10 Questions with ... Steph Alessi Muina

1. Share how it feels to perform live.

It’s what makes songwriting and being creative come to life! I write songs to minister to people. To encourage, uplift and comfort people and to point them to Jesus. “Performing live” gives everyone a chance to recognize that they are not alone in their pursuit of Jesus. It’s the most explicit way to say that we are one church and one people glorifying the One God. And it’s a LOT of fun!

2. Share a challenging part of the past year.

I got married this past year and it has been, hands down, the most beautiful experience of my life. But since it’s a massive life change, there have been challenges with adjusting and adapting to the new season. Sometimes the most beautiful things that happen to you come with a heavy weight to carry, so recently I’ve been learning how to carry the beautiful weight and responsibility of marriage. Marriage has made me evaluate a lot of my old habits and question if they’re sustainable or healthy for this next season. So, a lot of dying to myself and asking God for grace and wisdom.

3. Some really great advice you received recently was…

To embrace every season I’m in and to let go of the last season. I don’t have to be in control all of the time!

4. How do you continue to deepen your relationship with Jesus?

Time and experience have deepened my relationship with Jesus. I look at where I am today, 25 years old, in my own home, with my husband and I say to God, “Look at how far we’ve come.” I used to think those moments alone in my room was the only way to get closer to Him, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that life and experiences and my daily walk with Christ— Him molding me, speaking to me, speaking through me to others, convicting me and guiding me— THAT brought depth to the relationship. I don’t forget to spend time alone with Him in prayer, but when I saw how loyal Jesus was in our friendship, I grew much closer to Him. Hope that makes sense.

5. Share about that new song of yours.

“Wouldn’t Change A Thing” sort of captures what I wrote above about deepening my relationship with Jesus. This song captures what I went through on the tail-end of my season of singleness. And it wasn’t just a season of me being single, it was a season of having to lay down different job offers, having to surrender certain relationships or give up on dreams I knew God didn’t want for me. I am a pastor’s daughter and I chose ministry for my life at a very young age. I wanted a life where only God was in charge. Because of that, I had to let myself be refined by my leaders, my parents and my friends for years. At the end of that season, I felt like the Lord brought the most incredible man into my life and He also redeemed all of those years I gave to Him as a sacrifice. I looked back and thought “I would not change a thing.” God had a reason for every single sacrifice, every closed door, every dreadful day, every discipline and every single loss. He had a purpose and He had a plan. Now I’m living in His plan and honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

6. Tell us about someone who you really respect and why.

I really respect my mom right now. To know my mother is to love my mother. You will not meet a funnier, happier, more glowing woman in your life! What I respect about her is how she’s experienced her own share of loss, grief and pain but she hasn’t let it change her. She is exactly who she’s been since I was a young girl, only stronger and more funny. Everywhere she goes she makes a new friend, she finds a new deal or gives a stranger advice. I haven’t even gotten to how incredible of a singer and songwriter she is! I’ve learned how to be adaptable yet distinguished, relaxed yet straightforward, confident yet humble and willing to share all from her!

7. What's one thing most people don’t know about you?

I love strawberries and popcorn more than you could possibly imagine. And my husband makes the best homemade popcorn. This love of popcorn has been passed down from my grandmother so it is literally genetic and I pray I can pass this gift down to my future children. :)

8. What’s on your nightstand?

A Jewish philosophy book, a cup for water, my hand lotion, a little cup for my wedding ring, and my Bible.

9. What’s something you’re looking forward to?

How do you choose just one thing?? Christmas! A lifetime of marriage to Chris Muina! The songs I have yet to write! The people I have yet to meet on the road! I especially look forward to how this song will impact others.

10. What do you do to unwind?

I go for a walk, enjoy aperitivo hour with my husband, or spend a day by the ocean. I am a salt water girl!