Where I'm meant to be

                 

  It feels so good to be home again. My tiny little home where we can unwind and relax in. Just the two of us. My husband and I live a very simple and kind of boring life it seems. I like boring and simple. While I was extremely happy to visit my family and spend a lot of time with them I felt out of place. I felt as if this wasn't my life or where I should be. It sounds strange but I felt like I was becoming disconnected from Islam for the week. I kept up my prayers as best I could, but I felt strange having to excuse myself at "random" times. My family doesn't keep me from Islam but at the same time doesn't encourage it either. The lifestyle they live is perfectly fine-but not the lifestyle I want. I wish my family could experience the sheer joy of Islam that I do. We have small discussions but we don't push it too far. To me religion is personal and one should feel it in their heart. If you don't feel it in your heart then  there is no purpose.  Islam is so beautiful and perfect in every way Alhamdallah. I just wish others could see and feel the way I do. I am so happy to have embraced Islam and that Allah(swt) has blessed me with the most supportive husband in the world. He helps me strive to be a better Muslim everyday.   

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. Surat Ar Rum {30:21} The Nobel Quran

Fresh from the garden

  
While our visit to Michigan has come to an end, and I'm pleased to be taking back some wholesome goodness. My mom has a beautiful backyard garden with herbs, fruit trees, vegetables and plants growing abundantly. We picked mint, rhubarb, basil, parsley, tomatoes, flowers, and even a few weeds that grew in our path. There is nothing sweeter after a hearty meal then a cup of fresh picked mint tea to unwind with. Growing your own food-even it it's just herbs is so rewarding. My mom has such a green thumb and a passion for gardening that I hope it rubs off on me in my garden someday. I don't have a yard in New York, so coming here and just relaxing in her backyard was so peaceful. Inshallah I will have the space or small patch of grass to grow on. The duties, and responsibilities that come along with a garden can encourage an individual to be more patient, reliable, or to simply see the fruits of their labor that Allah (swt) has placed here for us to enjoy.

The Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has said, "If any Muslim plants any plant, and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity."