November 2013 and that which Follows

In June 2004 we packed a few bags each, boarded a plane, and landed in Munich, Germany. Fast forward some nine and half years to today. Our fall semester here at CCBCE is rapidly coming to a close. Guest Speakers Week kicks off on Monday morning. Two weeks from the end of Speakers Week: graduation. Time—as it is often prone to do—has flown. 

When you're having fun—as the old adage tells us—time flies. Really, these past 9.5 years have raced by. God has been gracious and merciful. He's blessed. God has so richly provided for all that we need and then some. It's the "and then some" that is often the toughest part. And, it's often the tough part when it comes time to move. What do we pack? What ends up in the "give-away" box(es)? What can be replaced? What CAN'T be replaced? Etc, etc. As I sit here pondering these things, I am fairly surrounded by cardboard boxes and large plastic bins. Suffice it to say, we're in full-on packing mode. 

I suppose it might be worthwhile, three paragraphs into this update, to actually give you the update. If you haven't put 9 and .5 together just yet, here you go: after 9.5 years of serving in Europe, we are moving to the United States of America. We will head out in just under a month. All is well; there are no issues, ill-feelings, items of irritation, or problems of any variety. For the past almost two years, we have simply been noticing God doing something. "Something," but what exactly? Insert prayer, counsel, waiting, praying, more praying, seeking, and asking. And here we are on the cusp of something new and entirely fresh: living again in the good ol' U.S. of A. 

For the kids, this really is something almost entirely new. Mikayla, as you might know, was born in Austria, and has pretty much spent her whole life in Europe. Kara has celebrated all 10 of her birthdays on this side of the Atlantic. When we moved, Ian was 4 and Leah was 2 (almost 3). Other than a few visits here and there to the States, this has been for them home. And (once again), it's been a blast. 

We determined in our hearts roughly six months ago that it was indeed time to move on. We believed that God was asking us to take two steps of faith. 1) Say "Yes" to His question of "Will you move?" 2) Wait and let Him show us where to go next. Step one was arrived at some months back; step two just recently: I have been asked to be the new pastor for a Calvary Chapel in Northwest Arkansas: Calvary in the Ozarks. Christi and I couldn't be more excited. We loathe the leaving part, but are genuinely thrilled at the going. We fell in love with the people there (and they with us!) when we visited last month. 

a bit of irony

And there you go. We will be in New Jersey visiting family and our sending church (Calvary Chapel Vineland) for the holidays, I will visit our new church for a Sunday in December, and then we will move out there in early-January. We go to a strong and healthy church; it is a fellowship of believers that love Jesus, love His Word, and love one another. To say that we're "honored" to be a part of that family seems a little bit trite. But honored we are. Humbled. Thrilled. 

As for the next couple of months, we'd truly covet your prayers. Moving to the States is honestly the biggest step of faith that God has asked us to make. Packing it up and heading out is tough; transition is never easy. Determining what to leave behind, give away, attempt to pack, etc, etc is a task in itself. Financially, having not lived in 'Merica for nearly a decade, we're simply not so sure what to expect. We also know that what America is today is simply not what she was in '04. Times have changed, and times have changed her. This might sound odd since we're Americans ourselves, but "culture shock" is something that we're anticipating. God has gone above and beyond in the realm of supplying our ever need every step of the way. He's always provided and we're not worried that He'll quit now. And so we ask for prayer. We ask that you'd think about us and lift us up to the Father.

We ask you to also pray for Calvary in the Ozarks. We are looking forward to growing with the church and the church growing with us. December and January will be here in a jiffy. In the meantime, I have papers to grade, counseling with students, classes to teach, and a final exam to create for one of the classes I'm teaching. Tons to do. A dear old friend of mine reminded me today to "finish strong." I'd like very much to be able to say I have done just that. 

aerial view of Calvary in the Ozarks

If you'd like more information, feel free to email me and I'll make the attempt to get back to you as soon as possible!
jeremyfoster@calvarychapel.com works the best for me. 

And so, here's one more hearty "Thank you" from Christi and me. We do so appreciate having so many of you join us for this adventure. We've been honored to be part of it. It's been a treat to watch God work and humbling to hear from so many that have been praying for us for so long. Please don't stop now!

Tons of blessings,

Jeremy and Christi and the kids