“Being Mrs. Banks”
When I was a child and young teenager, I was very shy and unsure. In middle school I was introduced to theater classes, and I fell in love. I took classes all through high school and some in college too….
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Tag Archive: marriage
How Partisan Are You?
I have been thinking a lot about political partisanship lately. It seems to have gotten more and more extreme in the past few years. I have seen how it can hurt relationships, fill people with unhealthy anger, fear, and dread,…
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I Fell in Love with An Unauthorized Immigrant
My name is Mandy Al-Bjaly. I was not born with this last name, but it is a name I chose to take upon myself in March of 2010 when I married Jad Al-Bjaly. I wrote the story of our…
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Five Times the Holy Ghost has Comforted Me Directly or Through Others
On August 18, 2024, I gave a brief talk in church about experiences I have had where I have felt the Holy Ghost comfort me. It was so beautiful to ponder on my life as well as read through old…
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The Truth Shall Make You Free
Today is an anniversary of a very important date. Normally when we think of anniversaries, we think of a happy occasion. Sadly, today’s anniversary is anything but happy. Today, January 6, 2022, is the one-year anniversary of the horrifying attack…
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18 Years Since I Turned 18
I realized today, my 36th birthday, that it has been 18 years since I turned 18! Crazy! And then I thought just how much my life as changed – how much I have changed – as a result of what…
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One Roadtrip, Four Ways to Use the Potty
Since we have been at home so much due to the restrictions surrounding COVID-19, I thought it would be an awesome idea for us to take the kids on a little road trip to Troutman, NC to visit Zootastic. We…
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Must They Grow Up?
As the thunder roared and shook our house Sunday night, my husband went to check on our little Eve, who is two months shy of turning two years old. She was, as he suspected, frightened by the storm. He lovingly…
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Why I Call You Princess
My beloved Eve, you are one year old today. Mommy and Daddy couldn’t love you more. You have brought so much sunshine to our lives. You are our Sweetheart, our Princess. Many parents call their daughters Princess. I actually vowed…
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PB and Apple Jelly
About a month ago, Jad approached me with an idea. He was really excited about this idea, and had spent a lot of time thinking about it, researching it, and watching sales pitches on it. After all this, and praying…
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