus!
Denise Moore
Stonecreek Church, Wake Student Ministry
House of Cherith
My son was suffering with a debilitating disease and declining in health. I was hurt, scared & unsure of the future. The future of my son, my family, my life was unknown. I joined the Love Triumphs! Zoom prayer room in March 2020.
Though I’ve been a believer since I was 10 years old there was so much that was missing from my faith walk. However, in those rooms, I learned to get still, be quiet, and listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. It was during those still, quiet times that I learned to pour my hurting heart out to Jesus out loud in the safety of caring women. I learned to worship God, to praise His Holy Name, to give my all to Him.
Through meditating on scripture and the Father’s Blessing I learned my spiritual identity – my identity because of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. I am adopted, chosen, accepted, redeemed, restored, forgiven…the list goes on. God the Father loves me! Jesus rescues me! The Holy Spirit equips me! God loved me first! Yet in those prayer rooms I learned to love God back from the deepest part of my soul. I finally learned who I was and whose I was. My son died in April 2021 – we live in a broken world. I continue to praise Jesus who promises us eternity. I continue to pour out my heart as I miss the son that I love.
Now, as a Journaling with Jesus Facilitator, I love witnessing how much others are affected by discovering how much they are loved and desired by the Creator of the Universe.
I pray that as you “seek first His Kingdom” that you too, will be flooded with the knowledge and understanding of what you mean to our Creator, God, and King!
Lisa Sweeting
I struggled with my self-image for most of my life. People always told me how valuable and loved I was, but it didn't translate into anything meaningful. Honestly, the way I talked to myself wasn't very kind. This same way of thinking echoed in my walk with God for many years. I sincerely loved Jesus and believed the wonderful things He said about me in my head, but I struggled to accept it in my heart and tangibly experience the love of God.
Through Journaling with Jesus, I have received so much healing. It helped me experience and know God's love for me and accept my identity as a beloved daughter of the King! I don't just believe in Jesus, but BELIEVE Jesus, and have been able to receive His Truth. When I make room to hear His voice in Journaling With Jesus, He shows up in amazing ways.
It has truly been a life-giving, transformative journey!
Brianne Yost
Lightway Recovery
I have always loved God and all the things of God – church, ministry, Bible reading, quiet time, worship and everything we are supposed to do as Christians. I wanted to work for God and serve Him well. Then, I discovered that Jesus wasn’t looking for another employee. He wanted a love relationship with me!
Journaling with Jesus stopped me in my workaholic tracks and helped me sit with Jesus, feel His presence and discern His voice. I now feel His love and return it to Him, resting in the most true thing about Him: HE LOVES ME.
What I love about the whole Journaling with Jesus process are the baby steps (and sometimes huge leaps) everyone gets to take with each session – Jesus ALWAYS shows up and we ALWAYS receive from Him. He continues to lead us closer to Him and His heart – not further into a job description or to-do checklist for Him.
Amanda White
Canton, GA
As a 70-plus year old woman, I have been blessed with a multitude of reasons to be thankful for my almost 50 years of Christian life.
My life has been fulfilling and productive, punctuated by occasional waves of negative emotion seemingly out of nowhere, but in reality connected to past pain.
Journaling with Jesus has provided a way for Jesus to speak directly to the pain encased within my heart through the gentle process of hearing and reading scripture, receiving blessings, and sensing the voice of Jesus to my inner being. It has been a gentle process of gradual change as the peace of God settles upon me.
Jolene Walker
JwJ Facilitator - Iowa