41st Sunday...From emptiness to His fullness!!!

Song of the week: Seal – This Could Be Heaven

Encouragement Verse: “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” – Philippians 2:13 [Amplified Bible]

Quote of the week: “Our strength often increases in proportion to the obstacles imposed upon it.” --- Paul De Rapin

Have you observed how redecorating a particular room has an enormous outcome not just on that room but also how it determines the outcome of the other rooms? Well, that what God want to do in our lives. He sees our determination to change on the interior part of our life and His love for us makes Him reach out a helping hand to our broken and wounded hearts. And as we experience this transformation, people begin to notice a difference in our lives…and also it impacts their lives in some way...

This Sunday, I begin my countdown to my ‘Jubilee’ post…and with only nine (9) Sunday post left, I recall the reason behind this Sunday journey.

Ok, let’s do the moonwalk back to the past…

One of these years (in this century), I found myself in hot waters with some relative while led me into a period of anger, bitterness, and depression. Months to come, I fell into the fallacy of blaming others for the problems I was facing. I blamed everyone but myself. And when I found myself in the corners of failure, I would run my mouth of excuses as to why I was still in the same place. Even giving myself a pat on the back for successfully swindling the mind of my listeners…I made myself the perpetual victim…How pathetic!

Now help me hit the Fast-forward button on the remote called ‘Life’to the present (ok, not quite the present as in this year but last year)…

Here I was a broken woman, hungry for change in some areas in my life, I decided to seek other ways to betterment. Since it wasn’t a stranger who hurt me but someone I would be unable to purge out of my life, I knew I needed the grace of God. I could have given up but I wanted more…I was not ready to settle for less (Remember NTA 2 Channel 5’s Slogan, “Don’t settle for less”). So definitely Miss Kemi was not about to settle…I needed MORE.

So one Sunday, I decided to do something different and it was to listen to a preacher on TV[ Now, you need to understand where I was coming from, I was the closed minded kind (Madam I.T.K - I TOO KNOW) and I did not believe in seeking out help from others – My belief was that they would try to sway me from my faith. But down the road, I learnt that if you have a strong faith & understanding in God nothing can shake from the place you stand...I wanted to be transformed but I needed not to fall into the excuse that it was the Church I attended that made me this way]

As I watched and listened on, his words encouraged me to believe that I could still experience change in my life but I have to be willing to open up to God to use me to His glory. At this stage, I found myself in tears and it was like the huge burden (in my heart) was hauled away.

To be honest, the battle is not over but that was the beginning of God taking charge of my life. It was then I decided to begin my Genesis the Sunday after… [Even though I began this blog March, 2008]

I still keep pressing forward with Hope in my heart believing that things will be different because I will be MAKING AN EFFORT to pursue change not just in the areas concerning my life but in the way of thinking, my relationship with Him...and then my walk with other people He places in my path .

By His grace, I WILL BE A GRADUATE in every stage because I will make an effort…

***Remember to listen to the calm voice in the midst of your storm

Next Sunday On Afunrun gin a Anya:
~ It is my time to bloom like the flowers...It is SUMMER!!!

Pixel source: Gettyimages

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

35th Sunday...Knowing Kemi Penélopê!!!

Song of the week: Mary Mary – God in me

Encouragement Verse: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9: 8

Quote of the week: “If you think you're too small to make a difference, then you've never spent a night in bed with a mosquito.” --- Anita Roddick

Fifteen Sundays left and then what…? I really don’t know but when that time comes I will take the step to what next.

In the intervening time, I decided to formally introduce me, myself & I, to the members of the B* World (a.k.a, ‘Blogsville’).

The name Kemi Penélopê was born from the fictional character in the 2008 movie called, ‘Penelope’ (a fairy tale about a girl who has trouble finding the right Prince Charming to break her curse of being part pig[I])…

What is interesting is the odd similarity I share with this fictional character ‘Penelope’...

The Curse: Oh yes I do have flaws (or that part of me) that I conceal away from the eyes & ears of the world for fear that they will only judged me without getting to know the real me.

Different Suitors: Penelope had to endure meeting different suitors who her mother was hoping will be the one to break the curse. I have had my own share of ‘hook-ups’ that have either run away or I have personally chased away out of my life…I guess I do them the honor before they decide to actually run away. I know that is wrong way to go about it but if you were in my shoes, you’d probably do the same.

Met ‘Max’: I met ‘Max’ who knew the Real Me...he never judged me but he could not give me what I wanted...and I could not completely commit to the relationship because I feared he may not be accepted.

Running away from home: Ok, I did not exactly run away from home but I did leave the beautiful and comfortable ‘Penélopê’ mansion to live on my own: I know, not so African. But I have to writethat it was my biggest leap to self-discovery…excited yet frightened that I may fail at this venture. It was not my comfort zone so I did not know what to expect…and worst of all, I had to start from the very beginning (not a very easy place to start). Papa & Mama Penélopê were definitely not happy with my decision and won’t speak to me (but they are finally coming around to accepting my decision).

The World Outside the mansion: It has been an emotional roller-coaster ride to self-discovery. I have had my ‘Allelluia’ days and then there were those days that it felt like Heaven had shuts its doors to my prayer. But God is not man and I have discovered His kindness in Psalm 34...I know He loves me and He never judges me because although it may not look or sound like this situation was planned by God but I do see the hand of God at work in my situation.

I have discovered things I never believed I was capable of doing myself…and although I can as slow as a turtle, when I have to make a major decisions but I always get there in the end.

[I] Penelope, http://www.penelopethemovie.com/
Image from: Movie-List

34th Sunday...Making It Easy!!!

* Please click song title to watch & Listen the song of the week...

Song of the week: Keisha White – It Takes A Stronger Man

Encouragement Verse: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. – Isaiah 54: 10 (NIV)

Quote of the week: “When you get to the end of all the light that you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly.” --- Edward Teller



Last year, I made up my mind I won’t be attending any other friend’s wedding until I walk down the aisle myself…I have lived faithfully to that promise since then until I got a call from my friend last night…she decided she’d like me to be on her train. Don’t get me wrong, I am truly honored that she has chosen me and I am definitely happy for her but I am tired of being the ‘Bridesmaid and never the Bride…’

So I guess I have to take my dieting serious (Update: I have managed to drop five (5) pounds since my last post “Making the right choice”)

Meanwhile I will be making it easy for the guys when they have to make a decision...(call me crazy but I call it honesty)


‘Caveat emptor’…[Latin for “Let the buyer beware”]

So how far will you go to get a guy to fall in love you even when you realize that ‘He’s just not that into you…’? And why do we have to hide the ‘Real Us’ just to get someone to love us, well actually the ‘Fake Us’? Well, I decided to take a different approach with the guys and I almost certainly will mess up my chances of ever getting ‘Hitch’ but at least, I can hold my head up and say, ‘I did not compromise who I really am…’

And just to make it uncomplicated for the guys and to kind of shrink the list of potential toasters, I would be wearing the ‘Caveat emptor’ sign on my fore head…Letting them know upfront my flaws.

I am no longer interested in ‘Window shoppers’ who simply do not have a serious intention of purchasing or ‘Testing Officers’, who waste my time trying to sample the product, "excuse me, but I am no guinea pig". And to those who leave the job of ‘finding-a-mate’ to Agents (Friends…), I guess you will never know the joy of getting the real face value of what would have been yours and since those agents work on commission, they definitely may decide to keep the ‘goods’ for themselves.

Anyways, let me leave it at that for now but I am serious about this…

33rd Sunday...Allelluia...On the Third Day!!!

Song of the week: Wale Adenuga – Ta lo dabi re

Encouragement Verse: “He is risen...” – Matthew 28:7

Quote of the week: “The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.” – Robert Flatt


On this my 33rd Sunday Post...Y

...I praise God for keeping His promise...
For He gave us, His only beloved Son to die for our sins,
So each year we get to nail our sins to that 'Old rugged cross',
And then we feel our sinful nature buried forever,

But suddenly, there's a shout of Allelluia...!!!
For...on the Third day,
Because He lives, we have become a new creation...

Jesus is Alive...
We are alive again,

Praise God!!!

To Everyone, I wish you a Happy Easter Celebration,
God has given us another chance for a new life...

So Rejoice!


Jesus is the joy of the Dance...!!!



Picture source: Getty Image

32nd Sunday...A Eureka Moment!!!

Song of the week: Shanice Wilson – Don't Break My Heart

Encouragement Verse: “I love you, God— you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight.” – Psalm 18: 1 - 2 (The Message)

Quote of the week: “There is nothing that waste the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatever.” --- Mahatma Gandhi


Had a ‘Eureka Moment’ this Thursday…

[How do you feel when you find something you’ve been looking for over ten years? Excited??? Emotional??? Or simply, indifferent???

Nah! definitely not indifferent, I think you will have that moment when you just want to shout ‘Eureka’ or even do more than that…You know tell everyone who cares to listen what has happened...as you tell me yours, do take time to read about my own moment this past Thursday…]

…So I think the year was 1996, and it was around that year that CD players began to work their way into the minds and pockets of people who loved to brag about acquiring new high-tech gadgets. The new magic box saved a lot of people the time spent rewinding those audio cassette with their pen/pencil or even their fingers when we had to replay their favorite track again and again.

Worst of all, having to screw open these audio cassette and bond back the broken tape that have been ripped off while playing... [Thank God those days are long gone, like those shoulder pad…LOL]

Anyways, I decided to travel during the holiday break that year to spend some time with my cousins... One of my cousins who was in the University back then use to play the hell out one particular song on her new CD player (Yeah! She was one of the fortunate ones back then...) Unfortunately, I was forced to listen to it because I shared a room with her and my little cousin. I had to listen to it everyday until somehow the song eventually grew on me. At that time, I always thought the song was featured in the soundtrack of the movie, ‘Boomerang’ but I was so wrong.

After my vacation was over and I was back home, I began listening to radio everyday, hoping I would get to listen to it but I never did get to hear it again. I am sure you will say, 'At least, Kemi, you got saved by the bell...' Yes, I should be happy but I had also fallen in love with the song...sometimes I found herself humming the only part I still knew. And when the internet was invented, I tried to searching for it but yet again, I was unlucky. Also never hear it on radio either.

Sooner or later, I gave up hope ever finding it until this past Thursday when that same song resurfaced in my “Blast from the past” archive file...

This time, I decided to ask a colleague if she had ever heard the song. I sang the part I knew to her but she also had never heard the song. She recommended we search for it on the internet. I took her advice and did so. And as luck would have it, the search brought up links to the song, ‘Don’t break my heart’ by Shanice Wilson.

I wasn’t sure if it was the exact song I have been searching for but I decided to try looking for it on my beloved YOUTUBE (I wonder why I never checked there until now?)...The song began to play and when it got to the chorus, behold it was The One,

“OMG! EUREKA! EUREKA!! EUREKA!!! Gosh! I have found it!!!”

[I repeatedly said to myself even though I would have wanted to go tell it on the mountain about my goodnews.]

And for the first time I took my time to listen to the lyrics of this long searched for song and I have to write that now I do understand why my cousin was so in love with this song (you've got to listen to it to understand...Click the title link to listen)...and to me, it was worth the long wait and search…so worth it, I have to write.

This might be an insignificant tale but if you have been waiting to hear that one song that could change your whole life forever…or you have been waiting for that someone or something that makes all the waiting worth while…You will understand my excitement.

I want to let you know that nothing you do is in vain…it might be irrelevant to those you tell your story to but God has a hand in it. He planned it all. He planned this to happen to me so I could reassure someone that He has not forgotten about you…and guess what? Sssh! don’t tell anyone but YOU & I, are His Favorite!!!

See you on Easter Sunday...

...Images from: Getty Images