When the worst that can happen, happens

It was my bff's wedding.

We had been praying for months.

A date was finally picked. We were ecstatic.

2 months before the wedding, I went to apply for my visa to enable me attend.

I went to apply on a Monday. There was a lot of back and forth, confirmations, etc and I was able to submit and make payment on Thursday.

Note that the India High Commission will not take money from you except they are granting you a visa 👏

I was asked to come back the following Thursday by 4pm to pick up my passport as it takes 1 week to process.

Yay! I couldn't be happier. I posted it on our group chat. Everyone else had gotten their visas except me. We were all happy. Coming in from different countries. It was going to be the reunion of the year.

I booked my ticket. Called my tailor to make dresses for Avesta and I. Avesta also went ahead to book tickets for everyone from Delhi to her hometown.

On Thursday, I got there and met a crowd of people waiting. It was already past 5pm. They had not called anyone in.

Next thing, they addressed via the public address system. We were told there was now a new policy in place and all approval now comes from India and it would take at least 3 weeks. (It was during the period when there was mass deportation of Nigerians from India). They promised to personally call us when it was ready.

There was confusion. One man there has booked his flight for Friday. A student was due to resume on Monday. There were so many medical emergencies who needed to travel for surgery. I felt bad for all of them but grateful for myself that I still had a month to go before my travel. I was safe. Oh so I thought.

3 weeks came and went by. I did not receive the call. It was now exactly 2 weeks to the wedding. I sent them an email, they did not reply. Another week went by. My flight was supposed to be on Friday. My brother went to the High Commission on Wednesday to help me check. It was not ready.

On Friday morning, I called Wakanow to 'open' the ticket. I had my peace. Because there was really nothing to do. Avesta was sad. That day came and went by.

Sorry to burst your bubble. There was no last minute miracle😁. We hoped the visa would be out in time for the white wedding but that also came and went by. My friend was now a Mrs. My absence didn't stop that. The worst happened and the world still moved on😀

I got the call eventually, picked up my passport and just let it chill. Avesta and I picked new dates and I visited them in September. I liked that I was able to spend time with both of them in their new home, create new memories, eat a variety of food,chat with their friends, enough time to shop, bond with my other dear friend, Prerna, Netflix, and plenty of sleep and rest. All these I believe would not have been possible due to the complexities of weddings😁

All I'm saying is, the worst will happen and you'd still be okay, I promise.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Rom 8:28

P.s I just missed another friend's wedding due to flight cancellation. Avesta says it's a sign from God that the next wedding I will attend will be mine 😂

Don't forget to  register for the Feb 2nd event. It's gon be lit. Check flyer for details

Peace, love and a prosperous New year,

Love.

Nobody owes you anything

It was supposed to be a relaxing holiday. I had fun catching up on everything I had missed in 3 months. As usual, we slept very late. I was only beginning to enjoy my sleep at about 5am before I was rudely awakened. I was disillusioned and it took a couple of minutes to get back to reality. It was my mum. She said 'Quickly go and bath, we are going to school'. Huh? 'But I'm on holiday. I want to rest. I will try and visit from next week. She replied 'so how are you going to buy all the things you need for school?' Eyes cleared properly at this time. 'How?' I asked. 'Well, you will be earning a salary in school and that's what you will use to buy your school things. Nobody has money to be sharing around' she finally declared.

This was how my journey into the family owned business started about 13 years ago. I went from teaching Kindergarten to every primary class and then every secondary class and then administration. When I tell people I have over 12 years experience in teaching and I'm only 26, they can't seem to understand. Well that's because my mother employed me and put me on salary while I was still in secondary school. It taught me to be prudent, independent and value money. I worked every holiday because I knew nobody owed me anything.

Too many people have this ENTITLEMENT SPIRIT. They expect people to do things for them just because they asked. Newsflash! Nobody owes you anything. NOT even your parents. Your parents sent you to school? It's a privilege. You're not better than those hawking.

Between the periods 2013-2016 when I went through my toughest financial season, I did EVERYTHING I could to survive. I could have easily called my parents to come to my rescue (and I did a few times especially when it bothered on my health) but for the most part, I worked it out. I sold my shoes online, I sold chin chin, I sold frozen carrots and green beans, I did transport business with school kids, etc. No aunty or uncle can ever say I called them to ask for help. Because hey! They have their own issues too. Take responsibility for yourself.

I do not want to put this lady on blast which is why I have hidden her details. This is the situation of most youths. Let's forget that this lady's first communication with me was to ask me 'u lesb?' about a month ago. Then a day after I gave out recharge cards, she sends a message asking to send her airtime. I did not have to give her, I was not obligated to, I am not owing her, I do not know her and so I said nothing. Next day, she's attacking me in the comments and said to stop preaching kindness and deceiving people on social media. And then had the effontery to still send me a private message. And I did not say ANYTHING (Please appreciate the HolySpirit for His work in my life)🤔🙄 You do not even know THE HALF of the things I do for people. I always have words to say but at that moment I had no words (thanks to all who helped straighten her up).

And yes, there are more than a thousand things students can do to make money ( I sold foreign newspapers in Uni). You are responsible for yourself. Stop passing off your responsibilities. Everything you need to succeed has been given to you. If people help you, great! If they don't, it's fine. Your success story will even be sweeter. And please don't go around attacking people if they don't especially when you don't know them.

Peace, love and a sense of responsibility,

Love.

P.s This is why you should come to the hangout on the 2nd of February. Loads of surprises. Xx Thank you to Edric Paul for doing the graphic for this event. God bless you. If you would like to volunteer for this event, Please DM me.

On Friendships

I was invited out to celebrate an academic milestone with a group of 'friends'. I thought we were just going to have dinner at a nice restaurant. We got in and it was a Pub. There was heavy alcohol and a lot of smoking. I wanted to be polite so I offered to wait outside till they were done. I stood outside messaging my mum about my predicament. Shortly after, heavily drunk guys started coming onto me offering to buy me drinks and asking if I wanted to go home with them. You see the law of attraction! You attract who you are. Because I was seen in front of a Pub, they assumed I would be interested in that sort of thing since they were into that sort of thing. You get it? Totally not their fault. I eventually had to leave alone because it was/is not who I was/am. It is not MY idea of fun. So I cut myself off that circle of friendship when I noticed the trend.

I began to make bold my stand for Christ and I began to attract Christ-like friends (though very few). No one succeeds alone. No one fails alone either. The people you surround yourself with can make or mar you. Do your friends add value or do they devalue you? Are you a value added friend or a pest? Do your friends pull you along as they rise? Do you also want the progress of your friends?

Will your friends recommended you to people that matter. '...At Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abedneho to administrative posts...' Dan 2:48-49.

You should pray for your friends and your friends should pray for you. A true 'clique' is one of character, who have goals and aspirations, who slay not just in their dressing but in their careers, families and relationships with God.

Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself. So he found himself friends that were also not interested in defiling themselves. One person's conviction is everybody's conviction. That is friendship.

Come Feb 2, 2018, I would be hosting a free event that will see us young folks come together to just worship, share the Word, dance, get high in the Holyghost, network and build Christian friendships. I am really looking forward to making new friends and meeting many of my virtual friends.Living for God is not boring. If you will be around Kaduna and would love to attend, raise your hand like this ✋

Cheers to fulfilling friendships in 2018🍸

Peace, love and good tidings,

Love.

*As always, if this has blessed you, please share with others. 😗😗

What is in your piggy bank?

I received a call for an opportunity that just popped up and needed to be paid for immediately. I did not think twice before opening my Piggy bank because I had been saving. I got that thing sorted out immediately.

I was not saving with a particular thing in mind but I knew a day would come when I would need it, so I kept at it. I opened that piggy bank with confidence because I knew what I had been filling with it. I put in money, so I didn't expect to find water. You put in money, You bring out money!

I want you to consider your hearts as a piggy bank. What are you filling it? You want love? Is your heart filled with love? Do you sow seeds of kindness? Only then can you receive kindness. I expect people to be good to me because I deliberately sow seeds of goodness.You attract who you are!

Yes, you may pretend for a while but the day will come when that piggy bank will be opened. Would you be proud of the contents? Don't forget it takes time to fill up your piggy bank and what you have done overtime will eventually show up. You can't cover up for long.

How do you treat that cleaner, that destitute, that person that is not in your your 'class'? You want people to pray for You? Pray for others. You are filling up your piggy bank.

What will people find when your piggy bank is opened up?

'... What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
Galatians 6:7‭-‬8 MSG'

As always, if this has blessed you, please share with others.

Goals?

JUST BEFORE YOU SCREAM 'GOALS' (26th Nov 2016)

*The car in the picture is not mine. As a matter of fact, I 'backed' my daughter to cross the express road and used keke Napep (tricycle) to complete the journey. My friend ordered a cab to take us back home.
*The wig was given to me by the friend I was visiting. This was after she saw the state of the wig I wore to her house.
*That was not the dress I wore to her house. I changed into it after she gave me. I was wearing an okrika (fairly used) top I bought for N500 (it was even a gift to myself for sticking to my meal plan.)
*The sandal was my neighbour's. Said she couldn't let me go out with what I had on.
*I was smiling but my heart was greatly troubled. I went out without seeking 'permission' I knew I wouldn't be given and I had gotten a call informing me I was in trouble. Still I posed for the picture while thinking my life was over that day.

Make no mistake however, I was very content in my situation. I was/am all about the will of God.

Looking at the picture without all these information, it looks like I was living the life. 😂 Don't let the gram fool you. EVERYONE is fighting their own battles. Don't feel frustrated because someone's life looks perfect on social media or outwardly while you can't seem to get your life together. People let you see what they want you to see. DO NOT compare your journey, marraige, relationship, business, children, parents, siblings, job, lifestyle, etc with anyone else. The only 'GOALS' in my life is Jesus Christ. He keeps it real. 💯💯💯💯💯💯With Jesus, there is no need for pretence. He went through every kind of temptation and he daily teaches us how we too can live above sin. There is no hidden or coded part to Him. You see EVERYTHING.

My name is Love, I am imperfectly perfect and my transparency makes people uncomfortable. I fell from grace to grass and I am not ashamed. Still, I rise.

JUST LIKE THAT

My mum and I have a customer who brings in fairly used toys from 'the abroad'. We needed to add some toys to some classes in Redemption Academy Schools.

As we arrived her store, new goods were just being delivered. We were so fortunate and timely as we were the first to set eyes on the new supplies. The lady is a very busy woman and runs 2 shops so she asked us to make our choice while she rushed off to the other shop.

As I brought the toys out, I touched something different. It didn't feel like a toy and as I pulled it out, alas it wasn't a toy😁 it was a bundle of a very gorgeous human hair. I put it against my skin, it felt so good.

Trust Satan now, he whispered that I should hide it as the woman won't even know anything was missing because she hadn't even sorted the items yet. (Trust me, he tries his luck with all and sundry). I shut him down immediately and reminded him who he was speaking to.

The woman came in shortly after and I showed her what I found. She said I could have it🙄😀 I asked her if she was sure and she said she was. I didn't pay a dime for it. And that's how I became the owner of this lush human hair. JUST LIKE THAT! For everyday I have worn this hair, I have been complimented for it.

It is my prayer that the thing or person you desire finds you while you are busy living life to the fullest.

That your feet will be ordered by the Lord. You will be at the right place and at the right time. That you will say the right words.

That God gives you the character to keep it/him/her after they have been found.

That you will find your 'different', God's bespoke spec and measurement where it doesn't seem like it and the spirit of discernment to notice it/him/her.

That while you at busy pursuing the things of God, so will you keep finding your miracles on the way.

That everyone will notice that miracle on you because it will add so much colour to your life and it/he/she will look so good on you 😍 Amen

Your JUST LIKE THAT miracle is around you. Stay woke ✌

Love😘

If you enjoyed reading, then kindly share with others😘😗

Nigeria vs India

I had heard that India and Nigeria are very alike but I never knew they are THAT similar. On the streets of India, you find street urchins who sleep right there on the roadside; get up and carry on with their business.

You find cows walking on major roads just like in Nigeria (except that Nigerians don't get down from their cars to feed the cows. Our cab driver actually did this 🙄)

There are rats too in India. I almost died of heart attack when I saw a rat. I wasn't too sure if they were as ruthless as their Nigerian brethren.

They have Keke Napep (tricycle) also. They are also in the colour green and yellow. In the picture above, my friend was haggling the price for a very short trip. The driver was being unreasonable so she said we should move to the front to speak to another driver. De ja vu!

You 'price' in the markets. If the sellers did not agree with our price, we would walk away and as you would guess, they would call us back😂 When they did not call us back after we had walked for a while, we eventually came back. Nigerian market style😁

Once you are in traffic (and this happens a lot), you find people who try to clean your windscreen or dance for you in exchange for money. It was like I was reliving Abuja days. There are also a lot of bikes🙄 but most of them are for private use.

India is popular for its street food- so they have samosa, puff puff and many others with mild modifications.

India is HOT. This is the crux of this matter. Fan and aircondirioner are used together because of the discomforting heat. The heat reminded me of my days as a student in University of Abuja, Gwagwalada. Gwagwalada is known for its hot climate. It was rumoured that from Gwagwalada to Hell fire cost only N50 by bus.

I noticed that they were lots of stalls for cold drinks on the streets because of the heat. I can't count how many times I stopped to buy something cold to drink. And that was how I met Chuski.

Chuski is an Indian local ice cream. It is made with the commonest of things; ice, flavour and lemon. Ice??? The ice that we sell here to make other drinks cold. Who would have thought. So basically Ice is crushed and put into the ice cream mould and then a wooden stick is put into mould. You take it out and dip it into the flavour you want and the ice absorbs it and boom you have chuski. You can then add lemon if it too sweet. It is so chilled and relaxing. You almost want to start shedding years of hits when it meets with your tongue and begins it's journey down your throat. I was so fascinated that they even let me video the process😂 (I may start the business)

Two hot countries, same resources, different maximization. Who would have thought that Ice could be turned to ice cream. Or that Ice could actually be used for something other than cooling things.

Nobody came to this world with 2 heads. We all have the same 24 hours. What are you doing with yours? Did you come to this world to cool other people or you came to make a difference? Re-invent yourself and then repeat and repeat again. Stop settling for status quo. You see that thing you are graced for, there are 1001 ways it can still be done. Improve on your 'good'. It is God's desire that you thrive. Asides social media, what else do you use your data for? Add value. Be more. Think!!!

An I.Q between 90 and 110 is considered average; over 120, superior.Roughly 68% of the population has an IQ between 85 and 115. So the people that have IQ of 136, are they not human beings?😑 The next world's innovation may be in your head. Do us a favour and think. Be productive
.
"For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), ...for as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive..."
2 PETER 1:5-8 AMP

Peace, love and chuski,

Love.

P.s if this has blessed you, please share with others. 😘😘😇

World Oyindamola Day

My weight has been bleh🙈 In the last 2 months, I have attempted 5 diet plans. My friend sent me another diet plan recently and it was sensible enough and so again, I became enthusiastic. I showed my mum the plan and she also jumped on it. She doesn't need to lose weight but since she wanted to, I had no objection.

The portions in this meal plan looked too small and I worried about my mum because she had dealt with ulcer in the past. But she was so motivated, I was proud.

Alas, I caught my mother eating chocolate in our second week😂 not 1, 2 but 3 bars of chocolate🙄. Then she dropped the bomb. She had been eating foods outside the plan anytime I went out or I was asleep since the first day😲. So I asked her "But you were the one that said you wanted to diet. I didn't force you. Why are you now hiding to eat'. She said to me, 'BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO GIVE UP. I WANTED YOU TO KNOW WE WERE IN IT TOGETHER'.

This is love. She didn't have to yet she did. Knowing my mother was in it with me really gave me the boost. I didn't want to let her down. So her trick worked. But after I found out she had been freestyling, I just went to carry my bowl, made cold Milo and cabin and I was happy😁.

My mother has been my greatest cheer leader, supporter and best friend. The day LindaIkeji put up one of my posts on her blog, my mother must have called everyone in her village 😂. She shares all of my articles to her whatsapp list, I'm sure they are tired.

Oyindamola is the meaning of sacrifice. She has been using the same car from when I was in SS1. I wrote WAEC, finished uni, did NYSC, finished Masters, had a child, HABA. Still the same car, yet she has helped everyone else move ahead in life.

The money I want to use to buy car for 'Mama Love' is still coming, so I think the best gift I can give her for now is starting a diet plan that I can stick to. That would make her really happy. (Ideas are welcome).

I thank God everyday for my mummy. I don't know what I would do without her. We are so alike and identical, someone once thought we were twins. I love you Mama Love💥💥💥💥💥

Help me wish my look alike, a happy 55th birthday. 13th November is World Oyindamola Day😎

Rotten Sweets

'1,2,3 Surprise!!!!' My daughter and I screamed as we lifted up the cover of the pack of sweets together. Our excitement turned to horror almost immediately.

I had gone to shop for the finest Indian sweets with my friends in a store called Haldirams in India. I did a lot of tasting and settled for less expensive ones but this particular one everyone insisted I had to get it. It was more expensive than the others but everyone kept raving about it so I got a pack.

We have been snacking on the other packs of sweets at home ; finishing one pack and opening the next. The plan was to open this one last to savour all its goodness, as per grand finale. However on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, my daughter was on her best behaviour and so excitedly, I brought this one out even though we had an unfinished pack of the other type. So we counted 1,2,3 and shouted 'surprise' as we raised the cover and indeed we were surprised. It was rotten!

How could it be? The less expensive ones were still as fresh as fresh goes. The package of this sweet was so beautiful, crisp and clean. It did not ooze any smell. It looked perfect from the outside. As a matter of fact, it was better than the rest in my eyes. I mean, I paid more money for it. The HolySpirit immediately ministered to me. There are so many people calling on the name of the Lord publicly but their private lives are rotten. Be careful.

And you! Yes you! You know that thing you are involved in that is against the standards of God but no one knows because you are clean on the outside but rotten inside. Stop it now that you still can.

At the end of the day, you as well as all the people you are pretending to will answer to only one person- God!

It's more important to be pretty on the inside than on the outside. But if you have both on lockdown, that's amazing.

Stay classy,

Love.

X

If this has blessed you, please share with others.

Treat your burn as it affects you

My mum and I both had kitchen accidents 3 weeks apart which resulted in burns.
I was so hungry one morning and I was running late so mummy dearest offered to fry me sausages and in the process, hot oil poured on her hand.

I, on the other hand was grilling plantain in the oven for both of us and my finger somehow touched the hot surface.

We have both had burns. We both got it from the use of hot appliances in the kitchen. However my scar is completely infinitesimal compared to the scar my mum has. Same experience. Different scars.

Just imagine me giving my mum advice on how to treat her burn based on my 'experience'. Not even in a subtle way but forcibly making my point because i have 'experience'.The impact was completely different. Sebi this one is even better; people who have not been 'burnt' at all will still give you advise on how to treat 'burns'. Stop making people feel uncomfortable. They are not you. You are not them. It is not your place to tell people how to react in particular situations just because you are 'experienced'.

I have had people who do not know me past what I post on social media advise me on what they know absolutely nothing about. While some are sincere, some intentionally want to throw jabs and force their opinions down your throat.

Truth is, you are not qualified to play judge over anybody's life. So share your experience, perhaps people can learn a thing or two but do not be condescending and judgmental. Do not use your scar to judge another person's scar.
Your journey is yours, my journey is mine.

Uphold your brethren in love. When you do not understand some things, commit them to God rather than malign them. 'Is he the only one?' 'Is she the only one?' 'Me nko, did I die? 'Ordinary slap, she say she's not doing again. If I say my own nko' 'Just because his child told one lie, he is acting like that. If I say what my children do nko. Abeg nobody is perfect', etc. Leave them alone! That is you. Face your own! Let everybody treat their burn to the degree to which it affects them.

Don’t bad-mouth each other, friends. It’s God’s Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You’re supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?
James 4:11‭-‬12 MSG

Peace, love and kind-heartedness,

Love.

Change your shoes

Last week, my daughter and I sat down to sort through shoes she had outgrown. We gave out about 12 pairs but this particular one she refused to let go of. I tried to convince her it was too tight so we should give it away too but she was not having it.

Fast forward to this evening on our way out, she went to pick it up. She struggled and it finally zipped up. I saw she was very uncomfortable so I took a pair of slippers for her and put in my bag. As we got to church, I let her know she could change into the slippers if she wasn't comfortable. She happily took it off, wore her slippers and went on her way.

We are all guilty of holding onto things that have become too tight. Things we have outgrown. We become too familiar with it that we'd rather manage the discomfort and pain it causes us because of the memories and emotions we've attached to these things. Who says because you like this 'shoe', you can't like another 'shoe' that is likely to be even better?

Say for instance, you opt to study Medicine, 4 years into the course, you don't want to do it again. Who says you can't step out of that shoe and pick a new 'shoe' probably Economics? You can be as many things as you want to be in one lifetime. You owe no one any apologies. It's your life. Live it.

If the shoe becomes tight, change it.

Peace, love and shoes,

Love

The upgrade

It was a Friday. Mrs. Emenyi, our Biology teacher had given an assignment that was to serve as part of our assessment for the term. Trust me to have finished my assignment before the due date (Efiko club😂). I put my answer sheet in a book and put my book in my bag since the class rep had not yet started collecting. She said she would collect it in the hostel before we went for fellowship. My younger brother was with me and waited outside the hostel for me so we could go to fellowship together. I got to my room, changed my uniform, got my Bible out when I heard 'submit your Biology assignment'. I reached for my bag and brought out the book and my answer sheet was not there. I thought I was running mad. I replayed my movement from class to hostel and I was sure I put it there. Someone had stolen it. Then I started to cry and went from room to room begging whoever it was to return it, no one said anything. I went outside to meet my brother with swollen eyes. He managed to convince me that I probably forgot it in class. So we went and searched from class to class. Even classes I had not entered since the term began. Then we went to the hall. We didn't find it. I told him to go for fellowship while I went back to the hostel to search. My roommates joined in the search. Still, nothing. They advised me to write another one. How? I spent days on that assignment, how on earth can I come up with answers in few minutes. They said since I did the first one myself, I could do it again.

I tore a sheet of paper and I began to write as they read the questions to me. No one was going to 'show' me their work 😂 I remember tears dropping on the sheet of paper as I wrote. It was like 10 minutes to the deadline of submission. The rep was very gracious, she kept saying 'hurry'. I didn't care how my handwriting looked, I just kept writing. The rep literally raced to Mrs Emenyi's apartment to submit.

Usual boarding school style, I placed curses 😄😄😄 'For my tears, whoever carried my assignment will see tears for the rest of her life'. They started begging me that the curse may 'catch' the person. I said that was exactly what I wanted. Then I went for fellowship and my prayer to God was to help me deal with the person. I got back from fellowship and I was told the person who took it had confessed and said they should beg me to reverse the curse. It was xxxxxxx. She didn't do hers so she planned to copy mine and return before I noticed but she was not fast enough. So she decided to keep quiet and watch me suffer.

Scripts were returned and so many students didn't do too well. I was so scared to look at mine knowing the circumstances. I scored a 16 out of 20. I checked xxxxxxx and she scored a 14. Babe copied that work verbatim. She didn't even have the decency to skip one comma.

How is it that my well thought out work would have earned me a 14 and my work borne out of pain earned me a 16? Sometimes, God scatters our laid out plans for His to be fulfilled. See how I cried my life out over a 14 when He wanted to give me a 16 but because I couldn't see, I wanted to die. Just what if God has a better plan for you but He needs you to first let go. People will deliberately hurt. Sometimes not deliberately. You will be broken at some point. Life is not fair. Sometimes we have our dreams/jobs/marriages/businesses/careers snatched from us by men. But believe me when I say this, it is part of the plan. Do not consider the time you think you have wasted investing into thing or person because we have a God who says:
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm...' Joel 2:25.

Do not cry too long over a dead thing. Focus! You will see the new path He has made.

He will repay. Get ready for your upgrade!

P.s xxxxxxx, wherever you are, you are forgiven. It's because of you I had a 16. I would have been stuck with a 14. You made me know I could do better. I have long left a 16 and now a 1000. So, thank you for helping me discover the greatness in me.

Peace, love and upgrade,

Love.

*If you've been blessed, be a blessing and share to others. I love you all so much 😘😘😘😘😘*

The day I got slapped

The slap that landed on my face felt like Jupiter and Saturn had collided. I could hear sounds from afar that I didn't even know existed and they kept reverberating in my ears. But the shame? Oh the sound of the shame was much more deafening. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared.

How can be do this to me on my graduation day? Is it a crime to love and be loved? So much for being so open and trusting. Is it a crime to be in love at 15?

T and I were very good friends. He would always walk me to my hostel after classes and after night devotion, we would talk till 'Night Out'. He gifted me a pink silicone wristband that had 'Love' inscripted on it. I wore it with so much pride.

During the holidays, I told my parents there was a boy in my class who liked me and who I liked back. I told them I would probably marry him and even showed them his pictures. You see, my family is very close knit. We talk about everything and I only felt it was right I let them know where my heart was😂 They tried to act cool but you could feel how uneasy they were. My dad came to speak to me in my room later. He gave a great pep talk and I killed my marriage dreams.

Only one problem. T had told his mum about me. So on our graduation day, his mum wanted to meet me. T came to call me. His mum was really pleasant. Then she asked to take a picture with T and I. My parents were a stone throw away. We stood for the picture. She put her hand across my shoulder. T then placed his hand on my waist. Lobatan! Camera clicked.

I did not even turn back to look at my parents. I just kept walking straight till I reached the hostel. I picked my luggage and went to the car park. I just finished loading the boot when my dad's hand land on my face and Jupiter collided with Saturn. My dad was furious, 'Why will you let that boy put his hand on your waist. For what?' I cried buckets. There was nothing between T and I but the situation wasn't looking good at all. We got home, I locked myself in my room. As usual, my dad came to knock on my door at night. He apologized for overreacting and said they (he chooked my mother inside the matter. I'm sure she's the one that gave ginger🤔) were only looking out for me and wanted the best for me. It remains one of my most precious memories. We have since chatted about many boys and the reaction is still priceless. #ForeverDaddy'sGirl

Over the years, my dad has been my cover, my protector (no kidding, one time I stopped a cab, my dad told the driver to stand for a picture and then he wrote down the number of the plate🙄I was already a mother!!!), my teacher, my friend, the-reasoning-when-I-don't-want-to-listen and everything else. Thank you daddy for standing by me ❤ I love you. Happy birthday.

Peace, love and cake,

Love.

Where is your hammer?

You know how the Israelites always troubled God? 😂 Well, one time like that (12th Century BC *Yes, I researched), God was so upset with them that he sold them to Jabin, the King of Canaan. To make matters worse, he had one mean commander called Sisera. Jabin had 900 freaking chariots of iron 🙄🙄 and oppressed and bullied the Israelites for 20 YEARS (🙉 You don't want to get on the wrong side of God).

Anyway, God finally had mercy on them. So He instructed the Israelites to form a 10,000 man army and it was to be led by Barak. They had to fight for their freedom after 20 long years.

So Barak led the army of Israel and Sisera led the army of Canaan. Because God was on their side, the Israelites won (You really need God on your side). Sisera however escaped on foot.

This is where the gist is. So he escaped to a family friend's house called Heber. He met his wife, Jael at home. In the past, Heber and his wife were friendly with both the people of Canaan and Israel. But I guess Jael decided to pick a side (there are no grey areas. It's either black or white). She chose to stand with Israel. Sisera really thought Jael was harmless. After all, she was just a housewife. What can a house wife do abi? He made himself very comfortable sef. He asked for water, she gave him milk instead (Tells us she was not a lazy woman, she must have milked the cow herself. God will not entrust his assignment to an irresponsible and lazy person). He drank milk and slept 😅 Commander of life !!!


Jael was the queen of savage😎 The babe for a hammer and a nail (meaning she KNEW how to use those tools to probably fix things since her husband was mostly out. What can a housewife do abi?). She set the nail on his head and used the hammer to run the nail from his head to the ground 😲 (do I still need to write that he died instantly? 😛)

She had been using her hammer to fix things in her house, who would have thought that the same hammer would totally deliver Israel? She fulfilled her purpose right in her home not anywhere else. You are planted where you are for a reason. Your hands are meant for more. We are told their home was very far from where everyone lived yet God used her there.

One woman saved a whole nation! With one hammer and nail! Ees like you don't know how powerful you are. So I'm asking you, where is hammer?

What is that gift or skill God has placed in your hands to deliver nations? That hammer can be your education, voice, confidence, beauty, intellect, friendly nature, business acumen, acting skills, photography skills and yes, your past too. He can use anyone and anything. All her day's of fixing things in her home finally paid off. All your life's experiences is propelling to your purpose.

Find your hammer and use it.


Peace, love and finding purpose,
Love.

I cheated

So the HolySpirit will not let me rest till I confess my sins. So here it goes😊

I got involved with someone who has been lurking around for years. I had managed to keep him away for years but I fell for him in August. He lured me and gave me every reason why I should consider him and finally I accepted. I knew he wasn't right for me but I accepted anyway.

It all began when I was to write my exam.  The volume of the modules were gargantuan. Of the 12 courses, I met only about 5 of those lecturers. Of the 5, I had one contact only with 2. So I began to read myself to death. I didn't just want to pass, I wanted to know. The first 6 exams, I read so much that I had a headache whenever i was writing and my hands would shake as I wrote. My brain could no longer assimilate and that's when he came. He whispered to me to write the key points on a paper and take into the hall with me. I've never done it before', I said. He replied 'Were you taught?' I said 'No'. 'Have you tried to memorize the almost 400 pages put together and it's still not working?' I said 'yes'. He replied 'so you have been cheated. You are only playing by the rules they have set.' That made a lot of sense. I carried the paper into the hall and used it without getting caught. Everyone was shocked after the exam. They all kept making comments like, 'You!', 'So you're like the rest of us', 'I didn't know you too used to carry o'. I was embarrassed. It's funny how I didn't even introduce myself as a Christian but my conduct at the beginning gave me that identification. But now, I was like 'them'. The HolySpirit (HS) kept on nudging me but I would reply, 'they didn't teach me'😂 To make myself feel better, I wrote my points on the exam desk before the exam so as not to take the paper in and wrote on my arm (the hustle😂). The HS was still not having it. Other students were even hailing me because I never got caught during those last 6 exams. The invigilator had judged me a 'good girl' so he never even looked my way. I had an affair with EXAM MALPRACTICE after successful going through 2 degrees without it.

After the exams, I couldn't function well. The memories would always come back as I tried to pray. The excuses I was telling myself did not count before God and so I had to address it. I DID it but it is/was not WHO I am/was. There's a huge difference. I no longer had to live under guilt and condemnation. I am a RIGHTEOUS person not of my own accord but because of who I am in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:26). NOTHING can ever separate me from the love of God😋 His love is a gift. We don't even deserve it but He gives it anyway. He looks past our flaws (cheating, lies, gossip, fornication, adultery etc) and He just loves us. When we finally come to the realization of this love, we in turn would not want to hurt Him by continuing in sin. That's how it works. The Message Translation puts it thus:

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? [😋sorry hater] There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
Romans 8:31‭-‬39 MSG

So my affair was a short one and it's never happening again. Last class, somebody was even booking to sit down near me by next exams 🙄😲. Not happening!

God has forgiven you. Yes, You. Yes, even for that abortion. Accept His forgiveness and move on. Go and sin no more and love on your God. Because guess what, once you repent, He does not remember that sin anymore. You just have to ask 😘

Peace, love and forgiveness,

Love.

*We will be praying tonight (Tuesday the 17th of October, 2017) 9-9:30pm based on this. Prayer points will be posted here soon. I will have a live video for the last 5 minutes of the prayer so keep a date with us.

*As always, if this has blessed you, share with someone😘

His love never gives up

I stopped going to church for about 2 months. I was asked to leave my church by my head at the time. I could have fought that decision but if we're being honest, I was not in a good place with God. I was not angry with Him, I just did not want to talk to Him. I did not understand how He just sat and let everything happen to me. I used to be amazed at people who stopped going to church just because something happened to them but alas! I found myself in that same position.

I had even forgotten how to sing. I had long stopped being in the Choir even while we were there. My Sunday mornings were like Saturdays, I would do chores and later settle with Tv. The HolySpirit would keep tugging at me. Sigh. To compensate the HolySPirit, I did online services sometimes. I finally went to a church on my own with my daughter. I never understood the messages but my daughter loved the children church. I would time myself for 1 hour till the end of service, then I would take her to the children church and I would pass time in the main church. I soon got tired and missed many Sunday's. I had stopped praying or studying my Bible. I did try to say a few things in the mornings before i stepped out.The HolySpirit still did not let me be.

Then one Sunday, we both dressed not sure where we were going. I stopped by a church. I got in, took my daughter to children church. I went into the main church and during the worship, it felt like I was standing naked before God. I did not get up for the call of first timers. I didn't want anybody calling me just incase I did not commit. My daughter was excited. She learnt new rhymes on her first Sunday. I was glad. And then we went every Sunday for months. And then every mid-week service. I longed to sing again. I joined the membership class and would wait for classes every Sunday. I joined the choir and I was happy again. I was given a lead and people walked up to me after me to give me hugs saying I had stirred up something in them. It's funny how I was in that position few months before. That church was home until I moved again.

I remember the first time I tried to pray again, I actually said 'I don't know what to say but here I am' The first few days were awkward between me and God but I kept at it and He revealed Himself again.

In all these, He never stopped loving me. He refused to let me go even when I let Him go. He loved me with unusual kindness. My needs still continued to be met. The song 'One Thing Remains' helped me during that period.

'Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me
Because on and on and on and on it goes
Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
This one thing remains'

I felt strongly to share this with you all this morning. I believe it's for someone who is struggling. Rest in His love. You WILL come out of whatever it is. Anybody can fall off, don't be too hard on yourself. He loves you and He is patiently waiting. ❤

Now I'm going to be late for work 😛😛

Peace, love and sunshine.

Love.

Please share and be a blessing to others

Fear will ruin you

While I waited for my connecting flight at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, I killed my time by meeting new people, trying new things and window shopping. I did not intend to buy anything but then I spotted this cute frog inspired knapsack filled with lollipop and I knew it would be a perfect birthday gift for my daughter who turns 3 tomorrow. It was expensive for me (please note that expensive is relative) but I could imagine how excited she would be and so I got it.

Few days before my flight while I was skimming through Instagram, I saw a post by Pst Nike Adeyemi on how she lost her luggage. I had not travelled but fear already gripped my heart, I don't like airport wahala. I got so anxious on the flight that I would lose my luggage. We arrived our final destination, India (carrying my daughter's gift as hand luggage)and true to my fears, I did not see my luggage. I became so restless. Everyone I flew with left me there. I was so angry. Why would only MY own luggage be missing. I went to make a complain and I was given a form to fill. The attendant suggested I check out one suitcase that was standing alone, I replied, 'I've already checked. It's not mine'. I actually did not check, I was just very angry. But on a second thought, I turned, it was actually my suitcase. And it had been there since, my anxiety blinded me to what was right there. In excitement, I dropped the form I was filling and left with my suitcase forgetting my handluggage containing my daughter's gift that I had kept at my side.

Unfortunately I remembered a day to my return or so. I was unable to make a complain online. At the airport, I was told I could not be helped. I needed to go online. It was too late, I was on my way back already.

This will remain an unforgettable experience. Sometimes I just sit and think of my money that went down the drain all because I got worked up for nothing😂 I think about the gift that never was 💔. Anxiety WILL ruin you.

Before beginning a new business, relationship, career, adventure or whatever else, many are already consumed with the thought of failure. When you preempt failure, you inadvertently see failure. Your fear will not let you see the victory standing right in front of you. Unfortunately, some things can never be gotten back when lost. You may get an alternative (like I have compensated Nifemz) but it will never be like the original.

Other times, you may be so consumed with the hanging on to the old (the suitcase) that you take the new for granted. You may not necessarily even need to let go of that old, but the new thing God wants to add is to align with the old. But fear.

Fear is natural. But you are to speak to fear. We actually have dominion over fear. Make positive confessions: I have control over my mind. I am not afraid. I will step out and God will make the provision. I have the mind of Christ. I am fearless. I am a special breed, nothing catches me by surprise. I have control over my mood. No one dictates the tone of my day.

Be fearless.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT


Xoxo

Peace, love and CAKE,

Love.

If this has blessed you, please share 😘 (Details on the prayer group coming soon)

My new relationship

So I recently started a relationship with this guy who is simply amazing. Being with him gives me butterflies and most times, I feel like I am a teenager again. He makes me very happy.
For a few days however, I have not been feeling that spark like when we first fell in love. I really don't want this relationship to be boring. I knew I needed to add spice to it. We used to see each other everyday but I was beginning to feel like it was just a monotonous routine.
But yesterday was the most special day of my life yet. Who knew hanging out with friends was all the spice we needed. I attended my regular Choir rehearsal and the prayers started and there was a move I can't explain. What was supposed to be a 10 minute prayer lasted almost 40 minutes.We prayed so hard, You could literally touch the presence of God. And that's when I felt it- that love that makes me want to be a better person, the love that makes me just want to please, the love that makes me sing songs of adoration that even I don't understand, the love of my life who will never leave me❤ I fell in love with Jesus all over again and I was reminded of what it first felt like.
Sometimes, You need others to ignite your fire again. You see that firewood, they burn well when they are together but when separated, the fire begins to die slowly. Don't despise fellowship. We need each other in this race.Hebrews 10:24-25 '... let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.'
It is my prayer that you find the company that draws you closer to Him.
Xoxo
Peace, love and plantain chips,
Love.
*If you would want us to form a prayer support group on here where we meet to pray and stimulate each other at least once a week, let me know.
If this has blessed you please share and be a blessing to others. Xx

On comparison

As I prepared for my journey to India, I went to get my Naira currency changed to Rupees (the Indian currency) and to my surprise, I couldn't find rupees in all the Exchange stalls. I was advised to change to Dollar because 'dollar is accepted everywhere.'

I got to India and no one would take Dollars from me. I needed to get it changed to Rupees to be able to spend. I had some Naira on me too but it was useless to me in India. No one would even exchange that one for me😂 Does this mean that in reality Naira and Dollar are useless? Of course not. Every currency has it's sphere of influence. Each of them are King in their own areas. Naira is king in Nigeria but to be spent in India, it needs to adapt or better still conform to what is accepted in India. In the process of changing/adapting/conforming, some value was lost. A percentage had to removed. It will also not make sense for either of the currencies to be jealous of the other because just as their colours and designs are different so are their areas of purpose different.

You have your lane. You have your strength. Identify your uniqueness. Be proud of your difference.Your purpose is unique to you. When you try to copy or alter yourself, you lose value. Stay true to yourself. Stay true to your calling. Stay true to your purpose.

Galatians 6:4, NLT Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Xx

Peace, love and chin chin 😋

Love Ebunlola Omoraiyewa

P.s If this has blessed you, please share and be a blessing to others.

Fickle Emotions

'What should we do today?' I asked him. 'Will you be a nuisance with me?'. So we hatched a plan. We were to play the role of new parents shopping for baby supplies. So we went from shop to shop, stressing out attendants who kept showing us different options and we would end up leaving politely while laughing hysterically once we got outside. I don't even like Tomblerone but since he was having it, I had to have it too. We fed each other in full glare of everyone. It was out of the norm. In this part of the world, you are supposed to be conservative about things like this but he had no care in the world. The first day he said 'meet my girlfriend' to an uncle, I almost froze. 'Meet my friend' would be perfect. 'Why do I have to hide you. I like you a lot. Like a lot'. We often avoided the term 'love'. It often put too much pressure and expectations. Slowly, he was bringing me out of my shell. I soon found myself singing aloud in a bus while we shared an earpiece. It was late in the night, he took me home himself. He needed to make sure I was safe. We lived very far from each other. He headed back home but I couldn't reach him for about 3 hours. I felt my heart was about to ripped apart. 'Why wasn't his line connecting?' Then I began to cry. Maybe he was kidnapped. I kept trying his number almost every 30 seconds. Then he picked. Phew. Something had happened but he was safe now. 'Don't ever put yourself in harm's way for me again. I would die if anything happened to you.' I meant every word. I loved him that much. Or do we say, liked him that much? Whatever.

It was an intense kind of love. The I-have-to-speak-to-you-50-times-in-a-day-or-i-lose-my-mind kind of love. The kind of love that no matter how bad the fight was, you know you both will be okay. The love/like was bound to bring you back together. One time, I swore it was over but then he sent a mail and I found myself dialling his number. I had actually deleted the number from my phone but how do you delete the number from your heart? I was certain- I am going to marry him. We had names for our babies.

And then one day, he said he no longer wanted to be in the relationship. I had actually suggested it first because we didn't seem to agree on certain things but I never believed he would happily agree to it. I carried my bag with whatever dignity was left and walked out the door. He didn't move. I walked out of the gate, still no sight of him. I was to leave town the following day. I couldn't breathe. Like a maniac, I kept calling and texting. There was no reply. I decided to go see a movie. It was a comedy yet I was crying profusely as I watched. It was time to leave. I got to the airport and kept turning back before I boarded. Romance movies always mess with your head. You know how the guy is supposed to come running, sweep you off your feet and beg you not to get on the plane? Well, that didn't happen. And just like that, that chapter closed.

I didn't die. He didn't die. Everyone's moved on. Emotions are fickle. One minute, you think you can't live without a person and the next minute, you can't even remember their name. It is the human nature. People change their minds about people. Deal with it and move on. There is someone however, whose feelings never change. His name is Jesus. He is my best Friend

I know this was cheesy😛

Love, peace and cupcakes

What shape are you creating?

My friend needed to shop for gifts for a child's birthday party and so I accompanied her to the kids store. While she shopped, I decided to walk around and just feed my eyes. Then I stumbled on this heap of sand with various shapes by the side. I was drawn to it. I was so fascinated that I kept making different shapes from the sand to everyone's amusement.

Isn't it funny how from just one heap of sand, I could create a bear, a star, and even a castle. It could also just remain in its ordinary form - a heap of sand. It is up to you to become whatever you want to be. The tools (shapes) to create what we want of ourselves have been handed to us. Some ignore it and are comfortable in their ordinary form while others work extra to be extraordinary. Some of these 'shapes' may include:
*Working hard in school
*Doing a side business
*Choosing to save instead of spend
*Choosing to be loyal to your establishment because you understand that you cannot reap what you did not sow.
*Allowing yourself to be mentored
*Engaging in multiple streams of income
*Working for an older person/couple who cannot pay you just because you understand the blessings attached.
*Interning in your dream organisation or an affiliate
*volunteering wherever and whenever you can
*Learning new skills  etc etc

It is up to YOU to create the life YOU want. You can't wish it, you gotta work for it.

Peace, love and raindrops 😛

Love.

If it blessed you, share with others 😘😘😘😘

Time

I knew I was going to wait 12 hours for my connecting flight from Turkey to India. I was prepared for it. I had my mini blanket, books, pen, hotter, sweater, money and charger (unknown to me; different charging adapters).

After arrival, I really began to feel sorry for myself. I spread my blanket in a corner and I really looked like a refugee. There were many others like me. I tried listening to music but when I discovered I would not be able to charge my phone, I had to stop to save some battery. I opened a book to read, and I felt so bored and sleepy at the same time.I got tired of feeling sorry for myself. I got up, folded my blanket and off I went. I paid for Wi-Fi and stopped searching for free Wi-Fi 😅 I walked around and even bought a few things. I went into a shop and the attendant said to me 'You are so beautiful, where are you from?' You cannot even begin to imagine the moral booster I got and then she gave me free snacks. Then I went to the perfume section and sprayed like 20 different bottles of perfume 😀 'They' are the ones that put 'not for sale. For testing' on the bottles.I was only 'testing'. Then I met the nice black French man who let me use his charger to charge my phone. I met a Cameroonian woman and her daughter who were so delightful. Every the time the girl called out 'mama', I imagined it was my daughter, Nifemi. Her laughter was infectious. Just like Nifemi, she kept her mama on her toes and then finally she slept and mama slept too while I watched her charging phone. There was a Jamaican who was charging his phone and power bank but he left  and forgot the power bank. One of us there took it to the nearest shop in case he came back. It wasn't up to 5 minutes, he walked by and we all called out to him at the same time. He did not even know he forgot it. He was so happy he thanked us individually. Then I met the Nigerian man who could not decide if he wanted to use Nigerian or American accent. It was ridiculous. He told me stories that were 60% untrue but it was amusing so I listened anyway. Then there was this other one. He had a very strong Igbo accent and was fighting hard to keep it away and he goes 'Hi baby, are you married? I live in Boston'😂 How this information was relevant, I still don't know. Then I met another Nigerian, she walked up to me to ask if I had water in my bag. I didn't. I eventually bought and tried to find her but I didn't. She looked very tired and hungry. A Nigerian girl walked up to me to ask if I spoke English. Not her fault, there were so many dark skinned people who spoke no English. She just wanted to talk with someone. She said she was travelling to Kiev. I asked if it was an Island because i've never heard of it. She laughed and told me it was in Ukraine and that was where she schooled. Her gate number soon came up and we parted. I never got her name. Then I had an amazing meal and then went back to spray more perfumes😁. 10 hours had gone by. I settled down to sit for a while then I video called home and was chatting with my daughter and mum and this woman kept staring at me. She walked up to me to ask how I was able to call. I told her I paid for internet so whatsapp calls were possible. She asks if she can use my phone to call her daughter in America. I gave her my phone. She called but her daughter's husband picked instead. They had a brief chat in Yoruba. I pretended not to understand Yoruba. Trust me, you don't want to meet another Yoruba person in a foreign land, the 'parapo' is not here (Those that know, know). Then she starts beating around the busy 'ah if only I can call my daughter's other number. She will be that one o' So I asked her, 'Ma, would you like to call your daughter?'. 'God bless you my child.' She called her and she was speaking in Yoruba advising her on marriage and how everything will work out. From the conversation, both husband and wife were out of work and it was taking a toll on them. She promised to raise money to send to them. Then she says she would have bought internet time to call them but she's so broke, she's barely going to manage till the next day when she will fly to Nigeria. Then she says her daughter should thank the stranger who lent her the phone. I was still pretending not to understand Yoruba so I kept a straight face. Then she gave me the phone and said her daughter wanted to greet me. I greeted her and that's when '304' came up on the screen. That was my gate number to board. This was exactly what I had waited 12 hours for. It was finally time to fly to India.

Whether you choose to do something with time or not, it will still pass. It is up to you to decide the worth of time. I'm currently pursuing another degree I have always wanted to do and I remember telling my dad I wanted to wait till next year because there is so much happening and now is not a good time. He said to me (I'm paraphrasing), whether you do it now or not, 365 days will still go by so do you want to just say 'Happy New year in January 2018 + regular self' or 'Happy New year + regular self + new degree' Either ways 2018 will still come. I'm happy I chose to start the program NOW not later. I'm happy I packed up my blanket and decided to make the most use of 12 hours instead of feeling sorry. I'm happy I chose to live and savour every moment. I am happy to have met all the unique characters at the airport. It reminded me how similar and unique we all are no matter where we come from or what language we speak. I am happy I am making the most out of my friendships (new and old) I am happy to be taking a vacation even though I don't have a vacation fit body 😂, I am happy creating memories with my family. I am not waiting for a perfect time. No, don't sit around waiting for love. Live and love will find you. Don't sit on your butt waiting for that dream job, do what you can until it finds you or you find it. If I can't afford to buy that Michael Kors  bag just yet, I will buy that one in Central market that is pretty, nice enough and less expensive. And when the money comes, i will buy the MK but whichever way, I will be happy. I made a decision not to postpone my happiness anymore and I am seeing it through.  
 Ecclesiastes 11:9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.

Love fiercely, live purposefully

Peace, love and cupcakes.

Love.

If this has blessed you, share with others. Plenty hugs from India.

The Chinese

I looked forward to campus life at the University of Westminster and all the friends I would make. My first roommate was Chinese. The first day we met, I did not even know how to feel. Truth be told, I thought I would be paired with an African. But I decided in my heart to make it work, I was open to the challenge. So I gave her a nice big hug, told her my name and asked for hers and she just smiled in return. Super weird. It was a very long awkward silence. I thought She did not hear me, so I asked for her name again. Then she said 'aaaaaa no English' Jesu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How am I supposed to live with somebody who does not understand English. That's not even the point! Who gave her visa to come and study in the UK? Those were my thoughts. Then she began to really irritate me. She cooked inside the room. She had her bath like twice in a week and never cleaned. She was always up at 4am and would start banging drawers and I would just get up, sit and stare at her. She could tell she really annoyed me but I could not communicate that anger to her. Like we were literally not talking at all. I did not understand Chinese, she did not understand English. You can imagine my shock the day I found her laughing and talking loudly in Chinese to one of our neighbours who understood both Chinese and English. I honestly thought that girl was a weirdo but when she found herself among familiar people, Who understood, she broke loose. I got back from lecture one day and saw that she had moved out. I went to our neighbour, her friend to ask about her and he told me She had moved to another room with another Chinese girl. Oh well

I was still very puzzled by the Chinese. I had many of them in my class. They always sat together, looked expensive and were one with their MacBooks. They hardly ever spoke any English. A minority of them did anyway. I asked a classmate about this and then he told me something that forever changed my life. They were always with their MacBooks because they were converting the speeches of the lecturers delivered in English language to text in Chinese. All written documents were also converted. They did their assignments in Chinese and would convert to English for submission. Whichever way, Chinese language had to be the basis for transfer of knowledge. I learnt in English, Xin learnt in Chinese. Both ways, communication occurred. Wow

There needs to be a familiar enabling environment for communication to take place. I hear a lot of people say they do not hear from God. The question is what familiar enabling environment do you present to God? I made the decision to completely stop listening to secular music about 2 years ago because music is an enabling environment for me. I sink in every word and so I began to think those vulgar things. I was sick of it and decided I wanted a deeper relationship with God. Now, that music is one of the ways God speaks to me now. It is enabling and the lyrics are ‘familiar’ with both God and me and so we can communicate. Recall how in 1 Samuel 3, God had to use the voice of Eli to call out for Samuel. The voice of Eli was familiar to both God and Samuel. Through this, God got Samuel’s attention. When I read books, it feels like I can hear God clearly. My choice in books are always edifying so as to create a familiar environment for both God and me. How God speaks to one is different from how he speaks to another. I like to read my Bible (especially my Joyce Meyer Amplified Bible) and that is how most of my messages are borne, just by reading. For others, it is through sitting still and just worshipping, others it’s in the place of prayer. Whatever it is, it must conform  to God’s standard and be familiar for Him to speak. Just like a marriage cannot work when both parties do not understand their love languages so it is with God. You must understand and agree to His terms of communication and then He will meet with you through the medium He knows you will understand Him most.

Be honest with yourself, is there something you are doing that is obstructing the flow of communication? God wants to speak, will you grant Him access?

Xoxo

Peace, love and sunshine

Love.

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By all means, keep moving

My mother and I were home alone that fateful day in April 2011. Her phone rang. It was someone from church. The person simply said 'Mummy, they (CPC supporters) said they are coming to burn down the church, the school and the house'. PDP had just won the election in Kaduna state and somehow, CPC felt the need to take it out on Christian schools and churches. She made calls and then she asked that we join hands and we PRAYED. We came out of our house and walked to the junction. We continued praying there and then it happened. We saw heavy flames going up. Even though we could not see the buildings from where we stood, we knew it had happened. And I broke down uncontrollably in tears. My mother looked at me and said 'Why are you crying?' Huh

We had not left when someone arrived from the scene to tell us how all the policemen had absconded and how they were now headed for our house. My mother said 'run' and we took to our heels. We rushed back home, locked our door and we started to run on foot to a family friend's house who was military. We got there and met other displaced people too. I remember everyone sharing a meal of moi-moi. Some were crying. My mother seemed so in charge of her emotions. My dad was in America. Different time zones, it was useless to call him. All the decisions rested with her. We heard the Christian youths had teamed up. They surrounded our house and it was spared. A curfew was declared. My mother called another officer from church, he promised to send a rescue team. And he kept his word. It was like in the movies. My mum and I jumped into the military van. They took us home and asked us to pick essentials. The confusion 😂 my hands were shaking terribly. Anyway, we picked few clothes and money and hopped on. The streets were deserted. Bodies could be seen on the ground. We arrived the Air Force Base. It was filled with human beings who had escaped on foot. They had set up tents and just grateful to be alive. We were blessed to get a comfortable accommodation. We had money we could not spend. Nobody was selling anything then. We got through to my dad eventually. My mother had to switch off her phone because the people calling to console were too many. My mother said to me 'Love, now is the time to focus. School will soon resume'  😂😂 what kind of human being is this one? We don't even know how we will survive in this case and she was already thinking of the life after. Then Mami  market came alive. I was beginning to feel like one of the Barracks  babes. I even made my hair sef. Nothing do me 😁😁. Those were my own priorities 😉 My mother convinced the military men to take her back to the site to assess the damage. She did not take me along, it was too risky. I was so worried. She was gone a very long time. She returned with so many loaves of bread. Our fellow campers were so happy. She saw a small bakery operating when she went out. That bread was like manna yo. She briefed  me that we cannot use the structures for both the church and school anymore. EVERYTHING (computers, books, uniforms etc) was gone.

A few weeks later, the curfew was lifted. My mother began to scout for a place to rent. The church had ordered for a very massive tent from Lagos under which we worshipped for months. She found a 3 bedroom apartment. Got a loan, paid for it and demarcated. We got school supplies released to us on trust and we paid little by little. Both the church (Chapel of Redemption Mando Kaduna) and school (Redemption Academy Schools) buildings are standing in new sites today; bigger and better.

She said to me later after the ordeal was over and I paraphrase 'I did not have time to cry. Children would still need to go to school. I needed to focus. I can't afford to lose both ways
Maybe I will find time to cry when we are very settled' 😂😂😂😂

When David lost his child after all his praying and fasting. Bros just stood up, thanked God and asked for food to eat. His house members were surprised he wanted to eat and he said 'why should I fast? Can I bring him back?' 2 Sam 12:20-23
You need to make peace with God's answer to your prayer whether you like it or not. Be thankful and move on. You can't get back what was lost. Make the most of every situation. What's the point wasting energy mourning over what cannot be changed. Do not ruin the time left grieving over what was lost. Stop wasting valuable time feeling sorry for yourself. Live each day to the fullest. Restrategize; something has to work. Start another IVF treatment, consider adoption, try another business, give love a chance again, make new friends, go on that trip you've always wanted, buy that bag you love if it makes you happy, apply for that scholarship; who knows, go for that audition, take that step whatever it is BUT by all means, keep moving.

Xoxo
Peace, Love and sunshine

Love.

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