Thankful Thursday- God Cares

1 Peter 5:7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Thank you all for your comments on my last thankful Thursday / testimony. If you haven’t read it please do so by clicking here. 

 

My second testimony is more of an encouragement to others and also talks about the fact that God cares about even the simplest things. 

source: google images

So a few months ago I had to go abroad. I usually check in online anytime I travel and I usually aim for the aisle or window seat. I stay clear of the middle seats. Just not my style especially when travelling alone.

So I was able to choose my seats for my outbound and inbound trips. Outbound trip was totally fine, got my window seat. Inbound flight, I could only find a middle seat bang in the middle. Not aisle but middle middle so this will be me sitting inbetween two people for a 6 hour flight. Phew. It was one of those flights where you had to pay extra if you wanted a different type of seat…I didn’t quite understand that. Anyway….

I decided to worry more about it when I had to return, hoping some window and aisle seats would have turned up available. Day before my flight I checked but still no seats. I got to the airport and when I was going to drop my bag I asked the attendant- very nice lady- if there were any seats. She checked but said no. I said thank you and left.

At this point I just told myself I will be ok, I had bigger fishes to fry. Baale had just called me the day before with some worrying news. That took my mind away from my seat issues.

I went through the security gates and found my way to the boarding area. I realized there was free wifi so I quickly connected myself to continue chatting with Baale.

Next thing I hear my name been called from a distance “Mrs Aloted Omoba please come to the boarding gate for check in”. My name has never been called at the airport before so you can imagine my surprise. I was like “huh, check in? but no one else is checking in. Even first and business class, what’s going on?!.” I heard my name been called again.

I hurriedly packed all my stuff and walked to the gate. The lady asked for my passport and the conversation went something like this:

Lady: “hello Mrs Aloted, I see you have a middle seat”

Me with a sad look: “ya, I tried to find another seat but wasn’t happening and I wasn’t willing to pay extra for one”

Lady: “Well we just found you a window seat, will you be interested”

Me with a surprised look: “Really?! Of course I would!, this is fab”

Lady: “Yea, we are trying to seat a family together blah blah”

She changed my seat and I was thoroughly surprised. I was so not expecting that.  I know some of you may see it as coincidence but that is what I call God-incidence (my last testimony was also a classic God-incidence). How come out of everyone on that flight, I was called to change my seat before the flight.

At that very instance God brought to my mind the other thing Baale told me, that I was worried about. He reminded me to cast all my cares on him, because he's got me and the situation. I don’t even think I prayed about my seat getting changed…maybe once. I thought about how nice it would be but didn’t say any elaborate prayers or dwell on it. That made me realize God knows and cares about every single thing that concerns me.

Do you think God has forgotten you? Do you think he doesn’t care? Wrong! God cares much more than you can imagine. If he cared about me being comfortable on a 6-hour flight then I know he cares about the bigger stuff and will sort it out. He shows up right on time.

All you have to do is believe and humble yourself. You cannot do anything in your power.

What has God done for you recently to remind you he is your father and that HE cares? Please share in the comment box below.

Till next time stay blessed

Aloted

Thankful Thursday- God came to my RESCUE

 I called You Answered

And You came to my Rescue!

Today I have two testimonies. Testimonies are meant to be shared to encourage each other and also to share the awesomeness of God. I want to give all thanks to him! You all know how I love God and if I had a chance I would talk and blog about him all day long! Hehe!

So I hope this doesnt turn out to be a long post as I am not a fan of long posts but here goes:

Testimony 1- A few months ago I went in to my GP to get a simple procedure done ( I won't bore you with the details). As in simple go in and go out type procedure but the devil thought otherwise. The GP (general practitioner) tried to do it and said it was looking complicated and didn't want to risk any more complications. He said he would have to refer me to the main hospital for a scan and I may need general anesthesia (GA) and surgery. Gene what? Surg- what? I have never been put to sleep before or had surgery so I was like "huh, you kidding right".

Anyway I had to go on a waiting list for about a month and a half. I got a letter to come in October but I called them to move it forward, as I was some time in pain and wasn't even sure what it was. I wanted to get this whole thing over and done with. Thankfully, I was called in to come in Sept 27th.

I went in to the hospital, and waited for like 2 hours. Gosh see loads of women waiting to be seen. Anyway, the registrar I saw did some checks and also confirmed I would need the GA/surgery and depending on what they find I may have to come back for another surgery and what not. He got me to sign a form after telling me all the risks of infection and things getting ruptured inside of me. He told me I would be sent a letter for surgery date which would be in late Nov. I was just dazed, confused and upset.

Now during the time I was on the waiting list, I called in to another clinic to see if they could get the procedure done. My appointment for the second clinic was Oct 1, this Monday that just passed. So Thursday when I got the news, I told Baale and my SIL (sister in law) who is my sister from another mother. They were both like wow! are you serious? nawa o! but why? and what not.

Anyway SIL who is in Nigeria suggested we fast and pray about it all on Monday before I go in. So that was what we did, I told God my heart desire- I didn't want to do a surgery for something that was suppose to be simple. I told 2 other friends and they agreed to pray along.

Monday came and a lot of drama happened just a few hours before I had to go to the clinc in the evening. Work was hectic. Baale was getting on my nerves. Also our car which I took in for repairs during the weekend wasn't ready.  So I decided to walk to the clinic , I didnt realise it was that far. 45 mins walk! Phew. All the way I kept telling myself not to allow my fasting and praying be a waste because of all the drama.

Anyway I got there and saw the nurse, I didnt mention anything about the surgery and all so as not to get her worked up. She tried to do the procedure but found it difficult. All this time I was just praying it will be done and that I am not leaving here without getting this thing done. She then said she needed to call the doctor on duty to do it. I said no problem.

She went out to get the doctor from the other room. People, guess who turned up? The first doctor who tried and sent me off for the scan! Immediately I saw him I hid my face (I was lying down). He came in and got to work. Before I knew it procedure was over! Done and dusted.

OMG (that means Oh my goodness btw) I started to laugh! I was laughing!!!! I was given the clear- no GA, No surgery, no nothing! I laughed and danced all the way to the train station (ok I was dancing in my mind) but laughing out loud like a crazy chic.

GOD IS AWESOME!!! and he has a sense of humor! I called SOS style and he came to my rescue! He used the same doctor to get this simply stuff done.

I have heard stories of women going in for this same procedure and end up with all sorts of complications. I was and still humbled because God decided to be merciful towards me. My people, please bless God with me!!!

A friend said to me recently in light of all these and also her own trial- "Do not let your reality question the might and power of God Almighty".

I challenge you with these words. Your reality has nothing on God's awesomeness. 

God hears us, and I want to encourage anyone who is believing God for something- healing, financial breakthrough, a child, a husband, a job, whatever. He hears and he will answer you just in time! JUST IN TIME! If you just believe and hold on to him. Tell him as it is, He will answer. His name will be lifted high in your life.

I leave you with this song I love so much. Stay encouraged




 Oh I said two testimonies ya? I'll share the second one next time. Another mind blowing one - well for me! I am one special child of God ;)

God bless you all

Aloted

Prayer challenge - IPray4U - Testimonies

So remember the IPray4U prayer challenge we did in July? Someone sent me some testimonies relating to the challenge and I have her permission to share them.

God is awesome and he is still in the business of surprising us.

1. My bestie is in the UK now & will be affected with the Jan 2013 visa ish..

Her office has agreed to sponsor her and she needed £1,000 to be in her account for 3 months.  A week or two after the iPray4u challenge someone sent her the money. With that she's good to go and we are trusting God for £1,500 for the visa process. God be praised.

2. One of my friends was feeling down, so she decided to join the challenge. So here's her testimony in her words:

"So I wrote out the names of people I felt needed my prayers. One of the names was that of my cousin that lives with me. He's been out of school for about 4/5yrs and believing God for a good job. Fortunately, my 1st day of iPray4u was his birthday (13th July). So I prayed that God should give him a special birthday gift."

And exactly 8day after, he got a job. He resumed work today. Funny thing abt the job is he didn't have to write a test. Just a chat & presentation with the MD. Halleluyah!"

***I still do the iPray4u challenge and I know God surprises us with more testimonies. Thanks dear, for allowing God to use you.

Isn't God amazing!!! He listens to our prayers. 

The Prayer challenge is still on,you can do it whenever you like. Also if you need support in prayer I will be glad to pray with you. Do contact me.

God wants to do something in YOUR life. 

Is it too late??

This is bad! We are 19 days into the New Year and I haven’t even hailed my people. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sincere apologies for the delay.

Last year was good, thank God, but 2011 is going to be GREAT. I pray 2011 brings a lot of GREAT surprises to you in Jesus name.

2011 is the first year in this new decade so that makes it is the year of many firsts- 1^st House, 1^st Job, 1^st baby, 1^st (and only) husband or wife, 1^st car, 1^st business etc. I am very expectant and will definitely be back to share my “1^st” testimony. Sooner rather than later.

I need to improve on my blogging this year o. I have a post whirling in my mind but to write it out, na wahala. I will get to it soon.

See you around soon :)

photo credits- http://reavel.blogspot.com

Time surely flies- Thankful Tuesday

It seem like yesterday when I was in the labour room thinking my life would end and then my adorable princess was born. Last weekend she turned 1. She is such a smart little diva who walks all over the place, can say the words "bye-bye", "gba" (which means take in English) and "take", follows simple instruction and knows when she does something wrong.

She had a quiet but lovely first birthday with gifts from daddy and mummy. An evening at snakes and ladders proved to be fun as well. It was all about her and no one else.

I am thankful to God for Princess' life. Strangely I can't remember what life was before she came into our lives. She is such a blessing and delight. She is growing up to be a change maker in her generation.

Words cannot really express how I feel.

What are you thankful for?

Gone too long...(Another Milestone!)

How are you all doing? Fine I believe. Did you miss me? Me, I missed you guys o. Thanks to those who checked up on me via email, facebook, blogger comment page. I appreciate it. God bless you.

I have been gone too long I don't even know where to start from. Ok let me start by sharing my wonderful news which a few bloggers know about already. It is weird because I keep saying my blog is not a personal blog per se but an inspirational one. However I feel I owe it to you guys (my blogville family) to share my good news and the Lord's doing in my life, like when I got married.

Ok enough of the suspense. About a month ago, I gave birth to my adorable princess. She is such a delight and keeps amazing me everyday. My pregnancy experience was amazing apart from the first 3 months of morning sickness. The labour experience was out of this world. I am sure other blogger mamas can testify that it is like going through the valley of death but totally worth it when you see your bundle of joy. I thank God for safe uncomplicated delivery. Baba God is ever faithful. He is too much!

I pray for bloggers known and unknown who:

- are currently pregnant that God will give them supernatural childbirth. Mother and Child(ren) and even daddy will come out of the experience alive and well.

- are waiting on God for the fruit of the womb. Children are the heritage of the Lord and it is HIS will for us to multiply and dominate the earth. Blessed is the fruit of your bodies in Jesus name!

So you might ask how does it feel to be a mummy? LOL, well I am just enjoying the ride as each day comes with different experiences. I am taking each day at a time. Baale is excited to be a daddy and I can tell Princess will be a daddy's girl.


N.B- Hopefully I will continue with my celebrity series very very soon.

The day started like any typical day

Lord I give u praise, thanks and adoration. I thank you for who you are. I thank u that despite all the plans of the enemy, your mighty hand has prevailed. As the mountain surrounds Jerusalem so have you surrounded your people. You are my shelter, my rock and my shield. Words cannot express my gratitude.

My people, apologies for going MIA. Thanks so much to those who asked after me. I really appreciate it. I have no excuses. No excuses at all. I am back by God’s special grace. The devil is a liar. I am sure you are wondering what I am going on about. I will fill you in shortly.

I was going to blog about my encounter with a grumpy obnoxious man with his ugly dog but something of more importance happen this Saturday.

Saturday was like any other typical day. Baale and I were thinking of going to watch a movie in the afternoon but ended up not going. I was loafing on the couch around 12 noon when my phone rang. It was a family friend; his parents are neighbours with my parents back home. After the usual pleasantries, he asked me when last I heard from home. Immediately an alarm went off in my head. First thing that came to my mind was my grandmother- she is still in the hospital recovering and I thought oh no it has happened! Anyway I answered and said I spoke with my mum earlier in the week. He was like ok, he had some news but he wanted me to calm down. I was like ok, what happened, already panicking at this stage. He said he was just on the phone, with another neighbour when my cousin called that neighbour to say armed robbers came to our house that morning and attacked my dad and that he was in the hospital. To be honest I didn’t quite get what he was saying. All I heard afterwards was that it wasn’t serious and he is fine, my mum didn’t know (she had gone for a burial that morning in another town) and they didn’t want to tell her yet. At this point, I wanted to end the call so I could call my sister. I didn’t know what he meant by attack and I didn’t want to ask him.

I call my elder sister to find out what was happening. Baale kept saying take it easy, it is well and I was like ok but I don’t even know what is going on. My sis and her hubby were at the hospital and that’s when she told me what happened. My dad was shot on the knee! Shu! Shot ke, how? Why? When? She didn’t have the full gist as she wasn’t there when it happened. Funny enough, she had just dropped off her baby girl at my parents, when my cousin called like 10 mins later to say Popc had been shot.

My peeps, it was like a dream to me, I still couldn’t believe it. In broad day light!!! My sis was also like he is fine but don’t call momc yet as we don’t want to get her panicked. In my head am like these people don’t know momc sha, I have never seen that woman panic before in my life. She is like the calmest person I know alive. But then again, her husband has never been shot so…..

Anyway I felt like catching the next plane to Nigeria. I was worried but at the same time I just kept praying that all is well. I called my lil sis in the states, actually I woke her up. I couldn’t talk so Baale told her the news. It was funny because she was sounding sleepy one second and then next minute we got her full attention. We agreed to pray for Popc and I also passed the message not to call my mum.

My dad was to have surgery that afternoon and I got to speak with him before he went in. I can’t remember the last time I heard him sound so low. I could barely hear what he was saying. I can’t even begin to imagine what was going through his head at that point. My mum got back from the burial later on and my sis said when she told her she was really calm about it. No surprises there.


Thankfully the surgery went well, no major bones were damaged and I believe he will be able to walk again. He sounded much better after the surgery and I was relieved. You can imagine getting hourly updates far away. I really wished I could be there.

Later on my cousin who was there when it all happened gave me the gist. I’ll still like to hear my dad’s version when he gets better. Every Saturday, the gardener comes to the house to trim the flowers and whatever it is that gardeners do. They had left the main gate opened as I think they were throwing dirt out or something. We never leave the gate opened especially at night. The thieves, two of them saw the opened gate, easy target, and walked in. They asked the gardener to lead them in, I think they also saw my popc’s driver outside and ordered him in as well.

My dad was having his breakfast, with my niece on his lap. He was getting ready to go out. Next thing, the rogues entered and shouted “gather your children, gather your children”. Popc called my two cousins, who were the only other people at home. My cousins, the gardener, and driver were asked to lie down flat and thief 1 told my dad to lead him to the bedroom upstairs while thief 2 waited downstairs. Thief 1 collected some money, one of his cell phones and some new clothes (I still don’t get the clothes part). The guy then asked for the keys to my popc’s car and I guess popc must have said it was downstairs so they came downstairs. Ok this was where I lost my cousin a bit, so I’ll just say it as I think it happened. She said when my dad got downstairs, he walked hurriedly outside, saying “where is the driver, I want the keys to the car”. Apparently thief 2 who was downstairs with my cousins thought my dad wanted to run away or so, followed him outside. Thief 1 also followed and at this point my cousins with my niece fled to their room and locked themselves in. A couple of seconds later they heard a gun shot. Later on they came outside and saw popc on the floor, shot, with blood gushing out from his leg. Fortunately the thieves fled the scene and were not able to take his car because students from the neighbouring school came around when they heard gun shot. They do have the keys to the car as we speak.

My dad is still in the hospital and we are not sure when he will be discharged. I am thankful that no one else was hurt, and that he wasn’t shot in the chest or head. I am thankfully that I am able to share this testimony of God’s protection over my dad and that I have not come to share a different version of the story. I really cannot imagine it. God’s promise to us is that we shall live to declare his glory and he brought that promise to pass in my father’s life. It’s crazy how we think our day will go a certain normal way not knowing the devil is always planning how to kill us. If not for God on our side.

Yesterday night when I spoke to my dad, he said, “May the lord forgive them”. For a man who had nearly lost his leg, I am amazed he was talking about forgiveness. That was the last thing on my mind, but I guess as Christians we have no choice but to forgive. However I pray they get caught and are brought to justice.



*For those that do not know, Popc= Dad, Momc= Mum

Ten things Tuesday (08)

Hi people. I hope you are having a good week so far. Here's my thankful list. God indeed is awesome and is forever faithful! You can check my last list here

1. For good health and protection
2. A good friend of mine visited from Nigeria. It was nice to host and catch up with her
3. Took hubby to the airport and missed my way back home! The silly navigator refused to work. It was pitch-dark and I was so scared. Started panicking and hyperventilating (why I dunno o). Had to park the car to get myself together after nearly having an accident. At that point, God gave me wisdom to ditch the navigator and instead look at the signs for direction. That led me home. When I got to the turning to my road, I heard the navigator say “take the next left and you will reach your destination”….Nonsense! But in all I thank God I got home safely.
4. My MIL’s birthday was last week. I am thankful she is hale and hearty and that she had so much fun on her day.
5. My little cousin’s turned 11 yesterday. He is such a big boy now and it was nice speaking with him over the phone. I saw him last when he was 5/6.
6. Even though my business is moving slowly, I am thankful for the things I am learning and I believe it will grow better than I am expecting
7. Despite the credit crunch, I am thankful for provision every single day
8. I am glad Rachael was kept safe and is still in the X-Factor competition. Those who watch the X-Factor (Naijalines & co) will know what I am talking about. I hope she goes far even though I am not voting (might probably start when things become critical).
9. Today is Election Day in America. Even though I am hopeful that Obama will win, I am thankful because I know God is in control whatever happens.
10. I am thankful that Jonathan Eledu has been released and I believe the Nigerian govt will give him back his travel documents ASAP.

So what are you thankful for?

Please, if you can, take a few minutes to welcome Nwachi to blogville. I am feeling her blog already :)

Meanwhile I have been meaning to ask y'all a question. When you post a comment or question on blogs, which do you prefer- receiving a reply on that person’s blog, your blog or via email. Just want to be sure if someone asks me a question or whatever; I respond to the appropriate place. Personally, if I ask someone a question on their blog, I don’t mind where they reply as I typically track comments but I must say sometimes emails have a personal touch to it.

So please let me know. Ta!

I think I am back ;)

Hi guys! Must say I have missed you peeps. I have been away from blog world for sometime but now I think I am back!

The reason why I have been away is because I moved back to the UK (from Naija) and have been job hunting. It was not easy but I thank God for his faithfulness in my life. In anything I do, I want all glory to go to HIM and no man. He is just too much for me.

Anyway coming back to the UK to work seemed like a bad idea to some people. "Ah, it is not easy to get work in the UK o, especially since you don't have any UK experience", said a number of people but i said to everyone of them "My Father in heaven is the owner of all the jobs in the UK and everywhere, and I am sure he has at least one for me". Indeed, he proved it to me that he is able to do much more than I can ever imagine. My hubby 2 be (H2B) was also very very supportive. I remember just before I left Naija early July, H2B and I had a prayer of agreement that before the end of July I would get a job. Somehow, I felt we were not being realistic but God is no respecter of time. He makes all things beautiful in his time.

Ok, let me give you a summary of my job hunting experience-

First week July - I had an interview with a company but the following week I got "rejected". I was disappointed but realised that just because a company rejects me doesn't make me a reject, stupid, or daft. That job just wasn't meant for me!

2nd week July- I sent out my CV to several agents and posted on some job sites. I got a few calls here and there but nothing promising. I was beginning to panic at this point. I had no interviews lined up. God what is happening?? I was not finding this amusing at all. In the midst of my worry, I still tried to pray and even beg God to change my situation!

3rd week July - I edited my CV with the help of two great friends. Both of them felt my CV had a naija look n feel. lol. Anyway I sent out the new versions and decided to get myself ready for any interviews that might come up by reading up on stuff I learnt in undergrad and any material I got on interviewing skills. I had a strong feeling I was going to have interviews the following week.

4th week July- I received calls from 3 different agents to schedule interview dates- Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. I was so excited...lol...anyway I went for all three and they all went well. In fact on my way to Friday's interview I got a call from Thursday's agent saying I had been offered the job! On my way back, Wednesday's agent also called to say I got the job. Men, I was on cloud 9, I didn't even know what to say to either of them. I just told them I'll get back to them. Meanwhile, Friday's agent also called that the company wanted to have another interview, that they were impressed...lol...

Most times I hear that people do series of interviews with one company before getting the job or getting rejected but I got two job offers after 1 stage of interview each. I can only say I give all glory to God. Anyway so now I need to decide what the next step as per which job to take.

So my people, that is it o. God indeed is a faithful God. Without him I am nothing. My friends have also been wonderful. You all believed in me even when for a second I stopped believing in myself. God bless you all. For those of you job hunting I pray that God will surprise you beyond your imagination, just trust in HIM.

So now I am back in the rat race, oh mine!... Hopefully not for so long!!! ;)