For Thirty or Sixty Days...3Ps

This time last year, I had recently moved into a new neighbourhood. I was fascinated that i could walk, jog or run on the sidewalks, i did it consistently for some months, then i stopped, mainly due to circumstances almost beyond my control.

A year down the line, 2 or 3 extra kgs, I thought to myself that it's time for a change, time to do something drastic, or well something different. My husband asked me on Sunday if i really want to lose weight as i claim because he doesn't see me doing much about it, i just keep saying. He told me he's not complaining (he really isn't) but i'm always talking about it. Talk is cheap! So i shrugged and kept thinking about it. Hubby has that effect on me! :-)

Most people tell me i'm ok at this size and bla bla, i kinda agree, at the same time, i have an ideal weight in my mind's eye and it's not 68.5kg, it's a maximum of 65kg. Like hubby told me, my problem isn't food, it's not even junk food, i don't eat much and i hardly snack, people who know me very well can testify to it. Most days my eating habit borders on starvation, i don't know why, don't ask me.

And even if I'm not looking to lose weight, I know I need to exercise regularly to keep fit, be healthy and all that. I've preached that message so many times, my once in a while gym going won't do it. At a point, I said to myself that having an Ipod will help me walk or exercise better (excuses...).Hubby gave me an Ipod on Valentine's day, i use it a lot, not just to walk or run. The last time i did some major power walking, it was both of us, and that was two weeks ago.

So we went to bed at a good time yesterday (i usually don't, i'm a night owl) and when hubby started getting ready for work this morning, i woke up(as the custom is). I said to myself, it's a good time, it's before 7:00a.m, why don't i go walking. I said it to him, he didn't respond, sharp man!

So as hubby got out of the door, I didn't waste time, I got into my sports gear, picked up my Ipod and voila, i was on the sidewalk. I didnt jog or run, i only walked but it felt good. I asked myself, 'why not do his everyday?' Then I thought I could actually do it consistently for thirty or sixty days.

All I need is some motivation and some form of accountability. So my blogville family, I am choosing to be accountable to you first for the next thirty days.

My commitment is to power walk everyday of the week except Sunday mornings (we go to church very early) and when something unforeseen comes up,for the next thirty days and then I will decide to continue or not.

I might need to make some changes especially to my bedtime because that has been one of my issues. When I go to bed at 3am, what time do I wake up to go walk or run? So it looks like bedtime might need to be adjusted.

I will blog about my experience everyday, the things I see, who i meet and so on. That is going to be some big commitment, considering how haphazard my blogging has been! Help me Jehovah!

And considering I am a spirit that has a soul who lives in a body, I have decided this 'exercise' is not just going to be about power walking. It will have two other p's. So the three Ps;

Prayer
Praise
Power walking.

I will praise God, listen to worship on my Ipod and pray (about anything and everything)as i power walk. To include you my friends, I think if you have anything you really need someone to pray with you about, you can email me (through my profile), leave a comment, and I will pray about it as I walk the next day.

I won't mind if anybody wants to join me in doing the 3Ps, first for the next 30 days starting today (well tomorrow). It will make it fun and we can all be accountable to each other. You can let me know in the comment box if you want to be involved. Let's build our bodies and our spirits in the process!

Ps: It's Nolimit's birthday! She's such a great lady! One thing I know about her is that she's really dependable. She was in my house Friday night/Saturday morning and it was great. Father I thank you for this your daughter, how far you have brought her and I pray you continue to give her wisdom to live her life for you. Amen!

Jhazmyn has also been in my corner of the world. She's in Abuja with her hubby and we hung out together all day yesterday. It was great hanging out with you girl. She went with me everywhere; bank, grocery shopping, etc etc. Then we came home to cook while her hubby kept calling to find out when she was coming back (it was getting late). It was fun...

So who wants to join me in doing the 3Ps? If you don't want to join, if you have a prayer need still, let me know. I believe we will have testimonies!

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone!

Another Wednesday...

Another lovely Wednesday, another opportunity to worship, another opportunity to be alive, another opportunity to fulfill purpose...each day brings such wonderful opportunities.

God is ever good and worthy to be praised so i'm thanking Him again this week for the following things.

I'm thankful for life and the opportunity being alive presents. God constantly gives my loved ones and I the opportunity to be alive. It's easy to take being alive for granted but when I think about where some people are, I just lift my hands and say thank you father. I can aspire because I am alive, a living dog is better than a dead lion!

I'm thankful for my marriage. Lord I thank you because even when I want to take my eyes off my blessing and take the man you have given me for granted. I only need to look around at the relationships existing around me and I have to say thank you Lord for my husband is a good man indeed!

I'm thankful for the ability to dream. Sometimes i want to stop dreaming, i want to quit but you never let me. You constantly give me things to aspire to, to pursue. And for a man that won't let me rest on my oars, thank you Lord.

I'm thankful for the weather. I know we have all complained about the dust, yes it is very dusty Lord but it's not so hot anymore so I thank you Lord.

I'm thankful for wonderful friends who surround me. Thank you for that call that came through to me even when i thought nobody cared.

I'm thankful for provision. People say times are hard but I haven't had cause to say that. When men are saying there is a casting down, you help me Lord to see a lifting up.

I'm thankful for journey mercies for hubby. He travels a lot but you keep him safe and keep bringing him back to me. Thank you Lord.

So many things I could list, may I never take your blessings for granted father and may the reader of this be able to pick out at least one thing to say thank you father for.

What are you thankful for today?

Writefreak on Bookaholic Blog

Writefreak is on Bookaholic

Hey my people, hope you had great weekends and that your plans for the week are working out.

It's been only two days this week, and i feel like I've done so much already!

Quick one, there's an interview of mine on bookaholic blog and you might want to read. It's basically for my contribution to the In my dreams series...Hope you guys have been following!

You can find it here.

Please read and drop a comment.

Against All Odds, I Glorify!

Today I don't feel like praising. I don't even want to worship but I will because I do not only praise You father for what I can get or for what You can do. I praise you Lord because you are God, because you are faithful and you are just. And although questions rage in my heart, I will not yield to the temptation, i will NEVER question you. You number the hair on my head, Lord You care in an amazing manner and for this I surrender to You in worship.

I am tempted to go into a dark place and maybe stay there. I am tempted to cover my head with my blanket and stay there but although it is so tempting, I will not yield. I choose to praise You for that which You said You can do because that is exactly what You will do. Almighty God, indeed, Your might is more than any I have ever seen.

When I want to doubt, You constantly show me in Your word that You are capable of doing all things and showing Your might strong on behalf of those whose hearts are blameless towards You. Sarah was 80 years old Lord when you decided to make her a sign and a wonder. Who else can do that but you Lord? You are awesome! Inspite of her unbelief, she even laughed when you spoke but my Lord, you blessed her!

Abraham was 90 years old, you fulfilled your promise to Him. Father I might not understand but like Isaac, with a knife to my neck, I will trust that You have provided my ram. The one that will take my place for the sacrifice. I thank You o Lord because you're never late! You're always on time although in my head, I wonder what is taking You so long! (you must shake your head when you look at me Lord).

When Job was in the most uncomfortable situation, He chose to praise You. He said though He slay me, I will praise Him. I have not been uncomfortable like Job father, I choose to praise You and even if i were, Your praise would NEVER leave my lips. He was advised to curse you and die but he held on and praised you. Like Job this afternoon, I praise You.

Habbakuk knew how to worship and even when everything seemed so bleak, the fig trees would not blossom, the vine would not yield their increase, He chose to praise. I choose to praise Lord. You are faithful.

I remember the Israelites in Egypt father, how you brought them out with a strong hand and fed them with manna. You even gave them water out of a rock. Dear father, You are AWESOME!

I remember Hannah, how you turned her story around. Thank you Lord! You turned around the story of Jabez. Thank you father. You were in that fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. My God, you are a DELIVERER! Paul was bitten by a snake and nothing happened to him. Look how you gave them wine at the wedding Lord and saved them from disgrace. Oh Lord, You alone cover my shame and i praise you!

When I remember all these amazing testimonies, I cannot but praise. You are the God who is NEVER late.

For my life and my husband's, I thank you. You constantly care for us. You are our pillar, our rock and you sustain us. You keep us together in your love and harmony and give us joy that only you can give. Thank you dear Lord.

I thank you Lord for all my family and friends. You constantly keep them.

For those friends I was praying for, the ones who have experienced heartaches and losses that You have now blessed Lord, I give you thanks. This time Lord I am thankful because in theirarms, they will welcome bundles of joy.

I thank you for all You are and all You do. I thank you for the air I breathe though I constantly complain of how hot it is.

Lord I thank You because You constantly choose to use this earthen vessel for your glory. You give me the opportunity to encourage and bless others even though I might be grumpy sometimes. You let them see a beacon of light through me and I am grateful that although I might have an albatross on my neck, You use it for Your glory. And through me, the scripture that says you have given me the tongue of the learned that I may know how to speak a word in season to the weary is fulfilled.

Be magnified o Lord, You're indeed worthy!

Borrowing from Rita's post, I can say

You keep track of all my sorrows
You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book (Ps 56:8 NLT)

Get In The Deep End!

I learnt to swim some years back and the instructor did a great job of teaching me, actually us. My husband and i (then fiance) with my sister all learnt together. He was a task master and he would make us go to the deep end with no warning. The pool was fairly large and the first time he made me do it, it felt like a feat i could not achieve. He went with me, and i did it! It was amazing.

Coach I was like a slave driver and if you managed to drink water, he would call you 'Shakira' (something about shacking water..lol. Left to me, I would know all the styles he could teach, back strokes, breast strokes, free style etc. I stayed with breast strokes, that was the one he first taught me. I tried back strokes too and i was ok with it but i just liked breast strokes better.

A few years later, i had not gone swimming in a while, there were so many reasons not to. There was no good pool around, I would have to travel a far distance from my house in Surulere when i lived in Lagos etc. Swimming took a back seat and I only got to fool around in the water whenever I got the opportunity to.

A few years later (NOW), I live in a city where traffic is not a problem, I have the membership of a hotel gym and I can use the pool anytime i want. I'm a registered member, I don't need to pay a dime extra. I go a bit more frequently now.

EVerytime i'm at the pool, i stay in the shallow end and just keep swimming the breath back and forth. I would tell myself sometimes it's the same skill i use for the breadth that i need for the length but would still not venture out.

The last time at the pool, hubby suggested starting from the deep end so if i got stuck, i could stop just before the shallow end. I didn't think i wasn't going because i though i couldn't make it to the end. I can swim well, it's just a four letter word FEAR. I've had episodes in the past when by myself I would stop in the middle of the water and shout 'I'm drowning'. I wasn't really drowning, I just decided in my mind I couldn't move on.

So today, I decided why not take the Mr's advice and start from the deep end. I stayed there for a while hanging on the wall for support, i tried to acclimatise, i even went down and let my feet touch the ground so i could spring up. I lost control a bit at that point and then i did what my instructor taught me, i sprang up and voila, my head came up. I waited a few minutes and then

I decided to glide forward. I pushed myself forward and instructed myself to swim. One stroke after the other, with my legs kicking, i made it to the shallow end with no incident. I made sure i stayed close to the wall though(chicken me).

Then when i swam back to the deep end, i asked hubby why i never ventured out by myself, he said FEAR. He explained how i had put a limitation on myself, told myself i could not do it and no matter what anyone said, until i told myself i could, nobody could. I went back and forth and made sure i did seven laps. I did it! I could with no help
from anyone.

Thinking about it, God taught me a lesson. He has told me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. His word is true but when i say the word can't, my brain shuts down, i see no way around it and no matter what, I just can't.

It's like that with every area of our lives. I dared myself, I pushed myself forward, although my hubby thought i could, his words could not have done it for me if i didn't dare to try.

In what area have you said to yourself I can't, although you know deep down that if only you try, you can? Like my husband said to me, I dare you to take off the limitation on your mind and swim to the deep end.

You can!

And They Came To Town!

I was so excited. I hadn't seen my closest friend since she got married. We talked everyday but seeing each other had become long thing. So when her trip for Naija was set, I quickly booked her ticket to come to see me. We bargained back and forth on how long she would spend and eventually we agreed on a week. She arm twisted me actually, I didn't agree.

D-day! Hubby and I were at the airport and then I saw this chic with a baby carrier. I was so excited. It didn't feel like two years though, I still spoke to her the day before. First thing was to carry my goddaughter that I was seeing for the first time. I looked at her and I knew I was in love. I loved her since she was in the womb! The day she was born, I knew already she was here! I knew when her mother went to the hospital. I dreamt of them all night and prayed in the dream and she was born in my dream. When I woke up, I knew she was born that night. And yes, the text message confirmed it. I wept tears of joy that day. I loved my goddaughter already! And looking at her, I knew I was sold for life!

Ok back to my god-daughter's mother, who happens to be my friend (hehehehe), so we hugged each other and I told her she looked good (did I?). We got in the car and we just picked up our conversation like we saw each other fifteen minutes before then. It was so good to see her again. I didn't know if the room I had them in when we got home was comfortable enough or not, considering my little love, but they got settled quickly and my friend assured me they were cool.

I couldn't get enough of the little lady. She is sooooo adorable. OMG, i could play with her forever! Lol. She had a cold that night and I felt sorry for her. Hubby went out to get her nasal drops with a doctor friend while her mum and I fretted. The night flew by and the little miss had to go to bed. She goes to bed at 9 and stays in bed. Jeez! She is such a good child! My friend looks nothing like she has a little baby...hehehehe (i hope she doesn't kill me).

The week flew by, we went to the market. We bought gold for the little miss. I had dreamt of buying her earrings from day 1. We fulfilled the dream. We got scolded in the market for bringing such a little baby in the sun. Case in point, an elderly Yoruba woman who instructed us to take her home immediately. We still had a bit of shopping to do so we entered a shop and right there was the woman again. My first impulse was to 'flee' the shop, my friend and I were in sync, we both saw her, looked at each other and we were gone. When we got outside the shop, with the little miss in my arms, we both burst into laughter. We were giggling like idiots. Such great moments.

We went to eat fish and on their last night with us, hubby ordered the fish in. It's amazing how your life changes with a child in it. Great changes! But I learnt in the one week that one would definitely have to make adjustments. You can't just up and go like hubby and I are fond of doing. Many times, we had to finetune plans of going out because of her. It was so much fun!

Oh and hubby was sooo good with her. He calls her his darling (?). They had their moments where they would whisper to each other, she would give him sloppy kisses and they just said things my friend and I both didn't bother to find out. He's great with kids and I think the little miss made his week. There were so many pictures of their moments!

And my friend actually allowed me to bath her without supervision one afternoon! Wow. That really tripped me. She just told me what to do and said i'm sure you won't let her fall. You can bath for her and we went and did our thing. Oh little miss, we sure had fun in the bathroom, didn't we. She rewarded me with lots of spit on my face. She started spitting when the got here. I think she's teething. She would just do phhhbbbbttttt and there you have your face full. I love the sloppy kisses she likes to dish out. So many sloppy kiss moments. Little miss, i love the sloppy kisses you dish out and I miss them.

I changed diapers, I sang lullabies, I was pinched and I was kissed. I love them all. My friend is not clingy to her baby and I love that. Yes she has all those motherly tendencies and would say things like 'don't do that to my baby o(hehehehehehe)' but I love the way she's slightly detached and would even gist while my god daughter is crying. Mscheew, one day I yelled at her to go and attend to the baby and she said 'finish your gist'. Agbaya. She's a good mummy and sometimes I would just look at her and think, 'seriously, my friend is a mummy'.

It was a reunion of two ladies who once had hopes of becoming adults and are now becoming. Before it was just us, now it's us and our husbands and a little one. Soon, it will be us, our husbands and a good number of little ones. I see us having family reunions, get togethers, parties, barbecues etc.

One thing I know for sure, I'm sold, I'm in love. I love my goddaughter and I love her mother even more. Aloted, thank you for coming to town. We miss you and the little miss so much. See you soon at yours!

Your Word Makes Me Thankful!

The Lord does great things! He is full of wonders and it is amazing how He daily loads us with benefits. There was a time I would look hard before finding things to thank God for but when I started my thankful series last year, it opened my eyes, and I have become soo thankful. When we dwell in God's word and we let it minister to us, it's amazing how things become so colourful and bright. And like Jesus did, even in the midst of the storm, we can even sleep and even snore! We must let Christ's word dwell richly in us...that way, we can live thankful lives, genuinely thanking Him for His goodness and blessings.

Per time, there are things we desire and we keep on asking, and that i believe is unbelied because Mark 11:24 says 'Whatever you desire, WHEN you pray, believe that you receive and you will have it'. Asking over and over again is unbelief, we must believe and once we have prayed and believed, we must continue in thanksgiving, not doubting until we see the manifestation of what we have asked Him (i will probably write more about this sometime). He is faithful to do that which He promised and when we know this, we start to have a thankful heart.

I am thankful for God's word. It is amazing how as I spend time in the word, it changes my world view, impossible things are made possible, faith rises up more and more in my heart and Ieven have what to combat the devil with when doubts arise in my heart. The word of God is a title deed, when you have the title deed to a land, no matter how long it takes you to build on that land, you know it belongs to you. Over certain matters in my life, I have been able to move from the realm of doubt to being FULLY PERSUADED that He who promised is faithful. His word gives light!

I am thankful for how hubby and I have moved from becoming almost complacent Christians to ones that have living relationships with God. The last few months have seen us becoming stronger Christians, building our faith more and walking with God daily. I can say we're indeed believers! And I am so grateful for a man who leads me into the presence of God. Too many times, women are the most spiritual in their families and keep hoping their husbands can catch on.

My sister was looking for a job for some months and it was beginning to affect her self esteem and also causing some strain between us because she was having to depend on people. Hubby and I felt a leading to tell her to start a business of buying and selling, she was convinced she was not cut out for it, and found every possible excuse that made her unfit for the business including finances. We decided to give her a loan and I must say months after she's running a business and doing well. Her mentality has changed and she even talks of growing the business. I'm very thankful for this.

When my brother was going to start NYSC last year, it looked like he was going to such a far place, he was posted to a village withough PHCN power, they depend on generating sets only for those who could afford it. He has travelled so many times and God has kept him. In only a few weeks, he will be done and I'm thankful for this. I am also thankful in advance for direction from God for him.

This time last year, I knew I wanted to be published, every writer wants to get published but I didn't know that the year would end with a book that has my name on it. I'm thankful that FG got the initiave for the In My Dreams series and also that she got the inspiration to make it into a book. Now i can boldly say there's a book out with my name on it. I am thankful because my personal works will definitely get published. God has proved to me that all things are possible.

Complacency is a great disease and it has been the case with most Nigerians. All we do is talk in our houses but no action. I'm thankful that a new breed of Nigerians are starting to wake up who will not only fight for Nigeria in their actions but will also get down on their knees and fight for their countries. I'm grateful to God for being part of a church family that will not keep quiet against corrpution and every form of evil being perpetrated in this country. Dear God, I thank you because Nigeria will indeed be free in this year of Jubilee!

What are you thankful for?

Change is Coming + Giveaway

Tomorrow, Abuja and other cities in different parts of the world will witness a peaceful rally tagged 'Save Nigeria' against all the things we just sit down in our houses and complain about.

We're all experts when it comes to analysing Nigeria's issues and condemning our leaders' actions, but how many of us really get up to do something about it or will seriously do something to change the status quo even if given the opportunity? I know, i will and that is why I am joining several other Nigerians at the Unity fountain tomorrow in Abuja. The walk is going to be led by Professor Wole Soyinka and a numbe rof other prominent Nigerians.

It's high time we started to speak up and say NO to things we don't want. A lot of my friends and acquaintances live abroad and can't consider moving back home for a lot of reasons. Those of us at home are glad we can afford the comforts of life and just shake our heads at what our leaders are doing. Most of the great countries we admire took hundreds of years to build with some people even sacrificing their lives. We have to fight for our country. If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything!

Seriously, what country has a case like Mutallab's and you don't get a press statement from the government??? What Nigeria should have done the same day and the days following was to go on air and decline any knowledge of such actions and that the country dissociates itself from any such act and given reasons to support our point of view. The US gave us a whole week to do something, and what does our government give, SILENCE. We should have gone on major TV channels all over the world dissociating ourselves from the act but our government did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Since our government won't, WE WILL save Nigeria. Be a part of the change, join the rally tomorrow if you can. In Abuja, the point of convergence is the Unity fountain at 10 a.m. You can go here for more information.

God bless Nigeria!


Interesting Stuff

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This competition closes on 8 February 2010 – get on the freebie train now!!!

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Fun Times Are Here!

I'm not going to start the new year by apologising for being away from my blog. I love this blog, i love this place but sometimes a hiatus is necessary. I had things to attend to and i am not sorry I didn't blog in that space of time. I just missed some of my favourite blogs and bloggers.

I'll say my happy new year! This is going to be a great year. Fun and exciting times are ahead and this is the year for fulfillment of dreams. There are so many things that will happen this year and i'm glad to be starting it on an exciting note...will tell you all about it in a bit.

Have you written your goals for this year? I don't believe in making resolutions, they don't work most times. We end up ditching them somewhere along the line and we wonder what happened to our resolutions someday. Willpower doesn't cause change or fulfill dreams. The grace of God with careful planning does. Think about where you want to be and what you want to achieve and write them down, be specific and then present them to God. They don't have to be too many, a few things that you know will make a difference in your life.

My Christmas break was fun and busy! Hubby and I spent time with our family members on both sides. There was a lot of reunion, a lot of laughter, a lot of prayers and so much food! I think i ate too much...although my stomach usually doesn't have as much capacity as i want it to. Lol. It was rewarding to see everyone and know that we have so much to be thankful for. We're definitely blessed.

I was to meet up with Jhazmyn and Rita in Lagos, we actually planned an outing with our spouses (or is it spice since the plural of mouse is mice) but we got help up at my parents' so outing had to be cancelled. It was very painful for me. I did meet Jhazmyn though (Rita and i have met a number of times. We've actually spent a couple of days together before...don't ask me). We met in church on the 31st, and it was just like i'd known her for a long time. We've been talking for a long time anyway so it was just natural to be able to talk to each other. Our husbands even know each other from Uni; small world! They ended up dropping hubby and i off at a taxi park. It was so great meeting, we were supposed to meet the following day but she stood me up, i've forgiven her though.I was also supposed to meet my sweet blog daughter, buttercup but it didn't happen...ish..some other time

I'm sure a number of you were following our series . Well, the good news is the blog has now been made into an ebook and you all can buy and read and reread. You can buy it here. Favoured Girl worked really hard to get the book together and i must say thumbs up for her.
We're going to start the Season 2 in February so you all can watch out for that. For now, please support us by downloading the ebook or buying the paperback online. It's a great note on which to be starting this year, when last year started, I didn't think a book would be out that would have my name on it. It's a dream come true and there's a lot more to come.

This year definitely holds a lot and fun and exciting times. This year, God is pouring out His grace. Seemingly impossible things will be made possible by faith. It is a year of Jubilee (our country is 50 this year) and as ctizens, we're entitled to great things in our personal lives. For everyone, I pray that this year will be the year you'll back and say indeed it was better than last year! Whatever we do, let's remember to walk with God and put Him first.

Have a blessed year everyone!

Three Years!

Today i'm thankful for just one thing..and it's big...Mr and Mrs Writefreak are three years!

I'm thankful for the love, peace and joy in our home...i don't take it for granted. We don't exchange angry words, we never argue or fight, we're able to resolve our issues without any third party involvement, and the things i call issues are not even issues!

Today i thank you father for finding my soulmate and giving him to me...for laughter and friendship, for affection and care, for a husband that puts my needs above his and even says he can die for me if need be :-). I'm thankful for increase...we're not where we were last year, physically and spiritually...I thank you for my husband L ord, he's the best you could ever have given me..and for the things we desire as a family, i thank you because you have done them!

For those with turbulence in their hopes, father i pray for your calmness, for those who are planning to get married, father i pray you direct their steps and give them wisdom...

Thank you Lord!

Like the Leper....

My thankful Wednesdays have been far between, there's so much to say, so much to thank God for, so little time to come on here and share them. It's the last Wednesday of the month of November and when i think about the goodness of the Lord, it makes me want to shout...actually it makes me shout!

I'm going to be like that one leper, ten were healed, only one came back to give thanks...he had a reward for coming back to give thanks but i'm not even interested in the reward right now, i'm more interested in giving Jehovah the praise. He deserves all my praise...ah! Job said though he slays me, yet i will praise Him. Understanding tells me He does not slay me, i am not even slayed, He has put me above and over, why should i not shout and praise Him?

David worshipped God with all His might, he didn't consider that he was a king, he got all emotional in the presence of his maker, did a dance, clapped, worshipped because he knew the goodness of the Lord. From a sherperd boy, he got to the throne, he chose not to forget and i choose not to forget! I remember your goodness to me Jehovah, only you are God and i worship you!

Michal was used to being in the palace, she was afterall the son of Saul, she didn't see why a whole king of Israel should embarass himself so, oh well, she did get a reward for disdaining a man who was worshipping God with all his might. The bible call David a man after God's heart. David worshipped God so much, he wrote so many psalms to him.

I will worship God, His praise will continually be on my lips because i have and continue to see his goodness in the land of the living. I don't forget, i look at my blessings and i am counting them one by one. I am thankful for every single thing in my life and that i own. It is by His mercy that i am not consumed. It is by His grace that i wake up in the morning and i am able to call him father. Ah father, my heart wells up with love for you! My soul magnifies your name because you are the God who shut the mouth of the lions for Daniel, you kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace and they were not burnt. How could the Israelites have crossed the red sea without you?

I have seen you hand, i have seen you move and i cannot deny your existence, i cannot deny the fact that when i call on you in absolute trust , you answer me. Jehovah, i lift my hands and shout YOU ARE GOD! And declare that only a fool will say in his heart that there is no God. My maker, i am in awe of you and i cannot stand still for your goodness.

If i had a thousand, even a million tongues, i could not praise you enough. *Oluwa bi gbogbo irun ori mi je kiki ahon, won o to lati yin yi. *Kabiyesi, oba awon oba, Oluwa awon Oluwa*, the root of the tribe of Jesse. Oba to n je emi ni!* I am that I am, I shout that you alone are worthy! No one, NO ONE can compare to you. I declare there is no other God.I call you JEHOVAH!!!

Jehovah Elshaddai: Lord you are more than enough! You are bigger than who people say. With you, i am not in need of anything. I call you my own Jehovah Elshaddai!

Jehovah Tsidkenu: Oh Lord you are my righteousness...because of Jesus Christ, i have a right standing with you. I can come into your presence and declare that i am righteous. Jehovah, you are my righteousness!

Jehovah Mekadesh/Mekadishkem, you are the God who sanctifies, you are my own sanctifier!

Jehovah Shalom, God you are my peace. Because of you anxiety is far from me, fear is far, depression is far. Oh Lord my peace, i worship you!

Jehovah Shammah; You are ever present oh God. You are everywhere with me. When i am lying there feeling helpless, you are there Jehovah! When i did that thing i was not proud of, Jehovah you were even there. Ah Lord God! I am in awe of you. You said you will never leave me nor forsake me and truly you are ALWAYS there.

Jehovah Nissi: Lord you are my banner! Your banner over me is love father and you shield me from every evil. You cover me with your love...oh Lord i am in awe of your love for me.

Jehovah Rapha: Lord you are my healer. When i let that sickness stay on my body, not acknowledging that you healed me already, you are my healer, when i choose to acknowledge it, Lord you're still my healer. Because of you, my family is not in and out of hospital. Lord you are worthy!

Jehovah Jireh: Oh Lord you are my provider. If it means creating what i want from the scratch, you will do it father...you know exactly what i need and you supply it. I am not in lack, i am not in want...and when i need something, all i have to acknowledge is that you are my provider!

Jehovah Rohi: Lord you are my sherperd. It is because of you i am not walking about aimlessly without a purpose. You have given my life a meaning, a direction. You lead and guide me and because you are my sherperd, i am not lost. Jehovah i adore you.
I call you by your names Lord. And i declare that in heaven and on earth and beneath the earth, there is no other God! You are my God, my rock and my shield .

You might think He hasnt done anything for you, but just look around you, think very well...what is Jehovah to you?

*If all the hair on my head were like tongues, they would not be enough to praise you

*Lord of all Lords, king of all kings

*The Lord I AM THAT I AM!

Writefreak Rants!

It's a rant...if you don't want to read a rant, don't read...

Why is my househelp stupid? I mean seriously, why? You send her to do something, she comes back with something else? Is she dumb or what? You see, thats why i don't think i could ever have a live in help cos i just might maim someone! She only comes once a week and she gives me this much stress already...what's going on with the girl sef?

Two weeks ago, i sent her to the market cos i only needed to buy a few things. Let's call her J. J, please buy goat meat and turkey and i took the pains to write it all down and when through it with her. J, is that ok? Yes ma, she says and leaves. She comes back and i'm too lazy to check what she bought, was working on something so i said well, put it all in the freezer. J goes home. Fastoforward to evening, i want to cook the turkey and i can't find it, and i'm wondering what's going on...i see a tin of turkey oil in my store and i'm wondering how the heck did this get here? I thought someone gave the Mr as a gift...i kept looking in the freezer and thought i'd call to ask her exactly where she kept it. I decided to use the goat meat instead. The bag was black that it was in, i wanted to make pepper goat meat, my husband loves it...i opened the bag and i was just in shock..J bought beef, dear God, has she got cotton in her ears? So i can't hold on any longer, i call her and she said no man, na goat meat i buy, i say J are you alright? And where's my turkey? J says it's in the store, ok...i won't kill someone in Jesus name! J fall my hand, i just dropped the call while she was saying sorry ma (gosh, i will so slap that girl if she says another sorry ma...what is wrong with her?) and i made do with the beef!

So why am i ranting today? I sent J to the market again cos i had an appointment and seriously i just didn't want the stress ( i should have known better!)...i write a list; beef (not goat meat this time since she likes beef although we don't really eat red meat), turkey ( dear old turkey) and some dried fish. J, do you understand? Yes Ma, we go over it several times, she even asks me where she's not sure of what i wrote. I go for my appointment, i come back, she's not back. I have a headache and want to sleep but she's not back so i wait up..J comes back and i decide to check everything she bought...oh yes J bought everything and bought turkey alright, only this time the turkey was chicken. For crying out loud, pls help me ask this child, how does chicken look like turkey??? And i asked her, she insisted it was turkey! Miss, is something wrong with you? Is it today i started cooking turkey? I check again and the drumsticks convince me it's chicken. J says i'm sorry ma and i lose it. I yell at her and asks her how she managed it, she says they showed her and she chose what she wanted and thought was turkey, pls what happened to asking? I even told her where to go since i've been to the market with her sooo many times! I've sent her back with it to the market...i don't care how she sorts it out but she has to learn that she can't continue working with me and remain stupid...cos that's just plain stupid! So much for me not wanting to stress is why i didn't go to the market.

An old friend (are we even friends) and i chat briefly, i ask about her husband and she says oh he's fine and so is my daughter...please, who asked her? I didn't even know she has a daughter, you didn't even tell me! Why should i ask about a daughter i don't know..then i say oh my bad, you have a daughter now, and she goes oh, so you didn't know, thought i told everyone, it's my bad..what nonsense! Maybe i'm overreacting but excuse me, should you not tell me you have a daughter before i can ask about her? And i didn't ask so you might as well have said i have a daughter now..

Ok, deep breath! Wf...calm down, ok...i feel better already, now that i let it all out..

Hope you all had nice weekends and please don't ever employ a J, it can be dangerous to your health!

Has God forgotten Me? Should I Praise Him?

I've found myself asking this same question so many times. Has God forgotten me? Does God even remember me? Does He care about what i want? Will He come through for me? Then i top it up with the big question, well if God really cares for me, if He really listens to my prayers, then when? I bet i'm not alone in asking these questions. A lot of us have asked them so many times. Sometimes we even think, if only He could just show me the end, then i would be able to believe and hold on.

Wait right there, I want to see the end before believing? Isn't that what i just said? Who or what tells me the end? The truth is that the answer to my question has already been provided in the word of God. The bible says 'faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen'. The bible is saturated with examples of people who believed against all odds or physical evidences. Perfect example, give me father Abraham anyday, he was Abram.

He couldn't see where God was taking Him just yet and then someday, the Lord Jehovah needed to work on His imagination, He took him out, He told him to look at the stars in the heaven, his descendants were going to be as many as the stars he couldn't count. I can imagine Abram then telling God come on, you're the biggest joker! God needed to work on his mind to get him to the point he needed to get to. Then, Abraham saw it, he caught a picture of himself the way God saw him, his name changed. He became the father of many nations. I bet he got really mocked by people around him, he's childless and he calls himself a father of many nations. He didn't consider the mockery, his wife's name even got changed, she became Sarah from Sarai, the queen of princesses. Wow! they saw, and gradually, they became!Faith calls the things that are not like they are ( faith does not call the things that are as they are not, note!).That means i really don't have to see the physical picture or see the desired end before i believe, that is just contrary to what the bible says. It is contrary to what God's word says.

I only need to go to the word, find what it says concerning my situation, and i stay with it, paint a picture of what it says in my mind, keep thinking about it, not letting it leave me, then one day, it will happen, what i desire will manifest in the physical, halleluyah!God's word has the answers to any situation of life, nothing escapes Him and He is very interested in every area of our lives. How long do i need to hold on for? How long do i need to believe for? Oh, for as long as it takes!

Unfortunately, being in and out of faith only tends to prolong our waiting days. It's like trying to jumpstart a car and putting it in reverse, everytime it attemps to move, you're back to the beginning ( i wonder if this analogy makes sense). When you step out of faith, you undo all the good you've done and you have to start again! I think i'd rather just stay in faith then so i can cut short my waiting time...It's not the easiest thing to do, but faith sure works..sometimes we get discouraged and then start asking why do we need to go through our situations?

Why do i need to have extra faith for what others seem to get so easy? Well, welcome to the real world. The person probably has something they want so desperately that they don't have to and even if they don't, comparison only makes you and i fools according to the word of God. We're running different races, so don't compare! Is God the reason you don't have what you want? No, God never tempts us with evil. Sin came into the world and all other tribulations with it which is why we must recreate our world with the word of God. When

God wanted to create, what did He do? He spoke! The bible says '....we believe and so we speak'. Speak to me for five minutes and i can tell what you believe already! You can't tell me you have faith and confess negative things. No! That is not faith...faith speaks! You can't not speak if you have faith. The devil will paint pictures in your mind, you must be ready to reply him, speak! What do you speak? The word of God!Has God forgotten you and i? No..the bible says He has us etched in the palm of His hands. He has the number of hairs on our heads numbered to the last one, come on, He cares! He has loved us with an everlasting love.

God is not a wicked God, He has given us all that pertains to life and godliness. He only asks us to have faith, it is the heavenly currency in exchange for all He has already done. I bet sometimes when we pray, God shakes His head and says if only you knew it was yours already, if only you stopped praying in unbelief and give me some faith. I have done it, it's yours for the taking.You might say Writefreak is going all preachy, well, these are the things God is teaching me and i'm on a journey of faith with Him. Very soon, I will share a testimony with you all...and then, i will tell you more about holding on because very soon, very soon, there shall be a performance of the things God has spoken. Halleluyah! God is not a wicked God, He does not want us to suffer and He is not the reason some things are not working out, although He will eventually use it for His glory if we bring faith to the table. So there, we have the answer to my first paragraph, unbelief is what gives birth to those questions.Have a believing rest of the week people.

Oh it's Wednesday and for these things i am thankful...

I thank God for a very very dear person to my heart put to bed safely and i have the honour of being godmother. Lord my heart is filled with joy for this little one that you have blessed my friend's family with and i am just honoured and awed that i'm a part of it, thank you Lord.

I'm thankful for a wonderful group of women God brought me in touch with to stir up my faith. My steps are indeed being ordered by the Lord.

I'm grateful for my marriage, my husband is a solid rock and i will never take it for granted. It amazes me everytime people ask us if we're still newly weds, it's your doing father and i am indeed grateful.

I'm grateful to God because He is never late and He always appears right on the scene.

I'm thankful for my health and wellbeing and of those close to me. It is indeed a blessing...

What are you thankful for?

Are You Tired?

'Do not be weary in well doing for you shall reap if you faint not'
Sola was a very diligent teacher, she got to work before everyone else, wrote her lesson notes, gave her students the most attention and did her job with all the passion in her. She was indeed a model teacher. She did this for years with little or no increase in her salary, she persevered, then in her 7th year, she got tired. Why did she have to work so hard for no recognition and very little pay.

She got slack in writing her lesson notes. The principal of her school noticed something was wrong and asked her about it, she made light of it. Soon, she started getting to school late, she missed classes. The principal told her sadly she had to be queried. She shrugged as the principal talked to her.She got the query.

Unknown to Sola, the principal had recommended her to the committee choosing the most diligent teachers in the city and were going to promote them two levels above where their present ones. There was cash reward, a travels company was going to give her a fully paid vacation and she would get a lot of things she could only dream of all these years.

The day approached fast that the nominated teachers would be observed and the principal tried her best to warn Sola.The day the inspection team came, Sola got to the school around 10 a.m, she had woken up so late. principal had made excuses for her to them and a number of other teachers turned their noses up at her.

The head of the committee spoke to Sola about why they were there, she started to panic in her heart and wondered if she could find the good teacher in her again, the one who only knew how to do her job well.She was asked for her lesson notes, she looked ashamed as they asked. She had not written her lesson notes in two weeks. The inspector sighed. That was a major criteria to qualify for the reward.

Other teachers had been interviewed, only fifty percent of them said she was as diligent, some even said the principal was partial to her because they were related. Most of them hated her for her diligence, some wanted to be like her.The inspectors checked the 'Time book' and found her name for three weeks, she had arrived late to work every single day. They decided to flip back and saw that for so many months back, she had a punctual trend. The lead inspector looked into her eyes and said 'you would have qualified'.He shook his head and left.

The principal took Sola aside and spoke to her. Sola cried and asked why she had not been given a heads up. The older woman patted her on the back and said 'my dear, integrity is who you are when no one is looking'. Sola nodded, lesson learnt but it had cost her so much, a reward she would have gotten for all those years of service. This was definitely a very hard way to learn her lesson.(For some of you who might want a happy ending for Sol..lol, some months down the line, she got recommended for a promotion, just a level ahead but it was better than nothing..lol).
Temi's wife was very cantankerous. He showed her all the love and affection he could, he pleaded with her, they went for counselling and in all her 'madness', Temi remained faithful and gentle. He was praying that God would turn his wife's heart and make her see her wrong ways, but it was taking too long. He needed an answer NOW. The answer wasn't coming, he decided to go out more. He met new people, he drank a bit more.

Then he met this sweet lady. She was everything he could wish for in a woman, they took things slowly at first. Temi's wife was staying home more, she was more quiet when he got home and she wasn't complaining but he was always too tired to notice. A change was coming over the woman he had been praying for for several months but Temi was unaware. He decided to take his relationship with the 'sweet lady' further, he made love to her. He was a godly man and his heart was heavy as he left her that night. His conscience was heavy, cheating was below him as a child of God. Then an anger came over him towards his wife. She led him into this, didn't she?

When he got home, he found a note from his wife in the living room, she praised him for being the most tolerant man on earth, she begged for his forgiveness and said ''you're the best man in the whole world, another man would have gone ahead to have an affair in all the time you stood faithfully by me, praying for me to have a change of heart''. Sola put down the paper as deep sorrow welled over him. He should just have waited a little bit longer, he told himself, just a little bit longer'.

The bible verse above is self explanatory. In recent times, I have had to welcome a number of guests to my house, family and friends, staying and passing by. I had had enough, then some friends told me they were travelling over for the weekend. I was too tired and every attempt to make them back off wasn't working. I decided to fib a little, i wasn't going to be around. But my conscience pricked me and i told them they could come. I complained to a friend who said 'pls try your best to entertain, you never know when an angel is passing by your house, Sarah entertained an angel'. Well said. A few days later, i was chatting with Rita and she said the same thing to me. I told God, point noted, thank you very much.

Am i saying it's comfortable? No way! Will I have guests right now, no please although my sister is coming in this week for a few days to do something important. My choice will be not to entertain anyone for a while. I want my space...I have decided not to entertain any guests (at least live in ones for a while) and if I do allow them to come, I must not complain. If iI don't say no, then it's totally ok by me and who knows, one of them might just be an angel :-)
What is that thing you have done for so long and it seems no reward is coming? You're about to throw in the towel...maybe hold on just a bit, your angel might be around the corner...that's what the good book says!

For a demand that is constantly placed on you, you probably have a special gift in that area, pay attention to it. It might be the key to your blessing. Selah

Have a fantastic weekend!

The Day Writefreak Became Friends With The Nigerian Police...

We have two apologies or are they excuses for gatemen. They don't know their jobs and when you decide to spell their duties out to them, they always have a reason to do contrary to what you tell them.

One is perpetually drunk, i am not exaggerating; morning, afternoon, night but he never agrees that he's drunk. If he's not sleeping, he'l lying down in the gatehouse with a woman (yes, hubby has had to wake him up to come open the gate beside a woman before!) . The other is a regular at the village close to us. I suppose he sees like minded people there but then he is employed to watch our gate, not to fraternise with villagers. Their sins are too many, i don't want to bore you with all the details. One thing is sure though, they are sorry excuses for gatemen or security.

A few days ago, our living room lock decided to act up and they key wouldn't turn. It was a Sunday and it was Sallah so we couldn't get anyone to come fix it. It wasn't so much of an issue, we live in a very secure area. I can confess that there are times i'm home alone that i've forgotten to lock the door. There's a main bullet proof door that serves as the entrance to the four apartments in our building, we all neglect to lock it atimes. I told hubby to make sure it was locked that night and we went to bed.

As our custom is (we're both night owls), we went to bed very late and then at about 2 a.m, there was a knock on our bedroom window. Yes, the gateman was knocking the window of our bedroom to answer your question! We happen to live downstairs. HUbby went to ask him what was up, it was the perpetually drunk one, let's call him N, he said his colleague S was ill and lying on the floor sick. Hubby wanted to know exactly what was wrong with him, the guy couldn't tell so he went to the fridge and brought out mist mag and panadol. The guy should choose his poison. He was on his way back from the kitchen when N started shouting 'oga', 'oga' (pronounced the northern way...lol)..there are people with him and i can't go there'. That was a bit scary, then he started shouting round the house, calling for hubby to come out. We heard him arguing with someone so hubby decided to stay put.

In the confusion,hubby told me to get in the guest bathroom and i locked myself in. I had started shaking and trying to remind myself of scriptures i know about protection and safety...lol...I looked up and the window of the bathroom was slightly open, some wiring was passed through there, i couldn't stay on my own, no way!I went out and hubby had locked the bedroom door, i started knocking, he asked to make sure i was alone..lol..scary cat! Thankfully a friend who is out of the country left his car with us and we could set the panic button without going out....(we have to get in our own car to set the alarm) so hubby let the alarm go off continously while he called our neighbours on the phone, they were also awake.

I have some numbers for the police on my phone, a friend who had a theft episode in her house last year gave the numbers to me. She had told me she called the police and they came, i thought it wasn't possible and only took the numbers with a pinch of salt. Hubby took the numbers and called the police, they asked for directions to our place. I also had the police commissioner's number, i called him but my voice was shaking, hubby took the phone and spoke to him so coherently. Honestly, i don't know how he does it but he was so in control! I'm proud of my man.I lay on the bed while he continued setting off the alarms, checking the window and calling the police.

Not too long after the calls, we heard a siren, they called to make sure they were on the right street, and when they heard the car alarm, they stopped in front of our house. It was like watching a movie! From our bedroom window, i saw armed policemen come in and search the premises for any intruders. Oh by the way, they fired two shots outside the gate before they came in.They searched the whole place and then called hubby it was ok to come out. Hubby and the neighbour upstairs went out to meet them. They came in three cars and there were ten of them, wow!The commissioner called back to find out if we had seen his men, we told him yes. The lady upstairs and i chatted about the incident on the phone while our husbands were out talking to the policemen.

Whoever the intruders were had left probably when the car alarm started going off. The mazing thing is a female police officer had to pour water on the second gateman to wake up after they forced the gate open. They advised us to get better security, he was obviously drunk!It didn't end there, a few minutes later, another batch of policemen came to make sure everything was fine. Honestly, i was wowed, i didn't think things like that happen in this beloved country of ours. I guess you nevere know until you try.

One thing is sure, our gatemen are going to be fired and replaced and we're going to get some kinda civil defence or mobile police patrol (yeah, i live with influential people who can get them without hassles..hahaha)...So i think the Nigerian police is really my friend afterall. If there was any grudge i had against them, i forgave that night.

When everything calmed down, hubby then started feeling tired, he had been a real man through it all and i had been a 'shaky shaky' real woman, although i tried to appear calm on the surface. The idiotic gateman had apparently opened all our living room windows from outside while he was shouting 'oga, oga' and nobody came out. That was such a foolish act on his part and honestly i think he would have attempted to come in if we hadn't locked the bullet proof door.Thank God for safety, thank God because His promises to watch over us day and night (He neither sleeps nor slumbers) were kept and thank God for the Nigerian police!

Have a nice and safe weekend everyone!

Tell Them...

We all have people who are dear to our hearts, people we care about and who care about us in return but sometimes we never really know if these people care or they probably never know that we do..

We all go about our ways and we act normal and then when something happens to someone you love, you start thinking about them and taking stock and wondering about your relationship with them over the years. You even assess or wonder if there's something you could have done differently.

I'm against the culture that celebrates someone only after they are long gone and they don't need your praise. By long gone, it could be dead or far away from you. True the saying goes absence makes the mind grow fonder but sometimes i wonder if it really does, does it not just widen the gap? I'm not sure.

I'm not sure why a lot of people have parties when their older people die with the kind of amounts that those people might never have heard about in all their lifetime. When they're alive or around us, it doesn't mean much but once they leave, we start to eulogise and say how much of good people they were. Tell me, of what use is it to them then?

For a lot of us, it's an assumption that our loved ones know we care about them. We justify our actions, if i didn't care for her, would i have done this or that? How do i know if you don't tell me? The best way i can know is if you tell me.

There are so many people in our everyday lives that we take for granted and just never show appreciation to. How about that househelp that makes sure your house is tidy although she gets on your nerves. The issue is right now, all you see is the things she hasn't done, you forget so many the good. How about your gardener, the one who makes sure your house is not overgrown with weed, yes you pay him but a word of appreciation or a pat on the back once in a while never hurt anybody. How about your co worker who makes sure your project is off the ground because you need help. Oh well, you could have done it alone, but he still helped didn't he? What about your husband/wife? Oh gosh, he's just so annoying, do they not have any good sides? If they died today, would you or not sing their praise? If they suddenly walked out on you, will there be a gap or not?

It doesn't have to be an eulogy. It does not have to be poetic. Even a thank you at the right time will go a long way in saying how much we appreciate the other person.

How about telling people that we appreciate them right when they are there or very present in our lives and not when we lose them.

I'm going to practise my own preaching and say thank you blogville, i appreciate you, you're the reason Writefreak is here! And for those bloggers who have moved from bloggers to friends...oh, you guys are the best! You make it worthwhile being here! Love you all :-)

Have a blessed rest of the week!

Thankful Wednesday + the moving out question.

It's another Wednesday, another day to be thankful to God. As always I have soooo MANY reasons to be thankful.

I decided since i haven't posted in a while, this is not only going to be a thankful post....

I'm grateful for the gift of life. It's the 2nd of September, the year is flying by so fast and through the months my family, friends and i have been preserved, long life is a convenant and I thank God that He is fulfilling His part of it.

I'm thankful for a revelation of God's word and my rights in Christ Jesus. Often times, we Christians allow things in our lives, things that shouldn't be there. I'm learning to check what God's word says about a situation afresh and declaring it over that situation. Thank you Lord

I'm thankful for a loving husband and a good marriage..
I'm thankful for good and godly friends...
I'm thankful for open doors...i didn't even need to knock on some...
I'm thankful for letting God use me as a vessel...
I'm thankful for my aburo Temite, the time she spent her and her safe journey back. My sister also travelled several hours by road and she got safely to her destination.
So much to thank God for,what are you thankful for?

So i have a question for you guys...

Is it ok for a woman well over 30 to still live with her parents and have to live there because her father will not hear of her moving out on her own at her age? Is it even ok at all for a 36 year old woman to still live with her parents?

I find this hard to relate to because i left home when i was 22 and i lived on my own from then till i got married. No, my parents don't live in the West, they live here in Nigeria. I was moving to a different city though, they raised some dust initially but we came to an agreement and they let me be.

We had this argument in my house some weeks back, some friends were present and they thought it was ok for a woman to live with her parents no matter how old she is if she is unmarried. So even if she is 40 and marriage is not on the horizon, she should live with her parents?

They said our culture does not allow for a woman to live on her own and it's almost a taboo. I remember my Grandma said it was irresponsible for a single lady to live on her own but hey i proved them all wrong. I don't think it's a good thing to think a woman should be dependent on her parents while a man is allowed to spread his wings and fly.

I understand that there are different roles men and women play in the society and the family but i also think when it gets to a certain age, it becomes control when your parents can still tell you what to do and how to live your life. Heck at 36, your father still dictates how you live your life.

I'm of the opinion that living alone matures you, it helps you gain some level of independence and maturity you might not otherwise have gained. I think when it gets to a certain age, if a parent cannot trust their kids to make the right decisions, then they have failed in their roles as stewards over them.

Lemme not talk too much, would love to hear what you guys think about this.

Hope you guys have had a fabulous week so far. Happy midweek!

I'm a Witness!

Good morning daddy,
How're you today? How's the saviour of my soul, your only son Jesus? How're the angels especially the one called Michael? I'm sure heaven is as peaceful as ever and prettier than i ever imagines it to be.

It's been a minute since I gave thanks through this medium. I've been so busy but not too busy for you Lord, you know how grateful I am to you in my heart (or am i?). I probably have whined at you in the past few weeks for some odd reasons, dear Lord, forgive me...

I'm grateful to you for who YOU are...you have many names Lord, and you continue to show me the meaning of those names. You're rapha - my healer, Jireh- you provide for me, Shalom- you give me peace. So many names Lord, some I don't even know the meaning...but one thing is sure, you always step up for me even when I haven't seriously asked for help. You're my hope...

Everytime I have the opportunity to think, I can't help noticing I have one of the very best husbands in the world, a supportive man. You gave me my very own personal and customised cheerleader...thank you for a working marriage and a man that believes the best of and with me ALL THE TIME. It's something I couldn't buy Lord.

My family is well, no one is ill, oh they complain as all humans do but seriously, they have no major issues...and for that i am thankful.

Thank you Lord for always using us as a blessing to somebody. Sometimes i feel like there are too many people asking to be 'helped' or 'blessed' but then it's a priviledge and i'm just so grateful we're not on the other side. Isn't it even more blessed to give than to receive?

I prayed for a certain someone dear to my heart, when all looked bleak and it looked like there would be no breakthrough, you assured me there would be a good end. I am starting to see it, infact, a miracle has happened already. Thank you Lord, i will keep trusting. You're the God who works miracles.

I'm grateful for the doors of opportunity...i'm a writer, you told me to stay in my place and look what you'remaking of me. You're opening doors that even if i knocked by myself might have remained shut. I always see your hands Lord.

I thank you Lord for my friend aloted, for that day years ago that we met and for the friendship we share...words cannot express how grateful i am for this friend like a sister that you have given me!

So many things to thank you for Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to think and find reasons to be thankful. There are more Lord but let me mention these few so the person reading this can add their own reasons.
Thank you Lord.

Before you append your signature...

Gosh ,been wanting to blog for some days but it's been so busy. I'm on a two week project but it almost feels like i've been on it for ages. I have a number of things I really would love to talk about but ....

You have to stand for what you believe. Don't let yourself be cheated. Oh and I also learnt a lesson, no matter how well you know a person, a verbal agreement is never good enough in business. I embarked on the project because I had agreed the duration and I gave them my bill which was slashed a bit but it was ok. I kept asking for my contract but I didn't get it till the third or fourth day into the project.

To say i was shocked would be an understatement. In the morning, I got a call and I was told the pay had been slashed, I was like what! Why would you do that after I embarked on the project. Guy says it's beyond him, budget was slashed and i should decide what i want to do. I was so upset, I just had to tell him to end the call. Then I got the contract and they had merged two jobs into one and extended the length of my contract by two weeks, oh and by the way, one third of my pay was slashed.

My advice, always read a contract before you sign it. Never ever sign something you haven't read. It can get you in trouble. I got the contract and read every line, thank God I did. I used to be so careless about things like that. I was so mad after reading. Like, seriously, what are they thinking? Do they think I'm an idiot or some naive person.

I tried to calm down and called the guy aside, he was trying to fob me off and tell me how things change in production and how budget has been cut. I was like so, i should be your scapegoat? Well, I gave him back the contract and demanded that our agreement be put down in black and white or I was walking. I already knew I had lost some of the money.

I sent hubby a text and he came online, he advised to do things calmly and not shut the door and talked me through it. Gosh, that guy sure knows how to diffuse my fire and make me calm down. I should be blowing him kisses, my ever wise man who is always there for me...i digreee...

Anyway, the guy says ok, i'll talk to the boss and see what comes out of it. I said ok, i would appreciate that. I took hubby's advise and tried to be as calm as possible about things. Typical WF might have brought down the roof..lol..well not in the real sense...but erm 'cough, cough'.

Men, it's not good to be upset o, I instantly developed a headache while all that was going on. I managed to act normally till the end of the day. The following day, I got my contract back and oh yeah I got what i wanted with an explanation that the pay had to be cut because the budget was cut short. I had gotten most of what I asked for. It was a compromise but it was good enough. I was glad I demanded and got what I wanted.

Next time I'm doing a project, I'm definitely going to be signing the contract beforehand. I advise you do the same, people are always looking for someone to take advantage of, not me though.

Ok I gotta roll, I'm in the middle of coming up with a story with a group of people, writing it down and blogging at the same time while chatting to my friend on Gtalk. WF sure is the epitome of multitasking. lol

Have a good week everyone!

Guilty as Charged!

I left home a long time ago, in the real sense of it. Once i graduated from Uni, i stayed a few months at home and that was it, I moved away to make my own life. I chose not to stay with any relatives in the new city i moved to. God was good to me, I met some nice people but my decision brought some consequences (which are not the purpose of this post).

I think I'm quite independent, I don't know...anyway so I went home only once in a while. At a point, I made sure I went like every quarter. I tried to be there for my family but I'm not sure I was present enough. I don't know once again..lol

I got married and the visits became less frequent, did i say it wasn't so frequent before? My husband always asked me when I would visit my folks and didn't even mind if i left him home alone. It's just me, I hate travelling by road or more like siting in one place for a long time.

Last year, I wasn't home at all though I saw both my parents on a number of occasions and they were at my house. I kept saying I'd go until we had to move and the journey of 3 hours by road became 7 hours. It was longer. From the beginning of the year, I'd been saying I would go home but I kept pushing it. I've been avoiding a confrontation with my parents over a certain issue and I know going to their camp would bring me face to face with it. My husband would say when your parents are alive is the only time you love and be there for them. Bein an orphan, he knows how important it is to be there for one's parents.

Last week, my mum mentioned that my dad had malaria, so i called him. He sounded chirpy on the phone and I didn't think it was a big deal. I promptly forgot about it and didnt call them for a few days. Then, my mum called and asked why I didn't even bother to call my dad back to find out how he was doing. I apologised and said I forgot cos he sounded very well on the phone. She said it got worse, then she gave him the phone and he mentioned something about fainting. I was like no, what happened, he said not to worry, he was fine.

I couldn't sleep well that night. I deliberated on making the long journey and hubby encouraged me to do it. I packed a change of cloth in my handbag and made the trip. I called my mum, it was meant to be a surprise for my dad but my sister ruined it by telling him.

I met him recuperating. He was prescribed Piriton but the nurse wrote for him a wrong dosage which is definitely too much at his age. He was home alone and thought my mum got back from work so he went to open the gate and slumped. Dear Lord, i am eternally grateful for saving him. The floor is concrete. He could have hit his head. He passed out for a few minutes and by himself, he woke up and made it to back into the house. He then fell at the dining again; another thing that could have been disastrous because the floor is just tiles.

Mum met him half awake and felt his pulse. He said it doesn't take long to die. My mum said she rejected it and told him to get his act together because she didn't make such a covenant with God when she was leaving the house. He was going nowhere. She gave hm Lucozade and made him a meal and kept talking to him till she was sure he was fully recovered.

How do I thank God enough? I pray for my family all the time and I know this is a dividend of prayer. Please cover your family in prayers all the time, it's very important. Above all, I've decided, I can't be so far from my folks anymore, I would visit at least once in a quarter...I call them all the time, no problem with that. Hubby and I are also thinking of sending them both for full body exams and suggesting they get a maid. Mum is chief DIY but she's getting older. The woman needs to know she's no spring chicken anymore.

I can't believe how guilty I felt and I just thank God nothing happened to him. We still had the conversation I was avoiding but it didn't kill me. I'm so glad I made the trip although I spent about 14 hours or a bit less on the road in less than 48 hours. Like i told them, it's not how long I stay that counts, it's the thought and the fact that I was there and they saw me. I thank God.