A Few Christmas Thoughts

Christmas was different this year, a lot different. The main reason... we have a 6-month old little girl. This changes everything. It's fun. We get to live Christmas through her eyes. Except... she's 6-months old. She'd rather eat the paper than see what's inside the box.

As much as we talk about Jesus being born at Christmas, it's really weird for me to think of Jesus as a baby. I mean, I know what 6-month olds do!

Think about it (here's what I know of my baby):

1) AvaRae drools a lot. Nothing deep or theological here, just interesting to think of Jesus drooling as a baby (and no, I don't think that is sacrilegious).

2) AvaRae makes a lot of interesting noises. The other day, we were enjoying a nice time of family prayer and AvaRae decided she needed to added her two "scents" (it was more like ten "scents", and everyone heard it loud and clear).

3) AvaRae is definitely advanced :). I wonder if Jesus' parents thought he was advanced... Just think about it. (I wonder when they finally found out how true this was.)

4) AvaRae is a cute cuddly baby.

I once had a professor in college give us an assignment. He told us to come back next class and tell him what the greatest miracle ever was. We all came back to class thinking we had the right answer. Creation, parting the Red Sea, raising the dead... the resurrection of Jesus! We were all wrong. The greatest most amazing miracle of all was that God became one of us and was born as a baby, the incarnation. This one miracle alone tells us just about everything we need to know about our amazing God. Think about it.

"[God/Jesus] became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:14 (NIV)
"You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:12 (NIV)

Vision! What is it?

If you run in leadership circles at all you hear the word "vision" a lot! And as used up a word as it may be, we can never escape it's importance. The truth is, we die without vision (Don't believe me? Read this.). Vision matters!

I used to think vision was slippery, hard to get a handle on, but lately I've come to see vision in a very practical way. Vision is simply something God places in your heart to do. That's it, that's vision! (Don't believe me again? Read this.)

Here's some of the vision God has given us... We believe God has called us to launch a church that is super solid theologically. God wrote a book, it's called the Bible, it's our manual. At the same time, we believe God has called us to connect with culture. This means speaking a language people understand, designing worship services and worship space so that people who aren't used to church will feel at home and in the process encounter a real God. We believe it's possible to have a solid Christian church that is simple, understandable, and relevant all at the same time. (Remember that old line where they would say, "It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No. It’s Superman!” I think people are going to say, “It’s a concert! It’s a worship service! No. It’s Jesus!”)

We want to create a church where it is crystal clear what it means to find Jesus, pursue Jesus, and live for Him (Helping people find, pursue, and live for Jesus.). We believe people want to connect with God they just don't know how - we want to change that. We want to break the rules, the kinds of rules that say 20% of the people do 80% of the work. We want to break the kinds of rules that say you can't go deep (depth of teaching) and wide (reach the unchurched) at the same time. We want to be simple... and effective.

We believe it's possible (and would be God honoring) to launch with 200+ people. We believe it's possible (and would be God honoring) to launch with multiple staff (or the closest thing to it). And we believe it is fully possible (and would be incredibly God honoring) to spin off another church within two years. We believe it's possible to see lives changed daily and people regularly coming to Christ. We believe we (God) can change a community... and a city.

...But, I guess this is all just stuff God has placed in our hearts to do so who knows if it'll actually happen. Oh, wait. That's what vision is, it's stuff that God places in your heart to do. And if it's something God has placed in your heart to do, then I guess you'd better get ready.

The Next Level

It's time to take things to the next level... are you ready?

I was feeling a little frustrated today so I decided to do something I haven't done in a while - I hopped on the tread mill and took off. It wasn't long into it that I realized I really was in as bad of shape as I suspected (by the way, don't try to take your shirt off while still running on the treadmill - bad idea). I also realized I've been coasting (in a lot of ways, but especially physically). I've known I needed to do something about it, but I haven't. Today, I had had enough, it was time to take it to the next level.

Jesus was constantly challenging people to take it to the next level. He challenged the disciples to get out of their boat and follow him into a new future. He challenged the religious to lose their religion and find the heart of it all. He called the crowds to the next level when he taught that if they wanted to truly find life, they needed to lose themselves in a cause greater than themselves.

It’s time! It's time to stop coasting. It’s time to take things to the next level with this new church! Are you ready?

We’ve been meeting for several months now, pulling together a team and now it’s time to get rolling. January 6 we’ll have one last key Pre-Launch Gathering. We’ll once again tackle vision questions, discuss our strategy, and lay out a Launch Team Covenant. This is the point in what we’re doing when everyone decides how committed they are and how much they believe God is calling them to this and how much they believe in the vision. This is where we start to lean in; this is where it starts to get exciting!

We really want as many of you on the team as possible, but you need to engage.

January 6 – Pre-Launch Gathering: talking about vision, strategy, Launch Team Covenant
January 13 – Shindig ’08: relationship building @ the Hosslers
January 20 – Kickoff of Weekly Launch Team Meetings!

Guys, it is going to be great! God has given us the challenge and privilege of starting a new kind of church, one that is Biblically solid and connects with culture. Man, I cannot tell you how amazing this new church is going to be!

Pray like crazy! Lean in! Here we go!

(I'll be posting a little later in the week a little bit more about mission, vision, and values for ? church.)

Josh's Favorite Things

Had a great night of team building tonight as 26 of us (counting the wee ones) of us got together to talk and dream some more about the kind of church God has given us a vision for. It was hilarious to get to know all the strange little things that people enjoy. Tim Joye shared some thoughts about being connecting to other believers and encouraging each other. Then, yours truly, kicked the night of by sharing a few of my favorite things... Oprah Style (and yes, everyone went home with gifts... Milky Way Candy Bar, McDonalds Dollar, and a can of Mt. Dew).

Honestly though, the night wasn't the blow out we had hoped for. It's hard (even though it's important (even critical!)), to take the time necessary to build the foundation. Right now we're building the foundation. But, it's going to be a great foundation. (I'm excited about the people on the team!)

We also just took some time tonight to dream. We said, "Can you imagine what the next year or two are going to look like?!" It seems every great church plant has their story. "Yeah, we started with like 3-people in an alley behind... And now look where we are!" I wonder what our story is going to be. And I wonder who's going to be in it.

God, thanks for teaching me lessons. Thanks for teaching me about the amazing resilience of Daniel, a man who turned several world empires upside down (Daniel 1-6, some really great stuff). Thank you for teaching me not to despise the day of small things (Zech. 4:10). Thank you for placing a vision inside of our hearts for a church that goes after the unchurched, that even dares to run to them (Luke 15:20) without compromising. Thank you for running to us (ie - Christmas).

Take-Aways & Housekeeping

Can I just say that the guys at Eastlake rock! I just got back from visiting a couple year old church plant called Eastlake Community Church in Kirkland, WA (a Missionary Church). They are going like gang busters and reaching the unchurched 80% in their community. They are boldly leading a church that is laser focused on reaching people. I came back so challenged and fired up!

My biggest take-aways from my trip to Eastlake:

1) You can be simple AND effective. You don't have to do a huge production every week to reach people. Just make it simple, clear, and relevant and people will come.

2) Hold followers of Christ to high standards. At Eastlake you don't lead until you've proven you can follow. To be a leader at ECC you must first serve at least four months in some other area. They also don't pull any punches when it comes to tithing. If you don't tithe, you don't lead - period! And they ask too. They're serious about it. Why? Because tithing/giving is a great indicator of spiritual maturity and it also tells you where a person's heart is. People may say they're committed, but if they're not backing it financially who are we kidding.

3) The mission is way too important to worry about what others think. Whenever we get real serious about reaching the unchurched Christians get real nervous. Most of my life I've been really concerned about that. Most of the time this mindset keeps us play it safe and usually renders us ineffective (or at least mildly effective). Jesus and Jesus alone need to be the CEO and Senior Leader of our churches and not popular opinion. The mission is too important to let what other's think sidetrack us.

HOUSE KEEPING:
Pre-Launch Gathering DATE CHANGED!
-Dec. 2 Pre-Launch Gathering moved to Dec. 9
-5pm
-Macomb Township Recreation Center
-Child-Watch Provided

Gobble! Gobble! (includes updated pictures)

I have a couple practical issues to hammer out here in today's blog.

1) I will be getting rid of my office phone number (586.286.1472) and just going with my personal number (586.246.0938). So, beginning Nov. 24 you will only be able to reach me on my personal number.

2) I've wanted to post about this for a while. If you regularly check this blog to see what's going on you might want to consider subscribing via email (bottom right side of page). It's really simple. Once you type in your email address and hit subscribe you'll receive a confirmation email. Then, after you confirm your subscription you will automatically receive email updates every time new content is posted on the blog. It's a great and easy way to know when new stuff has been added. Plus, it's easy to unsubscribe if you ever wanted to. This also helps me know the number of readership. Just thought I would take a minute and encourage you to try it out!

Hope you end up passed out on a couch, bloated with turkey, and watching football this weekend with family! Have a good Thanksgiving.

Timing Is Everything

Timing is really, really important! The right timing can make all the difference in the world. You can do the right thing but if it's at the wrong time, it doesn't matter. This is true in sports, dancing (I know nothing about this), dating, marriage, business, and church planting. This is biblical. Ecclesiastes talks about certain times for certain things. I've said all of this just to say, yep, we're tweaking our timeline.

We know God has called us to start a strong fresh church. It's going to require a lot of planning, a lot of recruiting, and the building of strong relationships. We're realizing more and more that things like this just take time. And so, we're giving it more time. Instead of gunning for February '08, we're aiming for September '08. This seems to be next most strategic time for us. Honestly to me, it seems like forever from now. But it'll be here before we know it.

Besides, the vision just got bigger... a lot bigger! Waiting to launch until summer/fall gives us more time to build a stronger base, raise more resources, make greater inroads into our community, bring key leaders on board, and start with a bigger bang than previously planned. God has opened our eyes and challenged us to dream big! We're trusting God on this one are more excited than ever to see God move. We're pumped about having more time to make sure we get things right.

In the mean time, our Launch Team continues to develop and grow, we're making good connections in the community, and we're being prepared as leaders for the upcoming challenges. The next 2-3 years are going to be a lot of fun!

Feel free to email me with any questions (Josh Hossler at jhossler@hotmail.com).

Not Everything's Big In Texas

Hi ya'll! Sorry, I'm hanging out in Austin for a few days this week getting some church planting training. That picture is the rental car I'm using while I'm here (when they say compact they aren't kidding!).

Anyway, I'm learning some great stuff and can't wait to get back and get to work! I'm trying to spend lots of time in prayer because we need to know exactly what God is calling this church to be and not to be. The strong and clearer vision, the more powerful the church. God... bring it!

Pre-Launch Gathering

Never Saw This Coming

A recent partnership with Davison Missionary Church has taught me some new lessons. I never saw this partnership coming. But Davison, you have blown us away with your generosity and interest in what we're doing. Can't say thank you enough!

Here's a few things I've learned:

1) God can do way more in a day than we could do in a lifetime. Unless God is in something it'll accomplish practically nothing. If God's in something it'll produce more than you could ever imagine.

2) Partnering with God can be tough work. I'm not always very good at finding what God's up and sticking with Him on it. Scripture says the Spirit of God is like the wind... hard to get a handle on. We're trying to put up the sails and let 'er ride!

3) We can't outdream God! Any dream or vision we have that we think is HUGE is never bigger than the dream and vision God has for that same thing. We can never outdream God.

God, help our dreams to at least resemble the size of yours. Davison, thank you for helping us see some God-sized dreams coming true.

Introducing the Joyes!

For a while now, there has been another part to the team... The Joyes. While God was calling Raelyn and me to start a new church he was also calling Tim & Julie Joye. It has been amazing to see how our two paths have joined and the ways that God has been working far in advance to bring all of us together.

God knew exactly what it was going to take to make His name famous and His church thrive in Metro Detroit. What Tim and Julie (and the family!) bring to the table is amazing. Tim is a talented worship leader with a gift for teaching as well. Julie is a strong leader with a gift for relationships and a heart for women. Tim and Julie both grew up in Metro Detroit and have strong connections in the area we are going to plant. I can't imagine trying to start this new church without them!

I'd really love for you to be able to hear Tim & Julie's stories! God has done some great things in them. One of these days I can have Tim guest blog and you can hear it all directly from him. We are so thankful and privileged to even be on the same team with these guys. God is cooking up something special here - we can't wait to see what it is!

(enjoy this little video, this was played at our Open House 10.14.2007)

Are you in?

We can't always sit on the sidelines. There are moments in our lives when we are presented with opportunities and then we choose to step up to the plate... or not. It's your turn to bat!

Last night we held our first Open House event. The purpose of this event was to get everyone together in the same room who has an interest in being a part of the new church. I'm not just saying this, but it was a great event.

First of all, the kids had a blast (see pics below). The food was great (see pics below). Excitement was high. God is shaping things up for an incredible new church. And many of the people who were at this open house are going to be key players. It's going to be great.

I just want to say a quick thanks to everyone who came, helped, and prayed. You know who you are. We couldn't have pulled it off without you!

In all we had about 60-people at the Open House (39-adults, 21-children)!

Open House!!!

Well, it's here! After traveling to the various LEAD Team Churches and other partner churches and drumming up interest wherever we could, we are finally going to get everyone together in one room who is interested in being a part of the new church. This is going to be an amazing event!

First of all, Tim Joye and I will be share in more detail our vision for this new church. Also, this is the first time we'll really get a glimpse of who God is drawing to be a part of things with us. Not to mention, this is the first time many of these people will get to meet other people who want to be a part of the church too. This night also marks the beginnings of forming and organizing leading up to the launch. Needless to say, this is an extremely important night in the story of this new church.

PRAYER PARTNERS:
Please pray like you've never prayed before! Pray that things will go well during the Open House. Pray that the right people, the people God wants, will be there. Pray for the facility and staff where we are meeting, that we can have a positive impact on them while we're there. Pray for Tim and I (and our wives) as we share our hearts and what we believe God is doing. Pray for people's excitement to grow. Pray for God to stir people to want to be a part of this new church. Pray for the countless lives that God is going to reach through this church.

OPEN HOUSE DETAILS:
Sunday, October 14 5pm
Macomb Township Recreation Center
Child-Watch Provided (6mo-10yr)
Contact Josh Hossler with questions (info at right)

God has done some amazing things... God, this is all for you! Do your thing!

Thank God for Colonial Woods because...

God has answered immense and unimaginable prayer. I've never imagined the ways God might provide and resource His church. All we knew when God called us to launch a new church was that the task was pretty unbelievable. One of my greatest fears was that God had given us a great vision, but that it would be under resourced. Let me tell you, God is definitely resourcing His church!

I would have never imagined nearly ten years ago when our family moved away from Colonial Woods Missionary Church (Port Huron, MI) that I would have found myself back there. And not just back, but preaching from the very stage that my dad spend so many years of his ministry preaching from. This past Saturday and Sunday (9/29&30) I had the privilege of sharing for a few minutes in each of Colonial Woods' weekend services about the work that God is doing in Macomb. The reason for my visit... to unveil the partnership between Colonial Woods and the Metro Detroit Church Plant.

Colonial Woods has become a serious partner in our project, along with the LEAD Team Churches. I cannot tell you how encouraged I am as a young pastor to know that there are so many people willing to not just cheer us on, but to come along side of us in significant ways to help us get the job done. We're not there yet with raising our start up costs, but we're much much closer. We praise God for moving and resourcing in ways we never expected!

Team

We just finished up our "tour" at the 5-Lead Team Churches (see names and links on right side of page) that have teamed up to help us launch this new church. These churches and these pastors are truly my heroes. I only hope I can one day be as unselfish a leader as they are being by partnering on this thing.

I've also been blown away at the willingness of other churches to come along side of us in this project and cheer us on with their encouragement and significant financial support. God is definitely resourcing his church. God is up to something and we're along for the ride!

Just for fun... (a few church names/logos that didn't make the list)

(these are a few of the names of the Pastors of the LEAD Team churches)
Sorry guys, these didn't make the cut. Although feel free to use them for your own churches and communities. I'm sure they'll love 'em! Thanks for your partnership.

Location! Location! Location!

The following proposal was submitted to and approved by the Missionary Church Michigan Distrct, Church Multiplication Team!

crossing the JORDAN: Metro Detroit Church Plant

Date: September 11, 2007

To: Missionary Church Michigan District, Church Multiplication Team (CMT)
From: Josh Hossler, Metro Detroit Church Plant
Re: Church Plant Location Proposal

After much prayer, research, counsel, and deliberation, I am ready to request location approval for the Metro Detroit Church Plant.

The location that I believe God is calling me to, leading me to, and giving me a heart for is the Macomb Township area on the north side of Detroit. I have spent time driving around pretty much of the entire Metro Detroit area, praying the entire way, seeking God’s direction, asking for Him to give clarity to what He’s doing in Metro Detroit. Several areas seemed good to me, but God has given me a peace and clarity about Macomb Township unlike any other area.

While this area was also an area that others were interested in, I believe I have also arrived at this location independently. Initially I felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the Macomb Township area. But after spending more time there, God gave me a peace and even the beginnings of a heart and passion for the people there. The more I’ve “tested” this idea in prayer and with others, the more God has confirmed it to me.

There are many reasons why I believe this is the area God is calling me to. Its demographics match the kind of area I felt lead to plant in (rapidly growing, young professionals, suburban). I believe we’ll be a good fit for this area. There is little evangelical church presence here. I am sensing a strong heart and passion for the people in this area. And I have definitely sensed God’s leading and confirmation to this area.

Early on, when we sensed God calling us to be a part of starting this new church, I prayed, “God, help me!” God flipped that prayer to, “God, how can I help you? What are you doing in the Metro Detroit Area that you want to use my gifts and abilities for?” And since, I have sensed God saying to me, “Josh, this is what I am doing (Macomb Township). I want to use you to start this new church in Macomb.”

Sincerely In Christ,

Josh Hossler
Metro Detroit Church Planter
http://joshhossler.blogspot.com/
jhossler@hotmail.com
Office: 586.286.1472

Macomb Township, MI

Area: 36-Square Miles
Population: 75,000 (increased 49% from 2000)
Race: 95% White
Median Age: 34
Average Household Income: $95,000
Work Force: 65% White Collar; 35% Blue Collar
Married: 71%
Estimated Unreached: 50,000-60,000
Evangelical Churches: 3

Big Meetings

One of the big components to launching this new church is the Metro LEAD Team. The Metro LEAD Team describes a great partnership between the Missionary Church Michigan District, 5-Metro Detroit Area Churches, and the new church plant. This team helps provide funding and resources to assist the new church as it begins. Churches currently part of the Metro LEAD Team: Calvary Missionary Church (Livonia), First Missionary Church (Clarkston), Parkside Community Church (Sterling Heights), Walled Lake Missionary Church (Walled Lake), and Warren Community Church (Warren).

I have spent the last two weeks speaking in two of the LEAD Team churches (Clarkston & Livonia) and getting to know the people there. It has been a great experience. All of the people have been very excited and supportive of what we're doing. Also, Tim & Julie Joye (and family!), who are partering with us, have also joined us at those churches. Please pray that God will begin to raise up people from all five of these churches that will join us in starting this new church.

Also, I have a series of big meetings coming up this week and next. One set of meetings is with the Metro LEAD Team and one is with the Michigan District's CMT (Church Multiplication Team). Both meetings will focus on determining and approving the target community for the church plant. This will be a great milestone and a critical detail to have nailed down. Pray for God's direction - we only want to go where God wants us!

I still believe God has big things in store and many lives will be forever changed!

Test... again!

Sorry for all the emails - I'm trying to get the bugs worked out. I'd appreciate any feedback you might have. Is everything working out for all of you on your end?

josh :)

email subscription test

I'm still trying to work some of the bugs out of my email subscription service... It's not working real well right now.

josh

We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

Well, I just wanted to give you all an update this time around in my blog...

We have successfully made the move from Lagrange to Macomb! God took care of so many things and we are so grateful to everyone for their help, both in Lagrange and in Macomb. We are still unpacking boxes but the place is feeling more and more like home.

This is definitely not "Kansas" but we're excited to be up here in Michigan and are asking for God's guidance as things begin for this new church!

Pray for us as we get settled in; pray for me as I speak the next few weeks at the 5-LEAD Team Churches that are partnering with us in starting the new church. Pray that people will be lead to partner with us financially as we raise startup costs and that people will sense God calling them personally to be involved in this new church in some way.

God, only you know what you have in store - thanks for everything!

Transitioning

As one new adventure begins, another one ends. Transitioning to start this new church means transitioning away from a church we have spent the last 5-years pouring our lives into. We've laughed, cried, sweat, and genuinely grown to love the people of LaGrange Missionary Church. God has taught me so much through them, I will never forget my time there and the memories shared. It has been so great to see them grow so much in Christ.

Here are a few lessons I learned as I said "Good-Bye":

1) It matters how you leave.

I realized pretty quickly that I could have negated 5-years of ministry in just a few short moments by leaving badly (angry, without proper good-byes, without respecting appropriate protocol, grabbing everything I could, tooting my own horn, etc.). It matters how you leave; it matters how you leave your job; it matters how you leave your family; it matters how you leave your church. The how really matters so do it right and do it well.

2) Don't be discouraged by who doesn't come to your going-away-party.

I told myself long before it happened, not to let the mark of my ministry be based upon who showed up to send me off. You don't know people's reasons for not showing up, so don't let your mind get carried away. Even though big fan fare is great, I need to constantly remind myself that I get my pats from God not from men. If I'm aiming to please men and win their approval, I'm in for a big heap of trouble.

3) Don't look back.

If you know God has called you to do something or head a certain direction, get going and don't look back. Lot's wife learned the hard way. Lallygagging and second guessing will only cause problems. My dad used to say, "Son, don't undo in doubt what you've decided in faith." Thanks dad!

God, thank you for teaching me that there is a right and wrong way to leave, and thank you for your grace that helped me not totally mess it up. I can't wait for what's next!

Fundraising is Easy!

That was just a title intended to draw you in. Fundraising isn't easy at all. One of the main facets of what I'm doing these days preparing to launch this new church is raising money. It takes money to launch churches and lots of it!

Raising money's not for me, but someone has to do it and initially it better be me as Lead Pastor. If I'm not able to communicate a clear and compelling enough vision to raise a few dollars, I'm definitely not going to be able to recruit and raise a launch team, and I'm certainly not going to be able to give the new church enough direction and focus to reach it's community for Jesus! Bottom line, if I can't raise the dollars, I can't start and lead this church!

So, for me, a few lessons I've learned in the fundraising trenches (at it a whole 4-weeks!):

1) face-to-face is definitely the way to go

2) make your stuff simple and sharp (if you're talking about starting a great church don't give out crappy informational material)

3) you have to own-it (own the vision! own the task of raising the dollars! if you don't care about what you're doing don't expect others to)

4) think big! (people give big gifts to big vision)

5) don't act desperate (invite people to partner, if they do -great, if they don't - great)

6) get 'er done! (stop tweaking the material, stop planning and strategizing, stop fretting, make the call, set up the meeting, get 'er done!)

God, you never cease to amaze me - help me to trust you, think big, and get 'er done!

The God of Real-Estate

God is a lot of things, one more thing He is... He is the God of Real-Estate. It's all His, right?! He moves it, keeps it, preserves it, and spends it any way He wants. God is up to something big and going to blow us away with what He has planned. He blew me away when HE sold our house in 5-days!!! (They offered our asking price!) Who are we kidding? God is the God of ALL things, including Real-Estate!

Spying out the land...

I also just got back from spending a great couple days in the metro Detroit area. I spent some time driving around and driving around and driving around some more (thanks Jim and Kevin!). Here's what I came away with... THERE ARE SOOO MANY PEOPLE AND THEY NEED JESUS! There are a lot of great places for a church in the Metro Detroit Area, please pray that as God sold our real-estate in 5-days He would point us to the real-estate (ie - community of people) He wants to reach and change for Jesus.

God is up to something and He's going to blow us away!

2nd email subscription test

2nd email test, first one didn't go through

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AvaRae pics

AvaRae Zae Hossler

Name Meaning: Life/Mighty One

Life Verse: Proverbs 8:35

Born: June 21, 2007 @ 7:43am

Weight: 7lbs

Height: 21 1/4 in

Parents: Josh & Raelyn Hossler

She's here!!!

Hey Everyone,

She has finally arrived! AvaRae Zae Hossler arrived at 7:43am, June 21, 2007. She was born at the Sturgis Hospital in Sturgis, MI weighing 7lbs, and measuring 21 ¼ in long.

AvaRae didn't’t come into the world without some intense work (labor). We went to the hospital Tuesday (June 19) around 9am and she wasn’t born until Thursday (6/21) at 7:43am (We’ll tell you the whole story some other time.). We were exhausted, but so excited!

Then we found out that AvaRae was going to get to spend a few more days in the hospital (not what we planned, but it was no surprise to God). Because of the long labor, her little body developed and was battling an infection. There were a few very scary moments. We know people were praying though and with antibiotics, great nurse and doctor care, and with God’s help she recovered in just a few days and we were able to bring her home today (6/25). God has been so faithful!

We are excited to be starting a new chapter in life, both with the arrival of AvaRae and with moving to Michigan in September to be involved in starting a new church (I can share more about this with you later.). We have seen God answer prayers, guide us, teach us, and give us peace as we have walked through the last several chapters of life. Life is so good with Jesus!

Thanks for all your prayers! I can't wait for all of you to meet AvaRae!

Josh, Raelyn, and AvaRae

First post!

Hey, just trying this blogging stuff out! thought this might be a good way to keep people update about the new church and stuff...