What do we do with those “I feel” statements dictates the direction of our days. Instead of believing everything you feel, speak the truth to yourself…

I was on the phone with a friend the day I received a text that flipped our family’s world upside down. My sister was in her first trimester of pregnancy and was at her routine check-up when the nurse noticed something abnormal in her ultrasound – several markers for Down Syndrome. I remember reading her words, each one of them hitting my heart like a freight train. Down Syndrome doesn’t run in our family, this can’t be true, I told the Lord, begging Him to spare my sister of any potential heartache and hurt. She and her husband had been trying to have another child for years, this couldn’t be the way God would answer their longing.

Could it be that this loneliness that lingers in our hearts is meant to point us to the only One who can fill us and meet every need for companionship, joy, hope, and peace?

Lights low, coffee brewing, blanket ready, Bible open, journal and pen waiting…the makings of what I used to think were the perfect quiet time. In June I entered a new season of motherhood and found that my “quiet time” rarely looked this perfect anymore. I had to fight for it. I had to force myself to open my Bible and journal most days. Since becoming a mama, I’ve struggled with the concept of a “quiet” time since my mornings and days rarely are quiet. I can count on one hand the number of mornings I’ve had that could be considered “quiet” since my son was born. But God is teaching me that just because my quiet times are messy and often filled with noise, they are no less beautiful than they used to be.

My heart rejoices today writing this post! For months we have been praying about a ministry Life Lived Beautifully can support. Through a series of incredible circumstances and connections, the Lord led us to Kupendwa Ministries.