Wowza. I have not posted anything here about our Christmas Eve celebration with my family or Christmas Day with my husband yesterday. Tons to write out, but perhaps those stories are not meant to be shared here.

Instead, I will share my Christmas FB post:

Yesterday, we played “Santa’s Helpers” and delivered a gift to my hubby’s best friend and his wife before 10 am. We enjoyed a leisurely day of home cooked goodness and I napped on our couch with our dog. We then enjoyed Mexican lasagna (huge hit) and a sweet evening together. It was a peaceful Christmas.

Despite the amazing nap, I was exhausted and asleep before midnight. However, the Holy Spirit revved up His engine and woke me several times with clarity. The first nudge was to remember “Give the Garden away”. He has me write things down to not forget, because we all forget on occasion. So, I searched the phrase and found the blog HERE.

It’s so very true and bears repeating…the only truly special thing about me is how God loves me.

Throughout the wee hours, He led me to two other posts, as well. It felt like He was guiding me to create a “Welcome to Jiu-Jitsu Wilderness introduction video. In short, a simple explanation for why this BPC is supposed to “give the garden away” by offering personalized quote books for BJJ gyms.

What should be simple has felt complicated all day.

These are the three blogs from the past two months I was directed to read and pray about:

My husband received a timely invitation to play golf with friends. So, I am at the shop the day after Christmas.

Feels like I am on high alert …or something. 💜✝️

The visit I must detail is with two ladies who have been together for a decade, Cheyenne & Lauren. I love the sweetness and silliness they emulate. It has been fun getting to know them as individuals and as a couple. Our first meeting they learned my Morgan, her friends and other customers call me “Mama Carol.” I had not started jiu-jitsu yet. The second visit, I invited them to join me any Sunday @1:00 at ONJJ. They got a kick out of the invite , how BPC-157 is a “real thing” and why I have always embraced Ditka’s nickname for me. I sense they will take up the invite some day.

Today was our third meeting and our first Godversation.

After a fun visit and paying for their transaction, I felt a sudden nudge I couldn’t ignore.

I went and grabbed a Mama Carol “pocket hug” and gave it to Cheyenne, reminding her of what I told them when we first met back in early November—that my daughter, her friends, and so many customers call me Mama Carol.

When I placed that coin in her hand, she broke down. That’s when I learned her mama, Shawna, passed away on October 6th at just 55 years old.

It was all I could do to remain composed. I learned how her mom died and it broke my heart further. The depth of her loss was palpable. The three of us were in a group hug for an extended time. Lauren encouraged me that the pocket hug could not have been more perfect or at a more perfect time for her wife.

I told them “hey, I’m not religious- but I love, love. LOVE Jesus and clearly, Jesus loves you, too”. -#ISWYDT.

We chatted about My Mamaw Ruby and the significance of “55” to me. Then I shared how my Mamaw visited us in Germany when I was a kid and my favorite memory was going to Holland on a family trip so my Mamaw could see the tulips.

Cheyenne and Lauren looked at each other the way married couples do. Imagine my shock to learn they are honoring Shawna’s own deep desire to “see the tulips”. They are traveling to Amsterdam in May! Of course they are going in May. Only God orchestrates such intricate details. 💜✝️💜

After spending the past seven years in our Smyrna shop, getting to know our Boro customers has been a blessing for me. Though I do not need confirmation about my hobby’s awesomeness, it’s been a huge blessing to meet so many impacted by my husband’s huge heart. Today, I am thinking of Brother Mike —-who also has a baby named Ezra. I am so excited to meet Baby Ezra #2! George & Ashley also brought Luca and Teddy to visit.

Thank you, Jesus!