Diary of the Devoted

Second Trimester: Honeymoon Phase

Peace Family, The second trimester is often called the honeymoon phase of pregnancy-here's why it felt so magical for me! In this episode, I share the joy of finally 'popping,' find out my baby's gender, and falling in love with my body's transformation. Whether you're a mom-to-be, planning for pregnancy, or just curious, you'll find encouragement, relatable moments and practical tips. Don't forget to leave a review and share this with friends who are expecting! Part 1: Honeymoon Phase Part 2: Milestones and Moments Part 3: Encouragement for Moms-to-Be >> Book Recommendations: * The Mama Natural Week-By-Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth by Genevieve Howland * Expecting Better by Emily Oster Thank you for being here. Prayers to you in the way our paths weave parallel, Till next xx Destine Stay connected through my substack: ⁠Destine | Destine Dumetz | Substack [https://destinesunshine.substack.com/]

First Trimester Diaries <3

Peace Family, >> Forgive me for the muzzled mic sounds y'all. My whole world changed the day I found out that the love between my husband and me had evolved into a precious soul set to enter this world come spring. The journey from maidenhood to motherhood is a transformation unlike any other - a season of profound change, growth and faith. In today's episode I share the intimate, soul-stirring reflections that have come to define this chapter of my life. I share about rebirth cycles, the miracle of life and how my faith walk has transformed since I first found out we're expecting. I personally moved through anxious momma thoughts when things felt extremely uncertain but also immense joy come the second trimester (I'll share more about soon). The excitement I feel to meet our little one, is otherworldly at this point. "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-16 Thank you for being here. Prayers to you in the way our paths weave parallel, Destine xx Hormonal Health Ep: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/Sc4is3qFWPb Cycle Syncing Ep: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/vdC8Z60qYPb Check out my herb highlight on Instagram: @destinesunshine_ Stay connected through my substack: Destine | Destine Dumetz | Substack [https://destinesunshine.substack.com/]

A Non-Mainstream Lens On Beauty

Peace Family, Today I went deeeep, lol. As expected, but I brought a non-mainstream perspective on the beauty industry and tangible tips to combat vanity. I'm coming from the perspective of being a somewhat natural girlie who has never and don't plan to alter(or inject) my face or body ever. I know this is a sensitive topic, but I encourage you to listen to the heart behind this episode. Let me know how this lands for you <3 Segment 1: Embracing the Value of Beauty (1:40) * Addressing common mindsets around beauty * Importance of recognizing beauty as part of feminine nature. * The two extremes: villainizing beauty and the pursuit of impossible perfection. * Increasing trend of women discontinuing fillers and Botox. Segment 2: Defining True Beauty: Embracing your feminine nature and staying rooted in God’s view of you (8:14) * Distinction between beauty and vanity. * The need to move beyond narrow definitions of beauty. * Encouragement to embrace unique beauty and true identity. Segment 3: Society's Standards and Personal Influences (11:06) * Societal emphasis on outward appearance and influence from a young age. * The cycle of insecurity and altering appearance * Statistics: Over 15 million cosmetic procedures in the US in 2022. * Potential mental health impacts, such as body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). * Influence on the next generation: Unrealistic beauty standards and early cosmetic procedures. Segment 4: Beauty Standards and Modern Society (18:00) * Shift in beauty standards with social media influence. * Comparison between 90s natural beauty and current AI-rendered "Instagram face." * Controversy in discussing societal pressures and decisions women make. Segment 5: Combatting Vanity and Embracing Authentic Beauty (21:29) * Restoring daughters' identity beyond physical appearance. * Celebrating natural beauty. * Spiritual perspective: God’s heavenly dwelling in us. * True confidence from knowing Jesus. * Importance of strengthening relationship with God Segment 6: The Importance of a Balanced Beauty Regime (27:27) * Maintaining a balanced beauty regime for well-being. * Personal beauty regime: Simple steps and healthy choices. * Role of diet and community in beauty and health. Segment 7: Learning from Queen Esther (29:46) * Queen Esther’s story and beautifying rituals. * Esther’s outward beauty reflecting inner strength. * God’s use of beauty for His purposes. * Importance of feeling beautiful and valuing beauty without vanity. Segment 8: Embracing Authentic Health and Aging Gracefully (32:01) * Promoting authentic health over artificial appearances. * The fine line of conveying true health in social media landscape. * Aging gracefully by accepting changes and recognizing inner beauty. Conclusion (34:24) * Embracing true beauty involves cherishing your feminine nature and combatting vanity. * Journey of appreciating inner and outer beauty. * Encouragement to stay true to the beautiful woman God created you to be. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Diary of the Devoted. Until next time, prayers to you as our paths weave parallel, Destine xx

Wedding Recap! & Tips For You

Peace Family, In this heartfelt episode, I take you through the journey of our wedding, pre-wedding events, to the joyous reception. Join us as I share personal stories, lessons learned, and the significance of cultural traditions in our celebration. Segments: * Proposal Story - A romantic proposal atop a lighthouse, filled with love, poetry, and excitement * Elopement - Why we chose to elope in December 2022, and how this decision shaped our early married life. * Wedding Planning - The highs and lows of planning, finding the perfect venue, and the importance of family and faith. * Pre-Wedding Events - A memorable bachelorette party, wine tasting, and the significance of the dowry dinner in Congolese culture. * Wedding Day - A day of peace, joy, and a few surprises, including the emotional walk down the aisle. * Reception - An evening filled with love, laughter, and precious memories. * Family and Friends - Acknowledging the incredible support from our loved ones. * Lessons and Future Plans - Practical tips for future brides and a look ahead at our next chapter. Takeaways: 1. Embrace the unexpected in your engagement and wedding journey. 2. Be intentional when packing for your wedding day to prevent any miscellaneous items. In my case, my veil lol. 3. Lean on your family and friends—they are your biggest support system. 4. If you're customizing your wedding dress online, know it can be risky despite all the "verified reviews." >> If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review our podcast, and stay tuned for the rest of Season 4 here on Diary of the Devoted! >> Groomsmen Boutonniere Link - ⁠https://amzn.to/3YLnFcr⁠ [https://amzn.to/3YLnFcr] >> If you’d like to support us through our wedding registry, here’s the link - https://www.amazon.com/wedding/registry/2E6FWVZ1LITVP Prayers to you in the way our paths weave Parallel, Destine xx

C.S Lewis Appreciation & Godly Redirection

Peace Family, Forever praying these episodes meet you well! Are we entertained by content about God or are we engaged with Him in our faith walks? I share about spiritual pruning and how we have to let things collapse in our lives so God can bring forth something new within us. Time Stamps: 8:17 - I share a C.S Lewis Quote about "the house" God's building you 9:52 - Prioritize closeness with Him 11:43 - C.S Lewis quote on Praise 14:00 - Blessed are you who take refuge in Him <3 15:30 - C.S Lewis quote about worship 18:16 - Spiritual warfare and pruning 19:18 - C.S Lewis quote about being made for another world 20:09 - So sorry my mic was going out y'all <3 Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" Lastly, if you'd like to hear more unfiltered episodes, join us on Patreon! (There's preview videos up as well if you're on the fence). Here is the link to join us today! - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Femininity Lovers Tier⁠⁠.⁠⁠ [https://patreon.com/destinesunshine?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink] Email me at ⁠deekyubwa@gmail.com⁠ [deekyubwa@gmail.com] if you have any questions regarding the 1:1 mentorship program or joining our private telegram group chat! Prayers to you in the way our paths weave parallel, Destine xx