40th Sunday...2 ½ times disappointed but 1 big VICTORY!!!!!!

Song of the week: Hezekiah Walker – Moving Forward

Encouragement Verse: “As the distance of East from West, so far from us does He put our faults...” – Psalm 103: 12

Quote of the week: “Whenever you choose to change for the better, your life automatically gains more value. Don't be stagnant in your secret sins, take a hold of Jesus' garment and let Him make you whole again.” --- Jaycee [Lamp]

I have come to realize that as I write the next chapter of my journey into the next phrase of my life, there will be those who will deride me. I should be afraid of the decisions I have made, afraid to love again...Worst more, afraid of what the future holds for me...But I won’t relent as I go forth in faith. For the Lord is truly my strength!!!

The process of beginning a new journey to finding your life’s purpose can be scary but you just take the first step in faith and God will carry you the rest of the road. [Remember poem, “Footprints In The Sand”]

So you might wonder why the title, “2 ½ times disappointed but 1 big VICTORY”. It came about as I decided in my last post to start another blog to impart encouraging word (By His Grace) into the life of people out there. I also remembered the story about how I began to pursue acquiring a visa to visit abroad.

The very first time I was scheduled for an appointment at the Embassy in Victoria Island, Lagos (In Nigeria), I was so excited because I was convinced I was definitely going to get it. I had all the exact documents (or so I thought) that was required by me to submit but I was in for a disappointment…a disappointment that almost paralyzed my faith in believe I could attain anything I set out to get.

After that incident, I stayed clear awhile (to be precise, four years)…then I took a crack at it again, this time with a renewed hope that was soon to be lost again. Twice disappointed already.

But once more I pressed forward…this time approaching the battle field with caution. Listening firmly to what the Holy Spirit had to say about the place I was going to. And just as I got dressed for my appointment…I got in my Spirit not to go forth. Hence I went out when the day was dawn, to splurge the money (I should have paid for my application fee) to pamper myself with. [My half ‘½’ disappointment]

By the end of that day, I was making a vow with God that I won’t come to that place until my status changed (2 ½ times I applied as a Visitor)…my victory did not come until I gave up thinking about it and went about my duty in life like nothing happened to me. At this point, My friends were tired of hearing say the same old story about traveling abroad but I still believe a miracle would come. And when God did give me my victory, He made sure it would be a hit-maker in the eyes of those who teased me. God gave them an Oscar winning performance that saw me doing the Victory dance.
He gave me a ‘Lottery Win’…So I was not just a visitor to the new land, a legal Resident. [My Big Victory…]

[*Now you know…that Kemi has set sail on a mission to do the Lord’s work in a foreign land…I guess this post is like coming out of the closet but not in negative/bad way]

Thus I press forward in faith, ready to make a change & sacrifices that will make a difference in my life by seeking God’s anointing to remove those thorns that have covered my life. I SURRENDER TO GOD…I am MOVING FORWARD in faith…Join me as I go forth (Amen)

God bless you all

*Breaking News:

New Blog Alert!!!

>>>Pop in and show some love >>> Kemi Penelope

Upcoming:
~ While, next Sunday (On this blog) read as I came from emptiness to His fullness at a time like this.

Pixel source: Istockphoto

39th Sunday...Another Leap Of Faith!!!

Song of the week: Gbenga Ogundeyi – Felefele Laye

Encouragement Verse: ...“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” – 2 corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Quote of the week: “Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.” --- Cherie Carter-Scott


So I needed to do something to eliminate the dissonance that exist in my mind about beginning another blog...but how do I share an in-depth yarn about the adventurous and not so adventurous world of Kemi? I am not just that blogizen (Citizen of Blogville) who take pleasure in blogging every Sunday. It is more than just that, I am a woman who has a not-so perfect past, a struggling-to-be-the-best present but definitely a bright future that is not completely rid of all the normal hurdles I have to jump over but one with dreams that are been fulfilled.

Now in order to approach the future with open arms, one needs to make peace with the ghost of their past. And even though I know that I still only but a work-in-progress, I am without a doubt not the same person I was four years ago.

I was heartbroken, angry, and ripped myself to bit's thinking that my happiness was dependable on those who were in my life. But I was burnt by that foolishness and in turn, I found emancipation of the pain, by keeping a journal that was crammed with records of bitterness, disappointment, regrets. That did not help.

Understandable I know I can’t be completely be rid of the past (I still have the scars that reminds me of it) but I am making an effort to see the sun shining in every cloudy situation and to be a better person because of the experiences, not just for me but for ‘Him’…ok, I need to give this ‘him’ a name…hmmmm, let me see…I think I will settle with Bankolé* (My ‘Bankolé’ is in no way connected to any Bankolé or Banky you may know, so drop the suspicious thought)…and that’s what his name will be until death do us part…

So let the building of my castles in the air begin…once Bankole and I, have crafted a solid foundation of friendship and love, we will definitely bring the castle down for the world to see…LOL

*The Blog to be officially launched in June...Watch this space!!!

Do have a wonderful week my fellow Blogizens…

38th Sunday...Praisin' My Way Out!!!

Song of the week: Asa – Iba

Encouragement Verse: “...I have put will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more.” – Psalm 71:14 (NLT)

Quote of the week: “When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” --- Unknown


...Sometimes when you don’t know what to do about a situation you are facing, it is best you simply Praise your way out of it. And before you know it, you will be at the other end of the tunnel of your problems...

So to you (inclusive me), who thinks that you should have been much further than this by now…just remember that,

“God will only release favor and promotion in our lives when He knows OUR CHARACTER CAN HANDLE IT.” - Joel Osteen

[This weekend was a bit busy for me but I am Thankful despite everything...have a wonderful week ahead.]

God Bless,

Kemi

Images from: Photobucket

37th Sunday...This is for you, Mama…!!!

Song of the week: Chris Brown & Keri Heilson – Superhuman

Encouragement Verse: “Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors.” – 2 Timothy 1:3 (The Message)

Quote of the week: “Your arms were always open when I needed a hug. Your heart understood when I needed a friend. Your gentle eyes were stern when I needed a lesson. Your strength and love has guided me and gave me wings to fly.” --- Sarah Malin


Iya mi (Mrs. Penélopê),

Ok, I know I have been a problematical child lately, and I am sure you keep wondering if someone must have switched your real child at birth.

But “Mama, it is still me…your Prodigal Daughter”

In my journey of self-discovery, I have realize that I never took the time to know the real you and where you are coming from.

You were a novice when it came to being a woman, wife and mother…but you raised me the way you knew best. I guess God had other plans for your mother that you had to face the new world of motherhood alone. I am sure if they had a University course for being a mother, you would have registered for it. But even then you never backed down from your pursuit of being the best you could be.

You trusted God and knew that you will be able to face every mountain. I see so much of you in me and I get scared…but that is who I am. I remember times you whop me when I did something naughty but you alway made it up to me that I forget the whopping of yesterdays. Now, when I look at how far I have come, I realize that you have made me into a ‘Strong Black Woman’ - ‘Superhuman’, I am.

Even if we quarrel more than we speak…I still love you for giving me a chance to make a difference in the world. You could have done away with me but you did not.

Iya mi, I am still getting to know you better…

I want to hate you but Gosh! When I think about the wonderful things you have sacrifice for me…I just can’t help but love you.

I laugh at the fact that even if I have informed you like a million times against trying to hook me up with every eligible bachelor, you still secretly do it…in fact, eHarmony & match.com, don’t have anything on you…

I love you, Iya mi…we are in this together and I know we’ll find a common ground pretty soon…just be patience with me.

**To every mother, especially blogging mother, thank you for sharing your experience of Motherhood with the world. You women are simply, Superhuman.

Images from: Getty Images

36th Sunday...!!!

Song of the week: Jedi – Jehovah

Encouragement Verse: “And I pray that as you share your faith with others it will grip their lives too, as they see the wealth of good things in you that comes from Christ Jesus.” – Philemon 6

Quote of the week: “Each time anyone comes into contact with us, they must become different and better people because of having met us. We must radiate God’s Love...intense Love does not measure...It just gives.” – Mother Theresa of Calcutta


On this my 36th Sunday Post...The “Song Of The Week” is a special dedication to everyone: Idon't have to mention names because You all know Who you are...!!!

...This past week has been two kinds of crazy with deadlines to meet… [I don’t know why we Nigerians like to wait to do everything last minute?]

So I had a project to submit before Thursday and here was I on Monday, I still did not have any idea on how to start the project. By Tuesday, I started playing around with different concepts on what to work on…and suddenly, down the road, I blacked out on ideas. Since I can’t kill myself, I decided to sleep over it until Wednesday…and by this now, time had already begun to tick away…announcing each second, minutes and hours that have begun to go down the drain as waste water…

”Hmmm! God save me, I needed to thinking fast or else I lose any chance of possible promotion to the next level.”

Wednesday zoomed by like a fast moving train introducing Thursday to my Calendar…With others having theirs (projects) beautifully package, I was still trying to put finishing touches to my own…[Thank God for Risi*[i] who assisted to make my project more presentable…]

Time for Presentation: Because I was late, I had to present my own project with the last group. And when it was finally my turn, I decided to showcase mine behind two other partner’s in crime because I was kind of embarrass by what I had put together.

But Guess what? They decided to switch the rule on me and begin with mine… I was certainly taken unaware. OMG! I wanted to die…I was not expecting this to go this way…Haba! Someone should have given me hint on that, and then I would have taken first place to present instead…

There was no place to run to, except to slide under the table and die a slow dead from embarrassment…but just then, I could not believe the news my ears was gathering, I was actually getting rave review about my project…and it ended with “Great Job, Miss Penélopê !!!”

I was like ‘Humph!’ Who would have thought otherwise…anyways, I have officially retired from ‘Last minute doing of project’, I will have to start learning to start on time (I hope? LOL)

Meanwhile on Last Week Sunday’s Post…I’d like to thanks everyone who left a wonderful comment and to ease Aloted’s mind, I will certainly reveal ‘Little by little’ the lady behind ‘Miss Kemi Penélopê’ but put it in mind that I also need to protect the identity of my friends, family…in my life.

Also Bloggers, if you have any question you’d like to ask me, you can leave a comment or simply email me: Kemipen@gmail.com (If you’d like to remain anonymous)

Anyways, do have a wonderful week and remember that “Good things just don’t happen; you have to go after it…” (I should also give myself that advice…LOL)…Enjoy the wonderful music dedicated to you ALL…!!!

[i] * Not their real name

Picture source: Getty Image