Hanging in there....

Hey Champs!..*huge grin*.new yeah?remember I told you I was on the lookout for new intro/greeting lines?...You pipu didn't suggest any,so I stole this off a blog I checked out yesterday.

Cool uh?...It think it means that y'all are and really should be Champions...You better pretend to like it or suggest cooler lines..*tongue out*

     So, its approximately 12days that I haven't put up a post...I think its a foregone conclusion that blog challenges of varying time schedules are best for ensuring I write&post regularly...otherwise I would keep scribbling things in my head and all over the place and generally battling laziness.

    

   Its pretty interesting to watch me all fired up and immersed in a project that requires a commitment.

I realize its one sure way to keep the passion burning,I just can't stand failing to deliver.

Do excuse my fuss about integrity&responsibility,but I like my word to count for more than two cents...I mean,

"If I say "this", I must do "this". it must not be heard that I did "those" ,everything within and without me rises up to the challenge, I can go on&on yakking about it till everyone in my immediate environment becomes a part of it...lol..my neighbours can testify to this(last month's challenge)." 

Perhaps,God will send folks into my life that will put fire under my butt to stay committed to blogging..lol

I know you missed me and i'm covering my face for disappearing after the journal challenge like I deserved some vacay....Apologies...

Yesterday,I was chatting via bbm with a friend and I used our #gratitude dialect in the convo. I was surprised when she referred to my  hiatus and inquired at the lack of posts or links. It shows folks are even much more committed to this resplendent journey than I am... 

Its u̶n̶n̶e̶r̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ encouraging

Although,i have REALLY been thinking of blogging,(almost every waking thought). I just haven't pushed myself to doing it.

I know,I know...Excuses...excuses..

I'm #grateful for your commitment to this blog...Ehen, speaking of #gratitude,how has the journal journey been?Awesome yeah?

Uh,did I mention how #thankful I am for shoes that have half a worshipper's heart as their owner?I'll explain...

Picture this resplendent young lady walking into church on a beautiful Sunday morning.

She's asking a question as she rounds the corner in a hurry to get in for the praise/worship session that has already begun,doesn't see the steps and slips...

#Thankfully,she is righted up in time enough to save face..hehehehe But alas!...the impatient shoe has opened up in worship already to God.

Thank God for extra sandals o!...lol

Guess what?service rocked that day mehn!...It was Spectacular!..and I am grateful for the time out with my Pastor afterwards...totally amazing!..food,gist,Word,music,videos..etc...

This is me encouraging you to stay committed to cultivating that lifestyle. As you well know,It rocks!

#InOtherNews, i've basically been hanging in there,it feels like my life is at a standstill,what with the ongoing Asuu strike....

I think its only fair that i'm honest in sharing my resplendent reality as is my blog's focal theme,warts and all ,especially because someone needs to know that down times aren't as a result of your sin,nope...they happen and you don't hafta remain there. You can come up hither you know?...God is interested in those times too and wants you to engage Him

.

Truth is,i've been struggling hard,against a backdrop knowledge of God's unfailing faithfulness and love-commitment to me. I just stay in (most of the time),wallowing in self-deprecation...

I struggle with the fact that   there's so much to do,experiences to acquire,a big world to conquer, so fleeting a time...and no commensurate measurable progress at my end.

I faced disheartening pressure from certain quarters and my efforts at acquiring a job proved futile.

I've struggled with all that and found myself (not unusually though),asking questions of doubt like

I've also encouraged myself by emphasizing truths like

Today,a friend's funny pm served as my muse for this post.I disagreed jocularly and a convo ensued.

Apparently God in His amazing sense of humor was gonna use that to remind me of my reality and reassure me of His love.

Here's what He said,

"Are u tired of being single? Why not try faith? Buy the wedding gown and see if God won't bring the groom! If it doesn't work, RENT THE HALL and invite me."

The ensuing convo; a snapshot of my reply

Its amazing how I thought to answer my friend in that line...mind you,those were words from the remarkable revelation a pastor once shared,that I hadn't even dwelt on in a while.

"Faith really is a perspective...

God's perspective based on His word.

Its an understanding of God's view of things,persons or situations  and acting on that understanding as prompted.

Its beyond a ticket to obtaining material needs or something. Its a lifestyle"

I'm also learning to engage the spirit of God, to begin to see the unseen things that last forever.I had a great time in prayer meeting this evening and I'm  thankful for the revitalising word of God 'cos this hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times,the lavish celebration prepared for us. 2Cor 4:17 (msg version)

Okies y'all, I just dropped by to check on you guys,extend a warm reassuring hug to those who need it and h̶a̶r̶a̶s̶s̶ ̶ you to #stay in faith with me at God's extraordinary plans in all of this. *wink*

Thank you for stopping by. I mega'preciate you.

Disclaimer: eerm..er..images were s̶t̶o̶l̶e̶n̶ ̶ sourced from plenty places...Just identify your own and pass by in silence.No comment please. *straight face*

Thank you.

God be with your spirit.

Enjoy Resplendent Blessings!

GRAND FINALE...Gratitude Journal BLOG Challenge Wrap-up!

  Whooo-hoooo!...C'mon!Can I hear a shout of PRAISE in here tonight?....Hold up,hold up!don't you d̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶ get overly excited than me yet...
Now listen ,lets do this do together..Oya calm down na..i know y'all got a healthy pair of lungs,but lemme finish now...Ok,as I was saying,do indulge me,lemme take your imagination on a road trip?is it alright? Good!...
How many of you have ever been in a church service...lol...stop rolling your eyes and let me finish,i know you go to church,but I wanted to ask if you have been in a ......know what?scratch that ....better still,picture this,You finally get the ticket to the Experience or some other major road-blocking-go slow-causing concert like SOH or IMELA where the singer you crushing on is gonna give a live rendition of songs that get your blood hot on all levels...got the picture yet?aha, so he gets on stage,cartwheels,flings blazer..lol..and stomps his right foot in a harmonic rhythm with the drum set,
Just as the shrieks,whistles and all seemingly come to an end,he belts out the lyrics to his famous single in a sonorous falsetto....oh yeah!i know right?...
The crowd erupts again and then he says,''Ok guys,i'm serious now,keep calm,keep calm....
Next he goes,''Can somebody make the loudest shout of praise you ever heard in your life?!!?!?!''..Trust Nigerians,its not in their nature to carry last ,Omo,you can almost go deaf with the shout of people around you in the palpable excitement&competition to produce the loudest shout..*chuckles*..
Yeah,that's my opening line right there. Oya,it haff do,bring your imagination back jor....You people like gist sha...lol .That's all!
  Seriously though,do I have ''thankers'' in here tonight,who on the count of three are gonna make the loudest shout of #gratitude they've ever heard in their lives?
Lezzdodis people!!!! Ready?
1, 2, 3........
*screamscreechstaticscreamshoutshriekstatic *
Whooo!That was invigorating..innit?..hope your neighbors/family members didn't harass you/give you the weird look sha?..Lol.
I'm not there o!..

Okay,initial gragra-titude over and done with and i'm too speechless for words...
Byron Cage's 'Gratitude' song isn't even helping matters as I type.I'm all teared up..That man worships ehn?i just feel like stopping right here with one word in worship.....
        GRATEFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't worry,keep calm,i'll still share.
Since I can't share the link to dl the song(didn't find it anywhere,i got it via bluetooth in my choir),i'll just share the lyrics....Here goes;

How can I express to you the gratitude for all that you do?
What can I give back to you for all unfailing love,mercy and grace too?
Mere words can never be enough to articulate how much I thank you
Although sometimes the goings are rough but I made it
Lord my God,when I reflect my life and just how far i've come
You've sustained my path,kept me through it all even when I felt like I would fall
Through life and strength,health and wealth and the never changing ways you love me
Although sometimes I felt alone in life but you secured me,
I'm confident in knowing that you are a God who will perform what you said and
Everytime I speak by faith,I still receive your promises,the blessings Lord,great things you have in store for the ones who will obey and trust you more
Obey and trust you more


For all the times i've fallen short,yet you never cease to show me mercy and
When I thought that all was lost,you remind me of your love at Calvary
You saved me just in time when I wasn't sure that I would even make it.
Its because of you i'm standing here to say;
If it were not for your loving hands that helped me find my way,
I'lld be so lost and drifting like a ship without
A ship without a sail

Thank you for not giving up even in the times I know I failed you
Thank you Lord for showing up when I cried and cried and didn't know what to do
We are stronger than we were before because our Faith and Trust is in our Saviour
So we'll praise you all the more and say

Chorus
Thank you Lord(4x)
For everything that you have done in our lives,
For your goodness and your mercy
Thank you Jesus
Thank you Lord.


#Gratitudejournal entry...
   Today *drum roll*,i'm grateful for 31 days of #GratitudeWithoutFail....All the credit goes to God for grace,hope love unconditional and incredible provisions.Blessed be God,the father of our Lord Jesus who causes us to have a good command of this dialect of #Thanksgiving....(Yes,i know that's not how it is,i just remixed the scripture..)..
Just as Giantsparkle my fellow blogger-in-gratitude and the researcher on this #gratitude journal project said awhile back,I quote,"Ever heard that 'It takes at least 21 days to form a habit'?just googled it up and Yay!!! it's a theory...on how to develop a new habit and it basically states that you have to do something for at least 21 days before it begins to become part of your everyday routine."
 So,i'm grateful that God is accurately reproducing His nature in me through the newly developed habit(I passed the 21day benchmark afterall) of gratitude.....i'm confident that this for me,has gone beyond an habit to a lifestyle...amma enjoy this fuller and richer lifestyle peeps...*big grin*

2.Somebody said and I quote,...lol..Dumebi said and I paraphrase, ''There are all kinds of material in the market representing a woman's worth;ankara, chiffon,cotton,adire,french lace etc but Eziaha right here is ROYAL PURPLE SILK!!!''
#Datsall men!...EZIAHA AJAERO OLOJO is indeed an uberfab expression of Grace&Resplendence.you take it from me and i'm thankful today for her life, harassment,investments(countless material and financial seeds sown),mentoring and commitment.It goes without saying that it hasn't entered into the heart of man how God's gonna blow up the bounds of your knowledge of Him in his commitment to you.........
Thank you for insisting I sign up for this challenge.God bless you real good for inspiring the cultivation and maintenance of a kingdom culture of gratitude....
I was gonna say,#leave-the-haters -mehn-they-ain't-got-nothing-on-you.Your- fans-plenty-for-here..but no space to type...

3.I'm thankful for divine orchestrations.Seriously,they have a way of rendering you speechless. Smh...I met this shine shine b̶o̶b̶o̶ ̶ blogger(that's the actual name for her blog jor...*dodges kick*) through Eziaha and she's been a God sent treasure chest of wisdom,intelligence,grace and fun...our relationship is still unfolding but i'm grateful for the privilege to co-serve on this challenge with an attitude o'gratitude (SWAG)....God bless you for pinging to check on me when my posts were running late either as a result of network or late submission....You'll shine in God's reality for your Life.....*ten seconds big bear hug* lol..

Did I mention how thankful I am for the amazing woman who sowed the idea of a #gratitude journal through writing hers in the month of July.Thank you for inspiring people through a ripple effect people to live a life of gratitude.She blogs @www.menoword.wordpress.com...
  
That was not number four oh!...just one of the overflowing reasons to be grateful...

4.Words fail me...Chai!Lemme first say Thank you to all my guest bloggers.Indeed many were called,,,lol,,,but these few were chosen.
Seriously,i'm blessed to know you all and grateful for the privilege to have inspired you to share your gratitude.A big shout out to all those I harassed with calls,texts,pings,dm's for the greater good of posting gratitude journal entries without fail.
Shout out also to those of you who yabbed me in your posts.God will fight my battles*shrugs*
Thank you Annabel,Timolabam, N.M, Bennyflash,Constant,Wokinda,Mayowa,Adonia,Victor,Busola,Banke,Ajibola,Faith.God bless you for signing up.Its my conviction that unending reasons for #gratitude will abound in your lives.....Stay Thankful Folks and keep filing those journals.

5.To my readers,you know y'all are the best right?...You made me feel like I was doing something right afterall...The silent and pronounced vote of confidence,the ghost readers,the request to extend the journal to 40days, the links you shared with friends,the comments,the .........i'm just at a loss for words...
From my lips to God's ears,the aforementioned conviction/declaration that unending reasons for #gratitude will abound in your lives will go from my conviction to your reality.
Thank you for the privilege to inspire you to cultivate a culture this close to God's heart...You just stay #thankful....

Feel free to holler @me on twitter,Fbk,email etc to share your #gratitude journal entries or keep it to yourself if your prefer.By all means keep thanking.
Consciously live a;
Life of gratitude to God and for God,
To people and for people and
For situations and circumstances.
Learn to THINK to THANK!

@Lizzieebunoluwa on twitter
Spunkyliz2009@yahoo.com.
In the comment box below...I loooove to hear from you....

P,s:I'm gonna update all the entries with pics soon as I get stable internet connection other than my phone's.....yaaaaay!

You know where to go to now @www.eziaha.com and www.giantsparkle.wordpress.com....
If you are not there,you are wrong *in boarding school hostel mistress voice*....

In the words of Hezekiah Walker,
"Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart....its Gratefulness!"

Gratitudinally yours
Resplendent Lizzie

                  GRATEFUL!

Day 30...Gratitude Journal Challenge with Victor

    Lately,I find that i'm getting more in touch with my inner child..lol..pay that statement no mind. I meant to say that I tear up everytime the reality of our concluding #gratitude blog journal comes home to me.(show of hands if you can relate please!)
As far as i'm concerned,it came too soon. I can picture God reclining in a sofa and having a good laugh at me.Why you ask?...You should have seen the look on my face when Eziaha asked to be a part of this challenge.I never thought I would have the will,capacity or resource to do this for 31 days!!!...
Boy!am I grateful i signed up?...The intensity level of my resplendence and sweet smelling savor just flew off the charts...if I do say so myself.God's used this to accurately reproduce His nature in me....For this,i'm #thankful.
....Good evening to you too.

Yaaaay!!!...i'm so excited...hehehehe
Remember my amazing friend who featured yesterday&bragged about giving me my first cinema experience?Yeah well,I did see the movie today and it was all shades of thrilling and super-duper!...whoooooo!!!...
Of course you can trust i'm grateful!...for the radio show all expense paid movie experience(plus free popcorn and drinks)....and for Adonia whose tenacity at giving them OAP's a run for their money with our tweets,calls,facebook comments and all what not got us to see this movie.I guess they would sigh in relief at the reprieve from our harassment now..lol

 I'm equally #thankful for electricity today,food(I ate coconut rice and double layered sponge cake for the first time today..yaaaaaay!)for mercies and the testimonies I receive left,right&centre on a daily basis from ghost readers(lol) and friends who have been blessed&inspired to lead lives of #gratitude especially as expressed in their commitment to keeping a personal#gratitude journal.I mean,people who shouldn't by rights have discovered this blog,now have as a result of referrals and gist amongst friends.Truly,there's no better ad strategy than the human-word of mouth method.
It gets even better...folks have been asking to still sign up to feature their #gratitude journal entries in spite of the fact that the challenge is officially coming to a close tomorrow.*stifles sob*...Oh Well,i'm grateful for consistency and since its an attitude that fulfills God's will,I'll just take the advice of my fellow #gratitudejournal blogger(Giantsparkle) who said 'You keep it going babe!' when I asked her opinion on what to do about the continuous requests to share #gratitude journals.
The be-all and end-all is this, The #gratitude journal may be officially over as a challenge,but its a lifetime project and so,my arms are extended to anyone who wishes to share his/her reasons for thankfulness. Feel free to holler@spunkyliz2009@yahoo.com

Today,i'm thankful for Victor,a childhood friend and pest whom I insist doesn't count as older than me 'cos he came out three days before I was born...He was too restless and God decided to relieve his mom so he can come see and enjoy the world...lol...You know I still love you Victor..yeah?*wink*.....
Lets hear it dear,what are you #thankful for?

Victor
Hi. The name is Victor Isibor. And I'm feeling very humbled to be able to say my piece in this blog. (Thank you Lizzy). So I'm thankful to God for several things that have happened in my life from the early years I can remember till even now. Well for people who don't know me, here's a little intro to enhance understanding. I am an undergrad in the University of Lagos studying medicine and thankfully in my clinical years and currently in school (else asuu would have sent me home).

I am currently undergoing my psychiatry posting.
Today I went to see a patient of mine in the psych wards and as usual he (already anticipating my visit) was waiting at the metal doors. After all the profuse greetings to and fro and the review he asked me (for perhaps the hundreth time since we first met) when he could go home.While I gave him the usual
".don't worry-you will-get-better-soon-just- take-your-drugs-routine",i couldn't help but be thankful (again) for my simple but wonderful unimpaired cognitive functions. I can think, I can learn and I can do what I want when I want because God who loves me in his grace has made it so. Thank you Jesus. Even as I left the ward this evening and made small talk with my friends, I was surprised as our discussion came back to the same topic on my mind. Bless God.

Also as I type this I am on a journey to Badagry. For those of you in Lagos you know how far it is from everywhere else and I'm travelling in the knowledge that the Lord of Heaven's Armies goes before me. So I'm thankful both for the knowledge that brings peace and the protection.

I'm grateful for the safe trip of my mum. She travelled recently and returned about two days ago. And for my best friend who got admitted in a foreign university. God has really been faithful to him.

And most importantly for the kind of people God sends my way. The great people he uses to build me up to what I'm becoming. I am eternally grateful.


Thank you for reading.... And thank you lizzy once again. You are a real gem.

Lizzie
Awww...*blushing*..but hey!dark folks don't blush right?...lol...I am thankful for compliments.Thank you é̶g̶b̶o̶n̶Victor!

Do skip over to enjoy @www eziaha.com and www.giantsparkle.wordpress.com ....
The #Thanksgiving live doesn't get any more exciting yo!Remember to stay #thankful in the weekend and coming month.

Live Resplendently!
Lizzie.

Day 29...Gratitude Journal Challenge with Adonia

       Holla!...How do you do tonight?I hope you made sure to enjoy the daily benefits God loads us with.Its important o.

Ehen,do tell,did you daydream about me in anticipation of tonight's journal?No?you bera tell the truth.I know you did jor.Better yet,I insist you daydreamed...lool...and i'm #grateful for your enthusiasm and unfailing commitment to reading and commenting each day.so,you see,its a good thing y'all are this excited about the #gratitudejournal 'cos it fuels the passion to not only stay committed to posting #gratitudejournals daily but also keeps me on my toes long enough to produce an habit of #thankfulness.
Keep daydreaming people!..it ain't illegal!
*smiles*

    
Today,i'm thankful for life,laughter and mercies innumerable.I'm also grateful for provisions.Faithful God!That's his nature.

Its with doubling over laughter

 that I present my partner in m̶i̶s̶c̶h̶i̶e̶f̶ good works,clown extraordinaire,long standing friend and neighbour to share her #gratitudejournal.

Laugh #thankfully!

 Guest gratitude Journal entry.
   Hey y'aaaaalllllll!Come on...make some noise for another exciting and scintillating day.Yea i have been informed that i'm a guest blogger so before i get ahead of myself,i crave your indulgence to make welcome the quintessential example of the sassy modern day belle, one of nigeria's finest,a clear statement of God's awesomeness, small madam on point on all counts!emmm...er...jeez am lost, Lizzy what did you say i should do again sef??...aha!I remember, so,what am i grateful for?
   I uh, still have this teeny weeny feeling that i should introduce myself,because there's so much humility coursing through me,i'll simply put a name to the faceless beauty as Adonia Umeh(yes you read right,my name,ADONIA not ADONAI is spectacularly unique like that).
  Straight on to d biz of the day abi night.Please permit me to chip in this fact, ingratitude is a sign that a man has temporary amnesia, 'cos if u reminisce over all the things that has happened to you, you'll agree totally with me that there's so much to be grateful for per time.
Let me share mine for today with you guys;

1. After a 7 month old long drawn -out tussle with rats in my room,finally i have been sleeping in peace and total oblivion of their presence in the past one week.....come on praise the lord!...#serious face#

2. I must say i am grateful to Oluwa that my supervisor did not give me the double barrelled slap she promised and finally signed one dirty paper/form for me after posting me for about 2 weeks.

3. I'm grateful for one woman i know whose equal I haven't seen just yet,Amazing is a word that doesn't do her justice at all..She's no other than my grandmother who turned 70 last month.she's so healthy that she's demanding for a new car...preferably a jeep...lol

4.It is with great honour that i present to you all....wait for it!...ready?...I present to you, the proud winner of 5 cinema tickets for tomorrow's movie...*strutting like a peacock*...(and i aint giving any of you)...lol....now d juicy tidbit...i want to inform you guys that i'll be giving Lizzy her first cinema experience tommorow...can u guys beat dat??!
Thumbs up to me for being so humble
lol...emm, did i mention it took us 3 weeks of calling,tweeting,googling, beefing radio presenters, to get those tickets.

Basically we are champions, take it or leave it.

5.I'm so grateful God didn't change his mind and stayed committed to creating this masterpiece....ADONIA...its been a breathtaking ride all the way.
On a final note, whatever it is you think is a justified and logical reason why you should be all gloomy,sad or ungrateful, don't forget; IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.

Respect peeps!....*bowing out* as i hurry to eat my sumptuous dinner of groundnut n garri...hehehehe....lol..

 Lizzie

*still laughing*....was that hilarious or what?.I can't even begin to tell you guys unlimited stories of that girl's sense of humour&the trouble she gets us both into..yes she!i'm the innocent one...and like I always add,
my blog,my opinion...hehehehe...

Thank you for reading and choosing to live gratefully!
God bless you real good!
Do stop over @www.eziaha.com and www.giantsparkle.wordpress.com...
These blog addys belong to two grateful, amazing,outstanding women.You should check out their #gratitudejournal entries.

Cheers!
Resplendent Lizzie

Day 28...Gratitude Journal Challenge with Busola

     I uh,don't know how to start today's post.I'm sort of tired of the usual,What new intro/greeting lines are trending out there?I'm interested in updating my collection.
Please share?
Warm colloquial pleasantries no less...Thank you.
    Still on the attitude o'gratitude,i'm amazed at how this blog challenge has inspired such a default state of gratitude,most especially in the bad or negative circumstances.
I recall these lines from my first gratitude journal entry:
   We gonna learn it
   We gonna speak it
   We gonna live it till our #Thanks-GIVING becomes #Thanks-LIVING!
And it has!...boy!do I live out gratitude?
Take for instance,I dislike rain ehn,anyone close to me knows its got the power to put a dapper on my day.I actually wished the dry season was sufficient in God's bandwidth of seasons...Guess what?all He created is perfect!
As I was saying,I dislike rainfall&would automatically grumble when it starts.
  Today however,as the rain fell heavily,I automatically saw a reason to be #thankful.I stay in an amazing apartment building where water becomes a challenge during the dry season because the well isn't so deep,so when the frequency of rainfall winds down,Mr Sule our caretaker locks the well(to our discomfort)so as to in his words,"Let the water rise" lool..and he usually disappears for a long time,leaving us hanging.My dear,it can be exasperating.
 Anyways,the rainfall had been few&far between this month and already,Mr Sule had stopped pumping water upstairs for us because in his words,"the water didn't rise",
and started locking the well this week to discourage non residents from fetching... As the rain fell incessantly,I surprised myself when I said out loud from nowhere,"I'm thankful for this rain,water supply just got better".
 In spite of the fact that the direction of the rain messed up my kitchenette,I had become so attuned to seeing reasons to be #thankful in every situation that I thought to be grateful instead of grumbling as I'm won't to do about rain..My mind had become programmed to #THINK to #THANK
    Believe me folks when I say #Thanksgiving is the most enriching virtue ever.Its the best SWAG(Someone/serving with an attitude of gratitude) you need to complete your daily outlook and guess what?It rocks too!...never goes out of style.
Learn to be #Thankful today!

Busola,my fellow chorister,sister in the same church family and doctor- -to-be (in a bit)will be sharing her #Gratitudejournal with us today.Be inspired!

Busola

Hmm… I never realised till today just how much effort, energy and brain power were required to write something as simple as this (unless you’re a seasoned writer like my friend Mademoiselle Lizzie). Last time I wrote something like this was during my essay writing days in secondary school. Boy, am I rusty now! Anyways, here goes…

I’m thankful to God for the ASUU strike. Honestly, this strike is a blessing (no disguises here). Though there’ve been days when I was bored out of my wits and sleep became something I did to pass the time (can I get a witness, somebody?), the strike has afforded me the time needed to carry out the lab work of my project (yep, I’m a final year student). I won’t bore you with details of my work, but let’s just say that it was gruelling and time consuming, and I’m glad it’s over.

I’m thankful for the simple pleasures of life; music and colours (without which the world would be a dreary and drab place), trees that provide shade on a hot day, food (oh, how I love food), normal bodily functions that we often take for granted, and laughter (nothing like a nice dose of laughter to keep you healthy and happy).

I’m grateful for technology; phones, laptops, electricity, lawn mowers, and generally things that make living in this century fun (I can’t imagine living in the pre-technology era. It must’ve been pretty boring). I’m thankful for the internet, especially google. I’m a curious being, so it’s good to know that when I have a question, I could always google it and I’ll get an answer (most of the time anyways). Thank God for people who do not mind sharing their knowledge over the internet.

Next on my gratitude list is family and friends. I’m thankful for my parents, particularly my mum who always supports me and allows me carry out whatever crazy ideas I come up with. I’m thankful for my siblings; we drive one another nuts, but we always have each other’s back. Thank God for great friends who are ever willing to slay dragons and move mountains for me, but do not hesitate to bring me to order when I’m wrong. And my school family, VHF!! That’s where you find some of the awesomest people on earth.

Finally, my favourite persons in the entire universe to be thankful for; *drum roll* the Loves of my life!
First, my Hero and Knight in Dazzling, Shining armour, my Adonai, who has blessed me with everything good and more. He is my God, my Father, my All in all, and the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m glad I belong to You, Lord.
Second,I am grateful for my very own Caveman *smiles mysteriously*. My Guy and Grug all rolled in one amazing, Spirit-filled package. Together, we will follow the light and ride the sun to tomorrow. (y’all shouldn’t ask me what that statement means)

Well, this is where I say goodbye and thank you to Lizzie, for giving me the opportunity to express my gratitude. God bless you.

Lizzie
Yaaaaaay@VHF(The pillar and ground of truth where you find the awesomest people on the earth *huge grin*)
Thank you for living gratefully!....My joy at the emnating sweet perfume of a grateful heart doesn't equal God's....True that!
Thanksgiving does look good on You!

As usual,don't forget to go read my partners-in-gratitude @www.eziaha.com and www.giantsparkle.wordpress.com.


P.s;Did I mention I'm thankful for improved and still improving electricity supply?
I"m grateful my egusi soup(I added this so you can know I have egusi soup at the moment...*wide toothed grin*) can be refrigerated and not lose its savour to constant warming.

Blessings!
Resplendent Lizzie!

Day 27...Gratitude Journal Challenge with Mayowa

      Hi there!...How are you doing fellas?...
Checked out all on that to-do list yet?I hope for your sakes,yes....So tell me, did you eat well like I did?(beef burger,jollof rice,coconut biscuit,cherry nut biscuit,cookies,plain biscuit,weekender biscuit,rice and stew garnished with Russian salad.)Hehehehe...I knowwww!...I love food sha and i'm thankful for every single provision of food i'm blessed with.
Food is important for our overall body function you know?Thus our food choices and eating pattern counts for a lot....and no,i'm not a nutritionist....
Oh well,I had a pretty good day,ran a couple of errands and hung out in school with friends and enjoyed electricity(even as I type.)Its so exhilarating people!...power supply..Yaaaay!!
*dancing on one leg*...I haven't done that in a while.
      In other news,I was shaken to my core this morning like I hadn't been since June 2012(don't ask what about please)...and I cried Boy!did macho Lizzy cry? .Here's how it happened;
I needed my sister to meet me at the beginning of my street so we could go somewhere together.I had gone out earlier to get some money and asked her to meet me the moment she got my call.Unfortunately,I discovered I didn't have call credit by the time I was ready to call and so,I sent her a 'please call me back message'...She didn't code on time,I was patient(being kept waiting freaks m out)and I decided to buy call credit to call her.I walked a little into the street to a shop I hadn't bought stuff from in a long while but whose owners I knew pretty well and had developed a good rapport with in my close to 3years residence in that 'hood......I walked up to the shop owner's. second daughter whom I met in front and asked for recharge card,her elder sister who had the card inside her apron probably heard from inside and came to me without a word.We exchanged pleasantries and I didn't think to ask why she was around 'cos we were all affected by the strike and they had always faithfully helped her out in the shop....In my characteristic discreet manner(Thank God my voice wasn't loud),I asked softly about her mum's whereabouts and if she travelled for awhile as it struck me right there and then that I hadn't seen her.
She looked at me with surprise and said with teary eyes,'you don't know my mother's dead?...Lord!!!...it felt like someone stuck a knife and blindly twisted my guts...."She's been dead since may" like she was talking about some hike in the price of garri in the market.So matter of factly.
In subconscious slow motion I apologized profusely for not knowing?for bringing up that memory and fresh grief?both maybe?*shrugs* and left.I couldn't even shout or let my jaw drop or ask any questions...It was still unreal...Is that how people die?You see them today and don't tomorrow.
I paid for the credit,called my sister that I was waiting and walked down to my house like a programmed robot.Tears had begun to well up as I beat myself up over not knowing someone I greeted regularly had been deceased for over three months?! ...Honestly,I was weakened instantly,It sure put a dapper on my day.
It pained me more when I realized how her daughter had suddenly been saddled with the responsibility of being a mother to her siblings and how I didn't get to say goodbye....As I wept and struggled with how God intended to bring something good out of this and what I needed to be grateful for (its incredible how that was a major thought in the midst of grief.Gratitude?..wow!...)I decidedly encouraged myself and prayed for strength,warmth and the multi-dimensional expression of God's unconditional love for 'em.
In the course of the day,God saw my pain and lovingly,commitedly used words(song lyrics inclusive) to pull me up from that dreary state in circumstances I cannot begin to explain.11 thess 2:16,17.
I just knew from my inside that God is Faithful and has got my back,that inspite of it all,He alone could be "entrusted" with my utmost "trust"....Even as tears well up at the thought and typing of an account of a shocking,sad death in my opinion(that is seemingly unconnected to me)I just know am comforted by God...I just know...I just know.Oh how I just know!

Pheeew!..getting that out was therapeutic!..
Thank you for listening...On to the thanking folks!...My unflinching conclusion(even in tragic situations) is God is faithful and is eternally worthy of my gratitude and #thanksgiving....

Mayowa,my cute,winsome sweetheart and fellow chorister is on board tonight to share what she's thankful for...Enjoy!

Mayowa
This is the day that the Lord has made,we will rejoice and be glad in it.
I slept pretty late thanks to the new series movie I came across.Hearing my mum scream my name from her room this morning, I jolted out of bed to the bathroom to wash my face. Looking at the clock only to realise its still pretty early ,it read 7am...*covers face*( ASUU is on strike naa).
Anyways am grateful for sleeping and waking up. You know how we take it like its our right when really,its a privilege.

I'm also grateful for my parents-they are indeed amazing with the unending tasks and errands they make me run daily(who am I to complain?how dare I?..lol)I realize i'm also grateful for my siblings(its not easy to be the second out of three kids ooo especially when the 1st is working and the last isn't around. Mehnn... U gats do plenty chores...lol..i'm equally grateful for cousins and extended family.

Thirdly,I'm grateful for who I am. I can't pride myself of being all and all but trust me,u wld love me if u got to know me *battling eyelashes*.. But really, i'm grateful that I possess the virtues I have,I love God.He made me this great person...Go figure!

I'm thankful for the people around me. People who would push you to acheive something great,my family in school(VHF-amazinggg people). Friends like Elisabeth(trust me,I would really never have considered writing anything and posting online),Chidinma,Christiana,Bose,Damilola Whenu,Peace Emmanuel,Yinka Adebayo,Kelechukwu Babajide,Laolu Ogunmekan,Tola balogun,Caroline Latona,Ife Balogun,Eniola Adesanya,Okiki, My one and only Tobi Dada... Mehn,the list is endless o. (You need to meet this great men and women ).

Lastly, I'm oh so grateful for entertainment *covering eyes* fashion(good clothing),tv shows,food,riddles,jokes,music,dancing,going out with friends,fellowshiping with the brethen,watching movies,lounging,gadgets...
God is good at all times,that I know for a surety and he loves all us.

Thank you for reading!

God bless y'all...
Please drop by to visit my friend's gratitude posts @www.eziaha.com and www.giantsparkle.wordpress.com...

Don't forget to enjoy those DAILY BENEFITS folks!

Live Resplendently!

Nanyt!

#Second entry...Day 26 Gratitude Journal Challenge with Banke.

 Hola amigos!...How do you do today?...I trust you consciously enjoyed the benefits for today?I did and i'm #grateful for every single one from the cab fares friends catered for to favors enjoyed while food-shopping this evening. Thankful all the way.
    Interestingly,my day started out at about 3am.I woke to electricity and that short while awake before I returned to dreamland birthed the unusual.Remember my journal entry on Friday where I talked about Faith&how she was supposed to feature but was nowhere to be found?No?Oya go and read it asap...
Okay,turned out factors not exclusive of phcn and bb battery ish contributed to her inability to feature....Atta girl that she is though,she still sent me the post the next day,apologising profusely.I wasn't sure I would be able to publish it not 'cos I was disappointed/upset at plans falling through but because all the dates had been taken by guest bloggers a week before.Thus,I went on with my biz,not even taking time to read it.
Long story short,I felt inclined while awake in those wee hours to share her #gratitude entry. Just before I could say Jack,I had written an intro,copied,pasted&proofread her post.I didn't even completely enunciate Robinson before the post had gone up....and then I went back to sleep.
     In the process of writing,I was the combination of inexplicable giddy+palpable enthusiasm at my norm-breaking audacity.It just felt right to share that post...and it did bless me,besides exciting and giving me a run for my money i.e. Don't check out here tonight without reading (and dropping a comment too) Faith's #gratitudejournal entry.Babe waxed poetic no be small....Its the post before this.
    I'm #thankful for a double-barrelled #gratitudejournal entry day.Double portion blessings all the way mehn!!!...lol...Its totally refreshing to be a part of something this close to God's heart,cultivating and sharing amongst others a kingdom dialect&culture.I'm also #thankful for strength in the things of God,wireless internet connection(first time ever!)and the nudging of God's spirit.

I've got an amazing young woman today on this night's journal entry.God does have a sense of humour sha.Its interesting how she&Faith are featuring on same day(Don't worry,I won't tell anyone the gist behind this divinely orchestrated pattern.Relax!lol)
Banke is a gorgeous,profoundly inspiring woman who does beautiful works with her hands as inspired by God....makeup artist extraordinaire and wall/interior decor artist.
She is CEO @Oludidit studios.Check out her blog here@ www.oludidit.blogspot.com

Banke

*big sigh*
If I had had a premonition of how today would eventually turn out, I would have been more swift in responding to my 5:20am alarm!
A little story on the 5:20am alarm…
I’ve come to hate o’clocks. 6 o’clock, 12 o’clock.. Just slay me already.
Something about those times just makes me want to go late. Lateness is spirit, by the way but…whatever.
Where was I?
So,  yea. O’clocks.
My alarm goes off by 4:45am every morning but yesterday, I couldn’t go to bed early so I adjusted the time by 35minutes to 5:20am. Not like the extra sleep will make me any more beautiful than I already am though. (bats eyelashes at my narcissism.)

The day.
…And what I’m thankful for.
#Soliloquy: I hope this is how it goes sha. Anything for the perfectionista resplendenta Liz! :D

I’m thankful for the newness of the day.
I am NOT a religious sister so I’m not speaking christianese here. Mine is a personal walk of faith and I’m glad that each new day, I don’t have to beg God for extra toppings of mercy or grace because I overused the previous day’s portion. It’s simply NEW every morning!
That to me, is amazing and nothing beats it.

I’m thankful for the ability to ask and receive.
I’m a serving corps member and for the next project at my cds group. I’m on a 6-man fund-raising committee. We had letters typed out and our flight plan mapped out. We had gone out on Monday last week to give out a few letters and we met unprecedented favour. On one spot, we had raised 230k out of 360k from four Commissioners and a Permanent Secretary. What we did today was to send out more letters and get some of the cash we were promised the week before.
It all went very well.

I thank God for the gift of friendship.
The whole rounds of the fundraising today was done under the sun. But I had fun! One of our stops was at the Government house, Minna. We were asked to wait in a plush room for a while and as adventure lovers, we started to take pictures behind the backdrops. At some point, nobody wanted to be left out in the picture taking so it means we had no camera man. We had to resort to the camera  timer which was crazy fun, by the way. We would  set the timer and  run back to strike our different poses like little kids.
The room had CCTV camera, may I add. Whoever was doing the watch for that shift no doubt had the time of his life! hehe

I thank God for food. Good food.
After the whole waka waka, we went to some Iya Femi place like that (quite reminiscent of Skye bank place in Ibadan. And Ojuurin too! :D) and we all had pounded yam with orisirisi soups. I had egusi with one kind big goat meat like that! When food can make you speak in tongues!! *lips sealed*
There’s also something about eating together that makes the food so much sweeter.
There was a downside though.
The road back to my house is quite rough so all the food had the audacity and well, liberty, to mix well in my belly. I could literally hear the sound of it! Choi.
Barely an hour after the meal, I had to be in church for a cell meeting. Honestly, I thought we would just pray for a while and do talking for the most part. Brethren, it was the other way round.
Have you ever tried rattling in tongues after an overly satisfying meal of pounded yam with correct egusi and goatmeat? Don’t try it mehn! It’s such heaviness and battle against the flesh.
Nna mehnn, odikwa serious!

I thank God for love.
Just before the meeting started, my cell leader was put in charge of this really fine baby boy, barely 2years old. Or maybe 2. He was so adorable! When the meeting started, he put me in charge of the baby. So it meant that I had to pray with a terribly full stomach, carrying a baby!
It was seeming tribulation but I counted it all joy.
It indeed was all joy!
The boy was so calm and beautiful. I started to cuddle him well oo, tapping grace for my own in the future. Something funny happened though. Happened about 4times sef. This boy and me would, at every of the 4times lock in a gaze and he would gradually lean into me and bring his lips towards mine.
No I’ve not been reading Miles and Boons..Jeez, give a sisteh some credit! :p
And no, I was not imagining things.
The funni-ly awkard part was that THAT made me shy and I would just turn my cheek awkwardly. Like you would do to deflect an actual kiss you didn’t want. It was so odd!
I sha thought it was cute o but I wondered what the child had been seeing his parents do.
Aanyywayy,
I carried him and pressed him towards my chest, rocking him once in a while, while I went on praying in tongues.
The most beautiful thing happened…
He slept! Right there, on my chest, while I prayed in tongues. With the volume I was on, it would be disturbance to anybody. I later found out from his Mum that that’s what makes him sleep; when they (his parents) are praying in tongues.
I loved the boy! It was so sad when his mother carried him away! L

And again, I thank God for love.
I’m in a relationship with the most amazing man on earth! Everyday is a new chapter of love and discovery and depth and to God, everyday, I express such immense gratitude for this gift!
Lemme share a snippet of what melted my heart today:
“I may not see all the luxury, dreams, success that I want yet but when I look at you, I know God gave me the most important thing first.”

Lastly, I thank God for electricity. It seems rather mundane to thank God for this but when your laptop battery dies and the one on your blackberry follows, yet you still have to type Madam Liz’s blog post, you’ll scream to the top of your lungs when light shows up.
I did.
J
Thank you for this opportunity to be openly thankful, Liz. I can feel God smiling right now.

P.s: Liz would never know the James Bond moves I had to do to make this post a reality this night. And I’m not even telling. For this too, I give thanks!

Lizzie
Thank you for sharing dear!...May your life be beautiful...*winks*.

N.B:Day 26 has got two #thankful guest posts do not forget to read today's first #gratitudejournal entry with Faith(simply read the post before this)....as well as my partners-in-gratitude @www.eziaha.com and www.giantsparkle.wordpress.com.

Here's my little closing poem.Enjoy!

Never be caught walking around life like anyone owes you anything.
Be #grateful to God and for God.
Be #grateful to people and for people.
Be #grateful for situations&circumstances.
Till your #perpetual gratitude exudes unbidden and attracts more blessings/virtues to be grateful for.

*bear hugs*...Good night folks!

Unconventional and not 'norm-al' Gratitude Journal Entry with Faith

         Hey there people!...How's your day coming along?Great innit??Are you consciously finding reasons to be #thankful already?....
    I think that my very essence struggles with conventions&many atimes I just stand out,showing a more excellent way....Hehehehe
Pay me no mind.The above is merely a glorified,funkified excuse for breaking rules out of love.
Let me explain;
   I uh,figure sometimes,we should be sensitive enough to be willing to break the norm(I should know about norms&norm breaking.I'm a sociologist afterall) especially in matters that regard doing God's will.
I think that God wouldn't mind(and neither should you)my unusual #Gratitudejournal post at this time of the day. However,she(Faith)couldn't send her post to me that night(phcn,bb battery ish) and I had to fill in for her.I'm glad she didn't give up and still thought of sending past her d̶e̶a̶d̶ lifeline.
Summary,she's chosen to be #thankful and i'm gonna make a discretionary exception to share her #gratitudejournal entry a̶n̶d̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶m̶u̶s̶t̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶....You berra be excited Day 26 is double portion day o! I am.

I present to you Ukpai,Faith LLB(there's such delight in using that suffix after half a decade (5years..lol))in school)

Faith
I'm actually nervous on this one
 *scratch that*
"you can't be nervous on Thanksgiving Day, oh! Night?"
(..And I'm seriously not having a conversation with myself, about myself)

That said. I don't even know where to start from (Aha! Gotcha! That's the famous "testimony opener" in Churches and all of you'd actually scream: "Start from the beginning! Start anywhere!")LOL!

There are strains of Hillsong's "Desert Song" playing in the background as I muse and type. That song's been on repeat today.
It captures the depth of my feelings through my recent experiences.
Hence, the things I'm most thankful for, today are:
Family
Friendship
These Five years
Trouble
These are mainstream, you say? No sir. They aren't. Not to me. They capture the story of a young woman in a strange land held and led by the hands of THE All-Knowing, all-Sufficient God.

CAVEAT: It's impossible to have 'testimony' without the gist, right? Kindly allow me tell mine with words and faces:)

Put the biro in this cassette, 'wind' it back five years. Frail girl turned woman. Sent off from the hills of the Plateau into the embrace of rusty roofs (The Lord bless the inhabitants of Ibadan).
First year, second year, the third? Up until the fifth? Clad in charcoal-black pencil skirts and shirts that could only earn you the sometimes unpleasant tag 'Abadina student'. Racing across faculties for lectures, for countless meetings and several functions, staying up nights 'fore exams to cram weird cases, whose names flew out of your head the moment they flowed through the vein(s) of your pen(s).
The platforms to love, serve and learn the ropes of being an active team member and a leader? You, only You, Principal Intriguer could have brought these opportunities. The L&D, TFI, CFI, INCEPTUM, MAYEIN amongst others. Picking up clay, moulding and re-moulding, breaking up, enriching with character and virtues and strengths.
I'm grateful for those days, Father. You ARE the solid Rock on which I stood and forever will still find my footing upon. Under those Everlasting Arms my soul found and still finds succour, love and peace. Ahh..!Lord and Saviour aren't just titles to both of us!

To adopt the (Western) Dictionary's definition of family? Nah..it'd be like kicking myself in the shin. So, for this next category of persons, 'tis with great honour I call 'em FAMILY plus I'm bowed with aeonian gratitude.
My father would call every day (yes, unfailingly! He'd ask if I'd fed his daughter- that became our joke). My mum became Confidant during this period, praying with me through difficult situations. Her story should definitely light up the pages of Stormie Omartan's "Power of a Praying Wife/Mother". My brothers and I would see only 6 times in 5 years? Parting was always difficult and sometimes, *sighs* tearful. Men of great global and eternal relevance you both are.
"Family is everything", one writer says. I agree. The Igbokwes, Ohihions, Amaojos, Andahs, you see? They created a place for me in their hearts and homes- and how I'd ever repay this huge debt of Love? The Paris Club ain't got those kind of resources . Plus did I also add that I was taking a class on "Family Life" at these points? The Lord sure knows how to fix a class.

"...We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19)
I am not sure one can be excitable whilst writing a piece like this. So I can't seem to find myself howling or hollering on this one. It doesn't sound very intelligible simply saying 'Wow' to describe this group of persons, but I ask that you kindly indulge me.
That in His awesome wisdom, He would craft my times and embed into the vision called CFi keeps my knees infinitely bowed and my heart's faucet of praise forever turned on. Mrs. Aanu Oyinlana Akintounde, P. Sunny, Tessy, 'Fumibi, 'Sade, Pastor Chuks, the names would take up the whole length of this entry and perhaps more. You walked and talked Jesus, keeping this iron sharpened. Moreover, this seed could grow- especially because the environment supported life!
Grace Nenji- The memory of our first day in this City brings with it unbridled tears- of joy, of course.
Tosin Fatoyinbo, Brother and friend, all rolled up in one? I'm grateful especially because you'd look past the "Iron Lady" look on my face and tell me like it is, saving my head and soul in the process!
Kayode Oyewole, Emeka Ossai and Edem Andah, I watched your lives closely, in silence and in awe at the greatness God spins out of yielded, humble hearts.

So, here's to every single person who at some point or another, plucked at my heart's strings with bows of love. You were there as an attentive ear, a firm shoulder through an ordeal,you probably held a handkerchief for the tears (oh! I had a dam of those!), or was someone I shared laughter and great moments with, I've got a phial of those memories stored in a very special place in my heart. I bless each of you daily, as I stand before God, whether with word-laden praises or wordless groans, I give thanks for blessing my life with such fragrance.

I'm grateful for trouble.
*Double-take*
Yes, you read that right. I am grateful for trouble, for the night times of my life, for the days when God seemingly didn't make sense. The Spirit of God was brooding over the waters of my troubled mind, over all the confusion! Brother Hagin says it well; " you don't know nothing about faith until 'tis put to test/practice".
Hebrews 5:8 was given to me in a most humbling manner. I am a son, there are paths I must tread- whether by suffering that yields obedience; refining that births gorgeous gold, or the heir that is no longer a child and now worthy of the inheritance. I flunked many a class,wanted to give up too, but He held me firmly and with victory in tow, I rejoiced each time in wondrous Revelation- "My strength comes into its own in your weakness" (2Cor 12:9)

I can only say that if you've gone through this, you'd know that there's great gain. However, if you haven't, truth is, there are a lot of those classes you're gon' have to take. They serve to qualify you! Be encouraged knowing that you're never alone through this (why am I thinking of Liverpool now?) The Holy Spirit's the Best support system. He's Wisdom, Comfort, Teacher, Friend and more all rolled in Him!
For me, this is merely the scratching of the surface!
I am grateful all the way.

PS: I didn't feel this should come at you as a script, hence my apparent refrain from the usual public speaking embellishments. I simply wrote out the contents of my heart on Friday, August 24, 2013


Lizzie
Phewwww!..*fans self*....and y'all thought I could wax poetic like T.D Jakes? Nah nah nah
My friend just gave us all a run for our money.
Infact,I insist she's Sarah Jakes younger sister.
She has to be jor...LoL

Choi!no one's more grateful for this graceful, unusually gifted woman of God.
Bless your heart Faith!I'm #thankful for divine orchestrations that has linked our pathways.
I'm even more grateful for the conclusion of the seemingly unending school phase.
The testimony of Faith is the possibility of Lizzie.I'll be out just in His beautiful time.

God'll throw and make mincemeat of the bounds of your knowledge of Him dear....and in no small measures too darling...All the way!

Okay Lizzie,come and be going,this is not your post...lol.

Thank you for stopping by people!...Don't quit the attitude o'gratitude today.
Decidedly enjoy those benefits.They are for you folks!


'Till we catch up in the evening for our 'normal' #gratitudejournal entry,(i'm not even gonna give in to the temptation of telling you how remarkable my guest blogger is gonna be tonight)...uh,did I just do what I said I won't do?....ugh!...*sighs*..

Oh well,till then...Cheers people!

Live Resplendently!