My story is a journey of saying yes. I’m not super special, I’m just one person who fell in love with Jesus, and when He asked me to do something, I said, “yes”.
One “yes” turned into many “yes’s”, which has turned into a journey I could never have imagined.
In August of 2010 my eyes were opened to a need I never knew existed. I remember the night well. My 4 kiddos were tucked in for the night, my husband Jed was working late, and I was reading blogs. Little did I know God would choose that night to change our lives forever. I stumbled upon the blog of a woman who had just returned to the US after adopting two little girls with Down Syndrome from Ukraine. She described the plight of orphans with special needs in Ukraine. My heart was pricked, my eyes were opened. That night I went through her blog archives and read every single entry. Several hours and a box of tissues later I finished reading- the course of my life altered. I would never be the same.
There is so much need in the world. There are many great causes to get behind. I’ve felt passionate about injustices before, but this was different. I couldn’t forget. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know. As I washed dishes, as I changed diapers, I felt the Father gently asking, “Will you respond to this need? Will you say yes to me?”
“Yes God! Whatever You ask. I am Yours.”
Jed and I prayed for many months, waiting with hearts and eyes wide awake. We felt strongly that God was asking us to adopt one of those precious ones about to be transferred to a mental institution. We said yes. Shortly into the adoption process, the child we knew He had called us to was adopted by another family. Ummmm…okay God. What was that all about? You asked us, we said yes. Now what?
Did you know that God is not just about end results? I’m still learning that one! We discovered through our loss that God is very much interested in our process- not just end results. When things don’t end the way we think they should, will we trust Him? Will we still say yes? Will we continue on His path, trusting that He knows best? Oh boy, I am not saying I have this down, because I totally don’t, but I am slowly learning to just keep saying yes. His ways truly are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9).
After our adoption fell through we kept on praying, asking God how He would have us respond to the need in Ukraine. After a while we began to hear the Father asking us if we would GO.
I am a nurse, Jed is in social work. Instead of taking one child out of that situation, would we GO into the situation and help many?
God used the failed adoption to turn our hearts completely toward Ukraine and its most vulnerable citizens. It’s all about the process, baby.
We answered with a shaky “Yes?? Yes!” Last April we visited Ukraine and knew without a doubt that these are the ones He is calling us to. These are the ones He has been preparing us for all these years.
That leads to the present. We are now in the process of preparing our family to move to Ukraine indefinitely. Our hearts are specifically broken for the orphans who are bedridden, lying day after day in their cribs, waiting for their lives to truly begin. Those are the ones we are to target. God has given us big, huge dreams and we have no idea how He plans to make them come true. We just step forward, saying yes to Jesus. It is scary, and wonderful, and there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
In Isaiah 42:16 God says, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
I am totally clinging to that verse. It is for all of us! We don’t have to know the end result. All we have to do is keep our hearts and eyes awake for what the Father is doing, and when He asks something of us, answer “yes”.
I want to live on the edge of my seat for Him.
How can I answer “yes” if my spirit is asleep?
How can I walk forward with my eyes closed to the need around me?
I want to be that servant in Luke 12:35 that is wide awake, waiting for the master to return.
God promises to make the rough places smooth. He promises to take us by the hand and lead us. He just wants to see us step out in obedience, and He’ll take care of the rest. Just keep on walking, one foot in front of the other. Your “yes” will look different than mine, and that is so beautiful. Imagine how all of our yes’s combined will impact eternity?
Will you join me in saying yes?
Will you spend your life for Him?
I can’t promise it will be easy, but I can promise He will meet you there.
// Kim’s Blog //
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68 thoughts on "kim johnson: yes"
I absolutely love that verse from Isaiah – it's one of those that I've read many times and only ever put into the context of what was happening in the Bible rather than in my own life. I am completely encouraged by your story!
"Did you know that God is not just about end results? I’m still learning that one! We discovered through our loss that God is very much interested in our process- not just end results. When things don’t end the way we think they should, will we trust Him? Will we still say yes? Will we continue on His path, trusting that He knows best? Oh boy, I am not saying I have this down, because I totally don’t, but I am slowly learning to just keep saying yes. His ways truly are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9)" – THIS. Just yes – love it. Thank you for sharing your story – you have blessed so many women with your words, Kim!
Kim, this is just beautiful – your heart, your story, your words, all of it. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us today and leaving us with so much to think on. "The process" is something I will be thinking about for a while to come, I can already tell. God bless your sweet family as you travel where the yeses take you. xo
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story! I'm also someone who is frequently frustrated with the injustices in the world and find God's love and will for a better humanity to be so moving. Please know that you're intentionality and will to "live on the edge of your seat for Him" is just radiating through this entire testimony. Again, thank you for sharing and following God's incredible plan for your life. I'll definitely be praying for your and your family though this transition.
Just ending a long day and what a way to end it; thank you Kim! I sometime want to get to the end also but I am steadily learning how to enjoy the journey. God’s got the beginning (alpha) and the end (omega). It is the life lessons in between where He teaches us and molds and shapes us.
I too am stealing YOUR line “I want to live on the edge of my seat for Him”. Thanks again for being a blessing! Enjoy the journey, YOU too Jed. I will keep you and your family in my prayer.
What an amazing story!!! Thank you so much for sharing this Kim! God is good and you trusted him and now look where He has led you. So uplifting and inspiring!
What an amazing testimony! Thank you for saying yes, Kim. Your example is an inspiration.
Wow! My husband and I just said 'yes' to God for me to be a stay at home Mommy. What an amazing journey it's been and He just keep pouring dreams and passion inside our hearts for the possibilities of our family. This testimony really touched me to the core as my husband and I also have a heart to one day adopt. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us!
Oh man, don't even get me started on adoption. I'll never stop! ;) Saying yes is the best.
When people ask me why and how my family has changed so much in the last two years, I point to Jesus. And then I point to this sweet family. Their obedience takes my breath away. The kindness and love they have shared with my family can only come from above. And though I will miss them terribly when they make their journey to the Ukraine, it doesn't end the story of our friendship. God has brought us this far and I can't wait to see where He takes the Johnsons and my family next. And like my best friend Kim says, all I have to do is say 'yes."
Wow. So beautiful & inspiring! Thank you!
Wow! What a YES! God is definitely blessing you and your family, and all of us through you as you share your story. I will keep your journey in my prayers, so many hugs to you all in your days ahead!
THANK YOU!!! We sure will need it! :)
Oh this is so beautiful; it took my breath away today.
This verse is so…cling-worthy, isn't it? Every time I think God might be a little nuts, I look back at this and realize He has ALWAYS gotten us through other stuff, and He will this time too.
Praying for your journey, Kim.
Thank you Katie! "Cling-worthy"- I love that. Totally stealing that phrase ;)
Caitlin, for me its that little voice that comes out of nowhere right in the middle of my thoughts, usually taking my focus elsewhere than what I’m thinking about at that moment…drawing me towards His direction. Or telling me what i’m contemplating is WRONG!! And I know it is, but looking for a way around it somehow…I KNOW
it’s Him saying NO. WAY.
Just my experience, not necessarily everyone else’s.
Hope it helps a little! :)
Thanks for your reply to my question. Yes, I know what you mean. :)
God is really trying to tell me something here about being flexible and adaptable – when things don't go to plan (and things often don't), that STILL He is working HIS plan. On Saturday I went to conference where one of the speakers ministered from Luke 9:51-56. Here's a situation where Jesus goes into a village but the people did not want Him there, they did not receive Him. When James and John saw how He was treated, they reacted like I most naturally would, "Let's call down fire from heaven on these blinkety-blank so and sos who won't receive You!" But, He turned and rebuked them, it says. The speaker said that the word rebuke here in the Greek means, literally, that He gave them different sight! I find it interesting, he didn't attempt to change the mind of the people who wouldn't receive Him – He didn't rebuke them. And then, it says, they went on to ANOTHER village. The door was shut, and Jesus, of all people, could have forced it down – afterall, He IS the WAY. But, HE was flexible. He was resolute in doing what He was sent to do but he was NEVER frantic and desperate about it, and when one place wouldn't receive Him, he adjusted and moved on. Wow! The speaker said, "You must be flexible, because things will never go to plan." It hit me hard and challenged me big time. And THEN, this testimony today! Yeah, I'd say God is definitely trying to tell me something here.
We are simply to say yes, like Jesus did, like Kim and her family have done. Sometimes things will go the way we think they will, and sometimes they won't go that way at all, but God still has the same (GOOD) plan. I'm getting it. Slowly, but surely. I'm getting it.
I love this story. Thank you for sharing it! What an amazing ride God has for us when we just say yes.
What a wonderful testimony, Kim! Thank you for the reminder that God isn’t just interested in the end results! I am praying for discernment and direction as I feel The Lord stirring my heart toward something. My biggest dilemma right now is that I’m not exactly sure where He is leading me. I lost my teaching job last year, found a job that was supposed to become full time in January, and then found out in January that they had no intention of hiring me full time. I’ve applied for jobs, but nothing has panned out. Through it all, I’ve been praying, but still feel confused as to where I’m going and what my direction should be. My heart is willing and I know The Lord is doing something in me, preparing me for something in His timing. I’m SO thankful that God is there in the process, and not just in the end results. Bless you, Kim, and your family as you prepare to go and answer the needs to these children.
Oh Whitney, His plans for you are so good. Time spent with Him is the best thing you can do. Be still and know that He is God. He sees you and He knows you. Just keep on saying yes :)
Just a beautiful story, thank you no much for blessing us by sharing it! I will be praying for you and your family and all those little ones that you will be blessing. :)
How timely this post is for me today! Thank you for sharing your story Kim! We have been in the process of accepting the call to be foster parents. It all started about 3 years ago. We knew that we were not in the right place in our lives to do so at the time but have been waiting and talking…and stirring about it.
When I started teaching Kindermusik to families of young children, I began exploring a special connection I had to my special needs children. In particular, children in the autistic spectrum, downs syndrome, sensory processing disorder, adhd and others that had challenges and abilities that were different than the neurotypical child in my classroom. God has laid these children on my heart, and like a strong magnetic response, I want to be in their lives.
My hubs and I are praying for direction and discernment as we decide how much we can take on as a family. We know that fostering is in our near future, but are we ready to take on children with special needs? There are so many questions. Like you, Kim, I want to "walk forward" with my "yes's" and see where the Lord leads us on this journey. I'll be adding your blog to my reading list and celebrating the joys with you!
Oh JuneBug! I wish we could sit down for a long chat over coffee. Special needs, foster care…you must be a kindred spirit! :) We adopted our youngest from foster care last year. If you want to talk about any of this further you can contact me by email on our blog. Fostering was the hardest and best thing we've done yet. It is so beautiful, so difficult…if we weren't heading to Ukraine we would continue fostering for many years to come.
I'll be praying for wisdom for you and your husband for your next steps. I'm so excited for you!! Thank you for being willing!
I love this and her obedience to God amazes me. Her devotion to helping those children is so so wonderful!
I have a question for you ladies. When you pray how so you tell the difference between Gods voice and your own thoughts. Sometimes I feel like God is speaking to my soul but then I worry I'm just telling myself what I want to hear. Please help. Thank you ladies!
Caitlin, not knowing specifically what you a speaking of but in generalities, does it line up with the Word? If you feel like He is encouraging you to do something and you don't know if it is "you" or if it is God, I was always taught if it doesn't hurt anyone but is going to bless them then go ahead and follow the feeling.
If you feel like He is giving you a specific Word He may not show you everything at once. He may not tell you how long it will be before something will come to pass or what you will have to go through get there but that does it mean it wasn't a valid Word from God!
And you don't always need a "voice" from the Lord, but we do always have His Word!
The more time you spend with Him in prayer the more you will learn to hear His voice, just as in any relationship. You cannot fully know someone if you don't spend time with them. You won't recognize their voice if you aren't with them EVERY DAY :) take time to listen.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. Ill need to spend more time on this. Just meditating on His word and praying.
More specifally thid is what I was praying for: I am such a worry wort. I was praying to God to find some peace from my anxiety. And during my prayer (more like just talking to God not any formal prayer) I felt calm and found some rest for my aching soul. It wasn't an audible voice but more like a feeling that I needed to trust God more, and let go. All I had to do was have faith. Having faith seemed too simplistic to be a real answer to my prayer… Then again the feeling of calm came out of no where. I was reading my bible worrying that maybe I wasn't worth Gods time as I prayed and came across the verse saying that You don't go to the doctor when you're healthy and Jesus didn't come for the righteous but got sinners. :) Sometomes it just feels too good to be true.
And praying IS just talking to God….you don't need to be formal with Him! He doesn't want you to! No need for "thee's" and "thou's", just know that He is right beside you as anyone you would be having a conversation with. Then pour your heart out to Him. I love what you said that it feels too good to be true….our God is that wonderful! And you ARE worth His time! He is never too busy, He never slumbers or sleeps the Bible says! Psalms 121:4. He died for you and He lives that you might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
He will speak to you through His Word just like you were doing.,,keeping it open while you are praying is good. And that calm that you feel DID come from the Lord! He loves you Caitlin and if you will make time for Him He will show up and be real to you…every day.
Blessings…..don't be afraid to ask questions.,,,we all still do! We need each other!
Thank you so much for the reply. Your response is such a blessing and an obvious answered prayer. :) I pray God continues to bless you with wisdom! :) Someday I'd like to hear God like Kim and her beautiful testimony.
Also just want to apologize for all the typos. I was carrying my 6 month old on my hip and typing with the other hand. :)
Just glad to be able to help…what a blessing to have babies on the hip! Who cares about the typos! Lol! Just keep on walking with The Lord and raising your babies to know Him. That is a ministry all in its self. :)
Just popping in to say that I love Candace's replies. So much wisdom there. :) I agree Caitlin, sometimes it does seem too good to be true. That's the God we serve. He is AMAZING.
I don't know about wisdom, dear friend, just years of hard knocks and being a Pastor's wife! And most of all the great mercy of the Lord…He keeps picking me back up, over and over again. I do wish you well. I had to come home because of back problems but we are still ministering and sharing the great things God is doing in Latvia and that part of the world. We will be back Over there in July, God willing. I got down as far as Poland and even to Auschwitz but never made it to the Ukriane but do have missionary friends that go there. I will certainly keep you in my prayers. You are my hero!
I've been attending a Bible study about this very topic. We are reading the book: "Discerning the Voice of God, How to Recognize When God Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer. We are only a few weeks into the study, but it is really helping me with hearing God and knowing what is God and what is my own conscience. I highly suggest the book.
I am blessed to know Kim. Her committment to going is unnerving by times. I mean , the lady sold her kitchen table a year and a half before they plan to be in Ukraine…
Yes! Thank you so much, Kim, for sharing this testimony! Absolutely our yeses together will make a profound impact for eternity. And it's essential that we do it now and not put it off. Thank you!
Wow!! I’m soo amazed by your faith and willingness to just step forward, trusting that is where you are to go!! I know as well He WILL provide for you and your family, but I’m still blown away by your willingness to just GO!! We never know what may be in store for us. I just hope that as I work thru my issues I’ll see what He wants me to see, to really hear Him and heed Him in the process….
Faith is a beautiful thing- forsaking all and saying I trust Him! :)
Your testimony is powerful, and I respect and admire your dedication to the Lord.
Blessings and prayers for your family Kim, and for those precious little ones in the Ukraine!
Amazing!! God Bless~
Kim, what an awe inspiring testimony! You are such a good example of taking the “Me” out of the equation, and having it be totally about God.
This last month God is showing me that I need to get out of my comfort zone (like you, Steph). I’m not sure where, but my eyes and heart are opening to God’s Will, and letting go is just so difficult. But I do want to be at tbe edge of my seat, waiting for his nudge to follow his “process”. Thank you for tbat inspiration. :)
This is so beautiful and just the encouragement I needed! God's timing is always perfect. I loved what you said that it's more about the process than the destination! There is JOY in the journey. Christ is interested in shaping our characters for eternity!
Thanks for sharing your story. I've read many other things that have said that we need to say yes to God. Somehow, though, yours has really resonated in my soul. I look forward to seeing how God uses my yes!
And we know He totally will use that yes! Willing hearts are what He's looking for. Go Lisa go!
Thank you for sharing this part of your journey. Isaiah 42:16 jumped out at me today. I appreciate that you ask if we'll still be ready to say yes if things don't work out like we thought. Will will still have the faith to stay on His path? Thank you for that.
When I read the title for today–YES–I thought it was going to be about the inability to say no and to begin honoring our personal time with God. What a nice surprise to find your words of encouragement in this direction. Thanks, again. Many blessings to you and yours, Sister.
Thank you Karen :)
This is awesome! I spent several weeks one summer in college at an orphanage in Mariupal, Ukraine. I wanted to go because my sister adopted a little girl (from Romania) when I was young, and we are very close. And then–wouldn't you know it–God sent me a husband who was adopted at a young age. Needless to say, adoption is something that is very close to my heart.
But it's more than that. It's a COMMAND from God. He tells us to take care of the WIDOW and the ORPHAN. He tells us this is what PURE, true religion is. Thank you for saying YES to Him and the cause that's near to His heart. Praying blessings over you and your family as you prepare to take this giant leap of faith.
Thank you for this challenge. God has not called us to be comfortable, but most of the time I desire comfort more than I desire to obey. God has been working on me in this area. I do want to say "Yes" to His calling!
Amazing! So proud that you stepped out of the boat! My family sold nearly everything we had a few years ago to go to the country of Latvia, just three hours from the Russian border. I had never even been out of the country. But the Lord was calling and we were willing. It totally changed my life. The people were so hungry for God. We started home groups and ours was exclusively, but not intentionally, under the age of 30. We had left our grown 20-something's in America and God had replaced them with new "kids"! He's cool like that! I am home now facing two surgeries but miss them all every day and Skype often. God's will is our will.
There are challenges to be sure living in Eastern Europe but the people more than make up for it.
You will be on my prayer list for God to open doors and you to find favor with the government of the Ukraine. What a blessing you will be and what blessings you will receive! Godspeed my friend!
Thank you Candace!!! I really appreciate the prayers. My cousin and my uncle have served in Latvia some and they love it there. :)
Thank you Kim for sharing your verse, Isaiah 42:16. I do feel like I'm saying "yes" to God, but I don't sense the darkness into light & rough places made smooth yet.
And thank you & your beautiful family for listening to the Savior's leading to your ministry. May all whose lives you touch be blessed.
Wow, thank you Kim! What a great story and you and your family are going to do such great things for the Lord! This is giving me chills because for the past 5 years or so I have been feeling the need to do something radical and feel God calling my husband and I to really do something with our educations, money, opportunities, etc. We were just having this conversation and then this weekend we sat down to watch this movie, "Machine Gun Preacher" and just sat stunned that God was speaking directly to us. (If you haven't seen it, it's a true story about a man coming from a bad background, finding God, and finding a calling to the orphans in Sudan). Then, today, Kim's story is again sinking deep into my soul and making me really really want to do something radical. Praying for that calling, praying for that opportunity to say yes!
Go Allison! Get the advice of your pastor and pray,pray, pray. Let God give the direction and then don't be afraid to step out! :)
Oh Allison, that's AWESOME!! It sounds like He's preparing you for something, that's for sure! Just listen and obey. God loves a willing heart. I'm excited for whatever He has for you!!
Kim, you have such an amazing story! Thank you so much for sharing it with us! I love what you said about how it's not about the end result!
Oh wow I really got chills as I was reading this story. This really just shows how God speaks to us and I struggle with this same thing sometimes. I am always waiting for the end result and I forget to bask in the process of getting there. Thank you for the reminder!
Ver inspiring.
Thanks for sharing your testimony, Kim! Very inspiring! I, too, love your statement, “I want to live on the edge of my seat for Him,” what an awesome posture and attitude to have! I pray to have that same attitude. Blessings!
What an awesome story about allowing God to lead you and your family by faith. I pray that you and your family are able to do great things in the lives of those orphans and that your life is a constant living testimony of the greatness of our Father.
Thank you, Kim! Thank you!! Our stories are so very different, and yet your words spoke to my own situation quite a bit!!
I particularly loved when you said that God is very much interested in our process, not just our end results. In my own situation, I was begging and pleading with God for my end result. I was feeling beaten down by the process with no end in sight. But I was seeing the world's side of the process– the way man was reacting to me and my situation and the suffering I was experiencing through man. But I can praise God that I found "Fresh Start" and "Soul Detox"!! Through those two back-to-back studies, God opened my eyes to HIS process. I've learned that in my situation there IS NO end result. My whole journey is the process of healing, redemption, grace, and witness. My sin was taken on the cross and the rest of the process is living for Him and showing others what He has done for me.
"I want to live on the edge of my seat for Him"! I LOVE IT!! I will say it and repeat it all day long!! I want to serve like that! Where I am on the edge of my seat ready to jump when God says go! Where I am on the edge of my seat with anticipation of what God has planned next for me and my family.
Thanks again, Kim!! What a blessing this morning!!!
Edge of your seat is the best seat in the house! :)
This is a blessing, awesome salvation story and call on your life. I needed to hear what you mentioned about knowing God called you to adopt one child but that child went to another family. Totally different story but I experienced the same in relationship. God showed me the person, I prayed for years and he married someone else and I was really confused. Eventually I got the fact that It was all about trusting The Lord, this is the 1st time reading something where a fellow believer had a similar experience. What God is doing is so worth the process He’s taking me through and indeed I trust Him over the outcome.
Amen Donna. So hard, but so worth it.
Beautiful testimony Kim! I couldn't stop reading (and wanted more when it was finished:) My family (of 4 then) said "yes" almost 12 years ago to the Lord calling us to Slovakia (We will be neighbors!) I totally can relate to your testimony of how God isn't just about "end results" , it has been a common theme/lesson for our life, not just getting to Slovakia, but daily living here as well. God's blessings on your family as you step in faith to His calling and not focus on the end result!
Oooh neighbors! I'm totally checking out your blog. Good point about the daily living once we get to Ukraine. Thank you for that!
I remember going to East Timor, in July of 2009, for a HOLIDAY! Yes, to a war-torn nation. I loved it. People with the least amount of THINGS have some of the most beautiful spirits. I remember holding a barely breathing newborn on my lap in the ambulance. We were driving down a hill and in the most cliche moment the trees parted and the sun shown through. In that moment I KNEW I had to become a nurse. I had to quit my job, take on a 60,000 debt and career change. I think that when we listen to the whisper, the movement in our hearts that God is planting..and JUST GO…we are taken care of. Always. Good on you and your family.
YAY for nurses! Timor for a holiday? You sound like my kind 'o gal. Ha! Thanks for that story :)
Wonderful testimony! Saying yes is pretty scary, but it looks like God has blessed you because of your faithfulness and obedience! What an encouragement. 1 Corinthians 1:20 – "…it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."