1 00:00:08,237 --> 00:00:09,657 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:11,257 --> 00:00:13,917 Speaker 2: Whether you're new to prayer or have been praying for years, 3 00:00:14,177 --> 00:00:17,657 Speaker 2: the Jesus Listens by Sarah Young devotional empowers you to 4 00:00:17,697 --> 00:00:21,107 Speaker 2: draw near to God daily. Now, you can find this 5 00:00:21,187 --> 00:00:25,366 Speaker 2: beloved book in a deluxe pink leather-soft edition with elegant 6 00:00:25,467 --> 00:00:29,577 Speaker 2: foil accents, making it both a beautiful keepsake and a 7 00:00:29,587 --> 00:00:32,836 Speaker 2: meaningful gift. Inside, you'll find 365 days of Bible-based prayers. 8 00:00:35,817 --> 00:00:40,177 Speaker 2: scripture references, and a ribbon marker, perfect for quiet moments 9 00:00:40,217 --> 00:00:43,117 Speaker 2: at home or prayer on the go. Look for it 10 00:00:43,297 --> 00:00:44,297 Speaker 2: wherever you buy books. 11 00:00:48,016 --> 00:00:51,736 Speaker 1: In the very, very early stages of grief, like day one, 12 00:00:52,336 --> 00:00:57,117 Speaker 1: week one, you can't possibly think about moving forward or 13 00:00:57,277 --> 00:01:01,127 Speaker 1: anything in those very early stages. You can only focus 14 00:01:01,427 --> 00:01:03,246 Speaker 1: on 10 seconds at a time. 15 00:01:06,127 --> 00:01:09,287 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. This week, we hear 16 00:01:09,327 --> 00:01:13,267 Speaker 2: from TV host and podcaster Kelly Rizzo, who shares about 17 00:01:13,307 --> 00:01:17,007 Speaker 2: the sudden loss of her husband, comedian Bob Saget, and 18 00:01:17,067 --> 00:01:19,927 Speaker 2: how she views grief and coping in the aftermath of 19 00:01:19,967 --> 00:01:23,767 Speaker 2: losing a partner. Next, we'll hear from Dominique Jones, also 20 00:01:23,827 --> 00:01:26,507 Speaker 2: known as Doe. She grew up leading worship in her 21 00:01:26,547 --> 00:01:30,867 Speaker 2: father's church before joining her family's group, Forever Jones. After 22 00:01:30,927 --> 00:01:34,447 Speaker 2: experiencing both success and setbacks in the music industry, She 23 00:01:34,487 --> 00:01:37,807 Speaker 2: eventually stepped out as a solo artist and began finding 24 00:01:37,827 --> 00:01:41,107 Speaker 2: the freedom to tell her own story through music. Let's 25 00:01:41,147 --> 00:01:42,907 Speaker 2: begin with Kelly Rizzo's story. 26 00:01:46,887 --> 00:01:51,807 Speaker 1: My name's Kelly Rizzo, and I am a Chicago gal 27 00:01:51,887 --> 00:01:54,837 Speaker 1: who lives in LA now for the last almost decade. 28 00:01:54,847 --> 00:01:57,597 Speaker 1: I had a business and a brand that I started 29 00:01:57,777 --> 00:02:00,457 Speaker 1: many years ago called Eat Travel Rock, where I was 30 00:02:00,517 --> 00:02:03,337 Speaker 1: bringing food, travel, and music together, and I was very 31 00:02:03,397 --> 00:02:07,637 Speaker 1: passionate about it And then in 2022, when I lost 32 00:02:07,697 --> 00:02:11,656 Speaker 1: my husband, everything changed. And I still, of course, love 33 00:02:11,677 --> 00:02:14,577 Speaker 1: to talk about those things. But now I talk about 34 00:02:14,617 --> 00:02:17,387 Speaker 1: things that are much deeper as well than just food, 35 00:02:17,427 --> 00:02:20,167 Speaker 1: travel and music, like life and loss and grief and 36 00:02:20,887 --> 00:02:26,787 Speaker 1: everything that comes with it. For 38 years, I lived 37 00:02:26,827 --> 00:02:29,717 Speaker 1: in Chicago and grew up in the city, kind of 38 00:02:29,837 --> 00:02:33,556 Speaker 1: right by Wrigley Field. with my wonderful parents and my 39 00:02:33,797 --> 00:02:38,247 Speaker 1: two younger sisters. And it was pretty idyllic. I mean, 40 00:02:38,287 --> 00:02:42,707 Speaker 1: a wonderful childhood. I was actually a realtor with my 41 00:02:42,767 --> 00:02:46,667 Speaker 1: parents working with their company for 17 years when I 42 00:02:46,687 --> 00:02:51,966 Speaker 1: was in Chicago. And after the market crash of 2008 43 00:02:51,967 --> 00:02:55,987 Speaker 1: and real estate became very, very difficult, and then after 44 00:02:56,027 --> 00:02:59,587 Speaker 1: going through a divorce at that time also, I realized, 45 00:02:59,607 --> 00:03:03,307 Speaker 1: you know what? Life does not go according to plan. 46 00:03:04,127 --> 00:03:06,127 Speaker 1: What can I do that I'm passionate about? I am 47 00:03:06,827 --> 00:03:10,087 Speaker 1: so burnt out with real estate. I want to follow 48 00:03:10,127 --> 00:03:11,867 Speaker 1: my heart and do what I'm passionate about. And I 49 00:03:11,867 --> 00:03:13,827 Speaker 1: was like, I love food, travel, and music. And so 50 00:03:13,867 --> 00:03:17,057 Speaker 1: I just started blogging about it. And then years later, 51 00:03:17,077 --> 00:03:21,557 Speaker 1: it became a full-time career. After about four years or 52 00:03:21,597 --> 00:03:24,817 Speaker 1: so of really putting my content out there, Bob found 53 00:03:24,857 --> 00:03:30,287 Speaker 1: me on Instagram and in 2016, the old fashioned way, 54 00:03:30,327 --> 00:03:35,547 Speaker 1: as I like to say, and did the proverbial slid 55 00:03:35,607 --> 00:03:39,327 Speaker 1: into the DMs. Right off the bat, I was very intrigued, 56 00:03:39,367 --> 00:03:41,847 Speaker 1: but a little skeptical. I was like, wait, this is 57 00:03:42,007 --> 00:03:43,667 Speaker 1: a guy I grew up watching on TV when I 58 00:03:43,697 --> 00:03:45,607 Speaker 1: was a kid. This is so weird. I can't actually 59 00:03:45,887 --> 00:03:50,377 Speaker 1: talk to Bob Saget. That's crazy. But he was kind 60 00:03:50,417 --> 00:03:54,757 Speaker 1: of persistent, but very respectful and charming and wonderful. And 61 00:03:54,797 --> 00:03:56,397 Speaker 1: at first I was like, okay, we can be friends. 62 00:03:57,347 --> 00:03:59,707 Speaker 1: But then after a while, I was like, oh, all right, 63 00:03:59,747 --> 00:04:02,817 Speaker 1: this might be something a little bit more. I had 64 00:04:03,077 --> 00:04:07,057 Speaker 1: never dated anyone, give or take a couple years older 65 00:04:07,177 --> 00:04:09,877 Speaker 1: or younger than myself. And Bob was 23 years older. 66 00:04:10,817 --> 00:04:13,447 Speaker 1: But the weird thing about it was at the time 67 00:04:13,467 --> 00:04:15,347 Speaker 1: we met, he was 59 and I just turned 37. 68 00:04:15,347 --> 00:04:24,306 Speaker 1: And unlike everyone, any other 59-year-old you could ever possibly imagine. 69 00:04:24,686 --> 00:04:28,357 Speaker 1: He was so fun and so youthful. Age could have 70 00:04:28,376 --> 00:04:32,456 Speaker 1: been an exception because it truly just didn't matter with him. 71 00:04:40,197 --> 00:04:43,657 Speaker 1: January 9th of 2022 was easily the worst day of 72 00:04:43,697 --> 00:04:48,666 Speaker 1: my entire life. Bob was in Florida performing at He 73 00:04:48,707 --> 00:04:51,567 Speaker 1: had two shows, one in Orlando and then one up 74 00:04:51,686 --> 00:04:55,687 Speaker 1: in like St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, it was called. And 75 00:04:56,246 --> 00:05:00,837 Speaker 1: he drove home two hours from Jacksonville back to Orlando. 76 00:05:00,897 --> 00:05:03,397 Speaker 1: We talked on the phone almost the whole time. He 77 00:05:03,436 --> 00:05:05,937 Speaker 1: was telling me what an incredible show he had. He 78 00:05:05,976 --> 00:05:08,756 Speaker 1: had a standing ovation. He did two hours and 10 minutes, 79 00:05:09,176 --> 00:05:11,277 Speaker 1: which if you know anything about standup, you know that 80 00:05:11,316 --> 00:05:15,077 Speaker 1: that's more than twice the length of any typical set. 81 00:05:15,866 --> 00:05:17,887 Speaker 1: And he was just so proud. I was so proud 82 00:05:17,907 --> 00:05:19,576 Speaker 1: of him. He was just so excited that he had 83 00:05:19,657 --> 00:05:22,657 Speaker 1: such an amazing show. And he got back to his 84 00:05:22,736 --> 00:05:27,056 Speaker 1: hotel and we were texting a little bit. I was 85 00:05:27,077 --> 00:05:30,236 Speaker 1: really sick at home with COVID. And so he was 86 00:05:30,476 --> 00:05:33,077 Speaker 1: giving me all these kind of lectures like, go to 87 00:05:33,116 --> 00:05:36,277 Speaker 1: bed early, take this medicine. He's like, just do something 88 00:05:36,337 --> 00:05:39,386 Speaker 1: that makes you happy, relax, watch a TV show you like. 89 00:05:40,467 --> 00:05:43,307 Speaker 1: And He's like, I can't wait to see you tomorrow. 90 00:05:43,407 --> 00:05:45,807 Speaker 1: Love you so much. I was like, love you so much. 91 00:05:45,926 --> 00:05:49,407 Speaker 1: Love you so effortlessly. It was just beautiful. I mean, 92 00:05:49,507 --> 00:05:53,066 Speaker 1: thank God for that. Truly just beautiful text messages going 93 00:05:53,106 --> 00:05:58,106 Speaker 1: back and forth. And then the next morning I can 94 00:05:58,126 --> 00:05:59,967 Speaker 1: track his phone and I saw he was supposed to 95 00:06:00,007 --> 00:06:02,916 Speaker 1: be at the airport and he wasn't. His phone was 96 00:06:02,936 --> 00:06:05,056 Speaker 1: still at the hotel. And I thought that was strange. 97 00:06:05,097 --> 00:06:07,377 Speaker 1: I was like, maybe he changed his flight. He wanted 98 00:06:07,416 --> 00:06:09,496 Speaker 1: to sleep in. He just had a really long show, 99 00:06:09,556 --> 00:06:14,606 Speaker 1: a very exhausting road trip. And I was calling him 100 00:06:14,666 --> 00:06:17,556 Speaker 1: and texting him and he wasn't answering, which was also 101 00:06:17,616 --> 00:06:21,916 Speaker 1: very unlike him, but not super unlike him if he 102 00:06:22,017 --> 00:06:25,526 Speaker 1: decided to sleep in. So I was like, okay, there's 103 00:06:25,856 --> 00:06:29,246 Speaker 1: obviously an explanation. He's sleeping in. It's fine. But then 104 00:06:29,327 --> 00:06:31,847 Speaker 1: I was like, he really should have been at the 105 00:06:31,887 --> 00:06:35,086 Speaker 1: airport by now. Something's weird. So I called the hotel. 106 00:06:35,686 --> 00:06:37,926 Speaker 1: They're like, we can't put you through because he has 107 00:06:37,986 --> 00:06:40,186 Speaker 1: do not disturb on. And I was like, okay, but 108 00:06:40,207 --> 00:06:42,347 Speaker 1: I'm his wife. And they're like, well, we'll call him. 109 00:06:42,387 --> 00:06:45,386 Speaker 1: You can call us back. And they're like, same, no answer. 110 00:06:45,806 --> 00:06:49,666 Speaker 1: And then it just kept progressing where finally now I'm 111 00:06:49,686 --> 00:06:52,317 Speaker 1: like talking to a manager at the hotel and they're like, okay, 112 00:06:52,337 --> 00:06:55,616 Speaker 1: we're going to go do a wellness check. And then 113 00:06:55,637 --> 00:07:00,097 Speaker 1: that progressed to we're sending somebody to break down the door. 114 00:07:00,236 --> 00:07:03,097 Speaker 1: And I was like, that doesn't sound good. You know, 115 00:07:03,137 --> 00:07:07,166 Speaker 1: that's not what you want to hear. And it took 116 00:07:07,207 --> 00:07:12,447 Speaker 1: like two hours to finally figure anything out. And then 117 00:07:12,487 --> 00:07:14,267 Speaker 1: it got to the point where they're like, the paramedics 118 00:07:14,327 --> 00:07:17,437 Speaker 1: are here. And I was like, okay, this is awful, 119 00:07:18,577 --> 00:07:21,657 Speaker 1: but maybe he had a heart attack and he'll be 120 00:07:21,697 --> 00:07:23,877 Speaker 1: fine and he'll go to the hospital or something like that. 121 00:07:24,997 --> 00:07:28,527 Speaker 1: And then they're like, law enforcement's here. And then I 122 00:07:28,527 --> 00:07:31,237 Speaker 1: was like, well, that sounds bad. And then they said, 123 00:07:31,397 --> 00:07:34,357 Speaker 1: the paramedics left, but law enforcement's still here. But still 124 00:07:34,397 --> 00:07:36,647 Speaker 1: no one's giving me answers. And it was just so 125 00:07:36,727 --> 00:07:42,327 Speaker 1: incredibly traumatic, this waiting game. And finally it got to 126 00:07:42,347 --> 00:07:45,747 Speaker 1: the point where I had a friend come over and 127 00:07:45,867 --> 00:07:48,247 Speaker 1: she got somebody from the hotel on the phone, like 128 00:07:48,347 --> 00:07:51,147 Speaker 1: demanding an answer. And it was a security guard who 129 00:07:51,187 --> 00:07:55,267 Speaker 1: got on the phone with me and said, we're so sorry. Unfortunately, 130 00:07:55,327 --> 00:07:59,747 Speaker 1: he passed away. And of course I just lost it. 131 00:08:00,677 --> 00:08:04,037 Speaker 1: And crumbled to the floor and was screaming. I felt 132 00:08:04,057 --> 00:08:07,617 Speaker 1: like a wild animal. It was just awful. And then immediately, 133 00:08:07,637 --> 00:08:09,537 Speaker 1: you know, I had to call Bob's ex-wife. I felt 134 00:08:09,677 --> 00:08:12,387 Speaker 1: she should be the one to tell his daughters. And 135 00:08:12,487 --> 00:08:15,206 Speaker 1: then that's when the phone calls started coming in. And 136 00:08:15,267 --> 00:08:20,487 Speaker 1: it was just a whole new world that was so 137 00:08:20,587 --> 00:08:24,847 Speaker 1: surreal that I was just thrown into it. that nothing 138 00:08:24,927 --> 00:08:28,457 Speaker 1: can prepare you for, let alone losing your husband so suddenly, 139 00:08:28,547 --> 00:08:31,037 Speaker 1: but to have to do it so publicly. You don't 140 00:08:31,217 --> 00:08:33,657 Speaker 1: normally have to read about the death of your husband 141 00:08:34,377 --> 00:08:38,457 Speaker 1: on TMZ 15 minutes after you find out. So it 142 00:08:38,517 --> 00:08:42,197 Speaker 1: was really strange and very surreal. I kept thinking, this 143 00:08:42,237 --> 00:08:49,667 Speaker 1: can't be my life. But I knew that I just 144 00:08:49,707 --> 00:08:59,337 Speaker 1: had to get through In the beginning, I didn't really 145 00:08:59,457 --> 00:09:01,997 Speaker 1: realize this. And now this is the advice I give 146 00:09:02,057 --> 00:09:06,377 Speaker 1: to other people in the very, very early stages of grief, 147 00:09:06,397 --> 00:09:12,297 Speaker 1: like day one, week one, is you can't possibly think 148 00:09:12,387 --> 00:09:16,167 Speaker 1: about moving forward or anything in those very early stages. 149 00:09:16,907 --> 00:09:21,847 Speaker 1: You can only focus on 10 seconds at a time, 150 00:09:22,707 --> 00:09:27,387 Speaker 1: maybe a minute, maybe an hour. You can't even think 151 00:09:27,427 --> 00:09:32,257 Speaker 1: about next week. I was in so much emotional pain 152 00:09:33,017 --> 00:09:35,817 Speaker 1: after that. I was like, I don't know what to do. 153 00:09:36,777 --> 00:09:39,396 Speaker 1: And I don't know if one of my best friends 154 00:09:39,477 --> 00:09:42,417 Speaker 1: recommended the book or maybe my sister recommended the book 155 00:09:42,437 --> 00:09:46,386 Speaker 1: or I just found Jesus Calling on my own. I 156 00:09:46,527 --> 00:09:50,027 Speaker 1: don't totally remember what But for whatever reason, in the 157 00:09:50,067 --> 00:09:53,147 Speaker 1: very beginning, I was like, this is exactly what I 158 00:09:53,187 --> 00:09:56,977 Speaker 1: needed to hear today. Just little bits of information. Do 159 00:09:57,037 --> 00:10:01,437 Speaker 1: not worry. Do not place your trust in anything else. 160 00:10:02,027 --> 00:10:04,367 Speaker 1: Whatever I needed to hear that day is what it 161 00:10:04,407 --> 00:10:06,237 Speaker 1: gave me. And I just remember being like, this is 162 00:10:06,257 --> 00:10:09,896 Speaker 1: the greatest book ever. And for somebody who has always 163 00:10:10,157 --> 00:10:12,297 Speaker 1: struggled a bit with reading the Bible, because it just 164 00:10:12,417 --> 00:10:16,727 Speaker 1: seems so overwhelming to me, this was just the perfect 165 00:10:17,627 --> 00:10:21,947 Speaker 1: bite size, especially after a sudden loss. You're just so 166 00:10:22,027 --> 00:10:25,267 Speaker 1: disoriented and you're in such a spiral and you just 167 00:10:25,817 --> 00:10:28,637 Speaker 1: everything feels like a foggy dream and like this can't 168 00:10:28,657 --> 00:10:30,837 Speaker 1: be real. And the only thing that can get you 169 00:10:30,877 --> 00:10:35,897 Speaker 1: through it is just literally like focusing on today. And 170 00:10:36,377 --> 00:10:38,717 Speaker 1: then you get to a point when maybe you're a 171 00:10:38,737 --> 00:10:42,457 Speaker 1: few months in where you can start to think about, okay, 172 00:10:43,657 --> 00:10:45,487 Speaker 1: do I need to move? How am I going to 173 00:10:46,057 --> 00:10:47,267 Speaker 1: do this? How am I going to do that? Where 174 00:10:47,287 --> 00:10:51,307 Speaker 1: you can actually start thinking about some plans for the 175 00:10:51,347 --> 00:10:55,657 Speaker 1: future and for me in terms of moving on even relationship-wise, 176 00:10:55,997 --> 00:10:59,377 Speaker 1: took 18 months before I was ready to do that. 177 00:10:59,837 --> 00:11:01,817 Speaker 1: That's one of those things where some people might be 178 00:11:01,877 --> 00:11:06,467 Speaker 1: ready six months later. This is a no-judgment zone. And 179 00:11:06,527 --> 00:11:11,667 Speaker 1: some people might never be ready. And either way, whatever's 180 00:11:11,727 --> 00:11:18,797 Speaker 1: right for you is right for you. I remember within 181 00:11:18,817 --> 00:11:20,917 Speaker 1: a week after Bob passed, we were sitting on my 182 00:11:20,957 --> 00:11:24,507 Speaker 1: bed and My sister said, I just want to make 183 00:11:24,587 --> 00:11:27,827 Speaker 1: sure that this doesn't shake your faith in God at 184 00:11:27,927 --> 00:11:30,967 Speaker 1: all because of what happened. And I looked at her 185 00:11:30,987 --> 00:11:36,867 Speaker 1: and I was like, no, of course not. Like, I exist. 186 00:11:37,587 --> 00:11:42,387 Speaker 1: You exist. We're both here. So clearly God exists. I'm 187 00:11:42,407 --> 00:11:45,347 Speaker 1: not saying I understand what his plan is. And I'm 188 00:11:45,387 --> 00:11:47,687 Speaker 1: not saying I totally get it. And I'm not saying 189 00:11:47,727 --> 00:11:50,827 Speaker 1: I'm like happy with this situation. But I'm certainly happy. 190 00:11:51,537 --> 00:11:54,537 Speaker 1: not thinking even for a second that there is no 191 00:11:54,577 --> 00:11:58,137 Speaker 1: God now because of something bad happened to me. I 192 00:11:58,217 --> 00:12:03,247 Speaker 1: have been very fortunate in my grief journey where I 193 00:12:03,407 --> 00:12:07,067 Speaker 1: feel happy. I feel very solid. And I have for 194 00:12:07,127 --> 00:12:11,386 Speaker 1: a while. Bob was 65. He lived a very full life. 195 00:12:11,467 --> 00:12:14,607 Speaker 1: He had the opportunity to make a huge impact in 196 00:12:14,647 --> 00:12:19,437 Speaker 1: this world and make it a better place. And because 197 00:12:19,477 --> 00:12:23,867 Speaker 1: of that, I felt very fulfilled in the life that 198 00:12:23,907 --> 00:12:26,177 Speaker 1: we did get to have together. I remember just being like, 199 00:12:26,377 --> 00:12:30,636 Speaker 1: I'm going to focus on gratitude. And I remember at 200 00:12:30,697 --> 00:12:33,357 Speaker 1: his funeral, one of his very best friends got up 201 00:12:33,397 --> 00:12:34,877 Speaker 1: and made a little speech and looked at me and 202 00:12:34,897 --> 00:12:38,987 Speaker 1: just said, Kel, I'm so sorry you got robbed. And 203 00:12:39,027 --> 00:12:42,027 Speaker 1: I remember even then, like I'm the most devastated I've 204 00:12:42,147 --> 00:12:44,967 Speaker 1: ever been in my whole life. I'm like barely able 205 00:12:44,987 --> 00:12:49,727 Speaker 1: to function. I'm just sobbing completely. And I remember thinking, no, no, 206 00:12:50,367 --> 00:12:53,707 Speaker 1: I didn't get robbed. How lucky am I that I 207 00:12:53,947 --> 00:12:57,997 Speaker 1: got to have him for six years? Then it's not fair. 208 00:12:58,077 --> 00:13:00,717 Speaker 1: I only got to have him for six years. So 209 00:13:00,737 --> 00:13:04,877 Speaker 1: that was my mentality very, very early on. So having 210 00:13:04,917 --> 00:13:07,147 Speaker 1: that perspective very early on was very helpful to me. 211 00:13:07,787 --> 00:13:12,647 Speaker 1: And now my grief is, it's always still there, but 212 00:13:13,307 --> 00:13:17,987 Speaker 1: it's weird. With Bob, it's so interesting because I loved 213 00:13:18,027 --> 00:13:20,597 Speaker 1: him with my whole heart. He was just the greatest 214 00:13:20,657 --> 00:13:27,177 Speaker 1: human being I ever knew. And he loved so deeply. 215 00:13:27,357 --> 00:13:30,407 Speaker 1: And he told people that all day, every day. Like, 216 00:13:30,487 --> 00:13:33,367 Speaker 1: if Bob loved you, like, you knew it. Because even 217 00:13:33,707 --> 00:13:36,407 Speaker 1: guy friends of his, every conversation was, I love you, buddy. 218 00:13:36,547 --> 00:13:38,807 Speaker 1: I love you, man. He was always telling people. He 219 00:13:38,827 --> 00:13:40,967 Speaker 1: was always hugging people and telling people that he loved them. 220 00:13:41,937 --> 00:13:44,877 Speaker 1: And that was just such a big lesson that he 221 00:13:44,937 --> 00:13:49,817 Speaker 1: not only gave me, but the world. And so for me... 222 00:13:50,197 --> 00:13:53,237 Speaker 1: My whole like loving deeply but grieving deeply is still 223 00:13:53,337 --> 00:13:56,917 Speaker 1: continuing to share Bob with the world and share his 224 00:13:56,997 --> 00:14:01,557 Speaker 1: message of love and laughter and just caring about people. 225 00:14:01,877 --> 00:14:06,277 Speaker 1: So I'm very happy with the grief that I still 226 00:14:06,297 --> 00:14:08,237 Speaker 1: have because it means I get to keep sharing him. 227 00:14:10,747 --> 00:14:15,667 Speaker 2: To learn more about Kelly Rizzo, visit kelly-rizzo.com and be 228 00:14:15,727 --> 00:14:20,817 Speaker 2: sure to check out her online community, Comfort Club.com. at comfortclubonline.com. 229 00:14:21,817 --> 00:14:28,797 Speaker 2: Stay tuned to Doe's story after a brief message. Enjoy 230 00:14:28,937 --> 00:14:33,137 Speaker 2: abundant gratitude this fall as you reflect on God's overflowing blessings. 231 00:14:33,797 --> 00:14:37,697 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling, Harvest of Blessings, can help you focus on 232 00:14:37,717 --> 00:14:41,487 Speaker 2: your blessings and cultivate a gratitude mindset, allowing you to 233 00:14:41,537 --> 00:14:44,907 Speaker 2: center your mind more on Jesus and less on stress 234 00:14:44,987 --> 00:14:49,667 Speaker 2: and anxiety. This inspirational, full-color devotional This volume is perfect 235 00:14:49,687 --> 00:14:52,927 Speaker 2: for families who want to cultivate a tradition of counting 236 00:14:52,947 --> 00:14:56,867 Speaker 2: blessings together, those who are looking to deepen their experience 237 00:14:56,947 --> 00:14:59,547 Speaker 2: of trusting God, and those who want to walk closely 238 00:14:59,607 --> 00:15:17,327 Speaker 2: with Jesus and begin daily habits of expressing thankfulness. Be 239 00:15:17,387 --> 00:15:20,407 Speaker 2: inspired to walk more closely with Jesus as you focus 240 00:15:20,467 --> 00:15:22,927 Speaker 2: on him and the blessings he has put in your life. 241 00:15:23,447 --> 00:15:26,387 Speaker 2: Find Jesus Calling Harvest of Blessings. 242 00:15:26,087 --> 00:15:27,247 Speaker 1: At your favorite retailer. 243 00:15:33,017 --> 00:15:36,217 Speaker 2: Our next guest is Dominique Jones, also known as Doe. 244 00:15:36,657 --> 00:15:38,997 Speaker 2: She shares how stepping out of her family's music group 245 00:15:39,157 --> 00:15:41,537 Speaker 2: taught her to trust her own voice and how letting 246 00:15:41,577 --> 00:15:43,977 Speaker 2: go of the fear of failure and the pressure to 247 00:15:44,017 --> 00:15:46,857 Speaker 2: perform allowed her to be more honest about her life 248 00:15:47,337 --> 00:15:49,837 Speaker 2: and the experiences that became part of her music. 249 00:15:51,177 --> 00:15:54,537 Speaker 3: Hi everyone, my name is Doe, and I am an 250 00:15:54,757 --> 00:15:59,767 Speaker 3: artist slash worship leader, and I'm a mom, a sister, 251 00:15:59,807 --> 00:16:09,087 Speaker 3: a wife, and all the things. My growing up years 252 00:16:09,167 --> 00:16:13,007 Speaker 3: began in Yakima, Washington. It's a beautiful place, and I 253 00:16:14,787 --> 00:16:18,147 Speaker 3: cut my teeth on worship leading in Yakima on my 254 00:16:18,207 --> 00:16:22,357 Speaker 3: dad's stage. He was a pastor. And just learning how 255 00:16:22,377 --> 00:16:25,357 Speaker 3: and being pushed to the front, I guess I should say, 256 00:16:25,377 --> 00:16:28,137 Speaker 3: because there were times where I felt too afraid to 257 00:16:28,197 --> 00:16:31,237 Speaker 3: do it. But those were my first experiences with leading. 258 00:16:31,777 --> 00:16:35,077 Speaker 3: And then when I turned 14, we as a whole 259 00:16:35,117 --> 00:16:40,577 Speaker 3: family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana. And I led a lot there. 260 00:16:41,137 --> 00:16:45,637 Speaker 3: But also while we were there, we created and formed 261 00:16:45,657 --> 00:16:50,017 Speaker 3: the group Forever Jones, which was our first introduction to 262 00:16:50,057 --> 00:16:53,227 Speaker 3: the music industry as a whole. Our first album did 263 00:16:53,287 --> 00:16:57,247 Speaker 3: really well and was nominated for two Grammys. The second 264 00:16:57,347 --> 00:17:00,247 Speaker 3: album did okay, but not as great. And then we 265 00:17:00,307 --> 00:17:02,947 Speaker 3: experienced some loss. We got dropped from our label, lost 266 00:17:03,027 --> 00:17:07,417 Speaker 3: our home. It was a whole few years. But at 267 00:17:07,477 --> 00:17:10,117 Speaker 3: some point, I decided to try my hand as an 268 00:17:10,177 --> 00:17:14,897 Speaker 3: individual solo artist. And here I am. Growing up in 269 00:17:14,937 --> 00:17:18,757 Speaker 3: the songwriting family, we would have like prayer every morning. 270 00:17:18,797 --> 00:17:23,287 Speaker 3: And so I learned how in real time to sing 271 00:17:23,407 --> 00:17:25,567 Speaker 3: instead of just saying something that I was feeling in 272 00:17:25,627 --> 00:17:27,967 Speaker 3: my heart, I would just sing it. And so that 273 00:17:28,047 --> 00:17:31,607 Speaker 3: happens on the stage with me. If I feel like, oh, 274 00:17:31,647 --> 00:17:34,967 Speaker 3: I need to minister this phrase to someone, I'll just 275 00:17:35,027 --> 00:17:40,047 Speaker 3: sing it. I always say God speaks more than English. 276 00:17:40,087 --> 00:17:42,977 Speaker 3: He doesn't just speak English. He speaks heart. There's a 277 00:17:43,017 --> 00:17:46,236 Speaker 3: reason why I can communicate something through a note and 278 00:17:46,337 --> 00:17:50,137 Speaker 3: someone can understand and hear what my heart is saying 279 00:17:50,217 --> 00:17:54,747 Speaker 3: to them without me using words. I think that there 280 00:17:54,827 --> 00:18:00,007 Speaker 3: is a heavenly response that can happen when everyone is 281 00:18:00,547 --> 00:18:05,827 Speaker 3: in the room and there's room for everyone to insert 282 00:18:06,647 --> 00:18:10,397 Speaker 3: themselves in the conversation between heaven and earth in the room. 283 00:18:10,997 --> 00:18:13,487 Speaker 3: And I think that I speak to that from a 284 00:18:13,527 --> 00:18:19,527 Speaker 3: generational perspective as well, right? Every life experience, every failure 285 00:18:19,547 --> 00:18:23,837 Speaker 3: and every success, everyone has something to say and speak 286 00:18:23,857 --> 00:18:27,117 Speaker 3: to concerning the fabric of our faith, the story of 287 00:18:27,217 --> 00:18:32,757 Speaker 3: our faith. Experiencing the music industry and learning about it 288 00:18:32,917 --> 00:18:35,957 Speaker 3: and being introduced to the industry within the safety net 289 00:18:35,977 --> 00:18:38,657 Speaker 3: of your family is a nice little bonus. Being a 290 00:18:38,697 --> 00:18:41,787 Speaker 3: part of a family band... And being a part of 291 00:18:41,947 --> 00:18:46,057 Speaker 3: my musical family is the framework for how I learn 292 00:18:46,097 --> 00:18:49,196 Speaker 3: how to write songs, how I learn how to engage 293 00:18:49,257 --> 00:18:54,617 Speaker 3: with a crowd, where my confidence was birthed on the stage. 294 00:18:55,317 --> 00:18:59,697 Speaker 3: Stepping out on my own was a huge faith move 295 00:18:59,757 --> 00:19:02,277 Speaker 3: for me. There was part of me that felt an 296 00:19:02,337 --> 00:19:06,087 Speaker 3: obligation to my family that I put on myself. They 297 00:19:06,127 --> 00:19:10,787 Speaker 3: were always really supportive. But it's like you walk through 298 00:19:10,867 --> 00:19:14,957 Speaker 3: so much acceptance and rejection together as a family. You 299 00:19:14,977 --> 00:19:19,397 Speaker 3: win and you lose together. That was actually so beautiful 300 00:19:19,457 --> 00:19:23,897 Speaker 3: because when I was able to tell the truth and 301 00:19:24,057 --> 00:19:27,966 Speaker 3: live the truth, I was able to find healing. The 302 00:19:28,047 --> 00:19:32,307 Speaker 3: feedback from my albums were, thank you for giving me 303 00:19:32,427 --> 00:19:34,747 Speaker 3: language to say the things I was afraid to say. 304 00:19:34,767 --> 00:19:38,027 Speaker 3: And I just think that that's so beautiful. And I 305 00:19:38,067 --> 00:19:43,857 Speaker 3: was able to shed performance and finally step into true healing. 306 00:19:44,177 --> 00:19:46,017 Speaker 3: There's this line that I sang at the end of 307 00:19:46,057 --> 00:19:48,617 Speaker 3: Clarity when I was singing live. It just was like 308 00:19:48,657 --> 00:19:52,047 Speaker 3: this ministry moment where I was telling people, you got 309 00:19:52,067 --> 00:19:56,297 Speaker 3: to lay yourself at the altar. Give yourself. to God, 310 00:19:56,317 --> 00:20:00,317 Speaker 3: not a version that you think that He wants. The 311 00:20:00,357 --> 00:20:03,716 Speaker 3: thing I learned about myself, though, is that I needed 312 00:20:03,797 --> 00:20:06,057 Speaker 3: to get over the fear of failure if I was 313 00:20:06,077 --> 00:20:09,197 Speaker 3: going to do anything in life. And I was so 314 00:20:09,257 --> 00:20:12,887 Speaker 3: afraid of missing God's will. And so I learned that 315 00:20:13,307 --> 00:20:18,777 Speaker 3: my perception of God as my father, needed to be corrected. 316 00:20:19,537 --> 00:20:23,627 Speaker 3: And him empowering me in decision making as well needed 317 00:20:23,647 --> 00:20:27,447 Speaker 3: to be corrected. And I'm thankful that I stepped out 318 00:20:27,667 --> 00:20:30,207 Speaker 3: and that even in all of my mistakes, it got 319 00:20:30,647 --> 00:20:34,247 Speaker 3: course correct and course corrected. And that's been my journey 320 00:20:34,287 --> 00:20:43,997 Speaker 3: since then. When I began embracing the person that I 321 00:20:44,177 --> 00:20:47,507 Speaker 3: am and the person that I'm becoming, through a relationship 322 00:20:47,547 --> 00:20:51,147 Speaker 3: with Jesus, it was like a muzzle was removed from 323 00:20:51,187 --> 00:20:54,607 Speaker 3: my mouth. There was so much that I was afraid 324 00:20:54,707 --> 00:20:59,437 Speaker 3: to say or felt I didn't have the permission to express. 325 00:21:00,757 --> 00:21:04,557 Speaker 3: And things that I had experienced through my eyes and 326 00:21:04,617 --> 00:21:08,817 Speaker 3: me living in this body as a Black Christian woman 327 00:21:09,357 --> 00:21:13,007 Speaker 3: in the South, all of those things, and that God 328 00:21:13,087 --> 00:21:17,097 Speaker 3: validated through All of those experiences, and there was redemption there. 329 00:21:17,557 --> 00:21:20,437 Speaker 3: But if I couldn't talk about it in a truthful way, 330 00:21:21,357 --> 00:21:24,997 Speaker 3: then my testimony would never be able to be told. 331 00:21:26,657 --> 00:21:30,177 Speaker 4: High praises be. 332 00:21:29,617 --> 00:21:30,977 Speaker 2: To the one High. 333 00:21:31,477 --> 00:21:39,037 Speaker 4: Praise belongs to you There's only one on the throne 334 00:21:39,797 --> 00:21:43,657 Speaker 4: There's only one on the throne. 335 00:21:50,117 --> 00:21:52,897 Speaker 3: I think there's room for my humanity in my relationship 336 00:21:52,937 --> 00:21:56,237 Speaker 3: with God, in my anguish, in my pain. There's room 337 00:21:56,277 --> 00:21:59,577 Speaker 3: for all of that in prayer. And that just speaks 338 00:21:59,637 --> 00:22:01,877 Speaker 3: to me as a woman, as a wife and as 339 00:22:01,917 --> 00:22:08,817 Speaker 3: a mother. Connecting with God through prayer just means conversation. 340 00:22:08,837 --> 00:22:13,497 Speaker 3: I try not to put a specific routine on what 341 00:22:14,037 --> 00:22:17,956 Speaker 3: prayer and conversation looks like. It could mean waiting on 342 00:22:17,997 --> 00:22:21,757 Speaker 3: their people. We wait on God. Sometimes for hours, there 343 00:22:21,777 --> 00:22:23,837 Speaker 3: are people that do that. There are people that will 344 00:22:23,897 --> 00:22:27,157 Speaker 3: just sit in the presence of God and read. I 345 00:22:27,257 --> 00:22:31,647 Speaker 3: also believe that because we're not meant to be isolated, 346 00:22:32,127 --> 00:22:34,986 Speaker 3: that spending time in the fellowship of believers is spending 347 00:22:35,027 --> 00:22:38,927 Speaker 3: time with God as well. And to me, all of 348 00:22:38,987 --> 00:22:43,527 Speaker 3: those go into the pot of praying. But what I 349 00:22:43,607 --> 00:22:46,837 Speaker 3: do like to make sure that I do is I 350 00:22:46,857 --> 00:22:48,047 Speaker 3: like to get a little bit of word and a 351 00:22:48,057 --> 00:22:50,537 Speaker 3: little bit of singing in. If I'm just going to 352 00:22:50,557 --> 00:22:52,897 Speaker 3: keep it simple, I get a little bit of singing 353 00:22:52,977 --> 00:22:59,817 Speaker 3: in and just waiting in his presence. Jesus calling October 14th. 354 00:23:00,857 --> 00:23:04,977 Speaker 3: Be prepared to suffer for me in my name. All 355 00:23:05,077 --> 00:23:09,547 Speaker 3: suffering has meaning in my kingdom. Pain and problems are 356 00:23:09,677 --> 00:23:15,467 Speaker 3: opportunities to demonstrate your trust in me. Bearing your circumstances bravely, 357 00:23:16,227 --> 00:23:19,107 Speaker 3: even thanking me for them. is one of the highest 358 00:23:19,187 --> 00:23:24,047 Speaker 3: forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden tone 359 00:23:24,087 --> 00:23:29,507 Speaker 3: bells of joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your 360 00:23:29,547 --> 00:23:34,667 Speaker 3: patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever 361 00:23:34,847 --> 00:23:40,746 Speaker 3: widening circles. When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign 362 00:23:41,387 --> 00:23:44,547 Speaker 3: and that I can bring good out of everything. Don't 363 00:23:44,587 --> 00:23:48,957 Speaker 3: try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, 364 00:23:49,677 --> 00:23:53,737 Speaker 3: accept adversity in my name, offering it up to me 365 00:23:54,127 --> 00:23:59,827 Speaker 3: for my purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws 366 00:23:59,867 --> 00:24:04,127 Speaker 3: you closer to me. Joy emerges from the ashes of 367 00:24:04,227 --> 00:24:06,716 Speaker 3: adversity for your trust and thankfulness. 368 00:24:09,177 --> 00:24:13,957 Speaker 2: To learn more about Doe, visit DoeJonesMusic.com and be sure 369 00:24:13,997 --> 00:24:16,917 Speaker 2: to check out her new album, Shiloh, wherever you get 370 00:24:16,937 --> 00:24:19,967 Speaker 2: your music. If you'd like to hear more stories about 371 00:24:20,007 --> 00:24:28,067 Speaker 2: processing grief, check out our interview with Stacey Hennigan. Next 372 00:24:28,107 --> 00:24:31,547 Speaker 2: time on the Jesus Calling Podcast, writer and producer Brian 373 00:24:31,587 --> 00:24:35,466 Speaker 2: Bird shares how mentors recognized his gift for storytelling, his 374 00:24:35,527 --> 00:24:38,667 Speaker 2: journey from journalism to Hollywood, and why he believes stories 375 00:24:38,927 --> 00:24:39,807 Speaker 2: can give people hope. 376 00:24:41,607 --> 00:24:44,247 Speaker 5: We are made in the image of the author of everything. 377 00:24:44,767 --> 00:24:47,956 Speaker 5: Each of us have a tiny strand of DNA. of 378 00:24:47,997 --> 00:24:52,917 Speaker 5: that maker, of that creator, of that God. And our 379 00:24:53,017 --> 00:24:56,946 Speaker 5: whole goal in life should be to identify that strand 380 00:24:56,987 --> 00:24:57,547 Speaker 5: of DNA. 381 00:25:04,167 --> 00:25:06,647 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 382 00:25:06,707 --> 00:25:10,577 Speaker 2: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week we'll bring 383 00:25:10,597 --> 00:25:13,157 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 384 00:25:13,617 --> 00:25:17,157 Speaker 2: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 385 00:25:18,077 --> 00:25:21,397 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 386 00:25:21,457 --> 00:25:24,736 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts. And leave us a review 387 00:25:24,797 --> 00:25:28,977 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 388 00:25:29,317 --> 00:25:32,777 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement, resources, and more on the Jesus 389 00:25:32,797 --> 00:25:35,067 Speaker 2: Calling website at jesuscalling.com.