It’s been a year!

Happy birthday to us!🤸❤️

Happy birthday, The A Word. You turned one today! Whoooooosh!

I’m so glad I overcame my initial fear, gave myself a chance and went with creating a blog. Now, today is our one-year blogging anniversary! It feels so great to celebrate a milestone.

Reminiscing now on the days that started it all. The days I told myself over and over again that I’m not a dabbler or a scribbler, but a proper writer. Till last year when something changed. I wanted to share my words.

But with so many platforms, where do one start?

I found this pretty large community. WordPress gives me an outlet. An opportunity to voice my thoughts. A chance to connect with others who feel the same as me. And it’s been exciting engaging with other bloggers.

By blogging, I have learned how to make my writing more personal. With each piece, my writing becomes more me. I’m slowly developing my voice.

I like that I write like I speak. That is the reason behind my blog being titled The A Word. My voice on the page is as authentic as my voice in person. The greatest compliment I ever received from a friend is that they totally can imagine me saying the words that I put on the page. I love my blog. I love how it’s not just a hobby. It has been a blessing on many sad days. Hopefully you feel the love that comfort my sorrow and my pain. Hopefully you get to know the God behind my happiness and my bliss. That’s why it’s important to me that I’m genuine.

If you’ve been on my blogging journey with me through the last year – I love you and thank you. Thank you for taking the time to read my posts. I really appreciate your kind comments and contributions. Your support, love and words of encouragement motivate me to keep writing.

I also have great news! This time next year, my blog will be monetized. (Crazy faith, right?) There are lot of things about my blog I’d love to change. All the same, I look forward to celebrating my 2nd anniversary with my new, improved WordPress site and YOU.

I can feel myself growing. Recognising my progress spurs me to keep going. Keep progressing. I’m at the start of my writing journey, and I know I’ve got a long way to go. But that’s okay. I’m getting a lot from it. I’m loving the process. The question now is “Who will stop me?” Cause I’m not stopping anytime soon.

With me being a full-time student and a full-time procrastinator, I’m trying hard to overcome this procrastination. I hope it takes a hint and stay away from me.

To more years of being enabled by God and of not giving up when things get tough, uncomfortable and exhausting. Cheers to a much more consistent and productive year of blogging. Year two, shall we?

A little note to you: I know you may be sceptical at first or struggle a little, but you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish if you give yourself a chance.

“You’re already living something you once wanted to experience. Imagine what else you can bring to life. Remember your superpower.”

~ Idil Ahmed.

“I write to tell a story, entertain, inspire, excite, enlighten, engage, bring positivity and for my own enjoyment, doing something I love.”

© Agnes Ajadi| Blogger| The A Word

I am Oluwaferanmi,

And you are loved by God.❤️

To Ascend or to Descend?

Awo did me bad. Its stairs ain’t smiling also. They offer no iota of sympathy. Every day begs the question, “To ascend or to descend?” Over time, I’ve found it easier to descend than to ascend. Yeah, it is easier and less stressful to descend than to ascend.

The Obafemi Awolowo female hall of the University of Ibadan prides itself on being the largest hall in West Africa, with 9 blocks, each with 7 floors. My friend resides on the topmost floor – poor me must visit, and that’s a punishment; climbing stairs shouldn’t be termed as a form of exercise. Now do I hate it? I do. I hate ascending.

It’s easier to descend, you have to agree with me. No pant. No stress. No midway pause. No heavy sigh. Just descend, that’s all.

Ascending can be likened to giving yourself purposely to growth and choosing to take a step higher each day in every aspect – academically, spiritually, and morally. It takes sacrifice to ascend. It takes having a purpose to ascend. While I would love a good book or cool music or a nice sleep, I have to ascend. Why? I love my friend. That’s a purpose right there.

Ascending takes courage. It demands willingness and intentionality, same as time and patience. That shouldn’t deter you though, it’s all worth it in the end.

Ascending is picking up that book you’ve left to pile up dust. Ascending is giving yourself that needed push or necessary pep talk to do that task you’ve neglected. Ascending is devoting a specific time to commune with your God and for personal Bible study daily. Ascending is taking the read one step at a time – it gets better.

Even Jesus Christ didn’t stick with the “lows”, He embraced the “highs.” Descending may seem to be much more attractive, but it only keeps you down. Don’t lay down, embrace height.

Here’s a question to ask yourself each beautiful morning, “To ascend or to descend?”

Choose to ascend daily. Choose to build yourself up daily. Choose to grow daily.

It’s all worth it in the end.

I am Oluwaferanmi,

And you are loved by God.❤️

I’m an ascending queen!❤️

Matriculated! How many stars?

“This is the day of the LORD’s victory, let us be happy, let us celebrate!“

My first blog post was published on April 5, 2021, a day to my post-utme examination. Whoooooosh, I got matriculated today. Hence, the reason for this blog post.

I don’t have much to say. (I’m a girl of few words, y’unno?) This is all about me being grateful to God, my mama, my siblings and friends… Everyone! It’s all worth it in the end.

My very good friend, Mayor of “Words of Mayor” wrote this beautiful piece. I love it, wayyyyy too muchhhhhh.

Here you go. Sit back, don’t rush, read through. It might end up being your daily confession.

I'm a supernatural student.
I'm not confused nor disadvantaged.
I'm UNAPOLOGETICALLY a CHRISTIAN, my spirituality is not an excuse for failure.
I'm not only a carrier of power, I am EXCELLENT in every aspect of my life.
I am PRECISE and ACCURATE.
I hold on to the words spoken over my academics.
I record good success!
I will make JESUS proud, I will make Mama proud; Zion will be proud to have me as their ambassador.
I'm a supernatural student!
I'm not intimidated by grammars and equations;
I'm not dislodged by mathematical formulas!
My brain is sharpened, I have a retentive memory.
I don't make mere confessions, I confess with an understanding and a divine backup.
JESUS was not a failure, is not a failure, it's a taboo therefore for me to fail.
I AM HELPED OF GOD! I AM HELPED OF GOD!! I AM HELPED OF GOD!!!
I'm a supernatural student!
I believe and walk in the reality of this!
This is my anthem till it becomes me and I become it!

© Words of Mayor.

Take me back to my university days, the best phase of my life. How about the best memories and proudest achievements? I made great friends. I had good grades. I met life-changing role models. I tried out new things. I got more knowledgeable. I knew and experienced God the more. I explored and enjoyed life.

Here’s to a great start!🥂 Cheers to more years of success and higher achievements. Happy matriculation to me and my peeps!🤍🌹

I am Oluwaferanmi,

And you are loved by God.❤️

P.S: How many stars can these beautiful pictures get?✨

Stay blessed and beautiful! Ciao.🤸

2021: Grateful!

PC: Google.

It’s been a year!

2021 has been that year!

I’m grateful to be here today. Physically, spiritually, emotionally. And if you’re reading this, I believe you are good and grateful as well.

“You hold it all together, in my hands it fall apart, but You hold it all together. In my hands, I fall apart, but You hold it all together.” This song has been on repeat on my heart stereo for the past two days. If I would sum up this year, it’ll be with this song “You Hold it all Together” by Maverick city and Upper room. Cause truly, God held it all together for me this year.

A lot to say, fam, but I’m a girl of few words. All in all, thank you for showing up, thank you for being a part of my 2021. I’m truly grateful to y’all.

I’m grateful for the gift of family, friendship and love. I have no words to describe how I feel, but again, God understands. I’ve truly being blessed from all sides; those little miracles can’t be quantified.

2022 would be amazing, guys. See it before you see it. Believe it. Enjoy every day with your loved ones. Make each moment count. Make God count. Choose life always.

God bless!❤️

Thank me for the happiest year of my life.❤️ Thank you for being you! Salud mi familia.🥂

The Sunshine Blogger Award.

Some months into blogging, and I got nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I must say, this nomination is a huge honor for me, as it makes me really proud of my work. Penjiri is an amazing blogger whose blog and contents scream creativity. She blogs in a quite reflective manner. I appreciate good contents, and hers over time has genuinely peaked my interest. What more? She’s a teenager just like me! A big thank you to my dear blogger friend, Penjiri. I truly appreciate you nominating my blog for this award.

What is the Sunshine Blogger Award? For my non-blogger readers, the award is a peer recognition of the inspiring, creative and motivational work done by bloggers. It is given by bloggers to bloggers who inspire positivity and creativity in the blogging community. By accepting the award nomination, there are certain rules to be followed:

RULES:

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog.
• Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 new bloggers to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or your blog.

Penjiri’s questions:

1. What would be your perfect day?

My idea of a perfect day is nothing short of staying at home doing all the things I love: Listening to calm music, reading a great book, watching movies, randomly observing things, writing, and spending time with my mum. Nothing is more comforting to my soul than the little things.

2. What’s your favourite thing you own and why?

My glasses. Cause, why not? I’m a blind bat without them.

3. What did you dream about last night?

I’m not much of a dreamer. But for someone I thought of last night; My dad. I miss him everyday. But what’s the sun without a little rain, right?

4. If you had three wishes, what would you wish for?

• Three more wishes. (I’m a girl with many demands.😅)
• Clarity.
• A long, relatively stress-free life for my friends, family and I.

5. If you had to live in another period, what would you choose?

Definitely back to the ’80s. The music is the bet for me.

6. What foreign language(s) would you want to master and why?

Spanish. I love eet!

7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Constantly putting myself down and being fearful of people’s judgment. For just once in my life, I want to be happy with who I am and what I do, with no fear of the unknown or any suffocating feeling. I’m my worst critic, and it’s about time that change happen.

8. What’s the luckiest thing that’s ever happened to you?

A lot, but I will sum it up to being loved.

9. If you had to describe yourself in only three words, what would you choose?

Ambitious, bright and realistic.

10. What words do you think your friends would choose to describe you?

Honestly, I wouldn’t know. But I won’t mind knowing though, if I have friends reading this.

11. Which is your favourite movie of all time?

I’m a big filmophile. I watch movies a lot. Guess I’m indecisive on a favourite.

My questions:

1. What is the story behind your blog?

2. What is your favourite book?

3. What do you love most about your blog?

4. Are you a morning person?

5. What other things interest you apart from blogging?

6. What makes your heart weep?

7. What is something you wish more people knew about bloggers?

8. Calm and serene music or loud music?

9. What things are you most grateful for in your life?

10. What is your favourite childhood memory?

11. How do you picture the future?

My Nominees:

1. Figuring things out with Eliza.

2. Blessed Oluwatofunmi’s blog

3. Jay’s Chronicles

4. wellbeing spotlight

5. My Serene Words

6. Pat Fitzgerald

7. Girl With A Blog

8. Temilolainspirationbank

9. HOW WE MET

10. Lose Weight with Ang

11. Words of Mayor

Thank you once again, Penjiri for nominating me.💖✨

Thanks for reading through. I appreciate.❤️

100 – Thank you!

THANK YOU FOR STAYING WITH THIS AMATEUR.

Hey peeps!

You saw the title right?!! We made it to 100! I’m so happy and really grateful, guys.

Hagne says; “Thank you for the love shown over time. The evaluative, appreciative, instructive and constructive comments from y’all means a lot. Your support equals the success of this page. And for staying true, thanks a 100. God bless!”

You all matter, everyone of you.💖

P.S: A special thanks to Cara – my no. 1 support system. I love you, girlllll.❤️✨

Stay blessed, dear friends!💖🤗

I am Oluwaferanmi,

And you are loved by God!

Crush it, Candy!🤩

Disclaimer: This post is not a random rambling about Candy Crush. Oh yeah, maybe it is.

I love Candy Crush, and my love for it hurts so good, yet it’s the only game left on my mobile device. I love the challenge for one, I guess that’s why I’m so obsessed with it. And for the fact that it ain’t just a game to me, it’s an ever-present companion that has taught me a lot of lessons. Call me weird? I’ve been called that many times.

I’m a super candy crusher, don’t mess with me. Some levels are so easy to play that there’s always that pride of “yes, I’m a pro when it comes to this game.” While some levels are as hard as f*ck. From that, Candy crush says, life won’t always come easy, there are gonna be bad days. Enjoy the good days while they last, glory in your hey-days, celebrate those little wins and beginnings. They are preparing you for the hard days ahead.

Lots of ‘nevers’ with no hope of becoming ‘somedays.’ There are times when I’d been stuck at a level for up to a week, even more than. My mantra then would be, “I’m never playing this game again.” Till now, those ‘nevers’ are yet to see the light of day. Why? Cause eventually, I will end up crushing that level. There’s more to the book of my life than the page I’m stuck on. Yeah, I got that from Candy Crush. That I met with a dead end today, doesn’t automatically guarantee failure. There’s still a ray of hope, I only have to keep pushing. Being stuck doesn’t mean that’s the end. It’s only a roadblock, and roadblocks can be moved.

What drives you? If you can’t deal with frustrations and disappointments, don’t play this game. One would say, “what’s so peculiar about this game?” Well, I’m clueless too. Those hard levels had got me so frustrated to the point of even exiting the game. Yet, I would find myself picking up my phone again. Don’t blame me, I just happened to love the challenge. And what’s driving me? My determination to crush that level. I have just but one goal, and that is winning. At this point, Candy crush says, focus, determination and consistency is needed to win any race.

One step at a time. Candy Crush Saga is said to be a Saga that never ends, and with new levels constantly being added, it does look like there is no end in sight. I love that about the game; you can’t see the level ahead, the next level will only pop up after you’ve completed the previous one. You can’t see what’s ahead, yet you’re forging forward. The Christian journey is exactly that. A step of faith into the unknown…we see not by sight, but by faith. One step at a time. One day at a time.

Big girls don’t cry, innit? Have you ever felt the pain associated with coming so close to winning, only to lose? This game did me bad. Funnily enough, a point would be all that is left to win a level, only to realize that my moves had been exhausted. Candy Crush wanna se yeye mi in front of my fellow trainees at work. But big girls don’t cry innit? It hurts so good, it hurts a lot, feeling the pain of coming so close to victory, just to end up losing. Ironically, I’ve played some levels where I woulda given up completely on winning, and by some unexplainable means, I would end up winning. That joy ehn, it’s unexplainable.

A picky eater like me, you should be that. The icon will always offer help. It’s all up to you to choose to go with the suggestions or not. You may follow some, and it will pay off. In some cases, it won’t, only for you to keep regretting why you hadn’t made your own moves. My take home: You’re gonna get advice ear and dear, help upandan, suggestions and offers. But not all is to be taken. Some are to be discarded. How sensitive are you in knowing the ones to adhere to and accept, and the ones to reject? I should say here that the Holy Spirit is the best companion ever, the one who has been called to our sides. With Him, you will be able to sieve out the unneeded offers.

I’m the one with five lives. In Candy Crush, gamers are assigned five lives. If someone doesn’t manage to get through a level, they lose one life. We all talk about chances, opportunities, luck, but what about grace? We all don’t share the same grace, y’unno? You don’t have till eternity to serve God. You don’t have till forever to fulfil purpose. What are you stalling on doing? You don’t wanna lose a life, I believe. We sure want no regret.

One day, maybe, I’m gonna complete all levels of the Mobile Candy Crush Saga Game. Till then, a girl’s gonna keep wishing.

Thanks for reading through, I appreciate.

I am Oluwaferanmi,

And you are loved by God.❤️

Hey, you’re there?

Can I describe how I’m feeling now? Sure I like the way I’m feeling now, but it’s indescribable.

Just got off a more than an hour WhatsApp voice call with some high school friends. And oh my, getting to hear their voices again, gives me joy. Pretty well, I haven’t met with any of them since graduation.

I’m so grateful for the gifts of friends… Good friends, to hit home rightly. Those friends had at a time helped me at my worst, offered good advice, rendered prayers on my behalf, lifted my spirit, showed me love, and yeah, they’re still here. They stuck by.

It’s pretty funny how I got pissed off with my phone for having gained only like 50% before the light was taken, only to let off 30% at the expense of speaking with my friends. I sure do not regret doing that, cause every second was worth it.

And that begs the question…

Who are your friends?

Those in your circle, are they worth it?

Are you gaining value and are you also giving out value?

How well do you appreciate your friends?

My friend, Eunice, will always say, “Have godly friends, e get why.” Over time, I’ve gotten to realize the truth in that.

Sure no man is an island. We can’t live this life all alone. We need people. We need friends. But there’s the need to be conscious of those we move with. It’s not just about gaining friends. It’s about building it, feeding it, and giving it all it takes to see that it thrives. Friendship is also a relationship. A deep one at that. And if you can keep it well, you’ve got for yourself sisters and brothers.

I guess I’m gonna use my brother’s words here: “Go out, see and hear somethings for yourself, have some exposure, make friends, diversify, read books, engage in sensible arguments, knowledge is cosmopolitan. Never underestimate having intelligent conversations, it pays.”

A phone call can mean a lot to someone.

Just a text message can communicate a lot.

You never know what such a person may be going through.

Reach out to someone today.

Show some love.

Be the reason why someone smiled.

Is there someone you’ve been thinking of texting or calling?

Don’t hesitate.

Send that “hey, you’re there?” now!

It’s a blessed day, peeps. Ciao🤗❣️

For I Know

Have you ever feared that God’s designs are all against you?

Most people had, at a point in life.

We’ve all faced difficult situations, had unpalatable experiences, met disappointments, and lots more.

Yet it is helpful to always remember that God has a plan for our lives and this verse is just such a reminder.

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you; says the LORD, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

And while that Scripture promises comfort and hope, it is necessarily not a promise to immediately rescue us from hardship, but rather a promise that God has a plan for our lives and regardless of our present situation, He can work through it to prosper us, and bring us to the end He has promised.

Are you facing a difficult situation?

Take comfort in the words of Jeremiah 29:11.

And while you do so, remember that there is an element of obedience to this promise. There’s the need to wait on the Lord, to trust in Him and follow Him.

“We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God’s designs are all against us; but as to His own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith; the end he has promised, which will be the best for them.”

Bible Commentary (Jeremiah 29:11).

I’ve had one life changing experience in my life – the death of a loved one. It wasn’t fair to me having my dad ripped away from me at age nine. Years went by before I very much got used to the idea of having just a parent. Not until I really got to understand this verse of the Scripture.

We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never at an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God’s designs are all against us; but as to His own people, even that which seems evil, is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith; the end He has promised, which will be the best for them.

“I don’t know much. But this much I do. God is up to something. He is up to something good. He is up to something amazing.”

Bailee Madison.(A Week Away).

We only have to hold on to His promise, with the belief that He is up to something good, even when we can’t see it.

Whatever it may be – failure, disappointment, death of a loved one, changing friendship, losing a job, being stuck on one point, financial crisis… Always remember His word, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

With faith, we embrace the future that God has prepared for us.

Thanks for stopping by and reading this post to the end. I appreciate you.💖

If you are blessed or the least enjoy this post, kindly share. Thank you.

And in everything…

Keep hoping…

Keep trusting…

Cause God is up to something good.

God bless.❣️

Plugged in Switched off.

Mother-mine woke me up on Saturday morning to have my phone charged. Her words, “You have a program to be at today, and who knows when you’ll be back. You should have your phone charged while there’s light.”

My lazy self thought that she could have just picked up my phone and had it plugged in, instead of waking me up. Grudgingly, I stood up to do that which she refused to do. My day kicked off afterward as I went about doing my morning duties.

Earlier to that moment, I had commented on anitaannabel post on her blog, and with the belief that she would have replied, I went to where my phone was plugged in.

To my dismay, the switch was off. And all through, my data was on, also with the Bluetooth being connected with the home theater. The battery was being drained while the phone was busy giving out, yet receiving nothing. How bad I wanted to cry.

Of a truth, most are connected to their Source, without receiving anything from the Source. Most are giving out what’s within them, yet refusing to replenish themselves with more. If what is within finishes, what will keep you going?

Just like a phone needs to be plugged in, with the switch on to gain more energy to itself, we also need to be plugged in with the one true source(Christ) and with our switches on(the readiness to receive more from Him.)

Always remember to ask yourself, “Am I plugged in, with my switch on?”

Quick question: Have you ever had the experience of plugging in your phone, only to realize later that the switch was never put on?

Let your answers roll in in the comment section.

You do know that I appreciate you and I value your thoughts and opinions, yeah? Please leave a comment, like and share. Thank you.💖

Stay connected.

Stay blessed.

Ciao.❣️