You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option left!!

The yuletide season is here again! I pray we all dwell in the goodness and mercies God has planned for us through out the year. If it had not been for God who was on our side, what would we have become? We thank Him for not allowing the enemy to make a mince meat of us. 

I'm here again... This story really inspired me just like the other stories I have shared on here. Please enjoy and share your comments. Thank you all for always commenting and a big teddy-bear hug to my new followers! I love you all very much!  

"A rich man had only one daughter. When the daughter was ready for marriage, the father sent news around town that all the eligible young men should come to compete in a test which would determine who was fit to marry his daughter.
On that day, all was set, all the able-bodied young men came out. Some came with paper and pen and others with cutlasses and swords.
The rich man took them to his swimming pool and addressed the men: “Any of you who can swim from one end of this swimming pool to the other would marry my daughter.
In addition, I‘ll give him 15million dollars, a car and a house so he and my daughter can start life well. I shall be waiting to meet my son-in-law at the other end. Good luck!”
As the young men, all very excited at the prospect of winning, started taking off their shirts, a helicopter came over the pool and dropped alligators and crocodiles into the pool. Immediately, all the men turned back and started wearing their shirts again. Disappointed, some of them said, ''That's crazy! lets see who would marry that girl, no one will'.
All of a sudden, they heard a splash in the pool. Everybody watched in amazement as one gentleman struggled his way across, avoiding the snakes and crocodiles.
 

Finally, he made it to the other side. The rich man could not believe it. He asked the young man to name anything he wanted but the man was still panting uncontrollably.
Finally, he got back to his senses and made a request saying, ''SHOW ME THE PERSON WHO PUSHED ME INSIDE THIS POOL!''
Moral: You don’t know what you are capable of doing, until you are PUSHED!!.
You can still make the most out of the rest of the YEAR. Sometimes it takes going through the bad moments to bring out the BEST in us. Trials are raw materials for Triumphant Testimonies...The push might take different dimensions: some people needed to be sacked before realizing their potentials and reaching their goals in life." 

You enjoyed it didn't you? and you've been inspired, yes? same way I was...

My prayer is that, you and I will be pushed by GOD into greater heights. It's also my prayer that we will be pushed into that dream, that career that job offer, that business that we are too scared to try or venture into promptly! 

Peace... I'm out!

Things aren’t always what they seem!

Hello Fam!

Happy new and last month of the year to you all! May this new month and end of year bring us good tidings and much more blessings that there will not be enough room to contain it.

Thanks to you all for those wonderful wishes and prayers on my graduation. You guys are just awesome!!!

I read the piece below (writer-unknown) and found it worthy of sharing. I hope you will enjoy it just as I did. Here goes...

"Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.

After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, “How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him.” – she accused. “The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.” "Things aren’t always what they seem.” – the older angel replied.

“When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way we expected they would. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later…

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in. Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair, there are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard-of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for many months struggling to feed his family.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking, “What is my purpose?”, be thankful, there are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity."

A lot of things aren't really always what they seem. Enjoy your week and day! 

Peace... I'm out!

It can only be by His Grace!!!!

Hello everyone!!!

*"...When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings; name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done..."* 

That is the song I've been singing since Saturday. The Lord has done me well. Yes He has... I was able to complete the journey I started, and I completed very well! it was all by His help, grace and mercy! I am soo thankful and very humbled.

Thank you all for the encouragements, the well wishes and the prayers! Y'all have been part of this great and wonderful success story and journey! 

I'd rather tell the rest of the story in pictures. Enjoy:

Then I got home to this surprise!

Wish us all an enjoyable week! Blessings and more!

Peace... I'm out!

Guest Post!

It's a beautiful day and I believe it's going to be more awesome by the end of the week. I trust we are all doing great by the plenty mercies of God, without which we are nothing, we know nothing and nothing knows us. 

I got the mail below from a reader in the United States who wants to help readers resident there on how to save cost related to phone bills, etc. I trust the information will be useful to some of us. Enjoy...

"I rely on my smartphone for a lot of things. It serves as my organizer, my calling, emailing and texting device, I take excellent photos with it, listen to music, play games, and even update my blog with it. Needless to say, it's one purchase I don't skimp on. I have had a couple of upgrades since the smartphone craze took off. I'd like to say that I choose my phone wisely, but the truth is, I don't. 

I usually base my decision on what's popular and what's hot. And I'm sure like me, a lot of people just about pick the newest phone in the market without even considering the cost. Smartphones can be expensive. Remember, you're not only paying for the device, but the service that goes with it as well. With the state of the economy today, it's important we pay close attention to our cell phone cost. Here are tips on how to save money and cut down our cell phone bill -

Tailor your plan to your specific needs. Choose unlimited text plan if you text a lot. Opt for a plan that will let you roll over unused time from a previous month to the next. Get local-only plan if you only make local calls.

Track your talk time. Make free calls via Viber or Skype when you can. Save your minutes, make local calls from your home phone so you don't go over.

 

411 (information) calls, horoscope texts, toll-free calls, ringtone downloads, and other extra services may seem like nothing but will sure inflate your bill when added together. Use your landline for 1-800 calls and Google the rest from your home/office internet.

Use free wi-fi whenever you can. Use your mobile data connection only when you need it.

Take advantage of the family, group, company, seniors, students discounts.

Bundle your services - phone, cable and internet, into one provider. You may get additional discounts this way.

Lastly, save more and pay as you go with a prepaid plan. What seemed like a cheap deal may not be so over the course of a 2-year contract.

Whatever your preference is, stop by and compare plans at No-contract-plans.com (http://www.no-contract-plans.com). Get free information and find the plan that best fits your needs and budget".

in other news! 16th of November is my graduation!!! oohhh I am excited! God is really good! Trust me...

Best wishes! 

Peace... I'm out!

 

Please Keep Her Happy!

Hello wonderful people!!!

Happy new month to y'all. I pray this month, will be better, bigger and more dream fulfilling to all of us, than the previous one. I also pray we will all see the end of this year in good health, plenty of God's favor and abundant grace IJN, Amen! 

I got the piece below on FB about a dad's speech on his daughters wedding, I found it worth sharing... So amazingly cool, I enjoyed it and I hope you do too. Here we go:

"I thought I would start my speech by addressing you as the “new” family of my daughter. But I think it would be inappropriate because now that she is married, you are “the family” for her. Believe me; I don’t have a problem with that. I, in fact, want my daughter to have “you” as her priority now. It's time for us to take a backseat in her life. We would happily accept it but would surely request one thing - please keep her happy.

I am more than sure that you will keep her very happy. She will perhaps be happier than what she used to be here. But like all fathers, I'm obsessed over my daughter’s happiness which is making me say this over and over again - Please keep her happy.

She never was and will never be a burden for me. She is in fact the reason why I breathe and smile. I am getting her married because this is what the law of nature demands. I am helpless in the face of our culture and therefore sending her to your home. She was the happiness of my home and will now light up your home. I am giving my world to you. Please make sure it remains beautiful. I am giving away my princess to you. Please make sure she stays as a queen. I have raised her with my sweat and blood and now she is wonderfully perfect. For all the care, love, beauty and warmth my daughter will bring into your lives, I just want her happiness in return - Please keep her happy.

If at times you think that my daughter has said or done something wrong, feel free to scold her. But handle her with love. She is very fragile. If at times she feels low, be with her. She just needs a little bit of your attention. If at times she feels sick, show her some care. It’s the medicine that works best for her. If at times she fails to fulfill a responsibility,feel free to chastise her. But empathize with her. She is still learning. Do understand her—please keep her happy.

I don’t mind if I don’t get to see her for months. I don’t mind if I am not able to talk to her on a daily basis. I would be more than happy if she doesn’t remember me much. But, my only motive in life has been my daughter’s happiness which is now in your hands. I beg you, please keep her happy.

Dear son-in-law, these words may not mean much to you now but if you are lucky enough to father a daughter someday, you will appreciate them better when you will find every beat of your heart shouting – Please keep her happy!"

This for me bears the secrets to keeping a woman happy. And any man or family, who hears this plea from another man, and goes ahead to make the woman unhappy, hmm... God no go let me talk wetin dey my mind now.

Peace... I'm out!

Still in Shock!

Hello People!

I haven't been on here for a while... Please forgive me. I don't even know what to blame it on, maybe laziness... But I trust we all are doing wonderfully well and are being thankful to God. Without Him our lives and efforts would be like fetching water with a basket.

So yesterday I invited a lady I met last week to church. After the service, I wanted to know how she found the service, and whether or not she enjoyed the time she spent with us. So I engaged her in a conversation which went thus:

Me: So how was the service?

She: Awesome! I enjoyed it to the fullest, especially the preaching. Also because, in my church, no one dares preach on issues pertaining to fornication and living a holy life. (my pastor has been preaching on reasons why Christians need to live holy lives)

Me: Seriously? so what then does your pastor preach about?

She: Well... Its either he's having healing and deliverance session, or general prayer sessions, or preaching on giving or how to become rich.
Me: Do you think he speaks according to the standards of scripture when he preaches? Because if he is backing his teachings with scriptures, then you shouldn't have a problem. He will preach on holiness when the time comes and he is led by the spirit of God to do so.
She: Well... You could be right. But I don't remember him speaking and referring to the scriptures. He just says things, heals people and people clap.

Me: I see... and you are comfortable there? You don't want to leave? How about joining a bible believing church, where you are certain that you will hear the unadulterated word of God preached to you?

She: Hmm... I wish I could, but my pastor says any member of his that leaves to join another church without his permission is cursed with struggle and failure.

Me: *mouth wide open* Ok, so have you seen or heard of any member that left your church and is miserable now?

She: Not really...

Me: I pray God opens your eyes and heart to fully understand exactly what's happening. But please be visiting often

She: Yes of course! I will be in your church either once or twice a month.

I know that pastor very well, I have heard lots of stories about him and his love for women. And from what I know about him, it is not surprising at all that he doesn't speak about holiness, because he will definitely be shooting himself in the foot if he does.

However, what still surprises me is the fear he's been able to put in his members, so that no one leaves. 

I wish you all a very blessed day and week, I pray this week will be better than the last one. Blessings y'all.

Peace... I'm out! 

   

Kid's time out with Barney!

Hello lovely readers! 

So Monday was a holiday here in Ghana and it was in celebration of Founder's day (the late first leader of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah's birthday), which fell on Saturday the 21 of September and for that matter had to be shifted to Monday! Yea... holidays are so cool, right? Well they are for me. lol. One of the TV stations asked their viewers what they know about him and other heroes of Ghana, and one person said he knows more about corruption than history, and sincerely, I agree with him.

Away from that... Guess who was in town?! Barney!!! Yea he came to town, so on Sunday the 22, I took my sunshine and a friend with her kids to the International Conference Center to watch the Barney show. It was fun... Enjoy some pictures 

The auditorium was so packed that even people with VIP tickets could not get seats. This family had to seat on the floor

sunshine with his friends

The lil girl is soo cute! Her name is Chinemere...

That's comedian funny face. This guy is something... Very humble and a nice person too

That is all for now. I wish you all the very best of everything... I also pray that we will learn to wait on the Lord and hide ourselves in His secret place so that forever we will abide under His shadow!

My heart goes out to all those who were directly or indirectly affected by the Kenya mall bombing. Ghana lost one of its greatest Poets. A prolific author, himself an elder statesman, Prof. Kofi Awoonor (former Chairman of the Council of States). May God be our strength at this time. It's well.

Peace... I'm out! 

Little beginnings are very important part of your story...

Hello Everyone, 

Another wonderful week is here again! Here is wishing we all have very beautiful testimonies and wonderful things to talk about at the end of the week. 

Today, I am talking about little beginnings. I have had the chance to speak with a few successful people here in Ghana, from executives in the oil an gas sector, to bankers, to transport owners, to fashion designers, to farmers, atheletes and entertainers; and their stories have all been almost the same. Some started off as mechanics and drivers among many other odd jobs that we don't really regard.

The difference was their perseverance. they persevered against all odds and it landed them at where they are now.

What am I saying? Small beginnings are very important, never despise or let anyone despise your little beginnings because, a journey of a thousand miles begins with just a step.

I hope this encourages someone. I hope this helps teach a reader that, even though you might not be seeing the head and tail of a thing now, things will only get better if you believe in what you are doing, hang in there... even when the road is rough. 

My prayer is you keep on being persistent and faithful and with God being on your side, your story will be different in the next few years to come. May the Lord bless and keep us all, may He cause His face to shine upon us and give us peace always, in Jesus Name. Amen!

Peace... I'm out!

My Weekend In Pictures

Hei Blogville,

Happy new month to you all. I pray in this 9th month, we will birth all our aspirations and we will find rest in God IJN, Amen!

I hope y'all had a great weekend. Well... It's a wish I have for you, cause I had an awesome weekend myself. 

Weddings are beautiful, not just because of the joining together of lovers, but also the glamour, the fashion, the fun, and ofcourse, the pictures.

so I went out on Saturday and Sunday (for two wonderful wedding ceremonies) with my camera. See a few of what I got, Enjoy...

this was for my collegues traditional marriage on Saturday

this was for Sunday at a church member's wedding

that's my sunshine with a cousin

this girl was amazing with the adowa dance. (a traditional dance by the Akans)

my colleague with her heartthrob 

both are church workers and they found love in each other.

I pray the Lord God will bless both marriages with all their heart desires and make them continue to grow and glow in love.

Before I sign out, here's a big hug to atilola on her loss. May the good Lord strengthen her and the family. Goodbye is the saddest and hardest thing to say, especially if it's the kind of goodbye that never waves back... cause they are gone for good.

I wish you all an amazing week, I pray we have lots of testimonies from now till the end to month and always.  

Peace... I'm out!

Somewhere In The World Today...

Dear Lord,

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a man confused about what to do next. He’s done all he knows but has still not been able to be the kind of husband and father he thought he would be.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a woman whose hope is failing. She has been patient, trusting that things will get better. She’s raised her kid(s) without a man and has struggled with broken dreams.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a couple that woke up not understanding why they are still together, looking for a reason to break up, wishing there were no kids in between to make their decision to move on tough…

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a new kid on the prison block. He’s wondering how he got into the whole mess that landed him in the cells, and the answer just isn’t coming.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a young lady who has become tired of believing and is just ready to give in and violate every single principle she has stood for.

Somewhere in the world today, people are suffering for the mistakes and ineptitude of their parents.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a child, wondering why he/she is not the one in the classroom; why he/she cannot wear good clothes and shoes like the child across the road; why there’s no one to call dad or mum; why that uncle puts his hand under her skirt every time she needs 1cedi for a meal; why that aunty asks him to kiss her nipples every time he comes for a plate of rice without money; why his/her little shoulders must have to carry an adult's burden and why he/she must have to figure this whole sadness out…

Lord, I am just reporting live from the world. But You have already seen these things from where You are. So I am not just notifying You with updates, I have just come to ask for grace. Lord have mercy on them… Have mercy on us all.

Let the Light of Your Presence pierce through the darkness and break the chains of death, wickedness and despair among us. Let us rise up in Faith… true Faith, and contend with the enemy of our souls. 

Teach us to pray o Lord and teach us to remember to give thanks in all things, for it is Your will for us through Jesus Christ…

Above all Lord, give us grace to help those who cannot help themselves.

Peace Lord... I'm out!

Crossroads...

Hello everyone!

I trust we are all doing awesome and the month has been good for us so far... I pray no weapon formed against us will prosper IJN, Amen!

I got some few things to share today, so here goes...    

Sometimes we don’t know why people do what they do. Sometimes we are uncertain about whether or not people mean well... (just well) when they take us out, buy us gifts; show all forms of care, concern and attention.

What is worse and even more perplexing is when the people that do these things for you who you ordinarily consider as having no reason or business with wanting to take the “beats” to the next level, but then, they begin to show you signs which, whether confirmed verifiable or otherwise, indicate that they want to be something more than friends.

The married ones are more difficult to digest, especially when you know their spouses and are directly involved in their lives, whether as friends, family or close associates/colleagues. Then the questions begin:

What is this? What is going on? Why does he/she keep calling or texting me? Why does he/she use those words to speak to me? Why this unusual show of concern? Does his/her spouse know that he/she visits me? Why does he/she want to spend this much time with me, and this much money on me? What if his/her spouse finds out?

Then another deluge of questions ensue:

What do I do? How do I manage this? His/her spouse is my friend (or someone I know very well), and he/she is a good person. How do I begin to handle this? How can I allow this to destroy my good relationship with these people?

Then comes the next stage: We either play along, or we decide that this has gone far enough and no further... Me thinks, that a defined relationship sets boundaries:

"What do you want?" is a question that is very much in place at this point. The "NO!!! We can't do this" should be next. When they say "oh no! you are getting it all wrong", ask them "then why this and why that (ofcourse you have your facts)". Tell them, "you must stop this! Don't let me loose the respect I have for you. Do you even wonder what will happen if your spouse finds out?" They will usually use the oldest answer in the book to address this: "but you and I are adults... who will know if we don't say?"

If you are not comfortable with it, walk away from it. Don't wait till you get entangled. I know that there are so many reasons why things might happen the way they do, but really, much as we are none to judge, we cannot pretend that there are no Wolves in Sheep's clothing, who will mess up your life just for a piece of it.

I don't have all the answers, and I hope you can lend your voice to this issue. Lots of people, both men and women are in this quagmire, and still have not figured out how to deal with it. Or have you been there yourself? How did you deal with it (if you dealt with it)?

Peace... I'm out