WHOLEHEARTED LADY : Saunya

Hey beautiful ladies! I’m Saunya (pronounced like Tanya with an S), and I’m a city girl with a small town heart. I was born and raised in Chicago and still currently residing here. I’ve always had this fascination with smaller and calmer cities and truly believe that I will eventually end up relocating somewhere down south. (This may explain my attraction to southern men, haha). I spend most of my time writing, sharing and encouraging other women like myself through my blog “A Love Perfect”. It really is my favorite thing to do. Having the ability to encourage women all over the world through my writing is so humbling and something that I thank God daily for.

Wholehearted Lady - Saunya SheliseI recently turned 30 last September and amazingly enough, I am more content than I have ever been in my life. Like many of the ladies here, I have gone through moments where I’ve questioned God’s timing and have struggled with waiting for Him to send my husband. I’ve always been the careful girl that only wanted meaningful relationships. And because of that (and God’s protection), I’ve only had one serious relationship in my life. I don’t date much, mainly because it exhausts me, lol. But as an introvert and a highly sensitive person, I’d rather wait patiently for God to send me who He designed for me rather than entertaining people that aren’t meant to be a part of my life.

With all that said, waiting is hard! Lol! Many days I’m so busy that I don’t think about it, and then there are other days that the desire for companionship and a life partner hits me hard. But I truly believe that God knows my heart and has purposed this season of waiting so that He may get the most glory out of my life at this time. So I’m learning to cherish these moments as a single woman, because when my husband finally rolls around, they’ll be gone forever!


SHE IS ADVENTUROUS:
What has been the most exciting thing you have done throughout your single years?

I’ve always had the desire to travel abroad. With my mother being from Aruba and growing up in the Virgin Islands, I developed a love for culture very early on. I tried really hard to study abroad while in undergraduate school. When that didn’t happen, I thought I had missed my opportunity.

A few years later, while attending graduate school back in Chicago, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Dijon & Paris, France. God was gracious enough to grant me my desire. My time there was AMAZING! I can’t wait to take a trip back.


SHE CELEBRATES WITH OTHERS:
How many weddings have you celebrated with friends?

So many! Starting at about 20 years old, my friends and peers that I grew up with started getting married one at a time. And then babies, and baby showers, and housewarmings, etc. I’ve never had bitter feelings about celebrating with friends as I am genuinely happy for them. My two sisters (who are also single) and I have an inside joke whenever one of our friends gets engaged or announces their pregnancy, lol. We lean on each other and encourage one another whenever we feel the sting of envy trying to creep up. Thank God for sisters!


SHE IS GRATEFUL:
What are you most grateful for/has been the biggest blessing of singleness?

To be honest, ALL of the time I get to spend with God without much interruption. It truly is a gift. I get to study, read, and spend as much quiet time with Him as I want. I am also grateful for the little things that we often take for granted like, making spontaneous plans throughout the week, having a whole bed to myself, or not having to “check in” with anyone before I splurge on a new handbag, lol!


SHE IS INDEPENDENT:
What have you done on your own that you are most proud of?

I started my own business. I never thought I would be where I am today, but am thankful to God that He led me to this place. It will be 4 years in September that my LLC has been in existence. It’s something that I am extremely proud of and that is growing and maturing each day.


SHE IS CONTENT:
How do you pursue contentment and joy?

To be quite honest, it took me some time to understand contentment. For the longest time, I always looked for things and people to fulfill me. God really had to take me through a few things to get my attention. Once I began to focus on Him and our relationship, I experienced peace like never before. I was able to rest and not be anxious all the time. True contentment and joy is found in Jesus and the best part is, no one can take that away from me.


SHE SHARES ADVICE:
What have you learned through singleness that you wish you could tell your younger self?

To not rush through life. So often we are busy focusing on the next season, we don’t take the time to be present or to enjoy the season that we are in. I remember when I was 13, I wanted to be 16. And when I was 16, I wanted to be 18. And when I was 18, I couldn’t wait to be 21! I would tell my younger self to slow down and be present in each moment. Enjoy the journey because as it says in James 4:14, life is but a vapor.


SHE LAUGHS:
What is your craziest, funniest, most awkward dating experience?

I once went on a first date with a guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer. From the moment I got in his car, I just knew that it would be the last time, lol. While driving back from dinner, he tried to impress me with the fact that he knew all the lyrics to the album of a Christian rapper (Lecrae) and began blasting the music. I was already annoyed at that point, lol. I’m not sure if he was way too focused on spitting rhymes or if he just wasn’t paying attention because the next thing I know, we were driving into oncoming traffic!!! The Lord saved me that night, lol! But that was the last time I ever stepped foot in his car.


SHE CLINGS TO TRUTH:
What is your favorite truth/bible verse to combat the lies of the world?

I have so many but one of my favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 139 in its entirety. Each time I read this, I’m reminded of how loved and cherished I am by God. How He knows everything about me and thinks about me constantly. This passage really helped me get through a hard time after my Father passed away. I was reminded that God hadn’t left me to figure things out on my own. My favorite verse is, “If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139: 9-10

I have so many but one of my favorite passages of scripture is Psalm 139 in its entirety. Each time I read this, I’m reminded of how loved and cherished I am by God. How He knows everything about me and thinks about me constantly. This passage really helped me get through a hard time after my Father passed away. I was reminded that God hadn’t left me to figure things out on my own. My favorite verse is, “If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” Psalm 139: 9-10


SHE SEEKS WISDOM:
What is your favorite resource for singles?

I am a HUGE fan of the Eldredge ministry. I stumbled on the book “Sacred Romance” by John Eldredge and Brent Curtis a couple years ago while visiting my local Christian bookstore and it totally changed me. Since then I’ve also read “Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’ s Soul” by John and Stasi Eldredge and I think every woman whether single or married should read it.

In addition, I also recommend “Lady in Waiting” by Jackie Kendall, “The Five Love Languages”, by Gary Chapman, and my newest favorite resource, “Wholeheartedly devotional for singles” which has helped me tremendously. Thank you, Natalie!


SHE MAKES PLANS:
Do you have a bucket list? If so, what’s one thing you’d like to do?

I would love to travel. Possibly even talk a solo trip. I hear that traveling alone internationally is an experience unlike any other. My desire is to visit Africa. Maybe even backpack through a few of the countries there. It is important to me to make sure that I make it there to get a better appreciation and understanding of the history and culture of my ancestors.


SHE IS BEAUTIFUL:
When do you feel the most confident & beautiful?

When I am in my element, being 100% authentic and true to who I am, not trying to impress or win anyone’s attention or affection. Just being Saunya, in all my quirkiness and goofiness. When I’m being really me, smiling wide and laughing out loud without reservation. This is when I feel the most beautiful. I feel complete and whole and at peace with myself. That’s beautiful to me.


SHE BUYS THE FINE CHINA:
What is something you like to splurge on?

Books. I literally had to give myself a purchase limit. It’s way too easy to buy books on a kindle!

Hand poured candles. I absolutely LOVE candles. My current favorites are from Anthropologie.

Good wine. After visiting a vineyard in Burgundy, France, my palate for wine has been changed forever!

Luxury handbags. I try to treat myself to a quality handbag at least once every 1-2 years. Come to think of it, I haven’t purchased one in a while. I think it’s about that time, ha!


SHE EQUIPS THOSE COMING BEHIND HER:
What encouragement do you have for those girls who are struggling and not yet thriving in their singleness?

Use this time wisely. Seek God. Really experience the beauty of spending time with Him. Get to know yourself and what you want. Practice listening for God’s voice. Find rest in Him. Grow. Evolve. Become the woman that your future husband is praying for.


Name : Saunya Shelise Hudson

Instagram : @saunyaaa

Website : www.aloveperfect.com

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