The Cat is Out of the Bag

No, we're not pregnant. Just as a side note, it's not okay to ask when we're going to have babies or if we're pregnant yet as small talk. That was free and has nothing to do with the rest of the blog.

The big news is that we will be moving to Clinton, MS in June. It has been incredible seeing God move over the last year to get Zach and me on the same page with this decision and to see Him putting all of the pieces together.

For all of our Texas friends, this is not our hometown. It is roughly 3 hours south of our hometown. We knew that we had to make a decision of where to be after Zach graduated, and we knew church planting is the long-term goal. Zach and I could not agree or get to any compromise when we first started talking about it. Zach was originally opposed to going back to Mississippi. I had a hate-hate
relationship with Texas, and we weren't necessarily gravitating toward any other state. We decided not to talk about it anymore, but we prayed about it separately. About 4 months later, we brought it up again and God had put the same location on our hearts. So, we started making moves toward that direction, and  God has confirmed very clearly over and over again that that is where He wants us.

We took a trip over spring break, and we began house hunting. HOUSE HUNTING!!! That means that I get to STAY somewhere! That makes me so happy that I can't put it into words! I have moved
more times than I can count, and I am ready to stay, set roots, develop lasting community. Did I mention stay somewhere?

We met a realtor to look at a couple of houses,  and we found out that he planted a church in the area two years ago. So, as he is walking these newbies through this house buying process, he is able to
give us a little insight into the neighborhoods in regard to the ministry and spiritual side of things. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't our realtor telling us that he was praying for us as we walked through this process. I don't count our meeting him as coincidence.


While we were there, I had an interview and another meeting with a principal. I didn't expect that to happen because it was spring break, but it did. I met with Mrs. Tyner just to meet in person, but I would have a FaceTime committee interview the following week. I fell in love with the school and could just tell that she is an excellent leader that strives to foster unity among the staff. She had a staff picture in her office, and she pointed out the people that would be a part of the committee interview. One of the teachers on the committee showed up at the school at the same time I did, during spring break might I add. We walked down and met her which made me feel better to have at least met two of the interviewers. Zach and I went to Chick-Fil-A right after I met with the principal, and the first person I saw was the other teacher that would be on the interview committee. The fact that I recognized her and remembered her name after seeing her pointed out in a picture once is a miracle in and of itself.  So, in true stalker fashion, I walked over, told her I knew who she was, and introduced myself. I was so thankful, because I didn't want to have the disadvantage of not personally meeting the people that would interview me. I also give God the credit for orchestrating those meetings.

I did the Face Time committee interview the next week as Debbie Grief, ACI's office manager, was trying to sabotage my internet connection. When I finished the interview my thoughts were as follows: "That was a dumb answer." "Why didn't I say that?" "I'm going to be really surprised if they offer me a position." So, Mrs. Tyner called me roughly 4 hours after I interviewed and offered me a second grade position at Northside Elementary! God was so sweet in two big aspects of this. (1) He showed me that He is in control, and my ability to answer  questions well or even perform well doesn't earn me anything. I am not promoting slacking at your job or neglecting preparation in any way. You get the point. (2) My anxiety is sin. I acknowledge that fully, but He allowed for a quick response. I felt like that was just another way of Him telling me that He is guiding every step of this move and I simply need to trust Him. I am amazingly excited about joining the team at Northside and being a part of the Clinton Public School District.

I am at a point now where I enjoy Texas, and there will definitely be things I miss. I wish I had found this contentment much earlier. I will especially miss ACI Academy. I have learned a tremendous amount during my time there, and they have definitely taught me a lot about being flexible! The students and families are simply amazing, and I will miss them terribly. I will also miss City Church. We have been trained SO well by them. I feel as if all of our time there was unofficial training, because family and discipleship are so intertwined with everything that they are. The leaders and their wives are incredible, and I am eternally grateful for them. Thanks for showing us what true community is!

We definitely covet your prayers as we continue to move in this direction. There are many more big decisions to make before we roll out of Fort Worth on June 7th. We have to find a house, and Zach is still searching for a job. Please pray that we will find peace, trusting in God for provision in all aspects. That last one is mostly for me.

Shaped by Grace, 

Jessica Hardy