According to Rahyafte(the missionaries and converts website)Sister Chelsey, otherwise known as Chelsey Love , reverted to Islam about two years ago. She then started her own Youtube channel and has been an inspiration for many hijabis since.
Living in Florida, the 26 year old is happily married to her Jordanian husband and has recently gotten pregnant with their first child.
Sister Chelsey is currently working in retail but hopes to have her own business soon.
How did you discover Islam?
Alhamdullilah I discovered Islam through a good friend of mine. I was an atheist and had never believed in God before, but always sought for something more. I decided to look into it, considering I had many Muslim friends at that point. Alhamdullilah Islam brought me to the truth and that’s what I was seeking all along.
What was your first Ramadan like?
My first Ramadan was good. Of course I didn’t really know what to expect despite celebrating Christmas and other Christian traditions in my non-practicing family household. Fasting came easy, as I had fasted before for health purposes and I find that my self motivation can be very strong when I want it to be. I thought myself how to pray just a month before Ramadan just so I could pray throughout the month. That was important to me.
My husband explained that Ramadan doesn’t feel right when you don’t have your family to celebrate it with. Since my family are not Muslims, I found myself being a bit disconnected at times, which I’m sure other reverts have experienced. Overall, it was a nice first Ramadan, and I look forward to many more to come.
How do you spend your Ramadan?
Well as I have only participated in one Ramadan, I can only speak for how that one was. I would work, clean, pray, cook, eat, read Quran and watch lectures. I try to get enough sleep before repeating the whole cycle again the following day. I love being with family and friends, but we lack a bit of that here as my husband’s family lives in Jordan. He does have some family here so we do try to get together with the them as much as we can. I hear that Ramadan is VERY different overseas – you get to enjoy it a bit more by staying up with your family or preparing food with the women in the house. InshAllah I can’t wait to spend Ramadan in Jordon with my husband’s family.
What does Ramadan mean to you?
Ramadan is that spiritual month that allows you to remember Allah and His Blessings just a bit more than usual. I find that even for the non-practicing Muslims, Ramadan is just as much compulsory for them. Although that may sound a bit hypocritical to some, anything that can help a Muslim find that spiritual balance even for just a moment becomes a blessing. It’s a time to reflect and set goals. For me, I see Ramadan as a 30 day spiritual journey, like a retreat. You can either take full advantage of the blessings this month brings or you can choose not to. Of course for those who cannot fast (like myself since I’m pregnant), we have to find different ways to connect spiritually, But I still find beauty in the whole process.
What do you hope to achieve this Ramadan?
Since I’m not fasting, it’s a bit difficult for me to fully indulge myself in the emotional connection of fasting and praying as a type of spiritual gain. I’ve simply been trying to make sure my husband is feeling well and that he has what he needs during this time. I’ve been trying to read the Quran, but I admit that I struggle a bit. I am almost out of my first trimester and as most mommys know, fatigue is very very common. I find myself reading a few pages and dosing off during this relaxed state of mind. InshAllah I simply hope for the best for all those who are fasting and jazakAllah khier.
Source: WordPress
