My life in
West Africa
I'M JOANNA
hello!
I want to thank you for taking the time to get to know me. I can only imagine you must be experiencing so many emotions in this season and I recognize that trying to decide what is best for you and your child is likely one of the hardest decisions you have ever had to make. I respect your decision to find what is best for you and your child, and do not take it lightly that you are making an impossible choice for the sake of your child. I am praying that as you seek what is best for you and your child, you find the answers and direction you need and are hoping for.
If chosen, please know that it is my dream to provide your child with a life filled with joy, fun, and adventure. I will do everything I can to make sure they know how much he or she is loved by God, you, me, and my community of family and friends.
-Joanna
I promise...
A bit
about me
Friends describe me as caring, relational, and thoughtful. Relationships are important to me and I strive to be trustworthy and a person of integrity. I also love cheering others on and seeing them succeed.
I enjoy:
- Traveling
- Playing pickleball
- Paddleboarding
- Playing strategy games
- Hiking
I am a international worker living in West Africa! The organization I work for focuses on the development and discipleship of both those who live locally and those who come to serve with us. We host short-term teams and interns who come to serve with us here. We host eye clinics in local neighborhoods, work at an English Center, and partner with a child rescue center.
One of the best parts about my job is the flexibility. I do much of my work from home, but when I leave the house for work I would be able to take my child with me. My organization and colleagues place a high value on the family. We are encouraged to serve and do ministry together and at the same time are encouraged to take time to rest and take time for our families.
Q&A
Questions about West Africa?
(click the + to find out)
Yes! I feel very safe in the city where I live. I can go out and about by myself without worrying about my safety.
I live in a country that values relationships. The people are committed to their families. Relationships with others are more important than sticking to a schedule or being on time. The people don’t feel the need to be busy or in a rush all the time. They are also very friendly and most are very quick to help when they see you are in need. I hope my child will learn to value people and slow down to just be with others rather than feel they always need to be busy and in a rush. I also hope my child will learn the value of helping and serving others.
I plan to remain in West Africa, but currently take trips to the US every 2 years and stay for 4 months at a time. While it is a long flight, it is very easy to book a flight back and forth. When in the US, I stay with my parents in West Virginia and get to see my sister and her family regularly. I am also planning to incorporate annual visits with my child’s birth family if that is desired by everyone involved. I envision those trips to the US being 2-4 weeks long.
ABSOLUTELY! I have an amazing team of coworkers who are like family to me! One family even lives in the same apartment building and we do life together almost daily.
Travel & Adventure
I love to travel to different places and experience the culture, try new foods, and do things outdoors. I have traveled to Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and more. I love to hike and paddle board and have even planned vacations around hiking. I also love to travel with friends and often plan trips to meet up with friends. I like to stay active on all these trips, whether I’m hiking, paddle boarding, or walking around to explore a new place.
I hope to continue to travel once I adopt and look forward to introducing my child to different cultures, foods and experiences. I think experiencing different cultures will help my child appreciate all people and the strengths and values different cultures have to offer.
West Africa
Boat ride to an island near my home in West Africa
Switzerland
Hiking with my sister, Leah
Switzerland
traveling with a good friend
Sri Lanka
Traveling on a train from one part of Sri Lanka to another while vacationing with good friends
New Zealand
On a hike in New Zealand while traveling with a good friend
Switzerland
Hiking with my sister, Leah
Switzerland
Hiking with my sister, Leah
Lake Tahoe
paddle boarding in Lake Tahoe while traveling with a good friend
My Values...
faith
One of the most important things in my life is my Christian faith and relationship with God. I desire to pass this faith on to my child and want them to know how deeply loved they are.
Adventure
I plan to continue traveling, being active, and going on new adventures with my child. I look forward to sharing adventures with my child and introducing them to my friends around the world.
Loving others
I value people – I love my family and friends and value spending time and investing in them. I try to value all people and to treat others the way I want to be treated no matter who they are, what they have done, where they come from, or how they treat me.
“
Family & Friends
support this adoption
Joanna is my big sister but she is also one of my dearest friends. She is the person I turn to with my deepest secrets, most embarrassing struggles, and my fiercest concerns, and also who I call to share my biggest laughs and most joyous celebrations. Besides being a wise counselor and a trustworthy secret keeper, she is also an organized neat freak and a fabulous cook. She is a woman of integrity who lives by what she believes, even when it’s hard. Jo has longed to be a mother since she was 2. Much of her teen years were spent taking care of other people’s children. She is a natural mother who hasn’t had the opportunity to have or raise a child of her own. Joanna will be a fabulous mother who will raise her child knowing they are loved, safe, cared for, and wanted.
Joanna is the kind of sister/friend you can rely on and is always there to help you when needed. She is an honest, strong, and moral person and would make a wonderful mother. Joanna possesses all the qualities that would make an excellent mother. She is gentle but firm, patient, organized, caring, nurturing, loving, and secure. All five of my children enjoy spending time with Joanna and look forward to seeing her. If for some reason my children had to live with her, I know they would be so well taken care of and loved. Thus, I can say that Joanna has amazing parenting skills and loves children with all her heart.
I have worked with/known Joanna for almost 7 years. She is a kind and genuine person who is there for you when you need her. I have seen how she interacts with not only my two children but other kids and I know she will be a great mother! If you are looking for someone who will love your child unconditionally and have a community around to do the same then Joanna is the one for you. She has an amazing community around her supporting and cheering her on.
Meet my family & friends
On becoming
a mother
Being a mom has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. From a young age, I planned to get married and start a family. However, this plan didn’t work out the way I thought it would. In my early 20’s I knew I wanted to adopt, but always thought it would be something I did once I got married. Then a little later in life, I made the decision that I could adopt and be a good mother even if I was single. After talking with friends about adoption, I recognized that things don’t have to be what I consider “perfect” for me to make the decision to adopt.
I am in a really good place to pursue adoption now. I am financially stable and I have a job that will allow me to spend as much time as I want with my child while still working. I have a great support system with my family as well as those I do life with on a daily basis.
I look forward to...
I’m so excited about adopting a child! I am looking forward to all the aspects of being a mom. I am looking forward to the everyday routines like snuggling, playing, feeding, and bathing my child. I am also looking forward to the special moments of introducing my baby to family and friends, watching them explore the world, watching them learn new things, and celebrating holidays and special occasions with him/her.
Before you go...
I want to thank you again for getting to know me!
I know there are no easy answers or decisions as you consider the future and I pray you find peace in making the decision that is best for you and your child. I can promise you that your child would be loved completely and unconditionally by me, my family, and those I do life with.
I want you to know your child would always know of your love for them. I would love continued communication with you so you can remain a part of your child’s life if that’s something you desire. Either way, you will always be spoken of with love, honor, and respect in our home.
YOU ARE LOVED
You Got To KNow ME
So, Now It’s Your Turn. Say Hello!
go ahead – say hi!
created with love by adored.