I am sorry it has been a few weeks since our last update! We are trying to update our blog twice per week, but I unfortunately came down with a viral infection almost 4 weeks ago, was out of service and on the couch for literally 3 weeks. I am feeling much better though and am excited to get back to blogging!

I have recently started an inductive bible study on the book of Joshua and am super excited to see where God takes it. Rather than reading the book in it’s entirety and then doing an inductive bible study on the entire book, I am doing it chapter by chapter. I really feel God is leading me to spend time in the individual chapters to find common themes, phrases, key words, and to really get a hold of what is happening chapter by chapter. I am learning daily how to study the Bible and I felt led to share a few things God was highlighting to me while reading Chapter 1.

The Lord Commissions or calls Joshua to do something. (Lead His people)
The Lord makes a promise to be with Joshua. (Just as He was with Moses)
The Lord Commands Joshua (Trust in Him)

THE LORD COMMISSIONS (He Calls)
After Moses dies, the Lord appoints Joshua to lead his people over the Jordan and into the land that “…I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.”(Verse 2) I think the beautiul thing we see here is that The Lord Commissions Joshua to do something, reveals to him how to be successful and prosperous in carrying out this calling and again confirms it and commands him in Verse 9.

THE LORD PROMISES (He Commits)
After the Lord commissions Joshua, He promises to be with Joshua through ALL things:
Verse 5- …”Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”
Verse 9- …”Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

THE LORD COMMANDS (He Commands)
As the Lord God is giving instruction to Joshua, three different times in Chapter 1 God tells Joshua to “Be strong and courageous.” (Verses 6,7 & 9) God gives instruction, confirms he will be with Joshua, and encourages him to “Be strong and courageous.”

As I processed and am still processing, there was so much more that I could’ve written about or shared in this blog, but I felt these were a few of the areas resonating the strongest within my spirit. I wanted to close with a quick encouragement for those who are maybe in the midst of feeling called by God but not sure where, or maybe you are feeling called by God but are struggling with the whole idea of taking that scary first step truly wondering if God will be there right alongside you. Or maybe the Lord has called you, you know he has promised/committed to be with you, but you are struggling with the, ” I feel He is telling or commanding me to do something, but I am too afraid to move forward. Just remember… God Commisions you, He Promises to be with you and when He Commands you to step forward into what He’s calling you to… TRUST IN HIM

Be strong and courageous

Joshua Palmer

Bless You All,

Joshua Palmer

During my quiet time at Starbucks, I felt God speaking life, truth and love over me through scripture, a mental picture, words and song lyrics. He speaks to us in so many different ways. I love that He is not limited by anything in the way(s) He speaks to us! I will try and share a condensed version of what the Holy Spirit revealed to me, praying you will be encouraged by what you read.

“You can be saved but still miss out on what was promised.” This really shook me in the sense that I don’t want to walk through this short life missing Christ’s promises and calling He has spoken over me. We have to be willing as Christ followers to walk out in faith into the promises we feel God has given or spoken to us regardless of the fear or uncertainty we have or feel. Even if it seems totally crazy or ridiculous, if God has called you to it, He has already made the way and you just need to take that first step. As I sat and thought about the above statement, I felt a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit to repent of my unbelief, my fear of man and my fear of wondering what it truly looks like to fully abandon myself and be fully submissive to God and his will and promises for my life and ministry. The reason behind this conviction I felt, were a few words Mark spoke to me during my DTS two years ago.

During his week of teaching my DTS, he began speaking truth into me during a time of prayer and almost two years later I realized that I had not fully walked into that truth and promise God had spoken over me. I had been fearing what it looks like to give it all and to hold nothing back. I was focused on ME and was still walking in the old self. As I processed, the Holy Spirit led me to Romans 6:4 which speaks of walking in the newness of life. I realized that I was still choosing at times to walk in the old self rather than in the newness that been given to me through Christ’s death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit also gave me a picture of a bird in a cage with the words, “There is such Freedom outside the cage.” I was the bird in the cage and it was time for me to fly. I was encouraged and felt my faith growing as I processed. As I attempted to draw a bird in a birdcage in my journal for reference, a song that I had never heard started playing on my phone that began speaking to me. “Faith is rising, Fear is leaving, and Perfect Love is Singing over me. I AM YOUR BELOVED.” If that didn’t sum up most of what God was speaking to me then I was missing it! As I packed up to head to class I continued to try and wrap my mind around all that God had spoken to me. I am still processing everything as I write this but what I can tell you is God is so good and faithful to his children.

There is one more thing I wanted to share with you that Mark said at the closing of our time in class yesterday. I felt it really drove home what God had been speaking to me. This is not meant as a condemnation to anyone, but more of an everyday truth I am striving to walk in. “Many give a piece of themselves (to God), but not their lives. Even the disciples gave themselves but not their lives, until Christ died. Then they understood, and were given a helper the Holy Spirit.”

I pray that this day we could all give ourselves fully to what God has called us to as on this Good Friday He gave it all for us. I Love You all and Thank You for your prayers, time and investment in Kassi and I and our ministry God has called us to. As always, please feel free to comment!

Blessings,

Joshua Palmer

Honestly, I would love for this to be a place of truth, a way to let you all in on what is happening with our life here in San Francisco, and sometimes when we leave the country. I want to tell you all the wins and losses of our life here, the moments I know we are called, and the moments it hurts more than I can say. I think you saw that in my last post. I didn’t realize how hard it would be to be away from home and familiar things, not knowing when we would return. I’ve accepted the dull ache of missing those who know me best. But I know we are here because of what God has done in us, and I promise to share the full story, somehow.

Here is a bit of the beginning…I’ve realized lately how great of a family God blessed me with, for a long time I felt guilty having parents who I can always talk to and a brother who is one of my best friends. I am grateful though, and I know I am reaping benefits of a long legacy of choosing God. I have learned from the pains and struggles my family (mostly my parents) have walked through, and been blessed to have them teach me through their experience. Being 25 now, and really wanting to start a family of my own, I have been thinking of how I would raise my kids, and it scares me to think their choices reflect on how well I teach them to see the world. Looking back at my growing up years I am happy to remember the instruction moments my parents took the time to have with me. They taught me that my choices have consequences, and that those consequences won’t only affect me. My life verse growing up was kind of chosen for me, and I always had to recite it on cue of my disobedience. The verse is: ‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing,’ (Philippians 2:14 NIV) you can imagine why. I was a drama queen, I hated doing what I was told, and I made sure everyone knew it. The beauty was, my parents never gave up, they kept teaching me (through discipline too) why I needed to do things, and how I could be an example to others.

Recently I came across my deemed “life verse” and found a beautiful end that is a part of it, and creates a meaning which today I long to live out. A meaning which we are to be, lights to others, counter to what our flesh and the world tells us. Bright beacons of hope, that maybe anyone can choose differently. I know its possible for us, though difficult at times.

Here is that end:
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16 NIV)

I pray that for all of us, that we can choose to be the light, not the cause of more issues in this world, but the hope. Stars are my favorite thing, I miss seeing them, cities are non-conducive to showing them. But every time I see a star, something inside me swells up, a hope, a desire for something more, it’s my favorite because it reminds me that God is there, loving me every moment.

Dad and Mom, you did not labor in vain. God used you to teach me so much. Thank you.

I pray all is going well for you back home. God has been so good and faithful to Kassi and I since we’ve been back in San Francisco and I wanted to share just a small encouragement with all of you and wanted to ask you if you would do the same!

I started writing our weekly blog post last night and about half way through, God changed it up on me! Yesterday afternoon one of our Base Directors asked Kassi and I if we would share our stories of how we came to The Lord and also share some life lessons or verses with the YWAM staff here in San Francisco.

After I told my story I shared a few verses that had really spoke to me during the process of Kassi and I leaving home to move to San Francisco for our DTS. I also shared a few verses that at that time highlighted what God had planned for my life from the beginning versus what I thought I would be doing with the rest of my life. Psalm 37 speaks of Gods faithfulness to his saints and verses 4, 5, and 7 really spoke to me before, during and after my DTS had concluded. Delight, Commit and Be Still were huge focuses for me at that time and are still ever present in my everyday walk. Four Old Testament books after Psalms, God led me to Isaiah 55 which speaks about the Compassion of The Lord. Before I did my DTS I thought, “6 months in San Francisco and then God would call us back to Washington to continue local ministry and then I could continue pushing toward my goals or “dreams” of making great money.” Isaiah 55:8-11 speaks of Gods thoughts and how His thoughts are not your own thoughts, nor are his ways your ways. In verses 10 and 11 he speaks of his word going out and accomplishing that which he sent it out for. He reminded me that even though I thought I would be doing something different with my life even after DTS, his plans, purposes and word would fulfill that which he sent it for. His will for my life prevails even when I get in the way!

I really felt as I finished reflecting today on the above passages, that God wanted me to ask the readers a few questions for them to reflect on.

1) Read Philippians 1:6. Be Encouraged! What work has God started in you as of recent or what work has he started in your past that he is working/wanting to finish?

2) What are some areas or situations where you have seen Gods faithfulness show through what seemed like impossible circumstances? Were you encouraged?

3) In the busyness of everyday life, are there areas where you feel like He is calling you to be still and wait for Him? What does that look like?

If you feel led to, please feel free to share your answers, thoughts and/or feelings below as we would love to hear what God has been doing in your life and would love the opportunity to lift you up in prayer.

Blessings from San Francisco,

Joshua Palmer

This last bit of time has been really hard for me. I have struggled with the constant moving, the unknown seeming to always be what is in front of me. Adapting to this new lifestyle has been difficult also. I am not yet used to being supported by others, nor have I been able to grab exactly what about my passion I need to share with others. I love what we do, and I’m amazed everyday I wake up and realize God fulfilled all that he placed on my heart years and years ago. (Some day soon I’ll finally get my whole story written out to share with you.)

As I continue to process and share what life is like, here is a thing I wrote while in Thailand in a time where I felt very alone and like I was missing God, though he was right in front of me. (I am by no means a writer…so please have grace for my inept attempt at poetry)

Below is a photo of my view while writing. Also a photo from our rooftop in Bangkok, a favorite place for many of us.

untitled.
I miss you
I miss the cold,
and the newness of spring,
the dead of winter or the color of fall
I miss laying in the grass,
swinging by the water.
I miss being with you,
I miss the ways of home, the people there
the connections I know and understand.
I’ll find you here though,
wherever you may send me – I’ll find you there.
I’ll choose to see how you work,
And where you want me.
I’ll find the beauty in a place unknown,
because I know you are here.
I know your hand in the colors here,
I see your smile in the people here,
I’ve heard your laughter in those that surround me.
I’ve enjoyed your presence in the
company of those around me.
I see your beauty and grace,
humility and gentleness,
all of you in the people of this place.

Please continue to pray for Josh and I as we walk out this unknown path before us.
We love everyone of you, and hold you all in our hearts.

We are back safely from Asia and the Fall DTS of 2012 has now graduated! It feels a little crazy going from running full steam ahead these past 6 months to stopping in a sense. It’s been good though as Kassi and I are now back in Washington resting and reflecting on the past 6 months. We are only here for a short time though as we head back home to San Francisco in nine days!

Mark and Cheryl surprised us with round-trip tickets home and in return, we surprised my dad, mom, stepmom, sisters and brothers by showing up at a family dinner one night and a family outing the next. It was such a good surprise! My brother Jeremiah was married when we were overseas in Thailand and Kassi and I missed the reception. We found out when we got back from Asia that he and his wife Sierra were home in Washington packing up their belongings and moving to South Dakota where Jeremiah is stationed. We’ve been able to spend time with them before they leave and it has been such a blessing.

During our week of reflection, i’ve been thinking back to those moments that make you take a step back and say, “this is what it is all about” and out of the many stories I have from Asia, there is one in particular I am constantly reminded of. While in Thailand, we had the opportunity to work with several different ministries on several different projects but one day we were working with the Ruth Center in particular. One of the Ruth Center volunteers Steve informed us that close to the New Years holiday, one of the houses in a local community had burnt down. The place had caught fire and when the fire intensified and moved to the floor of the house, the floor caved in and every belonging in the house fell into the sewage contaminated water below. In that house lived a grandmother, husband, wife and their kids. They had lost everything they had ever known. We asked Steve how we could help and he said we’re gonna build them a new house, but before we do that, we have to clean all of the belongings and garbage out of the water. As we were walking into the community where the house had burnt down we were greeted with a hello and a “Y” from an elderly woman. (When you are greeted with a “Y” it’s a show of respect or honor). We had a group of us in the water with waders, boots, gloves, shovels, rakes and a group on shore pulling the garbage and waste into a pile. It was about 98 degrees outside with the humidity at 85%. It was WARM! We randomly took water breaks to stay hydrated and during one of the water breaks, the woman who runs the Ruth Center (P-Noy) was speaking with the elderly woman who greeted us on our way into the community. As they were speaking, the elderly woman started weeping and as I was speaking with our translator, he told me the elderly woman was the grandmother who lived in the house that burnt down. P-Noy told her how valuable she was to God and that we were going to build her and her family a better house than they had before. (We left a short time later for the Vietnam portion of our outreach and during our time in Vietnam, Steve and his crew had fully built another house) That for me, was one of many “this is why I do what I am called to do” moments. I pray this story encourages you in that it doesn’t matter if you are on the other side of the world or you are in your local neighborhood or city, you can make a difference just be serving your neighbor.

Please continue to keep Kassi and I in your prayers as we will be involved in various ministries when we get back to San Francisco and are still raising the monthly support needed to continue the ministry God has given us. If you would like more information on the vision and passion God has placed in our hearts, or you feel led to support us through prayer or through financially partnering with us, please feel free to e-mail us for details at joshandkassi@gmail.com.

Blessings,

Josh and Kassi

The last month has been crazy, and pretty much non-stop. Here is a quick overview.

The end of November we got a phone call that Grandpa Palmer passed away. Amazingly, God blessed us with the ability to go home for his service. We flew back to Washington on Thursday November 29, and left Monday December 3 to meet up with our team at the airport in San Francisco to leave for outreach.

We have spent the last three weeks in Los Angeles, California. The team has been amazing, working with the local ministry called Oasis of Hollywood, where we were also housed. We got to be a part of youth bible studies, a couple outreach club nights hosted at the building, and many days at schools doing Kidz Klub and Christmas parties. Through these ministries we have seen over 50 people come to know The Lord. It has been a blessing to serve a ministry so focused on reaching out to their neighborhood.

A few of us on the team were able to also serve another YWAM base located in LA! We worked hands on with a huge project to get their tangible missions outdoor area ready for teams. It was amazing to do some physical labor and actually see a difference in front of us.

One amazing thing happened just Christmas Eve. One of our students wasn’t going to be able to leave with us for Thailand, and in less than 24 hours $2,000 came in! Wow! Our God does big things!

I am so excited for what God has coming for this team. I have been blessed to see them come together to fight through many struggles, and the unity that has been built is only going to strengthen the witness we have for Christ.

Please continue to pray for us as a couple to be strengthened, and for our individual hearts and walks with God. Staffing has been so much more than i ever expected, please pray for renewal and refreshment from God as we step out of our country for these two months.

Please continue to pray for our team, unity is a word God keeps saying to us and reassuring us in. We don’t want to loose our unity and our openness with one another. Pray for all of us as we step into a new culture, pray for grace and patience to be our biggest assets!

We love you all and miss you!

I still can’t believe how long we have officially lived here now! In some ways it feels like yesterday that we moved! In more ways though I feel like we have lived here so much longer.

The school is going very well. It’s been amazing to see each of the students grow and step into what God is showing them. We have just six weeks before we leave for outreach! Please keep praying for the school, the next few weeks of prep and learning are very important!

This last week has been very full, but so wonderful! Tuesday night we watched the Father of Lights documentary, an inspiring film on the wonders of God. Wednesday night we went to San Jose for Ember Night with the San Jose YWAM group. It was amazing to go worship and then do outreach in the parks, and especially because we got to share the time with local believers.

Friday night the base here hosted a community night. We invited in whoever wanted to come and listen about the patron saint of the city. Father Gregory from the Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi shared with us about this inspiring saint. I’ve never learned about the life if this saint before, it was great to learn about him and hear of his passion for God. He was a dedicated, and amazingly loving person. Like a few people said last night, it’s no coincidence that this city was named after him. I hope one day we, the church, can shine more of our patron saint to this city. It’s beautiful to see the heart of that growing through the city. If you want to read about Saint Francis of Assisi here is the Wikipedia link!

I have also taken on a new role, part time for now, of leading the communications department. Please be praying for me as this is a huge transition right now. The current communications person leaves in early December and I will have the whole load soon. It’s been very difficult to balance both learning all the needs and still being a part of the school.

Please be praying for the whole school, almost everyone has finance needs. Also pray for strength and endurance, most days we are going from 7 am to 9 pm, so everyone gets tired by the end of the week

I hope you are all doing well! We miss you lots! Please let us know what we can be praying for you all for!

Here are a couple photos from Friday!

We just made it through our first month in San Francisco and it has been a whirlwind! We are fully into our “micro-loft” and are slowly getting acclimated to the consistent Sunny and 75 degree days!

The Fall DTS students arrived September 17th and the school is moving full speed ahead. All the students have such high expectations of the school and for themselves, and have all grown very close, very quickly! We just made it through the first week of lectures on the Character & Nature of God and the students are now digging into the Bible and learning the process of completing an Inductive Bible Study.

Please be praying for revelation through the Holy Spirit for the students, and for Gods guidance and leadership for the Staff of this school. We know God has big things in store for this school and we feel so privileged to be a part of what God is doing.

Kassi and I also ask for your continued prayer support as we have $600 of monthly support committed and need a total of $1600 in continued monthly support to cover the costs of food and rent! Our God is big and we know he answers big prayers! We also want you to know that it is important to both Kassi and I that if you have any prayer requests you would be willing to share with us we would love to be praying for you and your loved ones.

God Bless,

Josh and Kassi