Oh bless your heart. I have had to reject the guilt and frustration that creeps in concerning not being able to do a lot for Christmas by the world's standards. My online Good Morning Girls group blessed me with a gift card to get a tree and some christmas decorations but we're definitely not doing a lot of gifts or a big holiday meal. Of course part of that is the possibility that babygirl will be here around Christmas too but also the financial part. Such a reminder that-that's not what it's about; that it is about the Ultimate Gift Giver whose Gift we could never compare with.

Btw, I could totally imagine you running to the store returning the razor :) Love you!

"I am not anti-abortion."

This made me think of my statement along those lines:

"I am not anti-divorce."

Thank you for reaffirming this for me. Love you and praising God for what He is doing and will continue to do through your sharing.

Over the past 7 years I have learned more about my 3 P's.

I have a passion for helping hurting marriages receive the healing of Christ and to really know, understand, and live out God's design for marriage. I also have a passion to write about my testimony so that other Muslims can have the hope that I received.

My purpose is to be a helper to my husband, and a righteous yet real mother to my children. It is also to be a Christian-based marriage therapist. And to write a book about my testimony.

My (tentative) plan is to continue focusing on my current ministry: my family; continue taking grad classes towards my degree only as God directs; and continue writing as He leads until He deems me ready to start writing my book.

XO

All three are important but "purpose" has had a very significant meaning for me since I got saved almost 7 years ago.

Because as a Muslim I had no purpose. I used to spend every single day in 20 years just wondering why God would ever put me on this earth.

I was purposeless.

But as soon as I gave my life to Christ He gave me purpose.

No I didn't know what that purpose literally looked like but I knew in that exact moment of accepting Him that I had a purpose.

And that changed me forever.

I know I'm a little late on commenting but at least I was on time wishing you :)

I'm 30 and:

1. I have a long journey ahead with parenting my son who is 2 right now and my daughter who will be here in January.

2. I am working towards my MA degree in marriage therapy; one of the ministries God has called me to. Not sure when I will actually start practicing but God knows so I continue to follow His lead in that process.

3. God has also called me to write a book about my testimony of being saved after being a Muslim; again not sure exactly when that will come to pass but until God makes the timing clear, I'm continuing to write in my blog as He leads.

Love you!

Oh my; I remember these videos like they were recorded yesterday. Great memories. Thank you for posting them again! XO

Very convicting post.

My four chambers currently are: anxiety re. finances in light of a second baby on the way, doubt concerning being a godly (patient, gracious) mother to both my children, low self-worth based on others' actions and words, and praise/celebration.

A weird combination I know.

The praise/celebration part comes from being convicted of the first three and coming to that place of allowing God in my heart so He can hand out those "eviction" notices and replace the anxiety with peace, the doubt with faith, and confidence with low self-worth. I am coming to a place of celebrating and praising God for conviction rather than allowing the enemy to create guilt for it. Conviction is good; transforming darkness into light, lies into truth, unrighteousness to righteousness. In other words, t's definitely something to celebrate!

Thank you for this. Love you.

Happy birthday Kota!

He is blessed to have you as a Mama! :)

Can't wait to meet the Hodges in person one day.

XO

Is it too late to add my word?

If yes then it's all good but if not, God laid it on my heart to share: transparency.

Love you.

Sending you a Jesus hug wrapped in His comfort, love, and mercy.

There are so many things in this world to be heartbroken about yet it is the hope we have in Jesus, which sweet Sara has so eloquently emulated through choosing joy in her circumstances, that we can see past through the brokenness straight into the eyes of the One who heals the brokenhearted.

Love you.