Our Story

It’s not everyday when something you’ve waited 26 years for happens almost overnight . . .

Engagement photo by Ernie Echols (Dad)

Where It All Began

Well, I guess it kind of began about 6 years ago, when Steve and I first met in a small group. At the time, we had no clue we would end up where we are today and mean what we now mean to each other.

Steve remembers a fleeting thought: Joanna sure has a pretty smile. I remember feeling comfortable around him. But neither of us ever thought of the other as “potential.”

Setting the Stage

Now, fast-forward three years. My friends Katie and Leah started talking about how Steve Echols had joined their “Thursday Night Group” (a weekly, family-like gathering of young adults, kids and teens in a trailer park). Katie talked about how good Steve was with the kids.

Oh, good, I thought. I’m glad God is using Steve in that way. End of thought.

Photo taken by Ernie Echols on Nov trip
to visit Steve's Great-Grandma Bert

Divine Insistence

Two years later, Katie was marrying Tim, and some of the girls from the Thursday Night Group needed a ride to the wedding. So Ashley and Jasmine rode with me, and Jasmine invited me to come on Thursday nights. Then she begged . . . and finally insisted! I agreed to visit once but told her I probably wouldn’t be able to go every week.

The following Thursday (May 5), I went to the trailer park gathering . . . and a new chapter of life began.

Passion Meets Purpose

Perhaps I should explain that for the past several years, the number one thing God has put on my heart is hurting kids. I thought I’d like to adopt, once married. Little did I know that God would give me the opportunity to help youth in my own town as a single person, and get to be part of their lives on a weekly basis. The Thursday Night Group instantly became a dream come true for me! I love those kids and teens as if they were my own.

Photo and special affects by Ernie Echols, Nov '11

Take Notice

So what about Steve? Well, I felt comfortable around him. And before long . . . well, how can a girl help but notice a man who loves kids, is great with them and devotes a significant portion of time and money to help them on a regular basis?

One of the first times I remember noticing Steve was about six weeks after I joined the Thursday Night Group. We were celebrating a few birthdays, and I had been serving cake for a while when Steve came and took over. He served me and told me to go sit and enjoy my cake.

The next evening, our newly married friends Tim and Katie hosted a game night. In addition to playing competitively, Steve shared how he’d gone through a rather rough patch a few years back and how God used the Thursday Night Group to help him want to be a good example for the kids. I couldn’t help but appreciate Steve’s openness, honesty and humble gratitude for God’s work in him. I’d been through dark valleys myself and recognized the distinct transformation God had brought about in Steve’s life.

Two of "our kids" at the Denver Aquarium, Jun '11

The following day, we leaders took our Thursday Night Group youth to the Denver Aquarium. Steve had purchased the tickets (not cheap!) to give the kids an amazing experience, and we’d been able to borrow a church van. Jasmine insisted I sit next to her, and I ended up behind Steve, who was driving. He talked to me almost the whole way to Denver and back (he does like to talk!), and he paid attention to what I was saying even if I was talking to one of the youth.

By the end of that day, my heart had opened to Steve, and that scared me. I went home and had a long talk with God along these lines: Lord, I don’t want to like a guy and risk being hurt or disappointed again. I don’t want to like Steve unless he’s the man You have in mind for me. Then as I listened for God’s direction, I had the startling sense that He said, “This match is My idea, not yours, so don’t be afraid.”

Well, I’d been through enough relational disappointments that I was still far too scared to hope. That must’ve been my wishful thinking, I determined. Surely that wasn’t God.

Steve and "our boys" set up camp for 20+ folks in July '11

Partners in Adventure

About a month later, we took our Thursday Group youth on a camping trip. The next morning, I climbed out of my tent and went to stir up the campfire. Steve awoke from where he slept on the ground and gave me a huge, happy, unguarded grin that took my breath away! I thought about that smile for days . . .

Later that morning, the boys asked Steve if he’d show them how to build a raft like the one he’d been talking about. They roped together fallen logs to craft a terrific raft, then gave us rides down the river where we played. At one point, I was helping Steve pull the heavy, log raft back upstream in a swift current, and I noticed how fun it was to partner in that adventure with him, to give the kids an extra great time.

Just Friends?

Meanwhile, Steve had a few fleeting thoughts about me, but mostly he just enjoyed our friendship and grew to deeply admire me.

In September, Steve went bow hunting and talked to God about a lot of things, including his desire for a wife. Later, when Steve was hiking up crazy steep terrain, he thought, Joanna would like this. He also pictured me as the pioneer wife in a Western starring his friends, then wondered why I was coming to mind in that way.

Steve led me on this incredible adventure hike! Sep '11

At the end of September, Steve invited our leadership group to go hiking. I was the only one free to go, and both Steve and I felt a bit nervous about that. Will this be awkward? What will we talk about?

I should’ve known Steve wouldn’t run out of things to say. But neither of us expected to have as much fun or feel as comfortable with each other as we did. I felt like I was on a fantastic adventure with a great friend, and I so appreciated Steve’s excellent care of me. He kept thinking about how natural it felt, and his eyes were suddenly opened wide to me as “wife-potential.”

Over the next 10 days, we exchanged 40+ emails, getting to know each other better and realizing even more we had in common. Then I wrote a blog about my desire to have a home where hurting kids were welcome, and Steve told me he wanted a home just like the one I described. After we exchanged a few confusing emails (one of which made me think he wanted nothing more than friendship), Steve suggested we meet in-person to talk about things.

Engagement photo by Ernie Echols, Dec '11,
during trip to Cali to visit Steve's sis and bro-in-law,
nieces, grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins.

Pasta and the DTR

The next evening, Steve treated me to Macaroni Grill and told me a few rather special things . . . including that he deeply admires and respects me, that I have all the qualities he’s looking for in a wife, and that he wanted to know if I was open to pursuing a relationship with him.

I told him to get lost and went back to eating my pasta.

Actually, I told Steve how honored I felt that he’d asked, that my respect for him had been growing all summer, and that I’d definitely be open to a relationship with him.

You. Me. Together Forever?!

Before long, Steve told me he wanted to marry me, and I couldn’t imagine anyone who could better lead me on the paths God has laid before us. Considering how early we “knew” we were the right fit, it’s almost surprising that our relationship didn’t progress even faster than it did.

On Thanksgiving morning, Steve took me back to the gorgeous trail where we’d completed our first hike almost two months earlier. Along the way, he shared memories from that first hike . . . and it was so special to hear about the thoughts he’d had toward me then! We eventually reached a sunny meadow and climbed onto a ginormous rock for a picnic.

Engagement photo by Ernie Echols, Dec '11

After we finished eating, Steve said something like this: “Have I told you lately that I love you?” (He had.) “Have I told you lately that I want to spend the rest of my life with you?” (Not yet that day.) Then he pulled out a brown velvet box, opened it to reveal the sparkly ring inside, and asked me to be his wife.

I said I wouldn’t dream of it.

Actually, I said I would love to be his wife!

And I will be, beginning February 4. Woo hoo!

I can hardly believe that something Steve and I have waited 26 years for is now coming true. (I say 26 years because I knew when I was 5 that I wanted to be a wife, and Steve needed a woman in his life from the moment he was born.)

Photo by Ernie Echols, Nov '11

Thank you, God. We feel so blessed and excited to continue on this adventurous journey of life, together!

Twitterpated Peace

Solid ground + lots of beautiful fluffiness!

"Twitterpated."

Friends have been using that word to describe how I feel about Steve. According to the urban dictionary, "twitterpated" means "completely enamored, flighty, excited."

Does "twitterpated" describe how I feel about Steve?

Absolutely. (Though not completely). I AM rather enamored with him, and I cannot deny that I've been "a bit" flighty and excited lately. (In fact, I make him laugh regularly by doing harebrained things when he distracts me.) But "twitterpated" doesn't fully describe how I feel.

My dear friend Becca asked about my thoughts toward Steve earlier this week, and I told her something like this: "The overall feeling I have is peace. Yes, I'm excited and 'in love,' yet it goes much deeper than that. This love isn't like river rapids, rushing and foaming over rocks and shallows. It's more like a mighty river flowing swiftly through a deep, narrow channel. The difference is the depth and the peace of the waters. Indeed, the current is strong and swift, but it's not full of turmoil. The foundation and sides of the channel are solid rock, and the path is peace."

Ah, bliss!

Though lest I give the impression that this deep, swift river is boring . . . it most certainly is NOT! (In fact, I've journaled pages about the way Steve treats me like a princess and makes me melt in his presence.) It's a miracle that I get ANY rest, considering the excitement and thrill of being around this man!

Steve keeps marveling over how "right" our relationship feels. Just the right fit. So natural. So comfortable. Such fun! I feel the same way. Whether we're hiking or cooking together, serving friends or hanging out with his family, talking or just relaxing . . . the feeling we get is what I'd call, "twitterpated peace!"

A Little Distracted Lately ...

Two days after my last blog post, a very good friend of mine (Steve Echols) became "something more."

We're not really at Disneyland . . .
This pic was taken at a mini-golf course
 during our friend Shawn's b-day celebration.
(pic taken by Katie Founds) 

Three weeks, many dates and 18 red roses later . . . is it any wonder that I've been "a little distracted" lately?

Steve pulls his way up out of a cave we climbed
through on our first adventure hike together. 

At the end of September, Steve and I went on our first "adventure hike" (see pics at: "Like a Hike"). About that day, Steve says: "It was a great hike, and I can't say I minded the company. Due to some confusion on my end, I had not realized that the others we had planned the hike with had cancelled; once I realized this I was a little nervous. After a couple hours I started questioning why I had been nervous and realized that we were very much alike in all ways. My eyes were opened that day to an amazing woman."

Over the next 10 days, we exchanged 40+ emails, and then Steve read my blog post, "I Have a Dream".

His next email to me included these words: "Reading that made me want to come over to that house. What you described was home, it was a lot like what I grew up in and exactly what I want my home to be like one day."

Is anything more warm and welcoming than a good fire?
Yes. . . . A good friend. A heart open to embrace you.
A home where you are always welcome.

A later email from Steve said: "I pictured the fireplace and the dog before they were mentioned, but I think you meant to say 'golden retriever,' not 'lab.' Labs are great but retrievers are more welcoming. Also, you left out the garage. Where are the boys supposed to tinker around with cars before eating all the food?"

And about the food, Steve said: "I forgot to mention the fresh cookies in the last message. There would always be fresh cookies."

"Fresh cookies ALL the time, eh?" I replied. "Who's gonna bake 'em?"

"I figured there would be you and a pile of girls to do the baking mostly, but if you need a little help I can make chocolate chip cookies."

"You figured I'd be there, huh?" I said. "A man doesn't get very far by figuring."

Our relationship stands on a solid foundation
of friendship. We love to tease each other,
and we have so much fun together!
(pic taken by Katie Founds) 

Then Steve sent me a rather confusing email . . . Among other things, he asked if we could meet up to talk more on this topic.

As I waited for that face-to-face "DTR," you can imagine how I felt mystified, curious, excited, nervous and yet at peace. Steve is a great leader, and I trusted him to clarify what he was thinking. I HOPED he'd tell me he was interested in me, but some of the things in that extra-confusing email made me think he'd say, "You're a good friend, and I wanna keep it that way." Oddly enough, I felt confident that regardless of what he said, he WOULD still be my good friend, and his friendship would remain a treasure.

So . . . want to know more? The next evening, Steve treated me to Macaroni Grill (yummy!) and told me a number of rather special things . . . including that I have all the qualities he's looking for in a lady, that he deeply respects me and that he'd like to pursue a relationship with me! He also said he really likes my personality, "and it doesn't hurt that you're really pretty!" Then Steve said he'd wanted to let me know his thoughts and find out what I was thinking before he fell "too hard."

I told him to get lost and went back to eating my pasta.

ACTUALLY, I told Steve I felt highly honored that he's interested in me. Through the outreach he's served in for the past 3 years (which I've helped with since May), I'd grown to deeply respect and admire him. (Plus, my interest in him had been gradually growing since late June . . . It took me all that time to decide for sure that I'd be open to dating him.) But at this point, I told Steve I'd definitely be interested in pursuing a relationship. The next day, Steve told me he considers this a courtship (spending intentional time together with marriage in mind).

When we told our co-leaders and "Thursday night group," they were thrilled! Several of them had been hoping we'd get together, and we feel incredibly blessed to have their support and accountability. We want our relationship to be one that the youth we work with can watch closely, to see what a healthy relationship looks like.

This past Sunday, Steve came over for breakfast. When I opened the door, he stood there holding out 18 gorgeous red roses for me! After we made breakfast and ate together, he told me his thoughts on what true love is, and he asked my thoughts on that and what I'm looking for in a spouse. Later that day, Steve told me he loves me . . . a LOT! He'd wanted me to know "that is not something I say lightly, but a confession and commitment from deep within. I seek God to teach me how to love you and desire to learn from you. I want to love you and show you that love in ways you never imagined, and I want to speak to your heart. You, my Joanna, are a true gem and cannot be replaced."

Is it any wonder that I've been "a little distracted" lately? Just a LITTLE!

I Have a Dream . . .

"The path of righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
growing ever brighter till the full light of day" (Proverbs 4:18).

I have a dream that's been growing for years ...
Though a bit dim at times, it's now glowing clear and warm as the lamp I'd like to be.

During senior year of college, I wrote something titled "What Kind of Light Shall I Be?" We're all lights of some kind, and different lights suit different purposes. You've got:

Spotlights for    ?   
     (making someone or something stand out).

Flashlights for    ?   
     (finding your way in the dark).

Flourescent lights that    ?   
     (meet industrial needs and give people headaches).

And many more.

What kind of light are you, or what kind do you desire to be?

I wish to be a lamp, in a home.

Yes, I know this isn't a lamp, but it's what I had among
my photos and shows the warm welcome I desire to give!

If you think about it, a lamp's light is rather different than others'. Instead of being strong or bold or even harsh (like fluorescents), it's soft and warm, glowing and welcoming. It bids the weary to enter and be refreshed, bids the lonely to come on in and find themselves enveloped in family.

My director recently quoted Edith Schaeffer as saying, "A strong family is like a refreshing, green oasis in the middle of a parched desert" (my paraphrase). Leon also showed us that God not only calls individuals, but He also calls families to––as a close-knit unit––fulfill His purposes on earth.

That's the kind of family I desire to have, and that's why I want to be like a lamp in a home.

My dream is clearer now than ever before, and I can practically picture my home of purpose. I'd like it to be close to the kids and teens I am close to, a place of refuge they can come to in a storm. When thunder and lightning burst in their homes, forcing them to see and hear and experience unspeakable things, I want them to know that a lamp glows for them nearby.

I want these extended family members to come knock on my door and know they'll be welcomed inside, drawn into a safe and warm circle of loving light. Perhaps that front room would have a fireplace or old-fashioned cookstove ready to warm cold hands or fill hungry mouths with simmering soup.

Perhaps a big black lab would lie on a braided rug, wagging his tail and offering the quiet solace of a four-footed friend. (By the way, I CANNOT imagine a haughty cat EVER offering such solace, but perhaps I would one day allow a feline around as a prime example of the independent arrogance we should never imitate. No . . . actually, I don't think THAT'S even reason enough!)

Now let's enter the kitchen. Can you see warm, yellow sunlight spilling through sheer curtains and welcoming one and all to sit at the pine table? I see "my girls" coming over to cook together, baking cookies and bread and talking about life (and boys, of course)! And "my boys" . . . I see them sitting at the table, talking and laughing (and eating, no doubt)! And my friends . . . I see them coming over for game nights and conversation and prayer for the kids and teens we love.

Somewhere in the home is a room dedicated to prayer. It might have a window seat looking into a backyard filled with beauty to offer rest to the soul. And there's a tree inside, too, painted on the prayer room wall, like the tree at my friend Julie's house. The tree and its wide leaves stand cream-colored against a red-orange wall, and on the leaves will be written the names of all the young people whose names have already been written on my heart. I'll invite them to write their own names there, as a visual reminder that they are part of our family tree and will always have a place there. Two or three comfy chairs will rest in that room, ready to host heart-to-heart conversations with God or each other. Soft music will be ready to play in the background, inviting listeners to be still and know that He is God.

Besides cozy rooms for my own family, I'd like to have a couple extra for those who need a safe place to stay for awhile. Each will be warm and welcoming, and perhaps "my girls" will help me decorate them.

My parents have given me a great example of trusting and sticking
with God through the storms. And I think this picture of my dad
and youngest two brothers captures the essence of family affection and joy!

Oh, and let's not forget porches. Out front might be a porch swing or chairs on which to sit and talk and greet the neighbors, an art nearly lost outside of the South. And out back would be a wide deck or patio for outdoor parties.

Oh yes, I like this dream! It's not a house that makes a home, but the people in it and the way they relate to one another. Lord, may this home be filled with Your deep peace, abiding joy and unswerving love. When troubles come (as they surely will), help us trust and stick right with You through the storm.

What is your dream? What vision has God been building into your heart and life? How can your family be His oasis in the parched desert of life?

What Is It?

What is it which reveals the "hairs" on a flower stem . . .



. . . the beauty of the countryside . . .





. . . the majesty of clouds and welcoming of a ranch gate?

What is it that reveals the lushness of Oregon forests . . .

. . . the splendor of architecture . . .

. . . the grace of flowers  . . .

. . . the peaceful reflection of fountains?

What shows off the fire of autumn leaves . . .

. . . the freckled bark of an aspen tree . . .

. . . the surrender of a golden aspen leaf to winter's call?








What is it that sets the clouds ablaze . . .

. . . kisses the mountains . . .

. . . makes even barbed wire beautiful?

What is it that reveals sunset's reflection in the waters . . .

. . . the love of a nun for her disabled charge . . .


. . . and the joy of a helpless one who has experienced the love of God?





What is it? Have you figured it out?

IT = light.

LIGHT reveals the tiny hairs, the radiant beauty, the splendor of design, the kindness of love and the glow of unexplainable joy.

LIGHT can take something ordinary . . .  

and show us how EXTRAordinary it really is!








LIGHT (from knowing God) can take someone who was literally on her deathbed . . . and make her RADIANT with joy and peace!


What is it that reveals both our DESPERATE need for God and our INCREDIBLE VALUE to Him?

Will we allow His Light to reveal all the wonder and beauty and splendor and--yes--darkness within us?




Will we ask His forgiveness and trade our darkness for His glory?

We have a choice, you and I.

Will we walk in the Light of God's Love?

Like a Hike

"Anybody wanna go for a hike?"

Those six words began an adventure I hope I never forget. On Friday afternoon, a good friend and I set off to find a trail he'd hiked about 15 times, but not in the last 10 years.

A call to another friend helped us locate the trailhead, but it soon became clear that the trail would not be so easy to follow.

Is it any wonder that we blazed our own trail?

The trail went here and there and everywhere with paths unclear. So we blazed our own trail! Ours also went here and there and everywhere, but always onward and upward to higher ground. And the views along the way? Incredible!

Looking back on the grand adventure of Friday's hike, I've realized a few things ...

Following God is a lot like following a friend on a trail you've never hiked before. You don't know where you're going, but He does. He's hiked this trail many times before, and He's excited to lead you on it.

This fallen log was at least 20 feet off the ground with
sharp rocks below. Steve went first and coached me safely to the end,
taking the heavy backpack that almost made me fall.

Are risks involved? Yes. 

The path of life is not easy to follow, and we encounter plenty of dangers along the journey--slippery stones, difficult reaches, places where we feel like we're gonna crash to sharp rocks below.

But God is the trustworthy friend who goes before us. He takes the risks first. When we feel we're about to fall, He offers to take burdens off our back and coach us to safety.

Steve pulls his way up out the cave, entering the light.

Sometimes you reach safety only to find that another difficult challenge immediately awaits you. When we reached the end of that log, our options for moving forward were limited. In fact, the only good option was to enter a dim cave and push ourselves up between rocks to reach the light at the top.

What a gift the light is--showing us the way to safety! When life forces you into a cave and you don't know how to get out, look for God's light and follow it out. Meanwhile, He's in the cave with you and won't leave you alone.

Besides caves, we go through tight spots. Sometimes we have no choice, but other times God gives us options. We can follow Him through a more challenging passage, or we can take the easy way out. Which option do you suppose gives a greater feeling of adventure and accomplishment? 

Steve chose to take the narrow path under this huge rock.
I could've climbed over a smaller rock to get to the other side,
but I chose the fun of following in the adventurous route.

But again, it's often impossible to pass through a tight spot with burdens on our back. I had to take off my backpack and hand it over to my guide before I could follow through a narrow passage.

What burdens do you feel weighing you down right now, making you "stuck" in a tight spot? Why not hand them over to the Lord?

ONE of the gorgeous waterfalls we saw.

Then you can say of God like David the Psalmist, "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me" (2 Samuel 22:20 and Psalm 18:19).

And if you choose to follow God along life's journey, He will not fail to show you His awesome wonders!

Were I an excellent photographer with a stellar camera, I still could in no way capture all the beautiful sights we saw along the trail. In fact, I don't remember one stretch of it that seemed ugly. Every glance around revealed beauty beyond description! Likewise, following God cannot fail to take our breath away with the glory He reveals.

Three things make Friday's hike a grand adventure:

1. I followed a friend who'd hiked the trail before. He led the way, took the spiderwebs to the face, warned of loose rocks and holes and slippery sections, coached me in the danger zones. God does not lead us in paths He does not know.


2. I knew I was safe. Had I been hiking alone, I would not have been safe. Besides the dangers of the trail itself, we saw a man I would not have wished to meet alone, heard a pack of coyotes that followed us for a bit and (upon completing the hike) met an officer who told us he'd spent the day looking for a bear that had apparently been spotted in the area.

Thankfully, my friend has spent a lot of time in the wilderness and came literally loaded for bear and any other threat we might encounter. I knew he would protect me, and he made sure he could respond at a moment's notice when danger lurked near. Likewise,  God never fails to be prepared for whatever danger we face. We will face danger, but we will never face it alone. We'll get hurt sometimes, but He's prepared to bind us up and move us to safety. We'll even get some "battle scars," not because God is not taking care of us but because the rocks of life can be rough and sharp.


3. I relaxed and enjoyed the journey, because I knew I was safe with a friend who's even more adventurous than me!

We talked as we walked, and I learned a lot of interesting things as I listened. What if I did more listening as I follow God? What might I discover?

Yes, following God is a lot like a hike. He's invited us on a Grand Adventure, and He has no plans to send us on it alone. He goes before us, guides us through every tough spot and makes the entire journey one of tremendous joy!

God of the Details

During my Sunday afternoon rambles a couple weeks ago, God showed me once again that 
He is in the details. 

If God would put such intricate detail into 
one tiny leaf . . . 

. . . seeing to it that it has an amazing 
"vein" pattern
 to receive all it needs . . .

. . . and one more . . .

. . . how much more will He tenderly care for the details in our lives?

I entered the mountains full of worries,
 my mind a jumble.

I spent hours marveling over easy-to-miss details of God's creation, like . . .

. . . bark peeling off a fallen aspen tree . . .

. . . tiny yet intricate flowers . . .

. . . bright berries . . .

. . . and bark designs.

Then my heart returned to peace. 
If God put such detail into the tiniest bits 
of His creation,
how much more will He pour over even the smallest details of our lives?