NADJA
Nadja Before
In my adolescent years, I entertained the thought of me being a boy trapped in a girl’s body. And as I grow older, I have accepted the lie that I was born this way. My thinking became futile, and my foolish heart were darkened as I continue to find my identity in the same sex relationship.
In my inner consciousness, I struggled being a born-again Christian who suppresses the truth. I tried to reason out and speculate with God, justifying that this can’t be wrong because all this is love. When deep inside I know that it’s wrong.
By choice I blocked the truth of God. I preoccupied myself with the lust of my heart going from one relationship to another in search of true love. But, in all of it I was miserable. I was unfaithful, abusive, jealous and controlling. I feel empty, unsatisfied and lost. Then one day when I was all alone, I had the chance to reflect on my life. I remember a time when I was not in a relationship with anyone and that how joyful and peaceful I was reading, learning and meditating the word of God. That moment I humbled myself, repented and prayed to God for forgiveness. I asked for that peace and joy to rest in me again all the days of my life.
In my inner consciousness, I struggled being a born-again Christian who suppresses the truth. I tried to reason out and speculate with God, justifying that this can’t be wrong because all this is love. When deep inside I know that it’s wrong.
By choice I blocked the truth of God. I preoccupied myself with the lust of my heart going from one relationship to another in search of true love. But, in all of it I was miserable. I was unfaithful, abusive, jealous and controlling. I feel empty, unsatisfied and lost. Then one day when I was all alone, I had the chance to reflect on my life. I remember a time when I was not in a relationship with anyone and that how joyful and peaceful I was reading, learning and meditating the word of God. That moment I humbled myself, repented and prayed to God for forgiveness. I asked for that peace and joy to rest in me again all the days of my life.
Nadja NOW!
God heard my prayers. And shared with me my real identity. When one day I was driving and meditating on John 14:26 But the helper the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and remind you of all that I said to you.
In my Spirit he said remember the day you were born? I said yes! My Mother told me the story. I was supposed to die that day. My Father came to check on my mom and saw her hemorrhaging, so he called for emergency and asked for the Doctor.
The doctor came and said, “We need to operate right away you must choose between the mother or the child. My father chose my mother. I survived anyway. He said yes you did; you see your life is not in the doctor’s hands or your father’s decision you survived because it was my call. Remember I called you in existence, OH WOW!
I knew you even before I formed you in your mother’s womb, double WOW! I gave you life for I am your father, and you are my beloved daughter, triple WOW!
I know now that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am forever loved. I am chosen. I have hope. He gives me directions. He has never left my side nor forsaken me. He protected me. He provided for me. He was faithful, loving and kind. He had carried me wherever I went until I came to this place patiently waiting for me to seek him and call upon his name for, I am a child of God!
Nadja V. Mirpuri
In my Spirit he said remember the day you were born? I said yes! My Mother told me the story. I was supposed to die that day. My Father came to check on my mom and saw her hemorrhaging, so he called for emergency and asked for the Doctor.
The doctor came and said, “We need to operate right away you must choose between the mother or the child. My father chose my mother. I survived anyway. He said yes you did; you see your life is not in the doctor’s hands or your father’s decision you survived because it was my call. Remember I called you in existence, OH WOW!
I knew you even before I formed you in your mother’s womb, double WOW! I gave you life for I am your father, and you are my beloved daughter, triple WOW!
I know now that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am forever loved. I am chosen. I have hope. He gives me directions. He has never left my side nor forsaken me. He protected me. He provided for me. He was faithful, loving and kind. He had carried me wherever I went until I came to this place patiently waiting for me to seek him and call upon his name for, I am a child of God!
Nadja V. Mirpuri
STACY
I stand healed—365 days cancer-free! I can’t help but lift my hands in praise and thank the Lord for His mercy, His healing, and His faithfulness through it all.
In Joshua 4, after God miraculously parted the Jordan River for the Israelites, He commanded them to take twelve stones from the river and build a memorial. “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:7). Why? Because God wanted them to remember what He had done for them. To never forget His power, His deliverance, and His goodness.
Like those stones, my scars are a memorial. They tell a story—not of pain, but of victory. They remind me of the battle I fought, but more importantly, they remind me of the God who fought for me. At times, it has been hard to look at them, to see the marks left behind. But then I remember Jesus. When He appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, He still had the scars in His hands (John 20:27). Those scars weren’t a sign of defeat; they were proof of His sacrifice and triumph over death.
My scars are not signs of brokenness—they are reminders that I am alive. That I am healed. That God is still a miracle-working God.
So today, I build my memorial in gratitude. I choose to remember. I choose to testify. I choose to give God all the glory.
If you are facing a battle today, know this: God is with you. The scars you carry—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—are not signs of loss but of His power to bring you through.
I am 365 days cancer-free. But more than that, I am 365 days deeper in my faith. 365 days more in love with the God who heals. 365 days of knowing that if He did it before, He can do it again.
Thank You, Jesus, for my healing. Thank You for my scars. Thank You for the reminder that You are always faithful.
Stacy Mills
In Joshua 4, after God miraculously parted the Jordan River for the Israelites, He commanded them to take twelve stones from the river and build a memorial. “These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:7). Why? Because God wanted them to remember what He had done for them. To never forget His power, His deliverance, and His goodness.
Like those stones, my scars are a memorial. They tell a story—not of pain, but of victory. They remind me of the battle I fought, but more importantly, they remind me of the God who fought for me. At times, it has been hard to look at them, to see the marks left behind. But then I remember Jesus. When He appeared to His disciples after the resurrection, He still had the scars in His hands (John 20:27). Those scars weren’t a sign of defeat; they were proof of His sacrifice and triumph over death.
My scars are not signs of brokenness—they are reminders that I am alive. That I am healed. That God is still a miracle-working God.
So today, I build my memorial in gratitude. I choose to remember. I choose to testify. I choose to give God all the glory.
If you are facing a battle today, know this: God is with you. The scars you carry—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—are not signs of loss but of His power to bring you through.
I am 365 days cancer-free. But more than that, I am 365 days deeper in my faith. 365 days more in love with the God who heals. 365 days of knowing that if He did it before, He can do it again.
Thank You, Jesus, for my healing. Thank You for my scars. Thank You for the reminder that You are always faithful.
Stacy Mills