In July of 2024 I had the opportunity to go to Zambia Africa on a missions trip. My Aunt Becky and Uncle Robert (Bobby Bonner) had been missionaries there for 17+ years and this time my cousin, Angela, who grew up there along with several other women got to go! Like, WOW, what an amazing opportunity it was! LIFE CHANGING!
At the end of August I got an invitation to speak on a panel along with the other women who went to Zambia with us so that sent me back to Alabama. Little did I know, that this visit would be the start of something new. I fell in love with Alabama, the people I was surrounded by, and of course my cousin. I could literally feel the burn of the Holy Spirit so deep in my soul telling me that it was time for a season change. I was nervous, excited, and didn’t have permission to share it just yet. I flew back home to Corpus Christi, TX and it kept coming up, the need and the urgency. So, I sat, I prayed and I worshipped asking the Lord what He wanted me to do. He clearly, very clearly said, to sell everything I have, rent my brand new house out, take only the bare necessities and move to Decatur, Alabama. Well…with that I said okay Lord! I will do what you say! Then, I said to Him, Lord, if this is what you want me to do please let all my people be in agreement. I needed confirmation from my family; my children, my mother, brothers, sisters-in-law, from my closest friends (who speak into my life) and of course, my cousin Angela.
I started making trips every month to Alabama and each time the burning got hotter and hotter and the urgency got more and more loud! So, in October I was able to bring it up to my cousin and told her what the Lord had said to me. She confirmed it right away, telling me that she already knew that I was supposed to move there. Then I took it to my mentor, Susan who is not only my mentor but one of my dearest friends. She almost immediately said YES!! Then spoke with my precious friend Marcela, she immediately said YES there’s nothing left here for you right now! Then I took it to my brother, Jeffery and at first he was a little hesitant thinking I was just wanting to go to have fun with Angela, but he quickly changed that. My sisters in law were both extremely supportive and trusted that what I was hearing from the Lord was what I needed to do. My sweet Mama, on the other hand, was not so happy. She has had a hard time with it, her mama heart is not happy, but the Holy Spirit in her is overwhelmed with joy for it!
So, I jumped in, with both feet!
Starting in October I was able to sell all my decor, furniture, kitchen items, and tons of clothes. My house rented out to an amazing couple from my church (which that was a whole God thing too!) and everything just fell into place. Not gonna lie, it wasn’t always easy to see all my “worldly” possessions walk out the door, but the peace I had was indescribable. To God be all the glory! He walked right beside me during the entire process and gave me supernatural strength through some of the hardest moments of this move.
I loaded up a 5×8 U-Haul trailer with clothes, my mattress, some paintings done by my aunt and my mom, some books and a few other items and left CC, TX on January 17th, 2025. I arrived in Decatur, Alabama at 3:10am on January 18th, 2025.
Ya see, when I gave Jesus my YES almost 3 years ago, I had no idea what it looked like, I was all in. I knew that what He had for me was WAY bigger and better than what I had for myself, so I didn’t even try to figure it out, because when I started trying to think about what my future would hold I would get super overwhelmed, so I really just leaned into Him 100%.
When “My” Susan started mentoring me, I was a mess! She told me to start writing my story, starting at the age of 5. Once I would finish a 5 year increment I would send it to her and I also would send it to my cousin, Angela for her to apply scripture to every part. Three years ago, the Lord showed me that I would be doing ministry with Angela, wasn’t sure what that looked like and didn’t have any idea at that moment that I would even go on any kind of mission trip! See, the Lord will take care of all the details, when you submit to Him and surrender your life.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. I John 5:14-15 NKJV
I wanted answers as to what His plan was for me. I prayed, I sat, I asked and I sought after His will. I had confidence that His plan and will would prevail. I knew that He heard my prayer and my cry for the more. I never imagined I would be sitting right here, in Decatur, Alabama writing this.
When we seek His will more so than ours, and get into the Word, His Word, our prayers begin to be answered, because we are seeking HIM and what His desire is for us!!
I have been in Decatur, AL for 4 whole days, and the Lord is already showing off!! His will is so much better than ours!! He has placed me in a comfortable little room with all my things and His presence is ever so near. I’m grateful for this time I get to spend with my cousin and how we are both leaning into Him for guidance and for what He has for us. It’s been so sweet getting settled in here and seeing Him work. What a gift it is to be able to sit at His feet and wait. The crushing season is over and now it’s time to step into an anointing one.
Praise God!
Stay tuned for the next blog!
Love you all,
Jennifer
