CJ Hunter Called Me “Karissa “No Plans” Johnson”

explore, faith, family, travel, Uncategorized, worldview

As I write, I am moments away from packing the last bits of my bag for my trip to Coffeyfille, KS. We’ll gather to remember CJ Hunter in just a matter of hours. It’s hard for me to take any trip abroad or domestically without thinking of the name CJ gave me.

Here’s the story:

Back in 2011 when I lacked the knowledge of how to prepare for my first international trip, I reached out to him first. I knew that he recently visited the UK and I was a fumbling and stumbling mess, in need of help.

I’d later reach out to Bishop Maurice Green of Bryan, TX. He graciously linked me to the Blackman family and the COGIC UK tribe. It was all divine.

CJ’s messages still bring a smile to my face.

I believe we Skyped that night too and I got a severe tongue lashing from him. We laughed until we cried that night because of my lack of planning. This was in September of 2011. My first trip abroad to England was in September of 2011. That’s when he first called me Karissa “No Plans” Johnson.

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Mourning with Grace & Grit

faith, family, Uncategorized, worldview

And while you’re celebrating, someone somewhere is suffering.

There’s very little grace that accompanies mourning, I’d say. Plenty of grit with it, paired with sorrow. That’s the natural bit.

But Grace. She’s enviable in my opinion. How she holds her head high while most hold theirs low. I envy her. She grabs tissue for others while tears simultaneously stream down her face. Oh, Grace.

💋

And then there’s Grit. Courageous enough to cry–wail even, openly. Falling in laps continuously to exhale, moan, and weep. Flailing arms high in question and bowing at reality. You’re so over the top, Grit. I know you well.

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