Yesterday, before the day ever unfolded, the Lord had me in 1 Chronicles 21. More specifically, this time my husband flipped to the same pages I flipped to 11/19/25. Do I see the difference a month can make? #YESSIR! Mistakes, mercy and consequences combined with a piercing note about being the HUB. It’s rare He has me wait to post, as He is doing this evening.
One of the sweetest surprises of the day was Miss Omie walking through the door. Last week was her birthday, and I had shared the 12:11 Scriptures with her. Yesterday, she returned exuberant and with three physical gifts—-A prayer journal with birds on it, a necklace, and a precious Christmas ornament from her Joy Club.
The greater gift was her literal presence and learning maybe, just maybe, why the Lord often has me write about cherries on top of His proverbial sundaes. #ISWYDT. That humbled me more than she could know. When she wanted us to take a selfie, I was tickled to pieces!
My sweet Omie
The rest of the day was…work. Real work. Problems that required attention, patience, and follow-through. Square issues. American Express issues. Product listings. Orders that needed fixing. Nothing dramatic—just one thing after another. And I handled them the only way I could: one thing at a time.
In the middle of all that, I learned something hard. We lost a substantial amount in business last month. That number landed heavy. It means we need to make some serious decisions, slow down, pray, and talk. At the current pace, it will be a blessing if we are still open a year from now. It is a reality which can’t be ignored.
There may be another sacrifice —yet to be determined.
And yet—this is what I don’t want to miss—I felt the Lord with me all day. Not loudly. Not urgently. Just steadily. I felt encouraged even when irritated. Corrected without condemnation. Strengthened without panic.
That’s the heart of 1 Chronicles 21 for meyesterday.
God does not abandon us in responsibility. He meets us there. He allows us to see clearly and feel the weight. Only then does He invite us to deeper connection. .
My obedience certainly isn’t glamorous and it doesn’t always make sense to those around me. I only know radical obedience has led to radical results.
Today, I was beyond blessed to simply linger with Him. Perfect peace. No work -not a stitch. He woke me just in time to make jiu-jitsu and resolve a financial matter at the bank. After that, it has been me and Jesus all day long and it has been glorious!
Today Isaiah 60:1–4 sat with me—not loudly, not urgently—but steadily.
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.”
I’ve known these words. I’ve shared them verbally and I have posted them. But today, I wasn’t being told to move—I was being told to notice. I noticed it was ten days before I watched the first half of Episode #2358 and everything went into warp speed .
This morning’s Jesus Calling spoke straight into the depths of my being. He reminded me that He speaks in the language of Love, that His words bring Life and Peace and Joy and hope—but only if I am still enough to hear Him. Living close to Him requires making Him my First Love, above all others.
When I realized that I had posted the original “Rise and Shine” on October 4, it didn’t feel accidental. I wasn’t trying to make something happen then. I was responding to something I could sense but didn’t yet understand. The light had already come; the meaning was still unfolding.
Isaiah says that darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the people, yet the LORD rises upon His own and His glory is seen.
I’m learning that rising doesn’t always look like action. Sometimes it looks like standing still long enough for God’s glory to settle clearly—without interference.
Isaiah 60 tells me to lift up my eyes and look around, to see what is gathering, what is returning, what is coming from afar. That feels like this season: watching instead of striving, trusting instead of pushing.
And Isaiah 54 holds me there.
It reminds me that this is a chapter of restoration, not performance. Of being re-established, not rushed. God speaks comfort before commission, peace before purpose. He assures me that I am not forgotten, not abandoned, and not required to prove anything to step into what He has already promised.
So today, I wait. I don’t rush the next step.
I let the Lord establish me in His timing. I trust the words are going to roll right off the keyboard when He says it’s time.
When He says arise, I will. Until then, I remain still—-secure in His covenant of peace.
Truly an exceptional focal point as I engaged with the world today. I learned someone else precious has gone to be with Jesus. Miss Rhonda’s is the third death in three weeks. My prayers are for loved ones, especially her husband and sons.
I shared with Becky and Miss Pam that I was in the best mood as I drove to the salon. As I drove, I compelled to tears singing “Trust in God-Radio Version”. I lost my voice and started crying with the lyric, “and what you did for me at Calvary as more than enough”.
It will always make me cry to consider the depth of the cross.
Thank you, Jesus, for this sweet nudge to look back. If only to acknowledge, “I see what You did there,” it would have been enough. But, you, in your infinite wisdom, seem to dole out extra portions to me. How could I not be in constant amazement of YOUR Great love. 💜✝️💜
Yesterday was side control, toreando passing and ankle locks. Lindsey was a huge help amd pushed me to exactly the right amount to feel progress click.
This morning I didn’t really feel up to going to train. I pondered scriptures on signs because I felt strongly led that I was supposed to go anyway. I’m grateful I listened.
I ended up having one of the most meaningful drilling sessions I’ve enjoyed this far. I partnered up with John and we worked on moving from closed guard to a few transitions where the legs end up around your partners neck.
We quickly figured out we learn the same way—counting steps, slowing things down, letting understanding settle before moving on. It was easy, natural, and encouraging. I even joked that if we ever competed, we’d be the tortoise and the hare—me being the tortoise, and his last name being Hare.
Afterward, Brother John H. took time to help me drill through a few things and offered genuine encouragement. He showed me that for most real life situations, I would use the “praying hands” motion to break their posture and grab the elbow to drag to under my armpit while my core is engaged and in motion. Each person has a different view and it’s fun putting all the pieces together
Well, let’s back pedal a pinch—— the outline of the pieces I have this far. 🤣
What struck me most is that just two weeks ago I had written about a conversation John and I shared around Lamentations 3:58—about connection, and the Lord meeting us there. Today felt like a quiet continuation of that moment, without any overt Godversation.
I’m thankful for obedience, for faithful teachers, for unexpected partners, and for the gentle ways God confirms His leading—even on the mat.
Until this morning. I don’t recall the last time I rolled out of bed at 9:20. I was up around 6 am and went back to bed. My days are jumbled after an exceptionally long week without my husband. Still, we both wanted to attend church, be with our people and pay our tithe. We had under twenty minutes to brush our hair and get dressed.
Still, it was a peaceful drive to church. I shared Megan Wood’s “Royal Blood” and Elevation Worship’s Radio version of “Trust in God”. It felt good to share two of the songs given to me in his absence—-then to sing Christmas Carols at church with Mark.
Today’s sermon was Matthew 7:7 — Ask. Seek. Knock.
I’ve been living in variations of 7’s and 14’s for a while now. I just wrote in the past few days about “Bangles Suzanne” losing both her mother and grandmother on July 14, different years. 7+ 7=14.
What stood out most was the reminder that these are not suggestions. They are commands. Present imperative tense. Ongoing. Repetitive. Continuous.
You don’t ask once. You don’t seek once.
You don’t knock once and walk away.
You keep asking. You keep seeking. You keep knocking.
Christmas itself is an invitation, and so is this passage. God is not bothered by our pursuit—He invites it. In fact, Matthew 7:7 feels like proof that God wants His kids just a little stubborn… stubborn enough to keep chasing Him.
Brother Shad said something that made the whole church smile—he talked about telling his wife “I love you” every day since the first time he ever said those words to her.
I couldn’t help myself and said, “Aww,” out loud, Suffice it to say, the church agreed and it was a beautiful, light moment of sweet laughter. But it landed deeply. You don’t say “I love you” once and call it done. Love is daily. Pursuit is daily. Relationship is daily.
There was a moment where I felt a surge—and then heard that same surge echoed through Shad’s sermon.
There was holy fire being stoked with each word out of his mouth.
He shared about praying for something for fifteen years and enduring the silence. My note was “ must stand in the gap. After church, Mark and I prayed together for that very thing, whatever it may be, to be answered. We don’t need the details, The Boss has every last one covered. Our job is to intercede, especially when being nudged the way I was being nudged. I prayed out loud while Mark drove.
Crying out in submission and pleading is not weakness—it is active pursuit.
And yet, here I am, still pleading—because that’s the invitation.
Jesus even brings humor into Matthew 7:7. Then again, I am a huge fan of Divine Humor and love it when others acknowledge it. Brother Shad talked about giving a good gift of a pink bicycle and having it not be received the way one would expect. When he mentioned his red-haired Olivia, and my heart immediately thought of a friend who lost her baby Olivia last summer.
I owe Miss Kristin a phone call. 💜✝️💜
In the same breath, I couldn’t help but think of a gift I recently gave—something placed with love and obedience—that hasn’t been acknowledged at all.
I confess—-in my flesh—- that stung. Of course it did. Still, I remember Jesus wept, too. While I haven’t cried about the lack of acknowledgement, it’s because the Holy Spirit has told me quite clearly my job was to be obedient. I did exactly what He told me to do and even painful obedience makes my soul do a “happy sigh”.
So, the Lord met me there too. It’s not about the response. My part was obedience and that part is done.
Today’s sermon laid directly on top of that truth.
Psalm 84:11 says, “No good thing will He withhold.”
Luke 11:13 reminds us that God gives what we need, not always what we want.
James 1:5 says to ask God for wisdom.
James 1:17 reminds us every good and perfect gift comes from Him. My son’s birth announcement is 25 years old and that was the verse printed before he arrived on his due date.
So, yes—we resist, and we keep resisting. We knock, and we keep knocking. We go back to the beginning again and again.
I thought of my daughter today—more than once. At first, I thought of her when Shad talked about a VW Bug he got wrapped like Herbie for Olivia. Later in the service, I kept picturing all of God’s kids seeking His attention. I pictured how my own get my attention.
My daughter will call out “Mom, mum or Lois”over and over, like Stewie in that cartoon. It made me smile, because that’s exactly the picture Jesus is painting. Repetition. Dependence. Persistence.
Lord, forgive me for the moments it hurts when someone tries to squash what You are singing through me. It’s not about me. It’s about You. Help me remember that.
Ask.
Seek.
Knock.
And keep doing it. Thats the job. Love everyone on my path exactly where they may be. Love them all in truth and action. Yessir.
Since I shared this to Miss Omie’s Facebook page, I failed to post it here on her actual birthday. Today is “catch up” day in countless ways.
I am fairly certain Jesus wants me to give gifts like this to those I love. I know how He used creating this one for Omie to draw me even closer to Him. Miss Omie’s is the first —-so I should remember the day He spurred me on. May she always know how precious, set-apart and special He made her!!!💜✝️💜
Whether one verse or ten, His Word will always be the best. I’m so blessed to know and love Omie.
Today was exceptionally spirit filled and beautiful. I even did a cartwheel in the late afternoon and shared the silliness on our Community Vapor Facebook page.
This, all because I received a call which absolutely set me off. It was uncomfortable and painful to be that angry. I reached for our Fruit of the Spirit Bible and asked God to teach me something. Anything. Get me out of myself and my anger.
He took me straight to Job 36:16. Of course I did cartwheels all afternoon! Search My God Room for “woo” and perhaps it will make more sense.
Thank you, Jesus. Thank you for wooing me, loving me and saving me. I didn’t deserve it.
It’s 1:08 am. I am overwhelmed in the sweetest way possible.
I wrote a detailed explanation about how Jesus moved me yesterday—-Psalm 141:4 and the Prayer of Jabez were like jiu-jitsu grapevines, intertwined with 7’s, 44’s and 14’s. Of course it was intricate—- it was ALOT of details to include for His Purposes.
Anywho my hubby is on a cruise with his dad (81). His steward is literally named Moses. Seriously, Moses !!!
The point is. I was giddy all day and late getting home. Eleven hour day or not, I brought our tree downstairs, cleaned the floor and got the mantle decorated. I put the manger set in the front yard and a few other things. It felt good to get my house in order and decorated before Mark gets home.
Then, I went up to clean up and go to bed. 🤣. That was not His Plan. That still hasn’t happened. What has happened is much to process. Essentially, much of what was written less than 12 hours ago has now been confirmed in multiple objects and scripture.
Jesus. as much as I praise you—I just giggled to think that you must surely get tired of my singing! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for another super-cali-fragi-list-ic (you know the rest) day. Thank you for helping me take more deep breaths—-inhale deeply Yah and out slowly Weh. Weigh. 🤣 Yesterday way rocked the casbah! And for our inside humor. For the way you put things in my mind which make Mark and I BOTH laugh. I love, love, LOVE it when you make him laugh like that through me. One of my favorite things is authentic laughter. Duh.
Thanks for always having my back. The power you surge through me is multiplied when I am isolated with you. And, as much as I understand why some might be concerned, I cherish this “warp -speed time warp experience with you. Yeppers, that’s the description. If you want me hanging here til 5 am, you know I will if that’s your will. But, we both know I need rest for the week ahead. So, I will let you be you and ask in advance for it to feel like I have rested for the benefit of others. Deal?
Thanks for all the memory lane revelations. Thanks for letting me ache for Shannon and putting my dad’s reunion memory chip in my hand. Thank you for the compass, the letter The picture and the obituaries. Did I leave anything out? It was all so beautiful put together through your eyes. Thank you for letting me see. Those tears really do taste sweet.
Thank you for growing me. Thank you for convicting me so stinking hard about rebuking those lies exactly as you directed . It grieves me for you when they are coming from your children’s lips. When I almost puked, she gave me the opportunity to speak with as much love as possible. Letting people be people is KEY. Love everyone right where they are. Period. No excuses. You’ve made that clear #YESSIR
Mark was right to wonder “how that went”. Pretty sure he felt my peace and realized this season is different. This peace with you is everything. Thank you for this downright otherworldly evening with you and all the memorabilia you placed in my hands . Please help your girl out with locating the missing ornament treasures.
Ps. It’s kinda cool to not be worried about a naked tree. I legit know you will get them to me when you want me to do it. . I love,love, LOVE you to the moon and back. I’m so blessed to know YOU. 💜✝️💜
I thought I was just writing what was in front of me this morning. I didn’t know I was already writing the opening paragraph to what He would confirm tonight.
I didn’t know the Alpha & Omega reference I typed with a grin would become the very Scripture He opened to wrap my night. It hits extra hard because it’s Chapter 22 and nothing had been marked on the page.
Taking me to blank pages is always relevant . It’s like a spidey-sense in a spiritual way.
I didn’t know that my line about how He speaks to me would be followed up by a cascade of signs, memories, Scriptures, and blessings —each one placed like stones on a path that only He could have mapped.
I didn’t know that when I wrote about His healing, He was about to pull out my father’s compass, my father’s boots, my father’s letters, and restore places in me I didn’t even realize needed His touch today.
I didn’t know that the “territory” I wrote about this morning would be sealed tonight with a crest that literally says:
“IT WILL BE DONE.”
I didn’t know that the Alpha & Omega I referenced in humor would answer me in red letters.
I didn’t know — but He did.
Today I wrote Part One. Tonight He wrote Part Two. And tomorrow I will wake up held by a Guardian who does not slumber —-the verse behind the Star of David card.
I wonder what Joe Rogan would think of Jesus’ “SMUSH”. It feels a hole lot like a seatbelt. 💜✝️💜
Thank you, Jesus, for having my Daddy’s back in VietNam and everywhere else.
This morning started like so many others in this Jiu-Jitsu Wilderness season of mine—me stepping onto the scale. For many years, I enjoyed finding an accompanying Psalm to “weigh in” with whatever I may have flipped to in the Bible.
When I fell down the stairs in March 2022, I was 239 pounds. By October 2023, I was in the 180’s. Fresh eggs and “consider the source” led me to the 160 range.
When I got down to 150, I started reading the exact “Psalm of the Scale”. Letting the Psalms “weigh in” has taken an even deeper turn.
Oh, fair warning, today’s post will be a doozie.
This morning, I weighed in at 141.4.
I was tickled to check Facebook in the potty and see a sweet message from Elaine! In her honor, took a pic from my car this morning. She is 77 and widely known as “Jiu-Jitsu Grandma”. Beautiful soul.
Heck, I didn’t ever post the Jiu-Jitsu manicure and pedicure stories. Now my nails are just at the edge of my fingertips, the shortest they have been in decades! Seeing them in this photo just made me make a mental note. 💜
I digress. It is what I do, at least from time to time.
Most people would see a number at the scale of 141:4 and go elsewhere with it. This may very well be the best chance to explain to someone in the world how Jesus “speaks” to me. I firmly believe He speaks to his kids differently—-they are all unique relationships.
I can’t help that My Jesus led me to feel 13 again these past seven months. Seven complete months as of today. Oh, I see what He did there, too. #ISWYDT
I saw 14 / 14 / 14 / 14. Fourteen forward. Fourteen back. Blonde Polish Chick Brain or Jesus? I’m sticking with Jesus!
Just thinking of the three versions of Black Belt Wisdom makes my head spin. So sweet how Sandra wanted to buy my copy of it at the shop today! Seven weeks doubled” , forward and backward was the second version. This is why Version 2 had 49 quotes forward and 49 more backwards. Seven weeks each.
Bless all Veterans- especially Navy men in their 80’s 💜✝️💜
The Master Edit to offer PRECISELY 44 pieces of cardstock and 88 quotes to give Master Luiz and ONJJ confused me a pinch. Why not 40? These are questions I pray about and wrestle with Him over. I’m going to do what He says, regardless. I just seek to understand. The Boss said 44 and that’s what I gave.
What a perfect gem and different double blessing from Jesus! The number honors Mamaw Ruby’s 100th, my 44 years without her (May 8) our Oszczakiewicz Gracie and Rolls Gracie, as much as it honors ONJJ & Master Luiz!
Just like that, the childlike joy bubbled up and I felt the Holy Spirit nudging me, “Pay attention, sweet daughter of Yah. I’m speaking.”
And so I did what I always do.
I weighed with the Psalms. Literally.
I sent my husband the KJV “ dainties version” first. I know my Ginger Beard Man’s humor and knew he would dig the dainties. 🤣. I also know he needed to know I was focused on the verse prior- when sending the second version.
When waking and weighing, I never flip open my Bible for the verse. For whatever His reason, I am not to look at it or any notes He has had me write until AFTER I google the verse based on the scale.
I typed “Psalm 141:4” into Google to see what language heaven might choose to deliver through the internet today. It reminds me every day of typing in “ISA 63:7” and getting Psalm 63
And the first headline stopped me in my tracks:
God has kept Zahira Zachary singing this very track, “Stay”, over me for two plus weeks. I love, love, LOVE the grappling language. Mark has been leading our Prayer of Jabez since October! He just left me “my wilderness stone” on Saturday, before he got on the plane. Lots of repetition, so perhaps spiritual muscle instantly connected me to ZZ’s “Stay” and 1 Chronicles 4:10 in the same breath.
I accept it is a possible result of spiritual muscle. However, I think it’s far more about His leverage over my life. I take such tremendous joy in submitting to His Will and to Jesus, Himself. I personally do not believe it has anything to do with my strength or spiritual exercises. It’s all about Jesus.
I just really dig the way THE Alpha & Omega talks to The BPC-157 in Tennesseeand how He continues to heal me. 💜✝️💜
No commentary connects this to Psalm 141:4💜✝️💜
In the song, Zahira sounds angelic singing:
“I will stay tethered to You, You close the space between us.
I wish I could explain exactly how it feels. The Lord has been stitching a message through every crack of my days, in every little detail. Good heavens, I just talked to my husband for longer on the phone than I can recall.
We talked about Jesus- Starr -First-Kings-Jiu-Jitsu and a bunch of Dad/Joe, ice cream, passports and TT. That is shorthand for the Godversation which will now be remembered as “ Silhouette: God Sent Moses”. 💜✝️💜
I can’t recall our last phone Godversation that lasted more than ten minutes. We talk a lot in person, not on the phone. Even when he is traveling, we typically keep it short. Whatever His Purpose, I just know I am to write it down—-it matters for reasons I don’t fully understand.
I am to note that “Elizabeth Street” in Florida is connected all God did through My Assisi Elizabeth. My husband doesn’t even know yet . He sent me those pics after we got off the phone! #ISWYDT! God rest her soul and may her girl be thriving in Japan. Here is a “quote-link” to the day I learned my Assisi Angel earned her wings:
Praise God, obedience doesn’t require understanding. It just requires action. So, I am writing it all down in one blog, as directed.
Maybe, just maybe, I feel like a Gen X teenager because I talked to my boyfriend for 47 glorious minutes! The harsh truth is as much as I love my earthly husband, I will always love my heavenly husband more. But, I am giddy to have connected with my earthly love for such a long time.
Mark told me their cabin steward’s name is MOSES. He knew I would get a kick out of it, too. I said, “of course God would send you a Moses for your wilderness at sea!” We had good laughs on the call. Belly laughs!
I saw a full pattern this morning, or so I thought. We never see the full pattern; we are not the Master Designer. But, I saw far more of how the tapestry is stitched together. Then my husband was used to put another cherry on top of another Heavenly Sundae, with Moses . 💜✝️💜. #ISWYDT
Today— Monday, December 8, 2025, I weighed in at 141:4. It’s been tough to add a few pounds ; ideally building up muscle to 150 is the goal. I was nudged to search my ridiculously large photo library for photos of “scale”.
Divine Humor nearly made me piss in my britches! The last time I weighed 141:4, precisely, was the day we finished watching Episode 2358 of the Joe Rogan Experience. Three days later, I posted the link above which tells the Lamentations 3:58 story.
How perfect “Miss Ellie” came in today. 💜✝️💜
Here’s the thing—Psalm 141 isn’t just a prayer. It expresses the human tension of remaining tethered to the One who made me.
It’s the cry of someone who knows their heart is safest only when it’s bound to God. It is the joyous and the grieving tears which have formed two different streams of tears in my 57 years. It’s grief and gratitude intertwined like…grape vines. #ISWYDT2
“Set a guard over my mouth…Keep my heart from drifting…Don’t let me wander into wickedness…
Psalm 141 is the Prayer of Jabez in different clothing.
Not chapter and verse. Not theology. Not in “accepted commentaries”, yet absolutely the commentary Rabbi Jesus is whispering to my heart.
It’s the same Spirit in both. The posture, prayer and surrender are equally yoked between the two Scriptures.
It is a holy awareness that without His hand, we drift. Without His voice, we wander. Without His covering, the wilderness is too much.
It is no accident on Saturday—before any of this unfolded—my husband left town only after printing out the Prayer of Jabez onto green paper and cutting it the way he did.
A stone is always a marker in Scripture. A covenant—-a crossing place and physical reminder that God met you here. My husband “met me in the lab”—- that’s where he left me what the Spirit interpreted to me as a “wilderness stone”. Our marital covenant with each other and Him are all represented in that piece of paper. 💜✝️💜
It makes me smile because Mark probably thought he was just being thoughtful. But in the Spirit, he was participating in something far bigger—marking the very place where God was about to speak Psalm 141 over my 14:14:14:14 morning.
That’s the thing about walking with the Lord in these seasons. He hides messages in plain sight and leaves breadcrumbs in the wilderness.
He sings to me through worship leaders I’ve never met. He speaks through numbers I could never plan to see.
He threads Scripture through songs, stones, scales, and silence.
This has nothing to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with JESUS.
And all of it came down to one word today:
Tethered.
Stay tethered to Him in the wilderness…He will enlarge the path beneath your feet.
Stay tethered in obedience…He will bless you in ways that only make sense in hindsight.
Stay tethered in the stretching…He will double what needed doubling.
This morning wasn’t about weight. It wasn’t about numbers. It wasn’t even about Psalm 141 or Jabez.
It was about the Father closing the space between us, whispering through His Word, His People and His Creation…reaching His Right Hand down to guide my day.
And the wilderness—my Jiu-Jitsu Wilderness—-suddenly didn’t feel empty at all.
It felt holy.
Marked. #ISWYDT
Sung over.
Held.
TETHERED.
And, in true BPC style, I feel like the child playing tetherball Zim-Zam with my sisters at Mamaw and Papaws house. what a precious memory, knocking the heck out of my front tooth and everything!
Thank you, Jesus. What a glorious seven months you have given me. I could never thank you enough !!! How cool to realize I CAN say “never” and mean it—-Never ever could I thank you enough for ALL you have done fore me, mine and humanity.
Thank you for every opportunity you give me to try.
Today felt like three days wrapped into one—full, overflowing, and unmistakably blessed.
The morning began at Creekmont GBC, and the service stirred something deep in me. It opened my eyes to how often I might press spiritual conversations toward ears that aren’t ready. There was a sweetness in that conviction—more of an invitation than a correction.
I mean, it was a correction. I am guilty of being so animated in my faith, it has offended others in the past. I think this has something to do with my studying earlier. For now, this will “hold the thought” . Kinda funny the picture actually says “dictated blog”. Jesus just wants me to leave it here for tomorrow’s assignment. Probably because I will lose the paper🤣
Thank you, Jesus 💜✝️💜Nathan and Starr
Then came Jiu-Jitsu, and what a gift that was. I met Blue Belt Kayla, a cancer survivor with such a loving spirit. She reminds me of my Cass in spirit. That’s just pure awesomeness and warrior spirit. Kayla taught me more than head control and sweeps and chokes. There was something tender and wise in her presence. I’m grateful for what I learned from her.
My daughter knows I had an “existential moment” as I was leaving the gym. Normally, I would chit-chat and hang a while. Today, I had to leave at 2 for a conference call. I was so into the drilling, I never thought to say a word about my schedule. Instead, right as the lesson ended, I said to the whole group. • So sorry- I need to hop on a conference call to plan my FORTIETH HIGH SCHOOL REUNION”.
God bless ONJJ , Master Luiz and Professor Pedro 💜✝️💜
At first, it made me “space out” to realize it’s actually been 40 Years since I became an adult. As existential as it gets, really. A 20 year reunion has not happened for any of those ladies!!! Perspective matters. I thank God for my high school season, often. Praising as I type is like a dancing melody. 💜✝️💜 It was a special time to be a teenager in the 1980’s. Sometimes, it makes me downright giddy to consider the joy experienced in high school. I was so blessed and it’s an honor to be asked to serve in this way.
Jesus, quite literally, has my back. I am safe to space out from time to time. 🤣
So, rushed to my car, dialed the number and waited. Yulanda answered first— learned she lives in Murfreesboro! Brenda, Nesha and Cynthia all joined and we talked for 1.5 hours. We have a good plan. It felt really good to be connecting and speaking in agreement with other women. I’m looking forward to the work ahead. I always do! #YESSIR #ISWYDT
I can’t help but feel the irony—this golden-year milestone arriving in the very middle of my wilderness season. And yet, even here, blessings are everywhere.
Once the call ended, I opened a spreadsheet and began entering the names of all my classmates. As I went through, I found at least seven who have passed. I felt a nudge from the Lord to honor them somehow, so I saved their obituaries. I don’t know what that tribute will look like yet, but obedience is one step at a time.
My husband is away on a cruise with his dad, I spoke with him this morning, but that feels like three days ago in some ways. Whenever he’s gone, the Holy Spirit seems to come in even closer, as if filling the space. It is no accident that he left yesterday —- the “giving away day”.
Wowza. Wowza. Wowza.
Both original copies of “Black Belt Wisdom” were delivered yesterday. Less than 24 hours later, I am I am in a position to serve by doing a rather substantial project for my NEHS Community.
Something is being prepared. Godversations I haven’t even imagined yet are waiting. It’s an exciting little hum in the Spirit. I wonder who else feels Him this way. It’s making me bolder in several ways. 💜✝️💜
Speaking of…
I spoke to my Portland Star for nearly two hours. Only in this moment do I realize I failed to call Pam. When we chat tomorrow, it will be instantly forgiven. But, I need to proactively pick up the phone and talk to others, as well. I am being convicted as I type. Not even kidding.
Jesus, thanks for this spectacular 3-in-1 Day . Thank you for dying for me and humanity. Thank you for always having my back. I praise all your names and I am yours. Tonight , I beg of you, please help me prioritize people over tasks. If I am guilty of doing too much, convict me. This tension is because something must change. I submit to you. All my work is FOR YOU and to GLORIFY YOU.
Thank you, Jesus, for setting boundaries for me today. Thank you for emboldening me to stand on your Word in a new way, even if It hurt to hear that feedback. You’ve heard my countless praises for Nathan (9) and I beg YOUR WILL rules all the households involved.
Thank you for Lamentations 3:58 and its triple blessing.
I stand on Isaiah 22:22. Jiu-jitsu cuts on the feet must be from someone’s toenails. Thanks Thanks for the repetition and inside jokes from Divine Humor. You get me, you really get me. 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you for another day to love you to the best of my Blonde Polish Chick ability.
I’ve got everything I need. I’ve got you, Jesus. 💜💜
After being long winded on Facebook, I had no time to write the letter by hand for Master Luiz. In the land of me- The BPC- it equated to Divine Humor striking me again. Oh, how it goes with the best laid plans.
Today was “Give it Away” day. By that, I mean give the original working copies of Jiu-Jitsu Wilderness: Black Belt Wisdom to Professors Cliff and Pedro, for Master Luiz. These are the “stones” and echoes the Lord has used to train me in this new wilderness season. It simply had to be today, as Pedro is leaving later tonight or tomorrow.
I had three time sensitive tasks. Find a proper card worthy of Master Luiz, deliver the quote books and arrive at the shop in time for Mark to make his flight.
Lord, may he and his dad enjoy all your travel mercies and blessings. May their cruise be blessed.
That left me 17 minutes to clean up, get dressed and leave the house.
Being me, I decided to give a card from the heart. It’s only counts as sacrifice if it costs you something, right? Well, I have kept a beautiful hand-crafted “you are my sunshine” card for over 20 years. I love, love, LOVED the memories attached. It takes me back to what God did in MySpace for Make a Difference Day.
I wrote my full name and phone number on the back. That’s it. I didn’t even have time to jot down the Psalm 78 scripture I didn’t even take a photo of it. Kind of weird, but also perfect. Master Luiz is exactly 9 years and two days my senior.
May brevity bless us both.
Being the BPC I am, I also had to honor my Chrissie for making me the book I am holding in this photo. Sillies for her Sunbeam has been in my prayer closet for almost a year. Today, I will make Chrissie a special gift, as now I have acquired the proper tools.
Thank you, Jesus, for always, always, ALWAYS and in ALL WAYS having my back.
For posterity, here is the Facebook post. It screams to be included because the center image is cut off at the place it says “create your own “ and the bottom word is SUNSHINE. That’s Divine Editing as far as I am concerned. There was no BJJ quote book, so I literally created my own.
For clarity, the center post was 12 years ago. It was roughly six months after our “Oszczakiewicz Gracie” went to heaven. Our Gracie (24) died 31 years (plus one day) after Rolls Gracie, (31). Our Gracie passed in a tragic car accident and Rolls in a hang gliding accident. I have been imagining their Godversations and wondering what my own earthly father would agree, “the qualities and character existing inside truly make me my father’s daughter”. 💜✝️💜
Rolls became extra important to me once I learned he was Master Luiz favorite Professor/Coach The link above the one for my dad goes to Anabel Grace Lee’s obituary. It talks about her living life on a “higher plane” and I’m fairly certain some angels have been working overtime on behalf of Polish-Chinese-Americans everywhere. Our Gracie would have hang-glided with Rolls, no doubt.
Bottom line, this gift honors so much more than The Gracie Family, BJJ, Master Luiz and ONJJ. It honors my Oszczakiewicz and Mull roots, as well. Most importantly, it honors the One who sent me to ONJJ via Joe Rogan and Chadd Wright on Episode #2358.
Excuse me while I giggle about about “JRE #2358 popped the BPC’s BJJ cherry.” 🤣🤣🤣
Without further Adieu…
9 photos from this day over 16 years…Rather perfect is the center image. #ISWYDT
And, for the cherry on top, when Mark left the shop, I went to the lab. My sweet GBM left me the best encouragement, without knowing anything about what the Lord is showing me about my wilderness stones.
Yeppers, the Blonde Polish Chick has “stones” of the best variety. The stones Father God gave me are getting polished quite sweetly these days.
My God Room 