Memories…..

Reading the blog of TRAE DAYS  reminded me that I hadnt finished paying my last respect to my late grand father, Late Chief Asuquo Benson Umo.

He was a great man and he achieved alot during his stay on earth. Even though I was never really based in Calabar where he lived, but whenever I came into town, we always had a memorable time.

I always had my meals with him, I wrote my SSCE and NECO in the school he established in Calabar. He always made me feel loved and he called me pet names like “my Queen”. Little did I know that all that was going to be taken away from me.

In April 2006, he was involved in an accident and he sustained a serious injury on his right leg. That was where the trouble began. I remember going to check on him on the day I wrote JAMB. I remember feeling really sad on seeing him that way, but there was little I could do to help.

Somehow he fought it, he fought to stay alive but unfortunately he gave up in September 2006; a week before I was robbed. I was sad to hear the news. My mum was unhappy too. Everyone was unhappy but we all left it to God to have the final say.

He was given a befitting burial on the 23rd of December 2006. I stood there, looking at his casket, looking at the grave after the whole event and tears began to flow freely down my cheeks.

I miss him.

Adieu my father.

Me, Myself and I (Part I)

  Most times we think we know ourselves so well. It often comes as a shock to us when we realize we do not know ourselves as well as we thought we did.

I consider myself to be a very quiet person in public, but talkative at home. I tend to make friends easily and also get rid of them just as easily if I want to. I derive fun in what I do and I’d rather do something that makes me happy than to try to please the crowd.

I spend most of my time indoors, but when I am out, I don’t do all the girlish things females always do when they get ready to go out. For example, I do not wear make up, I don’t wear high heeled shoes, I hardly ever wear a skirt. I’d rather go around in my designer jeans and my sweet looking McKenzie snickers than wear something that will throw me to the ground if I step on a pebble.

I’d rather bury my head in some boring book than sit with the “gang” and gossip rubbish. I am very selective, sometimes over-selective. I have lots of temper tantrums; I’d rather cool off inside the pool than direct my anger at someone else. When I speak, people tend to say I think/talk higher than my age hence they think I lie when I tell them I am just a 19 year old kid. Duh!

I love electronics, especially cell phones. I love anything that’s fancy but not in girlish colours. So far so good. There is only one person that knows this much, and even more, about me and at the moment he is reading this with a wide grin on his face…………

To Be Continued

Are You Being Tested (3)

1. The wilderness test. This test comes when we feel Spiritually dry and our joy level is low. It reveals our ability to adapt to adversity and change, and as a result enter a new level of growth. It proves we’re able to perform even when life isn’t fun. “He led you through the vast and dreadful desert… to… test you so that in the end it might go well with you” (Deutoronomy 8:15-16). The wilderness test is where we submit to short-term pain, confident that in the end it’ll produce long-term gain.
2. The credibility test. Nothing matters more than your confidence before God - and your credibility before people. When Lot tried to rescue his sons-in-law from the destruction of Sodom: “He seemed as one that mocked” (Genesis 19:4). They’d probably seen his selfish treatment of his Uncle Abraham, and heard about his shady business dealings. As a result he lost his credibility when it mattered most. Is that happening to you?
3. The authority test. Before Paul took the Gospel to the Gentiles he first went to Jerusalem and submitted his plan to the apostles, asking for their blessing. He had no: “Nobody is going to tell me what to do” attitude. God placed David under a flawed leader called Saul. It’s pretty bad when your boss wants to kill you. But you can learn as much from the mistakes of a failure as you can from the achievements of a success. Because David submitted, he qualified to sit on Saul’s throne. Want to be a leader? Learn to be a follower. Submit!

Another Year At Home?

I have been praying and hopig my admission into the University will come through. Unfortunately it didnt, even though my mum fought tooth and nail for it. Its sad to think that I have to write JAMB a third time even with my good grades in NECO. Sitting at home for another year isnt something anybody would like to go through. I have been through with school since July 2005 and this year will make it 2 full years that I will be sitting my ass in my house writting exams upon exams and waiting for the damn universities to offer me admission even with the high grades I have.

So many people that were offered admission in Nigerian Universities didnt even score half of what I had in my result last year. I pray I dont get to wait another year after this, and I pray I dont get to write any more exam appart from exams set by the University.

I gat to get back to my books real soon, else I wont be doing myself much good.

Are You Being Tested (2)

Let’s look at some of the tests God uses to develop us:

1. (1) The test of small things. This test comes when we’re asked to do something beneath our ability and potential. It proves how faithful we are to our commitments. It also reveals whether or not we’re ready for greater responsibilities. Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10).
2. The motive test. This test comes to us when we are doing all the right things - but not necessarily for all the right reasons. It’s right to pray. Yet Jesus warned: “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love… to be seen by men” (Mathew 6:5 ). Sometimes we don’t even know our own hearts. That’s why we need the mirror of God’s Word: “For the word of God is… able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ). When you stand before Christ to be evaluated and rewarded, the question will not just be what did you do, but why did you do it?
3. The stewardship test. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38 ). Only when your hand is open, can you receive more from God. The practice of giving on a regular basis prevents you from being owned by what you own. Money is called currency because it’s supposed to flow through you. When you withhold out of fear or greed, you limit what God wants to give you. Want to keep the flow of blessing going in your life? Become a river, not a reservoir.

Are You Being Tested (1)

Are you going through a test? Tests demonstrate what you’ve learned. Until you’re tested you really don’t know what you know - and what you don’t know. Tests are opportunities to prove your maturity and your potential.

So remember:

1. You’ll experience tests at each stage of your growth
2. Your goal in each case should be to pass the test, otherwise you get to take it again and again until you get it right
3. testing always precedes promotion. Actually, it prepares you for it and proves you’re ready to handle it. If you cheat, or try to copy somebody else’s answers you may temporarily seem to succeed. But eventually time and circumstances will reveal you for what you are - someone who can’t handle what you manipulated your way into getting
4. Self-promotion can never replace divine promotion. So don’t rush ahead of God; wait, allow Him to open the door
5. A product cannot be safely and profitably used until it’s been thoroughly tested. Neither can you.

God’s not a hard-hearted parent who enjoys seeing His children struggle through life’s tests. If He were to visit you in person He’d probably say: “I don’t enjoy making you go through this, but it’s the only way to prove you’re ready for what’s ahead. Before I can use you greatly - I must test you thoroughly.” Generally God’s tests are about your character. And like any good actor in a stage play that doesn’t go according to the script, your job is to “stay in character!” Regardless of what anyone else does, follow God’s script for your life.

Itchy, Itchy Queenzy

So I have been itchy for over a day now and its not fun anymore.

I have been with my grand mum and while I was with her, I got to know that our dog had given birth to 7 puppies. What I didnt know was these little cutties had some tiny insects on them.

I only bent to sneak at them and after that I started itching. I have killed at least 2 of them insects on me and it isnt looking pleasant at all. Them insects have been biting and giving me marks on my skin since the day before yesterday.

My whole body itches, my stomach, back, neck, legs, my feet and even my hands too itch. Ok, so anyone who doesnt ask will say I have korokoro(rashes or whatever it is called).

This is the time where I scream SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP