Each month, we are going to take time to get to know one of our church members just a little bit better. We hope this short interview allows us to lean-in to help us know one another better and grow together as a body of believers.
Tell us a little bit about you and your family.
My name is Jessica Uzzell, and my husband Tyler and I joined Trinity about a year and a half ago. I'm originally from California, but spent most of my childhood in Alabaster, Alabama. I attended The University of Montevallo where I received my degree in Elementary Education. I taught Kindergarten for 8 years at Chelsea Park in Chelsea, Alabama. Three years ago I met my husband, Tyler. Tyler grew up in Tuscaloosa and because of his job at the University I agreed to move to Tuscaloosa once we got married. I now teach Kindergarten at Arcadia Elementary. We have been happily married for a year and half and are expecting our first child (a boy) in January. We love watching football or any sport, taking our dog Poppy to the park, spending time with our families as we both come from large families, kayaking, and traveling. I'm sure all of this will change once we have our baby boy, which we couldn't be more thrilled about.
Can you share one way that God has been faithful to you recently or something he is teaching you?
Although I have often struggled with trusting God during difficult times, he has been so faithful to me, even when I have not felt it. God's love and timing are so perfect. Last year, my husband and I were having trouble conceiving a child. My doctor recommended that we see a fertility specialist. This was something I never ever thought I would have to do in life; one of those "it can't happen to me" thoughts.
Last September, we visited a fertility specialist for advice and explore potential treatment options. We each took several lab tests but there were no abnormal results. The doctor really didn't have a medical answer for why we hadn't conceived a child. There were some treatment options available that could help, but the chances they would be effective were low. We continued to see the doctors weekly and monthly, looking for answers about our next steps.
Throughout all of last year, I dealt with days of depression and questioning God. Why? Every appointment would bring joy and excitement followed up an appointment that brought anger and sadness. All fall and winter I struggled with letting God take control. I wanted to take matters in my own hands. I lost sight of my time in God’s Word, blamed God, and turned my back on him. I questioned God a lot, and then I realized that God has always been faithful in his plans for me. God showed me that I really needed to let go of the pain I was feeling, pray for the acceptance of our situation, and leave it all in his hands. As always, God showed his faithfulness by placing people in my life that prayed for me, talked with me, and reminded me that God's timing was perfect.
Then in April we were faced with the decision of whether to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF). We decided to take some time off and pray about it. We were still in the process of praying for discernment when I went for an appointment in May. At that appointment I received news that we missed our opportunity to do our last treatment at the clinic. At first I felt disappointment, but at the same time I felt at peace about it and realized that God had a plan for us. Two weeks later I returned for blood work; they called me that afternoon and told me we were pregnant. God is so faithful and his love is unceasing. God continues daily to show me grace, forgiveness, love, and faithfulness.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal for?
Slip and Slide
What are some small things that make your day better?
Compliments, coffee, and chocolate
What age do you wish you could permanently be? Why?
I would want to stay at the age of 30 because I loved my job, where I lived, my family was close and I met my husband at that age.
What book impacted you the most?
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
What movie can you watch over and over without ever getting tired of?
The Longest Ride
Name three things that you are loving.
I’m loving my family, friends, and pregnancy.
What are you reading or have you recently read?
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and lots of pregnancy books
