A Joyful Island Getaway: Our Visit to Jekyll Island & Simons Island, Georgia

 

What’s up, everybody? Thank you so much for checking out my Maryam’s Joyful Life blog today. It’s a beautiful day, and I’m super excited to be back sharing another joyful experience with you.

Today, I want to take you along on our recent getaway to Jekyll Island, Georgia, as part of our Tours with Taylor segment. If you’ve been thinking about planning a peaceful island escape, this one might just be for you. And of course, if you’re ready to plan your own trip, you can always visit MaryamsJoyfulLifeLuxuryVacation.com, and we’ll be happy to help you create something amazing.

Our Stay at Jekyll Island Golf Club

We recently enjoyed an overnight stay at the Jekyll Island Golf Club, and let me tell you—it was beautiful, classic, and full of history. This place is truly something special. The architecture feels like a castle, and our room even had a fireplace, which made the whole experience feel cozy and luxurious at the same time.

What made it even more meaningful was learning about the history of the area. Jekyll Island is known for being the site where the foundation of the U.S. banking system was created by five major founding parties. Standing in a place with that much history really makes you pause and appreciate where you are. You can find even more details online when you research Jekyll Island, but seeing it in person was incredible.

Dinner at The Wharf

We arrived in the evening, so our first night was all about settling in and enjoying a good meal. We ate dinner at The Wharf, a restaurant just about two minutes from the hotel. The food was amazing. I had chicken, Leveon enjoyed shrimp, and Zoe went with grilled cheese and fries. Everything was fresh and delicious, and it was the perfect way to end our first night on the island.

Breakfast at the Resort & Exploring the Island

The next morning, we had breakfast at the resort’s restaurant, which offered a buffet-style experience. While it was a bit pricey for a family of five (around $140), the food was good and there were plenty of options. They had an omelet station with a chef taking orders, a wide variety of vegetables, vegan options, fresh-squeezed juices, fresh coffee, and all the classic breakfast favorites. Overall, it was a nice experience, and we enjoyed it.

After breakfast, we showered, packed up, and spent time exploring the island. Jekyll Island is rich with history. We toured several historical sites, including an old house built by one of the early French settlers, as well as a historic graveyard. Each stop added depth to the experience and made the island feel even more special.

Sunset Beach: Pure Tranquility

One of my favorite moments was visiting Sunset Beach. The beach was incredibly peaceful and beautiful—quiet, calming, and just what you imagine when you think of a relaxing island getaway. I’ve included photos from our trip so you can feel the vibe for yourself.

Watch the Vlog on YouTube

If you’d like to see more of our experience in video form, we vlogged our entire trip. Be sure to check out our YouTube channel at youtube.com/@MaryamsJoyfulLife. I’ll also be linking the videos directly in this blog so you can watch and enjoy every moment with us.

A Stop at Simons Island

After leaving Jekyll Island, we decided to stop by the neighboring Simons Island just to experience the difference. Compared to Jekyll Island, Simons Island has more of a city vibe. It feels more like the everyday world you leave behind when you’re heading to a calm, tranquil place like Jekyll. While it was nice to see, it didn’t have that same vacation energy that Jekyll Island offers.

Final Thoughts

Overall, our experience was amazing. The kids had fun, I had fun, and it was truly restful. The skies were blue, the air was warm, and it felt so refreshing. Coming back home to cloudy, wintery weather really made us realize how special that time was. It’s hard to believe these two completely different vibes exist in the same state—but they do.

Grilled cheese and fries 

Shrimps and fries Basket

Fried Chicken Sandwich 

Chicken and Fries

The Wharf Restaurant 

We’re already excited to go back to Jekyll Island and experience even more of what it has to offer.

If you’re looking to travel, need help planning a vacation, or want access to great travel deals, we’re here for you. Visit MaryamsJoyfulLifeLuxuryVacation.com or call 470-765-2745. Let us take care of you.

Thank you for checking out the blog today. Have a beautiful day—and don’t let anybody steal your joy 💛

When Disappointment Hits, Don’t Give Up—God Is Still Working

 

What’s up, wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people? How are you all doing today? I truly hope you’re having an amazing day and not letting anybody steal your joy. Welcome to my Arms Joyful Life blog.

Today is a beautiful day, and I am super, super excited to be posting this blog today.

Let’s talk about something real.

What do you do when you have completely convinced yourself—100%—that something you wanted was going to work out? You believed in it. You hoped for it. You trusted the people you were depending on to come through for you. You even defended that belief to others. And then… it didn’t happen.

What do you do when excitement turns into disappointment?

What do you do when hope meets reality and reality hurts?

You don’t give up.

When one door closes, God opens a better and bigger door.

If you’re feeling disappointed because things didn’t work out the way you expected, let me tell you something important: it’s okay to feel disappointed. It’s okay to feel sad. Those feelings are human. But don’t stay there forever. Don’t allow sadness or disappointment to stop you from believing again, hoping again, or trying another way.

I know how hard it can be to hold on to excitement after a big letdown—but keep it anyway. Do the best you can with what you have right now. Put your trust in God. People may fail you, but God will not fail you.

Sometimes the people we trust and hope will come through aren’t the ones God assigned to help us. And sometimes what feels like a disappointment is actually God protecting us from something we can’t see yet. Could it be that there’s something bigger, better, and far greater ahead—something you would’ve missed if this hadn’t fallen apart?

It’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to say, “This really sucks.” Just don’t let that feeling take over your heart or control your future.

Surrender it. Pray honestly. Say,

“God, I don’t understand why this didn’t work out. I truly thought it would. But have Your way. I trust that this is working out in my favor. Make a way. Help me heal from this hurt and disappointment.”

Where there seems to be no way, God always makes a way.

So get back up again. Trust again. Believe again. Bless the people who didn’t come through. Bless the situation. Release it. Because in the end, it will work out in your favor. It always does.

Every disappointment is a blessing in disguise—even when it doesn’t feel like it at first.

That’s all I have for you today. I wish and pray you all the best in your plans, your goals, and your desires. I pray that God opens doors for you that are better than anything you ever imagined.

And remember—don’t let anybody steal your joy. 💛

The Detour Episode: When Disappointment Turns Into a Triple Blessing

Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn.

You plan your steps. You prepare your schedule. You do everything right. And then—out of nowhere—you find yourself on a detour you didn’t ask for.

This post is my testimony and encouragement to you: every disappointment carries a hidden blessing, and when you don’t quit in the detour, God can do exceedingly more than you imagined.

When Everything Feels Like It’s Going Wrong at Once

A few weeks ago, several frustrating situations collided at the same time.

First, my truck failed an emissions test. That meant I couldn’t renew my registration. No renewal meant stress, delays, and the risk of tickets. Repairs were attempted, parts were replaced, and yet the check engine light stayed on. Nothing seemed to work.

At the same time, I had ordered a new phone—something I truly needed for work, filming, and daily operations. After delays, missed deliveries, and countless calls, I was notified that my phone had been delivered and signed for… even though no one in my home received it.

Yes. My phone was stolen.

Imagine your car not cooperating, your work tools not arriving, and your old phone barely functioning—all at once. It felt like too much.

Yet something surprising happened.

I was calm.

Choosing Faith Over Frustration

Instead of spiraling into anger, I kept declaring:

“Everything is working out in my favor.”

I didn’t deny the disappointment. I didn’t pretend it didn’t hurt. But I refused to let frustration control my spirit.

I prayed. I surrendered. I trusted God.

Even when I didn’t see how things would resolve, I chose peace over panic and reminded myself that God sees what I cannot see.

The Detour Was Doing More Than I Realized

Here’s what I didn’t understand at the time.

The miles I was driving back and forth—trying to fix my truck, checking phone stores, filing reports—were exactly the miles needed for my truck’s system to reset.

Without realizing it, the detour was fixing the very problem that started the stress.

Eventually, the check engine light turned off. The truck passed emissions. The registration was renewed.

But the blessing didn’t stop there.

From Disappointment to Triple Blessing

After weeks of frustration, I decided to change direction. I switched carriers.

And that’s when everything shifted.

Not only did I get the phone I originally wanted… I received three brand-new, premium phones:

Google Pixel 10 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro

Samsung S25 FE

No down payment. No stress. No compromise.

What began as disappointment ended in overflow.

God didn’t just replace what was lost—He multiplied it.

The Power of Your Words

Life will test you. Delays will come. Things will fall apart.

But what you declare in those moments matters.

When you speak faith instead of fear, peace instead of panic, and trust instead of frustration, you make room for God to work.

Don’t quit before the miracle. Don’t bleed on people who didn’t hurt you. Don’t allow disappointment to dictate your character.

Questions for Reflection

1. What is your current disappointment?

2. Could there be a seed of blessing hidden inside it?

Sometimes the very thing that feels like a setback is positioning you for something better than you planned.

A Final Word of Encouragement

If you’re feeling overwhelmed… If life feels heavy… If you’re tempted to give up…

It’s all working out in your favor.

You may not see how. You may not understand why. But God is in control.

Stay surrendered. Stay faithful. Stay hopeful.

The detour has purpose.

Ready for Guidance in Your Season?

If you feel called to work with me as your mentor and guide during this season of your life, I would be honored to support you.

Visit: https://www.maryamsjoyfullife.com

You don’t have to walk this journey alone.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for trusting the process. And remember—your breakthrough may be closer than you think.

Pray About Everything — Even the Small Things

 

What’s up wonderful, amazing, sweet, and lovely people?

How are you all doing today?

It’s a beautiful day, and I’m genuinely excited to write this because I noticed something powerful today—something that many of us can easily overlook.

Sometimes situations feel manageable. We think, “As long as I reach out to the right people, it’ll eventually get handled.” And often, that’s where we stop. But today reminded me why we should never stop at human effort alone.

A Simple Situation… With a Big Lesson

This morning, I found myself locked out of my company’s website. Not intentionally—but because I recently upgraded my phone. My old phone, which had all my security access, was turned in, and suddenly I needed to reset everything.

That meant I had to submit a request to the tech department.

Now, from experience, I already knew how this usually goes. The last time I dealt with something like this, it took three days of follow-ups and persistence before it was resolved. So this time, after submitting my case, I prepared myself mentally to wait… and wait… and keep checking.

Then I Did Something Different

During my morning devotion, I paused and prayed.

I simply said, “God, thank You because You are God. Please help me. Touch the right people so this can be handled in a timely manner.”

And let me tell you—within hours, the issue was resolved.

The last time it took days.

This time, after prayer, it took hours.

That Made Me Think…

What if I hadn’t prayed?

I already knew how long it could take. But prayer changed the timing. God moved the right people to act on my behalf.

And that’s the encouragement I want to share with you today.

A Gentle Question for You

Is there something in your life right now where:

You’ve made the calls

You’ve sent the emails

You’ve reached out to the right people

And now… you’re just waiting?

Have you also prayed and asked God to move on your behalf—to align the timing, touch hearts, and cause things to work out smoothly?

Pray About Everything

Today’s message is simple:

Pray about everything.

Not just the big, overwhelming situations—but also the ones you think you can handle on your own. God is always working behind the scenes, and when we invite Him in, things shift.

I want to stay in the habit of asking God for help in every situation—big or small—because life flows better when we let Him lead.

As You Go About Your Day…

Give thanks.

Surrender your plans.

Offer both the things you understand and the things you don’t to God.

Ask Him to take control and cause everything to work out beautifully, according to His divine plan for you.

Have a blessed day 🤍

And remember, I’m here to support you if you need more personalized guidance.

Visit www.maryamsjoyfullife.com and let’s work together.

Juggling Baby and Business Without Quitting

 

I’m so happy and grateful for today. Thank you for checking out Maryam’s Joyful Life 💛

Right now, I’m sitting here with my sweet baby while she happily watches her favorite show—Cocomelon TV. She loves it. Every episode. On repeat. And honestly, watching her enjoy these little moments fills my heart.

It’s just the two of us at home today, and as I sit here holding her, I’ve been reflecting on the last few hours—maybe the last four hours, actually. I had business to take care of. Real responsibilities. Clients depending on me. Partnerships that require focus. And at the same time, I’m a mother first.

During the first wave of business tasks, my baby was asleep. I gently placed her on the bed and went to handle my clients. Even while working, my mind stayed on her. Is she okay? Is she about to wake up? What if she starts crying? That quiet anxiety followed me the entire time. Still, I showed up. I handled the work. I didn’t quit.

The second business task required even more focus—a partnership where I couldn’t afford distractions because I was responsible not only for my clients, but for serving another business’s clients too. Again, the anxiety lingered. My baby slept peacefully the entire time. And I got through it.

I’ll be honest—it would have been easier to stop everything. To say, “This is too much. I’ll do it later.” The back-and-forth between motherhood and business can feel overwhelming. For some people, that anxiety alone would be enough to quit for the day.

Maybe you’re in a similar place right now.

Maybe you feel like you’re juggling too much—parenting, work, responsibilities, expectations—and it feels heavy. If that’s you, here’s the encouragement I want to leave you with today:

Don’t quit. Just keep going.

Do the best you can with what you have right now. If you have to juggle, then juggle. That doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you resilient. Progress doesn’t always look neat. Sometimes it looks like moving back and forth, adjusting, pausing, and continuing anyway.

Take advantage of the moments when you can focus fully—when the baby is resting, when help is available, when the space is quiet. Learn. Build. Grow. Because there will be times when you have to juggle—and when that time comes, you’ll already know what to do.

And maybe it’s not business for you.

Maybe it’s a situation in your life that feels overwhelming. Maybe you don’t even know where to start. Hear this clearly: you have within you the strength to handle what you’re facing. You are not alone. God is with you. And if God is with you, who can be against you? No one.

Pray. Trust God. Then take action—right where you are, with what you have. Don’t exhaust yourself worrying about what’s missing. Use what’s already in your hands and trust God with the rest.

I promise you, there will come a moment—just like this one—where you’ll sit back, smile, and think, “Wow. Look at everything I made it through. Look at what I accomplished.” And you’ll feel peace.

So don’t quit. Keep going. I’m praying that God grants you favor, clarity, and success.

Before you go, I want to leave you with this question:

What is that one thing you could be doing right now that you’re waiting for the “perfect time” to start?

Get up and do it. There will never be a perfect time. You create it—right now.

If you’d like to work with me one-on-one, I do have opportunities available.

Visit www.maryamsjoyfullife.com

Thank you for being here. You’ve got this.