My Life Right Now II

Thanks for dropping by. Let's continue from where we stopped.

Kids

I had them and my life changed forever! When I think of them, there's this joy that lights up my face, at other times though, motherhood can be so demanding, it gets me thinking, aaargh...who sent me message o!

I've got 3 adorable daughters.

My 1st is this inquisitive, intelligent, stingy, friendly & extremely fun to be with girl. She says the most amazing things & asks the most ridiculous questions. The other day, she asks "Mummy,what is this thing here (touches her groin area) that my friend in school (mentions a boy's name) has, he uses it to wee-wee, my daddy too has it? (these kids eh?)
The other day, my 3rd baby broke something around the house and she goes "Mummy, this baby is too dangerous, take her back to her house". I ask where is her house and she goes "the hospital"...where I had her & brought her home from!

She will be six in August.

My 2nd is this quiet, bright, generous, content, sweet & peace loving girl. She's very courteous & lady like. Loves dresses & skirts, no trousers. Acts posh & speaks english like the Queen, lol. She never forgets her magic phrases 'please may I', 'please excuse me', 'pardon me', 'thank you'. She is 4yrs old.

My 3rd and last (obviously) is this 20mth old handful. She is cuddly, pleasant, playful, cheeky and oh, she's so beautiful, it sometimes gets me wondering if I actually birthed her..lol.
Watching them alone gets me knackered, let alone tending to their endless demands. I'm not complaining,....I'm grateful to God.

Family & Friends
FIL & I are fireworks...lol. He's a tough cookie, and me sef get skonskon. MIL is no more, she passed away when hubby was a toddler (sad).
My mum is simply the best. After her labour of love raising her 4 children (I'm the 1st with 3 younger brothers), she is yet to retire. She visits from Ibadan every now & again to see her grand kids and anytime she's around, I simply go on 'sabbatical'...she cheerfully does the cooking, housekeeping & child caring.
Father is in his late 60's, but you can't tell...guess I inherited this good genes from him. *wink*. He's a charismatic (attracts people to himself like magnet), down to earth & very simple man enjoying his simple life.
For friends, the few I had from way back kinda betrayed my trust, so I'm better off without them. I'm more into casual friendships with neighbours, colleagues & church members.
Of course, I've been recently blessed with these beautiful group of friends from blogs ville (in no particular order): Ibhade, Amazing Thots, Vyvyka, Sisi Yemmie, LadyNgo, Mena, Surprise, Myne, 9jafoodie, Dayor, omoba-adeteju, ayabaodusote, kitkat, Ginger, Lani, Wise Sage.... you guys rock & I love u. *Bear hugs*

Career
Things are a bit twisted around here. I started work with a financial institution in 2001, about a year after my NYSC. I worked for 2yrs+, before jetting off to join hubby in England, and before you could say N-A-I-J-A, I started baby making! (and so could not do much work or further my studies). Came back about 3yrs ago & started building career from the scratch again. My colleagues from way back then are now 10yrs in banking experience....thinking about this gets me all depressed. In hindsight, I felt I should have stayed back & built on my career, no? Well, God had it all mapped out and I believe things turned out the way they did for a beautiful reason. God will make my crooked path straight again...Amen.

Swagger!!!
My swagger is about to give way o......God forbids!
No worries, I'll soon get my groove back, before some smelly tramp on stiletto heels & Brazilian head (hair) seduces hubby's 'kini'....tufiakwa!!! (luckily, I've got nothing to worry about, hubby is not that kind of man *wink*)
What I need is a trip to the spa, first for waxing...errr.. I'll go for laser hair removal (the hair on my legs is competing with a gorilla's), pedicure, manicure & some general body overhauling. I need to ditch this dreadlocks & visit the salon for a more sexy look. What else? Yeah, shopping.... a trip to Newyork, London & Paris (fashion capitals of the world) will take care of my wardrobe & make-up/skincare.
Hmmm.....I wish. If wishes were horses, me sef go ride. Abeg, leave me alone with my dreads o...Brazilian hair ko, Togolese head ni. Seriously though, I need some 'me' time and wished it were someting I could shop for somewhere. Like I said earlier, I had kids and my life changed forever...not complaining

That's it people...my life rigt now. In my journey so far, I've learnt some valuable lessons. I've learnt to put my trust in God alone. I've learnt to always believe in myself. I've learnt not to put total reliance on man...man/woman/people will change, human love may fizzle out, only God remains constant. He is unchangeable in the face of any given circumstance.
If you haven't yet, why not give your life to Jesus? Give it a shot, it sure is worth it & you'll never remain same. Thanks for taking out time to read.
Ciao!

My Life Right Now

I didn't go to work on thursday (I was a bit under the weather), I was home alone with the kids (they're on mid-term break). Whilst they were watching CBeebies (electronic babysitter..lol), I was alone in the room & came ino sober reflections of the past & anxiety of the future. I reflected on the challenges of yesterday, experiences (good, bad & ugly) that have moulded me into the personality I have become today. I acknowledge the presence & mercies of the Lord in my life & he's the only reason I am who & where I am today, and by whose grace I will surmount all other challenges that lay ahead in future.
My life as it is right now.

God

I've always wanted to know more of God & draw nearer to him. This year has taken me a step further in my walk, glory to God. I have the priviledge to mentor a group of teenagers in church & I always seek the face of the Lord on how to impact positively in their lives. I'm no where near perfect, and none of my good deeds can get me a place in God's kingdom, what I need is his mercies & he's working through my imperfections unto perfection.

Home

Right now, I'm the cook, housekeeper, nanny, career woman & wife rolled into one. I let off my nanny about 2wks ago...it came to that. She is lazy & insolent and I just about had enough of her. I don't know where this influx of energy came from, but I've been doing great & God is good.... Isaiah 40:31. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run, and not be weary; .... I hope to get another maid anyway, before month end and I pray she's good stuff.


Marriage
Wow! When I look at this aspect of my life, I know God is real and God is love.

I've known hubby like foever...1994 to be precise, when I was about going into Uni & he was going to his final year. Going by the amount of attention, love notes, gifts, promises I got from him, I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me he was madly in love with me. He ticked almost all my boxes (about 80%) & so would be foolish of me to miss this catch, I said yes. We have 3 angels between us.
Suddenly though, around last year, spilling to early this year, we started having this clash of personalities. I couldn't understand why he failed to reason with me & he couldn't stand me challenging his authority. This led to constant bickering, explosive argument & resentment towards each other...it was a trying period & we almost gave up on each other. Somehow though, God brought calm back. He restored love, peace & respect into my marriage.
We appreciate, love & respect each other more & we simply can't get enough of each other now. It is God.

I'm tired, biko, make I rest. Part II coming up.

Ciao!

The Demise Of Music

Oh you've not heard? Yeah, music is dead...it happened at the begining of the new millenium. I noticed that around this period, good music stopped happening, home and abroad.
Who are the hotties in the music scene right now?
Beyonce? No hating, but I don't like her music nor her person. She dresses & dances too provocatively for my liking and all I see in her music videos is SEX. She's out.
Rihana? Seriously?...

Justin Bieber? Pleaaaaaaaaaase...
Lady Gaga? lol....I can't 'sout'.....

Who else? Maybe I'm missing something here or maybe I'm just old skool...but I'm cool like that plus hubby reckons the same thing and that makes my judgemet right ...that good music is no more.

My list of evergreen music will include, but not limited to the following:






The Girl Is Mine                 -Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney
Gamblers                           -Kenny Rogers
Find A Way To My Heart }
Against All  Odds              }   -Phil Collins
One More Night                }            
That Somebody Was You      -Kenny G feat Tony Braxton
Right Here                              -SWV feat Michael Jackson
Unpretty                                 -TLC
AS                                          -George Michael feat Mary J. Blidge
Red Wine                                -UB40
Shackles                                 -Mary Mary
Let It Flow                              -Toni Braxton
Sacrifice                                  - Elton John
*LAURYN HILL------------All her works (I'm biased, I just love the lady. Some people say we look alike *blank stare*)
Mkomboti                                -Yvonne Chaka Chaka
Wombo Lombo                        -Angelique Kidjo
Board Members                        - Ebenezer Obey
Consolidation                            -Wasiu Ayinde
Afro Juju                                   -Sir Shina Peters
Fuji Garbage                             -Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (RIP)
Woman                                     -Sonny Okosun (RIP)

Ciao!

Money speaking....

Money has the power to transform or deform, depending on your case...😅

Now, check out our first lady & tell me what you see.

Pictures after the cut.

*Warning*: Continue only if you remember what she looked like before her transition into first lady.

Guilty Pleasure

Yeah, it's pleasurable but it brings us guilt. I dare to say we all indulge in one or more of such. I'll share a list of mine:

Shoes & even more shoes
 Yeah, my number one guilt. I buy shoes not because I need them but because I want them ( I guess it's a genetic issue for women, so let me be justified...lol). Seriously though, I'm a sucker for good shoes & bags. Just can't take my eyes off them even when I know I can't afford it, I squeeze myself out to get it, and the annoying bit is that I might not even wear it (or long enough) till it goes obsolete or I get tired of seeing it around me.

Junk food
I often snack on junk food even when I'm aware of all the health implications. See, I'm a size UK10, so I've got 'nofing' to worry about (let me fool myself & enjoy the ride....)

Junk TV
I'm an adept fan of junk TV programmes; vain programmes that will add no value to my being. I watch Fahion police, Keeping up with the Kardashians, African Magic (Yoruba), Kimora et al, all which by my reckoning, have added nothing to my knowledge base, but I keep watching anyways.

Doing nothing
Yup! I love to lie alone on the bed and do absolutely nothing! I lock the doors (no disturbance from kids & hubby), draw the curtains ( to give a cosy ambience), lie down and just daydream (even when I know the kitchen needs tidying up, there's laundry to do & the kids need my attention).

Vengeance
Yes, I like to 'do my own back'...lol. I know I'm a xtian & this is not Christ-like at all (maybe I need your prayers), but can't help it atimes to be revengeful.

Fashion blunders
I always have a good laugh when I see people commit fashion blunders (not that I'm an Icon, but I dey try sha). Stripped shirt on stripped skirt/trousers, mini skirts on thick short legs...and the list goes on. When I see them I just laugh...hehehehehe (mean me).

Gossip
The only reason I visit Linda Ikeji's blog is...gossip, and of course to 'see' the cat fights...lol!


What is your guity pleasure?

Ciao!

For that Special Occasion

A friend sent this to my box and I thought I'd share it.....might be worth reading!


A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:

'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.'

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion.

Well, I guess this is it.

He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.

He turned to me and said:

'Never save something for a special occasion.

Every day in your life is a special occasion'.

I still think those words changed my life.

Now I read more and clean less.

I sit on the settee without worrying about anything and just relax.

I spend more time with my family & friends and less at work.

Money is to be spent not saved.

I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.

I no longer keep anything.

I use crystal glasses every day.

I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

I go out with my friends whenever I want to rather than thinking I don't have the spare money or time.

The words 'Someday....' and ' One Day....' are fading away from my dictionary.

If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now...

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.

I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.

She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.   

She might have told everyone how much she loved them.

I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favourite food.

It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come..

Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.

Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one.

Hmmm.....whilst we pray to live long & fulfill our destinies & purpose on earth, we might as well apply Psalm 90:12 " So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom".

My slogan has always been...One life, live it!

So the time to do that one thing you've always wanted to do is NOW! Stop procrastinating and get busy....go back to school, get closer to God, pursue that career, impact positively in someone's life, leave your footprints on the sands of time in any little way you could, so when you're gone, you're not forgotten.

With raw passion & determination, you're unstoppable.

Ciao!

Colours for food

One of my resolutions this year (so help me God) is to add colours to my life.....to get closer to God, be a better wife & mom, improve on my career, impact positively on other people's lives & live a more healthy lifestyle.
To achieve the last, I resolved to adding more colours to my diet in the form of fruits & vegetables....and yeah, I'm loving it.

To prevent chronic diseases, fruits and especially vegetables are very important. Vegetables especially have the antioxidants, minerals, and phytochemicals in the correct combination that help keep the blood sugar in balance, create better energy in the body, and along with fruits build up the immune system. In addition to these benefits, is one more important one (especially for the ladies)....clearer skin, and before you know it, you will ditch all them clarins & clinique beauty products.

The different colors in fruits and vegetables help our immune system react to different stresses in our daily life. So look at the different colors in your diet. See if they include each of the colors listed below. This is one way to know that you are getting the full benefit of nutrients possible in your diet.

Green Foods – broccoli, kale, leaf and romaine lettuce, spinach, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.

Green foods are especially good for the circulatory system. They contain many minerals and B-complex vitamins. Some phytochemicals found in green foods are sulforaphane and indoles that are very powerful anti-cancer compounds. Researchers have tried to use these as isolated phytochemicals but find that they only work while in the whole food form.

Red Foods – tomatoes, watermelon, red cabbage.

Red foods contain many phytochemicals that reduce free radical damage. The phytochemical called lycopene is especially helpful to prevent prostate problems, and reduce the effects of sun damage on the skin. Lycopene is the phytochemical that make the red foods get their red color.

Orange Foods – carrots, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe.

The orange foods have the carotenoids the help prevent cancer by repairing the DNA. As our mothers told us, carrots, and other orange foods, are especially good for our eyes, and help with night vision. The deep orange foods help our bodies get the vitamin A we need, without getting excess that can lead to osteoporosis.

Green/Yellow Foods – yellow corn, green peas, collard greens, avocado and honeydew melon.

This combination of green and yellow foods contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin that help reduce the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration. These foods are also helpful in reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Orange /Yellow Foods – oranges, pineapple, tangerines, peaches, papaya, nectarines

These foods that are orange and yellow in color are high in antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, and help to improve the health of the mucus membranes and connective tissue. They help prevent heart disease by improving circulation and preventing inflammation.

White/Green Foods – onions, garlic, celery, pears, chives

White and green combination foods contain a variety of phytochemicals. Garlic and onions contain allicin, the anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal phytochemical, and they can act as a poor man’s antibiotic. Add garlic and onions in your meals to reduce the effects of potential toxicity of high fat meats. Celery has many minerals, especially organic sodium, that keeps the fluid in the joints healthy.

Red/Blue/Purple Foods – red apples, beets, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, prunes, concord grapes, blackberries.

These dark colored red/blue/purple foods are very rich in powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that protect again heart disease by improving circulation and preventing blood clots. They have many anti-aging phytochemicals that keep the blood circulating well.

Stay healthy, Ciao!

The Rich Also Cry

I was watching an episode of 'Kourtney & Khloe take Miami' yesterday, where Kim was lamenting to a friend, admist tears, her break up with Reggie.
She said while younger, she always dreamt that by the time she was 30yrs (which she is now), she would be settled, have a kid and probably be pregnant with another. I was like, wow! I didn't realise glamorous Kim would think of settling (tied) down with a man, what with all the fun, fame and money attached to her career  (whatever it is she does).
Anyway, my point is, everybody has a story to tell and the garden is not always greener at the other side, trust me, there are brown patches when you take a closer look.

So, when next you wished on some other people's lives, just remember that.... 'The Rich Also Cry'.

Ciao!

Age.....is it just a number?

One definition of age I came across while surfing the net & which I like is... 'a period or state of human life'.
Is age really just a number?
Why then do people lie about their age? (especially women, who lie they're younger than they actually are)
Why is it a condition for admission into some institutions?
Why is it a criterion into some form of employment? (I know some organizations have maximum age requirement)
Why is it a condition for consideration in relationships/marriages (eyebrows are raised when there's a huge age difference between couples).
I guess age is not just a number then....why fool ourselves? It goes beyond that. Age is actually a 'yardstick'  to measure, judge & compare our achievements.

When it's in our favour, we're quick to announce our age (when we feel/know our age is at par or younger than the achievements we have attained), the opposite is the case when it's not in our favour.
Sometimes though, age isn't a measure of what you can do. For instance, you find a younger person more gifted in wisdom & physical strength than an older counterpart, so really, it's a grey area.

Another issue I have with this age thingy and which is very prevalent in the part of the world (Nigeria) I come from is...wait for it....RESPECT!!! People respect and disrespect you based on your age (amidst many other criteria). Now, with the infiltration of western culture, our original custom & tradition are giving way to western influence....and our 'Nigerian respect' is fast fading away slowly but surely....which is not going down well with my people. You get a lot of people going on first name terms with one another (especially in corporate environment where you don't have the luxury of getting 'down & dirty'...lol!). Personally, I think you're as old as you feel, and age could actually be considered as 'just' a number, but to a reasonable extent. What I don't condone is a kid addressing another on first name terms even when he/she is aware there's a 10yr difference or more between them. Yeah, I'm very Nigerian/African and I maintain that this is wrong within the culture I grew up in and belong to, and I wouldn't do it.
Despite all I've said, I'm very youthful & young at heart, and so I can always pretend to be a teenager and blend with everyone...lol.

I ask again, is age just a number? I guess it is not. It is something we are all secretly (or not) conscious about.

Ciao!

AWOL!!!

I feel I should take the sticks for this......went AWOL for too long.
Sorry peeps, I was on holiday.....and yes a good time I had. Spent a major part of it planning a surprise party for hubby's birthday, and beautiful it was , glory be to God. I'm not ready to unveil myself/ family, I would have posted some of the pictures for you too see, can hardly resist the temptation though.

So how have you been good people? So refreshingly delightful to be back. Now, I seriously pray for God to fortify me with the needed strength to carry on.....3 kids, hubby, work & I intend to start my Msc soon after like a decade of postponing it....so help me God! It's good to be busy sha, it gives you a sense of being alive.

I thank God for yesterday, today & tomorrow. Now, let me think of the next thing to blog about......

Ciao!

My Naija People

I hate to do this, but I'm going to do it anyway. Based on my observation over the years & testimonies from several other people, an average Nigerian can be summarised as extremely rude & aggressive. Don't get me wrong, I'm proudly Nigerian & not trying to 'diss' my own people, but if you deal with the Nigerian public & you want to be honest, then you will likely understand where I'm coming from. This is particularly more so, if you've experienced the demography of people of a different nationality. I lived in England for a short period of time, enough time to get myself familiar with their system, lifestyle & behaviour & I can tell you (like you too must have observed) that the average English person is quite polite & courteous. Like hubby would say, you need some 'strong head' to fit into the Nigerian system. Living in Nigeria (especially Lagos) comes with a lot of hassles o: Public Tranport wahala, Traffic palaver, Okada nuisance & worst of all, shopping (especially if u're like me and shop @ Balogun market because you want some serious bargains). Shopping in lagos is one herculean task; First, u figure out where the item is being sold, then you contend with the issue of quality which BTW, mostly comes as inferior and if u dare go for a better quality in some high profile overrated stores, be sure you will pay their rentals for that year ( how else would you describe selling to me a Primark Top for Kids that comes @ 1.50pounds from its origin at N5000 & u expect me to buy it? Shior). Now, if u choose to go shop at the local market (e.g Balogun) be sure u're not lily livered (u must have the confidence to walk into a stall, check out the goods & leave without buying a thing; they will insult every member of your household).
Before I bore you for too long, I had one of these experiences today ( only that I've been toughened & I know how to handle them better). Went to Balogun market yesterday to get some shoes for my kids. As usual, most of the shoes were of poor quality. Just when I was about giving up, saw this big store (bigger than others around it) and was impressed by the quality of their products. So I went for it, though customer service was zero as expected. Now, I had an issue with the size, and I asked the Owner (an Isale Eko Alhaja, I'm sure u can picture it) if I could return it if it wasn't the right size and she said yes, I could exchange it (in a very unpleasant manner). Unfortunately, I got home & one of them ( I bought 2) was a wrong size.
 So this morning, on my way to work, decided to pop there fast & change it, and this conversation happened:

realworld: E karo ma (greetings in local dialect), Pls I came to exchange one of the shoes.
  Alhaja: O s'aro (too early), come back (this was like 9:45am o)
  realworld: Pls ma, I might not have the chance to pop out of the office again, I'm on my way to work.
  Alhaja: (raising her voice) Ehn to ba fe, o le lo da'nu (if u like throw them away) I'm not changing anything right now. (BTW, I bought those shoes for N5000, that's about 20pounds, which is a major chunk of my humble salary & Alhaja can open mouth talk to me like that?)
Another Alhaja beside her intervenes & tells me to probably come back shortly afterward. I go buy some other thing I really don't need & came back 30mins later. One of the shop girls changes it for me & I go back to the Alhaja. I gave her a piece of my mind. I told her she needs customer service tutorials & it was quite rude of her to talk to me the way she did. She didn't expect it & she went on blabbing.
Enough of my story. I just ask why are Nigerians so rude & discourteous? Is it our environment? Is it illiteracy? ( I noticed that the Elites & most literate Nigerians don't behave that way)......aaargh, I rest my case.

Gbese!!!

It's a National 'urgency' 
It's a National crisis
It calls for National solution.

It's our National Mummy.
....Mummy 'Payshiens'.

Here are her Top 10 hits (...and still counting):

1. My Husband and Sambo is a good people.  (True talk)

2. The President was once a Child and the Senators were once a Children. (Gbosa)

3. My Fellow Widows (Bawo?)

4. A Good Mother takes care of his Children (Hmm...)

5. The people sitting before you here were once a Children

6. Yes we are all happy for the effort, it is not easy to carry second in an international competition like this one - Addressing Press men after Female Under 19 FIFA World Cup

7. The Bombers who born them? Wasn't it not a woman? They were once a Children now a adult now they are bombing women and children making some children a widow

8. My Heart feels sorry for these Children who have become Widows by losing their Parents for one reason or another

9. We should have love for our fellow Nigerians irrespective of their NATIONALITY(Yeh!)

10. UMBLERRA

What can I say? It is well....

His Undying Love

 Someone sent this to my box & I thought I'll share it. You might have stumbled on it before, you could read it again. Enjoy.

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.

This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring rain.


The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready.'

His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'

'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.'

Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring rain.'

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'

Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.'

Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'

His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'

'Thanks Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. This eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract .

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered.

He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him.

Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch!

He rang again and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that * JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU * and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'

With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave.

She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit.  As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have testimony or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.

As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before.  You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart that I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and broken-hearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'

I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly...

I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you!

The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see-- I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honour to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated..


He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.

Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honour for his son... Except for One.

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.

Don't let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember, God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.
Please share this wonderful message...

If you love JESUS, please forward this message. Spread His word, and share His goodness and faithfulness.

Matthew 10:32 says:
'Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him before My Father in heaven' 

Life Is Beautiful

Thought I'll share these pictures for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.beautifulworldphotos.com/p524989771/slideshow
http://speckyboy.com/2009/07/09/50-beautiful-hdr-images-from-50-world-cities/

Isn't life really beautiful? Moreso, the author & giver of life (Jesus Christ) must be a beauty to behold.
Peradventure you're going through some challenges presently, look up and see life. It's NEVER as bad as you think, and trust me everybody has some kind of battle they're fighting. Why don't you throw it all up for God, He's got the bosom to contain all.

Love u.

Hurray!!! My first Oscars......

....and the Oscars goes to 'therealworld'.... Yippee!
So I was awarded the 'One Lovely Blog Award' by the ever so sweet Vyvyka. Oh, that's so refreshingly encouraging darling, thanks a zillion.
The rules thus are:

1. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award (Done)
2. I have to tell you seven facts about me you don't know (Coming up)

3. Pass the awards along to as many as fifteen blogs I have found recently (will do)

4. Notify the bloggers of their awards.

Now to the 7 facts you might not know about me:

1. I love good (sexy) shoes. Get me a pair & you've won my heart.

2. Though I've got quite a collection, I stick to wearing these miserable flat pumps to work almost everyday (can't help it, they're too comfy).

3. I'm mostly on braids & dreads (Hate hair weaves)

4. Spent quite some bucks right from my high sch. days wanting to have this smooth, flawless looking skin I see on models in magazines (Ebony et al), only it took me some time to realise the trick......photoshop! I still want a flawless skin though (anyone with ideas?).

5. My kids make my day (before nko?)

6. I hate my job. ( I know u'll say leave it, but sweetheart, this is Nigeria & dream jobs are hard to come by. Still keeping hope alive sha).

7. I'm quite sensitive & oh so romantic.

.....and now the Oscars goes to: 

1. http://amazingthots.blogspot.com/

2.http://kilonsparkles.blogspot.com/

3.http://ladyngo.blogspot.com/

4.http://mariaah-ali.blogspot.com/

Off to notify the winners.

Love is?

I'm a fan of Classic FM 97.3. U  know, classic music & beautiful topics. They talked about love today & asked people to define love. Some were silly, some funny & some interesting. One of my favourite was " Love is accepting someone for who they are & forgiving their wrongs without any reason." Hmmm, lovely innit? Because really, it's not easy to forgive some wrongs o. BTW, does forgiveness equate forgetting? ( a topic 4 another day).
One said, "love is abstract, u know it when u feel it" Nice! I concur.

I would say love is God & God is love. Love is what makes u happy. Love is peaceful.

What would u say?

Here we go...

This is not so easy as I thought....squeezing out time to blog is not particularly easy, with kids, husband , jobs & blah to tend to.
Anyways, where did we stop last? Yeah, my colleagues trying to fake hard. Some women do it all the time... they try to paint their homes/ marriages like a bed of roses and condemn any woman falling short of that standard. In as much as I want to believe my husband loves me dearly, getting married to him awakened me to a whole new world, not some fantasy world I dreamt of as a teenager. I realised we're two different individuals that would never be the same but must strike a balance and live together against all odds. I realised I can't win all the time, I have to put his feelings into consideration too & let it be his turn (even if I naturally want to be selfish & have my way at all times). I realised what works for him might not work for me but there's got to be some sort of compromise every now and again. Ultimately, I realised he's not perfect just like I'm not.

Now I'm wondering why some friend hater would give bad advice to her friend. Imagine friend A seeking counsel from friend B because she suspects her husband is having extra marital affairs. Friend B advises friend A to give her husband a complete show down because according to her she would never be taken for a fool, unknowingly to friend A that friend B's husband has just impregnated friend B's best friend...SMH.

Say it as it is!

Wanted to start blogging but couldn't decide on the theme; a Christian blog? (not sure), Health & Beauty? (dunno), Marriage & relationships? (sighs & rolls eyes).
Finally decided it's going to be my own little world; a place I can hide & find succour when the heat of life comes forth, a place I can vent my anger & frustrations without fear of retribution, a place I can willfully express my concerns & opinions without hurting anyone (hopefully) and of course, a place I can share my joy, thrills & success (best part) without incurring an enemy's wrath (or envy more like). Yeah, thatzit, it's gonna be a place where I can say it as it is. That brings me to ask, why people are so dang fake? Why people paint their pasture green when it's in fact withered & full of brown patches?
Once had these friends I grew up with, whom all of a sudden turned into strangers. We were ordinary o, born with no silver spoon but not ajepakis (literally one who lives on cassava) from a humble background. Upon graduation, my friends felt they needed to up their status as we were going into a wider world, nothing wrong with that. We started job & boyfriend husband hunting & I couldn't help but get amused at the way they presented themselves whenever a prospective suitor toaster shows up. They acted like some ajebos (posh kids) who never saw a cockroach or rat crawl out of their kitchen cupboards. Too fake for me. Of course we couldn't continue the ride together, went our separate ways.
My work colleagues & I got talking on money, men & marriage. My husband & I maintain transparency in our finances, like I know what he earns, he knows mine, he knows how & what I spend money on & so do I. It works for us.
Sorry, I'm tired, I'll continue next time.........Ciao!

Starters

Yay! It's my debut in blogging and I'm excited.......


First, let's start with a peep into my private world.
I'm a young woman in her 30's, happily married to a loving husband (I suppose so), have 3 gorgeous daughters and work full time.
I'm a christian, and although I might not act it all the time, I'm passionate about Jesus. Yes, I love Jesus and I have my reasons.
I'm quite down to earth, what you see in me is what you get.....I don't do fake and detest same in others.

That's pretty much me ( let's leave out the flaws..lol!) and I 'll catch you again next time. Ciao!