Iris' Story

I had wanted to join Embrace Grace for a while, but because of a misunderstanding, I wasn't able to start when I originally planned. By the time I connected with another group, I had already given birth to my son. I was so grateful when they told me I could still participate.

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As a single mom, I didn't have much time to connect with other mothers, and I was also walking through several difficult personal circumstances. Embrace Grace gave me a reason to show up every week and be surrounded by women who understood some of what I was experiencing. I looked forward to our meetings because I could share my roses and thorns, the good things happening in my life and the challenges I was facing. The other moms and leaders listened, encouraged me, and helped me keep moving forward when I wanted to give up.

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I was already reading the Bible and learning about God, but Embrace Grace helped me understand how to apply those teachings to my everyday life. When difficult situations came up, I began asking myself how I could approach them differently instead of becoming discouraged.

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One message that stayed with me was that having my baby didn't mean I had to give up on my dreams. Today, I'm pursuing my master's degree while raising my son. Embrace Grace helped me become more hopeful about our future and reminded me to keep investing in myself and moving forward. I'm grateful for the community I found and for the women I still stay connected with today.

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