Changes of (our) plans

And how can I pray for you?

My website is down. I knew it was heading in that direction, so it’s not a surprise. And it’s not the end of the world: it served an important purpose when I was freelancing, and now it needs to have a different emphasis.

After all, when I launched my website, my work was centered on speaking. Now, while I still love to speak (I would love to come to your parish/school/diocese/apostolate/theology on tap/parish mission/retreat/conference), my full time job is with Verso Ministries, a Catholic pilgrimage company.

That doesn’t mean I only work in pilgrimage formation. In fact, these days I find myself busier than ever with a lot of fun side projects. It’s funny, when I was speaking and freelancing, I longed for a book contract. My dream since I was a little girl was to have my name on a book spine.

I thought freelancing was the key. I would have time to write.

God laughed.

It seems I do my best work when my days are full. When writing has to be squeezed into early Saturdays at the coffeeshop or late evenings when I wish I could just watch reruns of The Office.

It seems God gave me my dream right when I thought I was turning away from it. I tried to plan a life that would suit me and my gifts. I thought I knew what I should be doing. God laughed and just asked me to be obedient. To leave Nashville, to leave freelancing, to follow him on a crazy adventure.

All that to say, I am getting used to changes of (my) plans. And so my website is down while it gets a new look and a different emphasis.

Maybe in December I’ll have that book spine. Stay tuned.

my life these days is brought to you by an organized to-do list and a beautiful cup of coffee

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Speaking of side projects, the long-awaited coming of Season 4 of The Chosen to homes means Joan’s Take on the Chosen is coming into homes, too! While it first and foremost happens over on YouTube live, after the live discussions, you can find it here on Substack, on Spotify, or on Apple Podcasts.

Upcoming Episodes:
Episode 3: July 8 (7:30ET/4:30PT)

Episode 25: July 25 (7:30ET/4:30PT)

Speaking of YouTube, want to head over to my channel and subscribe? Please do. You’ll be able to get notifications for when I go live. You’ll also find another side project, Theology in 3.

It would help a lot if you subscribed… thanks in advance.

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Last but certainly not least, I’m headed out on pilgrimage tomorrow. I’ve been planning this trip for almost a year, and it’s surreal that it’s really happening. But here we go! We’ll be crossing the Iberian Peninsula from Fatima to Lourdes. I curated the itinerary myself, so in two weeks we’ll see whether my pilgrims love me or are disgusted with me.

One thing I love about pilgrimage (there are many things) is taking people’s intentions along with me. It’s humbling to be asked to carry such precious cargo, to be entrusted with dreams and sorrows and joys and hopes.

How can I pray for you? Leave it in the comments or shoot me a message:

If you’re interested in this pilgrimage, we’re running a similar one in November (without me, though. Sad!). (Find out more information here.)

Or maybe you want to see Rome of the Church Fathers with Mike Aquilina? I know I do. (Find out more information here)

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Pray for me and my pilgrims and know of my prayers for you!

Cheers,

Joan