I believe life unfolds according to our belief systems. Before I met Kris, I dreamed of what my future marriage would be like. I had hopes of having a loving, adoring marriage. But, as I grew older I saw that happy marriages were harder and harder to find. Many marriages seemed to either be ending in divorce or were unhappily together …
Four Ways To Stay Content In The Wait
On Sunday, my pastor said, “True power is being content in the midst of our circumstances, not being in control of your circumstances.” This phrase hit home and gave new meaning to the scripture we know in Philippians 4:12. Paul says, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have …
Our First Date Five Years Ago And What It Showed Me
June 6th will always hold a special place in my heart. Kris and I had met about two weeks before at a bible study. I remember thinking he was warm and approachable. He made me feel relaxed and welcomed when he came up and talked to me. Our conversation was interrupted, though. The next day I opened my Facebook inbox …
Final Reflections Before I’m Born A Mother
Every time I have contractions, it sends me into a flurry of thoughts. So much is about to change as I walk into a new role of unknowns. Before all my thoughts shift to keeping my new-born baby alive, I needed to journal my final reflections on the life I’ve lived before I am born a mother. I can already …
How I Enjoyed My Changing Body While Pregnant
One of the fears women have about having children is that pregnancy will ruin their body. We fear weight gain, being overcome by cravings, and never having the same curves in the same places again. Of course, many mothers don’t help us when they speak about their own negative experiences, mourning the loss of their pre-baby bodies. We sit there wide-eyed and …
A Millennial Who Didn’t Want Children And Had A Change Of Heart
As a young girl, I remember dreaming of my future children. In the first grade, I doodled baby names in my notebook. As the oldest of four, I helped care for my siblings. I spent many years and summers babysitting. But, as I grew older I started noticing things about children and families that awakened a negative light to it …
What My Labor Pains Have To Do With You
For the last three weeks, I’ve been having contractions through the night. I lost my mucus plug last week. My baby has been engaged and in birthing position for weeks. For three weeks, I’ve been hopeful she’ll come. Every morning, I wake up and hustle to get things ready for her…to come that day. Kris and I have been scrambling …
The Breakthrough My Baby Gave Me
The other night at women’s group, we were closing our time together in prayer as we usually do. We ask to hear from God about one another and speak that encouragement or insight out. My friend Jennie prayed specifically for my daughter. She said, “I sense that she is a healer and when I asked God if she was, He …
Specific Prayers For My Daughter In The Womb
Kris and I have been praying for our children before we even conceived. Throughout my pregnancy, we go on prayer walks and pray over her development and every detail we can think of. I started feeling like I might miss an important area to cover her in. Every time a parent would bring up an issue or high light about their child, I would think “Ooo I better pray for that!”
A Mother’s Day Tribute: Nine Traditions To Pass On To My Daughter
On this mother’s day, as my baby is about to come into the world, I decided to create a list of blessings and traditions my mother raised me with that I want to pass onto my daughter.
Words For Your Partner To Speak During Labor
I’m only a few days or weeks away from my baby girl’s arrival. As I prepare for the day of labor and childbirth, I know it is crucial for me to focus preparing my mind. In 2009, in the days leading up to the night I’d compete at Miss USA, I focused on mental management more than anything else. Our mind …
My Childbirth Bible Verse and Visualization Plan
My life has been extremely busy throughout my pregnancy. I feel like I haven’t been able to prepare like many women. I produced my first women’s conference April 22nd and I resolved I would stop everything to completely focus on baby, labor and post partum prep after that. One thing that’s very important to me is preparing my mind and …
Pregnancy Vlog Week 29: Airplanes, Kicks and Still No Nursery
Hey y’all! I am finally recapping the last three weeks of pregnancy at week 29. I’m sick in by vlog and a little delirious, so give mama some grace! I can not believe I’m in the third trimester. I honestly thought I was still somewhere in the second. I think the key to an enjoyable pregnancy is to stay really …
Do You Want To Encounter God and Renew Your Sparkle?
Do you want to tangibly encounter God and renew your sparkle? Many women are experiencing burnout, staleness and stillness in their lives and relationship with God. It’s time to get your radiance back. It’s happening! The Lord has told me for a while to do a women’s conference for His daughters. This past December, I spent the day soaking and …
A Miss USA’s Purity Vow
I’ve never written completely on my purity story. It’s a topic I’m asked to speak on a lot and am very passionate about. Recently, my husband Kris and I did an interview on TBN about our love story, sexual purity and whether or not we feel it blesses a marriage. I thought it was an interesting question to ask: Does …