So We Followed God to Florida...

Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down...

I began a blog post like that a few years ago when I was resigning my position at my church to be a stay at home mom. Now I'm beginning this one the same way as God has flipped my family upside down again. 

The story of how the Hostetlers, party of four, uprooted from Arkansas and then landed by the beach, has God's fingerprints all over it and I'd love to let you in on some of the details. I don't want my sharing to make you think we are all that and a bag of chips; we are just a simple family trying to follow God where He leads. Thankfully, this time He made His plan abundantly clear. So grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair and I'll tell you about our creative Father and His latest work in our family. 

We have to go back to April 2016 to start the tale. I received a text from Eric, a guy I used to work with at my church, saying his church in Nashville, Tennessee, was in the market for a children's minister and he wanted to know if I would be interested in the job. I thanked Eric for thinking of me but said no, saying 1) I had no desire to move, 2) children's ministry isn't really my thing - I prefer preschoolers, and 3) we couldn't even consider moving out of state anyway because Timothy's adoption process had basically no end in sight. I told Andy about the text and that night he said, "What if Jeff (another guy I worked with at our church) had texted?" I responded that I would have to consider it if Jeff texted. I served a long time alongside Jeff and April and I missed them. They love their new church and - duh - they live by the beach! Sure, I'd consider it. Then I put our conversation out of my mind because that was never going to happen. 

Until about three weeks later when it did. I was home with Timothy that day - he was sick. We were sitting on the couch and my phone buzzed. I looked down and saw that it was Jeff and assumed he was just bragging again about being at the Orange Conference (one of my favorite conferences to attend as a preschool minister). He'd already rubbed it in the day before and I was expecting it to be more of the same. Instead, I read, "Hey! Our preschool min resigned. Can I give our church your name?" Blank stare. Heart pounding. I all but fell off the couch. I just received the hypothetical, never-gonna-happen text. So now we revisit the reasons I told Eric no. 1) I had no desire to move, but if this is God, I'd better start praying about it. Besides, it's the beach. ;) 2) "Wait. Preschool ministry? My favorite? Ok, God, what's going on?" 3) Timothy's adoption - in the time between Eric and Jeff's texts, not only had Timothy's birth dad signed over rights, but the ten days to change his mind had passed AND the termination of parental rights hearing was THE NEXT DAY. The way was being cleared. 

I wrestled for two weeks about sending in my  resume. Why would a big church in a different state even entertain the idea of hiring a stay at home mom? Why put myself through the work and vulnerability of putting together and sending in a resume when I was most likely going to be told, "Thanks, but no thanks"? Worse yet, what if they wanted an interview??? Even worse still, what if they offered me the job and I had to make a big decision? Gah! Andy and I talked and prayed about it and sought wisdom from a few people for a couple of weeks. Finally, I asked Andy, "If it were just up to you - and you were making the decision - what would you have me do?" He responded, "I would have told you to send in your resume the next day." I had my husband's support and encouragement. I sent it the next morning. 

A few weeks later, I had a Skype interview. I was sick with nerves. What if they don't like me? What if they DO like me? Will this be awkward? What am I even doing? I chatted with the children's minister and discipleship pastor for about an hour. I thought it went pretty well, but I also gave them a few answers that I just knew would be negatives to them. Stuff about my strengths and weaknesses and what I liked and disliked about preschool ministry. I found out later the answers I gave were actually on the list of things they wanted in a preschool ministry leader. WHAT. 

A couple weeks later, I had a second Skype interview and a few weeks after that, Andy and I flew down to Jax to meet everyone in person. I'm not going to presume to speak for both of us, but I felt loved and wanted by the staff before I ever stepped foot off the plane. I was greeted with a chocolate gift basket. Seriously? Where do I sign? ;) 

In the middle of all the interviews and praying, I had a friend in Jonesboro tell me she was praying that God would reveal His plan regarding Jacksonville to us in scripture. I was studying Daniel and didn't really know how that would work, but sure - I'll see what happens. Oh, ye of little faith. God spoke to me so personally and directly through the book of Daniel, I could scarcely believe it. I'd go further into those details, but that would make this long story even longer. As it stands, if you're like me, you need a coffee refill to finish this post. Ha! Suffice it to say, by the end of the study of Daniel, I knew without a doubt God was calling me back out into vocational ministry and all signs were pointing to Chets Creek Church in Jax. 

God confirmed His will for us in many ways, not the least of which was through Elisabeth. When she first found out I was sending in my resume, she was unhappy. She loved her church, her school, her friends, and our town. When Andy and I got back from our first visit with Chets, Elisabeth prayed that God would show us - and her - what we were supposed to do. She prayed specifically that she would dream about it that night. Y'all. She dreamed we moved to Florida. Since that night, she has been so excited about our move and she hasn't looked back. God is so good and gracious to reveal Himself so personally to a fourth grader. 

One thing I haven't addressed yet is the sacrifice that obedience requires. Let me first state there is remarkable peace when you know you are heading where God is leading. But peace doesn't always mean easy. As much as we love Chets Creek, we had to say goodbye to Walnut Street. Not to mention our family. The majority of our family lived close enough to us in Arkansas that we could meet up for lunch on a Saturday. And we aren't the only ones who sacrificed. Obedience always involves sacrifice and, sometimes, it requires it of the people around you, as well. Our family has sacrificed much as we have followed God's leading - and they weren't given the option. Andy and I got to choose whether or not to be obedient; our parents just had to wait for our decision. Their sacrifice has not gone unnoticed by us and we are thankful for their support. 

When Andy and I went for our first visit to Chets, I prayed for courage to do what God asked. During the service that Sunday morning, one of the songs was new to me. 

Humbly I stand, an offering

With open hands, Lord, I bring 

Everything and nothing less

My best, my all

You deserve my every breath

My life, my song

I surrender, I surrender all

I could hear God asking me if I really meant it. "Jennifer, your family - do you really surrender that to Me? Your friends? The school Elisabeth attends and you all love?" One by one, I started giving things and people to God. As that song ended, the band went right into the next one -

You make me brave 

You make me brave

You call me out beyond the shore into the waves

God really spoke to me that morning. If I was willing to surrender and trust, He could definitely handle making me brave and giving me courage to follow. 

We are now (semi) settled in our new home in Jax. Tomorrow morning, I will begin settling in at Chets Creek. Andy starts his job in a few days and the kids will get started in their schools soon, too. We are excited about what the future holds for us, for Chets, and for Jacksonville. 

I'll close with this: whatever God is calling you to do, do it! Talk to your neighbor. Go on the mission trip. Serve in the student ministry. (Unless you go to Chets; God wants YOU to serve in preschool. ;) ) Pick up and move to a different state if that what He's telling you to do. Choose to be obedient and He will give you the courage to follow Him. 

To Timothy on Gotcha Day

Dear Timothy,

     Today is the day your adoption became final and official. You are ours and we are yours and nothing will ever change that. You have been ours since we brought you home from the hospital - exactly 20 months and one day ago - but today, a judge gave you our last name and we are overwhelmed.

     There are many things rolling around in my head and heart right now. Things you need to know and things I need to remember. So I'm writing them for both of us, lest we get down the road and the memories fade a bit and we forget some of what God has done for our family. 

     The first thing I want you to know won't come as a shock. Son, you are adopted. ;) We have had numerous people ask if we would tell you - because, amazingly, you look like us. Well, we are telling you for two big reasons. 1) It would take The Truman Show-like effort to keep you from finding out. (Don't worry - we'll explain that reference later.) 2) We want you to know your story. We want you to know how God worked on your behalf and ours to place you in our family and make you a Hostetler.  

     The second thing I want you to know is that you were, are, and always will be wanted. I think a majority of humans go through times of insecurity, but I wonder if those who are adopted maybe experience that more frequently or deeply. So, my son, as you grow older and curious people ask you questions or the enemy whispers doubts in your mind, remember this: you have been wanted and loved since before you were born. Let me tell you a little of that story. Six weeks before you were born, we got your room ready for a little girl. God had other plans for her, though, and she went to a family He had chosen and prepared for her. I didn't understand that at the time and all I could see was a crib in your room, an empty crib. I so desperately wanted a baby to fill that crib and I wept and prayed over it. I reminded God of all the women and families in the Bible He gave children to and I asked Him to do it again. All three of us (and so many others) were praying for you - and you weren't even born yet! When you were born and it became clear you needed a home and a family, THAT DID NOT SURPRISE GOD. He knew you needed a daddy who would wrestle and show you how to be a godly man. He knew you needed a mommy who would snuggle and watch football with you. He knew you needed a sister who would adore you and help you deal with your sarcastic and strange parents. God also knew we needed you. He started preparing a place for you in our family a long time before you were born. He even had a crib ready for you - God is faithful down to the details. And we are thankful beyond measure. 

     Finally (for now), I want you to know that God has a plan and a purpose for you. He made you especially to fulfill that plan. He has already accomplished so much through you. My walk with the Lord has been greatly strengthened through this process of waiting for you and then waiting for the finalization of adoption. Sweet Timothy, you have changed the way I pray and I hope I never forget that. I have seen God do mighty works for you and for us. I won't venture to speak on the behalf of others, but I'm sure I'm not the only one with this story. I don't know what God has for you in the future, but "I am confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion." (Philippians 1:6) We are watching expectantly to see that work in and through you. 

     So, my dear son, I'm going to close this the only way I know how, with three more things for us to remember. God is good. God is faithful. And His mercies are new every morning. 

     We love you, Timothy! Happy Gotcha Day!