Words, please come back

Sometimes there are seasons where there are lots of activities

And milestones to mark on the calendar

The days run so fast

Sunset comes and I ask, “Where did the day go?”

There are seasons where there are few words to write

I am barely catching my breath after all the events of the day

So many thoughts and planned written words

Yet those words escape me

In the midst of it all, I feel very blessed

Indeed, I am blessed

I thank God for His uncountable blessings

The experiences, good and bad are a learning curve

I wouldn't trade my life for another

Indeed, I am blessed 

3 ‘Randomities’ of the First Quarter of 2013

By the title above, I’m not in any way saying that I’ll bring you ‘Randomities’ for the second or third quarter or whatsoever. I couldn’t think of any better title, that's all.

Sad but not sad, sad: Earlier this week, I decided to keep up to date with my blog reading and read an update from Google that  Google Reader  was going to be discontinued in July. “Oooh Google Reader!” was my response. :-( But whatever, I decided to check out other free RSS readers and found, The Old Reader. It’s simple, less colourful compared to Google Reader but good. I’m currently in a looooong import queue. Are you in the queue too? Crazy mad rush!  

Blessed and very blessed: New job, new environment, new home (coming soon!), …everything is just new. Well, at least in my rose-coloured world. I cannot thank God enough for His mighty works and goodness.

Hair Secret that Works: I discovered a secret ritual for permed hair that prevents split ends and it’s working well. So I don’t always have to trim my hair at every retouch. My hairdresser is famous for her scissors; she loves trimming hair. Not sharing, not yet, you gotta ask to know. : -) 

My random thoughts. 

 Can I bow out now?

Thank you,
Lady Akofa.

My Scriptures for 2013

So these are my Scriptures for 2013, as given by the Holy Spirit in December (mostly paraphrased). As I meditate on them and read the Bible, I’m seeing more verses that relate to my current circumstances. I’ve been digging my nose or should I say my eyes (?) in the Bible these days. It’s like eating the Word in its raw state like one would eat raw, organic veggies. Salad, anyone? :-)

This was certainly, adulterated salad, lol! I was trying out a new salad cream and just had to splurge.

2 Peter 1:3-4 – God has given me everything I need that pertains to life and godliness through his very great and precious promises…

Ephesians 1:8 – God has already blessed me with wisdom and understanding in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 – God will provide ALL my needs according to His riches in GLORY in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13 – I can do ALL THINGS through Christ Jesus, who strengthens (who gives me strength).

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer, petition, with thanksgiving… peace of God will GUARD your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 4:8 – Whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, true, noble, right, excellent or praiseworthy … think on those things.

Isaiah 54:17 – No weapon … shall prevail/prosper. 

Direction/Guidance – Psalm 32:8-9, Isaiah 48:17, Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:15, Isaiah 26:3

Psalm 23- the LORD is my SHEPHERD, I need no thing or I lack nothing. Goodness and mercy shall follow me – ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.

Romans 8: 28-32 – All things work together for my good… to the glory of God.

Psalm 34: 17-19 – Promise of protection and deliverance

Psalm 91 

They may or may not make sense to you, my dear reader. Or some  or all may speak to you. But that’s okay because they are meant for me in the season of life that I’m in now. Some speak of protection (physical, mental and emotional), deliverance, direction/guidance, the certainty of my future, (which is good), empowerment to do what I’ve been called to do, provision (past, present and future), etc. In essence, my security and my future are good and assuredly granted in God through Christ Jesus. I need not fear or be concerned about the uncertainties of tomorrow. 

What I really want to encourage is the habit of asking God to speak to you about whatever is on your mind or whatever concerns you through His word and by His Spirit. The Holy Scriptures are solid and firm. You can, like a lawyer, always refer to the constitution (the Bible) to justify your petitions, requests or claims. Again, like a lawyer, you must have studied or prepared in the specific area before you stand before the Judge. But even if you are unable to, you can always start as a baby would in simple, imperfect language and the Holy Spirit will teach you to stand on God’s word. Step by step. It’s a process. Nobody grows to be an adult in a day.

Little by little, eat the Word,

Lady Akofa.

Please click here to read part 1 of this post.

... I walk with Him always

I have been meditating on Psalm 23 and I keep thinking, “Wow, David (the composer of the Psalm) really knew what he was talking about. He had such a deep relationship with the LORD and had so much revelation!” 

Talk about provision:  The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want

Talk about rest: He makes me lie down He leads me beside still waters  

Talk about calm & peace: He leads me beside still waters

Talk about emotional healing: He restores my soul

Talk about guidance: He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name sake

Talk about the glory/honour/reputation/character of God: for his name sake

Talk about discipline, comfort and guidance: your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Talk about protection and deliverance in the darkest hour and lowest valley:  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil

Talk about God’s guaranteed presence: for you are with me

Talk about a banquet/party (physical or spiritual feast): He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies

Talk about vindication: He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies

Talk about being consecrated/set apart by God for the banquet: you anoint my head with oil

Talk about overflowing joy or a generous pouring of drink: my cup overflows

Talk about continued abundance of good things (physical or spiritual) and mercy: Goodness and mercy shall follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

Talk about your own commitment to God for all eternity: and I shall dwell (live/abide) in the house of the LORD, forever. 

Lots of goodness in this famously recited Psalm! If it doesn’t blow your mind, then I don’t know what else to say...

May the LORD be your Shepherd, 

Lady Akofa.

Please click here to read the first part of this post.

The LORD is my Shepherd...

The LORD is my Shepherd,

I walk with Him always.

He leads by still waters, 

I walk with Him always.

Always, always

I walk with Him always.

Always, always

I walk with Him always.

I woke up in morning with this song (above) in my heart sometime last week. I let it play in my mind as I relished the memories of the times I sung it at Sunday School and with my sister and cousins at home when we were kids. Then I took out the electronic keyboard and managed to find the rights keys and played it. Worship mode: activated.

This is a song that I haven’t sung or heard in years.  No, we don’t sing it (not this version) in church these days. And I don’t recall hearing it sung in Sunday School in the past five or so years, now that I teach Sunday School. Lesson preparation in this song: activated.

The song is based on Psalm 23. It is one of the Scriptures God gave to me at a friend’s wedding. And it’s one of the most recited prayers in churches, Christian gatherings and schools (even public schools) in Ghana. It is usually learnt in KJV. I figure, most kids can recite it in their sleep, lol! : - ) I remember, a lady in our church gave a testimony  of how God led her sister to pray aloud the Psalm while she was in labour. Wow!

Interestingly, there are many musical renditions of Psalm 23, check out youtube.com and you will see.

to be continued...

Please click here to read the second part of this post. 

Be careful what you ask for

Throughout the year, Ghanaians have been praying for peace before, during and after our December elections, Christians, Muslims and traditional believers alike. Many persons and groups have campaigned in various ways to advocate for peace; celebrities, school children, religious leaders, etc. It was overwhelming to hear of the many churches/denominations and Christian organisations who organised prayer-fests or prayer marathons, for the peace of the nation during this critical time and how Christians eagerly responded to the call for prayer for the nation. And there were peace concerts, peace walks and other events organised as well. I was amazed to watch a documentary in which grandmothers were admonishing the youth not to undermine the peace that Ghana had enjoyed over the years. In the unlikely case there is war, it’s usually old folks, children and the vulnerable who suffer the most, so I get the drift. 

In spite of a few skirmishes here and there, overall, I believe God has answered our prayers. We asked for peace. God has given it. So everywhere you turn, this or that person is saying, “peace that” and “peace this.” To say that I’m grateful for this peace is an understatement. But note what is being said, “... for the sake of the peace of the nation” and NOT “... for the sake of the people of the nation.” Who or what is more important: the peace or the people? Maybe I need a teacher to take me into another level of learning, haha!

So, I’ve been wondering, what if Ghana had prayed for say, “transparent, free and fair elections”? Wouldn't that have prevented claims of election rigging?  While, I’m not for or against any of the major political parties, I think that any persons or parties that have  evidence to prove in court that the election process or results were manipulated should freely do so. That is a true test of our democracy; people should be able to seek redress in the constitutionally viable manner, without hindrance from any opposing person or group.

Ghanaians, particularly Christians, should realise that this same God, to whom they fervently prayed for peace, is a holy, righteous and just God. I do not suppose He will overlook the injustice and sweep it under the carpet like human beings do. But then, I don’t know how God will work justice out for those who seek redress except through Jesus Christ; He is such a big God for my small mind. Hear me well: Be careful what you ask for. More importantly, know the Person to whom you are making your requests.

Peace!

Lady Akofa.:-)

How times have changed!

Before the internet days, I mostly read books, cover to cover and thick books like Condensed Readers’ Digest Collections, often one at a time. But now, a considerable amount of reading is done online, and they tend to be short articles.

My reading habits are not structural. I fail at my goals to complete one book per month or whatever. Instead, I read several books in a month but do not finish them. So what does it mean? Perhaps, two half-read books make one? Haha! I tend to reread old articles that I’ve printed from the internet as inspiration for personal growth. I often take notes, when I get an insight every now and then. I also save articles in PDF or download free e-books and read them straight from my laptop. So if, I regularly read 1,500-2,000 word articles… how many would I have to read to be considered as a full book? Haha!

Anyway, what I find myself doing often when I’m online, is noting recommendations or reviews of newly released books and noting those that I would like to buy someday. That way, I can ask a family member to purchase them during his or her travels for me.

There is also a booming market for both motivational and Christian literature in Ghana, so I often go the noted Christian bookstores in Accra to check out what is in stock. To be in the midst of books, either at a library or in a bookstore, gives me pleasure.

Now the challenge is to be an author too, haha!

“Of making many books there is no end,…”
Ecclesiastes 12: 12b; NIV

Books, books, books!
Lady Akofa.

Confession: I’ve not always loved reading.

My sister was the one who loved reading. Growing up, she almost always had a book in her hand; in the kitchen, in the car, while eating, walking from the dining room to our bedroom, etc. Our shelf was full of books. I probably owned 0.05(!) of them. What a pity.

My mother noticed my apathy to reading and sought to do something about it. I was about 8 or 9 years old then, I think. She encouraged me to read and decided to reward me with money for every book I read and gave a verbal review of. Sounded good to me; I wanted the money. So I’d read one of my sister’s books and would tell her what I read. I would ‘earn’ money, come back with more reviews and then ‘earn’ more money. But the interesting thing was since I was young and didn’t have many financial aspirations at that time (I already had lots of toys and a bicycle), I would always give the money back to my mother for safekeeping, which I never claimed. At some point, I stopped reading for money because I was reading several books per week! Another reader in the family had been born.

But then, in my early teens, my father felt I was not reading enough African literature (remember: Sweet Valley High, Baby Sitters Club, etc.), so he gave me couple of African books that, I think were difficult for my age at that time… or maybe not, only he knew what his intentions were. But his approach demanded more: unlike the tales I would narrate to my mother of which book I had read, I was to write my review of each book, write all the unfamiliar words I came across in my reading and learn these new words by finding out what they meant from the dictionary. And he did make sure to mark my homework (or do we call it, daddy-work?), of course, he is a professor of Ghanaian and African literature!

So in my living abroad experiences, I’ve always been a card holder of public libraries. It’s fun to walk into a library and surprise the old lady volunteer (they have mostly been old ladies!), when I ask for the bestseller section and she provides me with her take on a few of them. I would check out a variety of books each week and return them often before the due date. I intend to keep this habit, should I have the opportunity to live abroad again in the near future. Perhaps, I will return to Ghana with a ship full of purchased books for consumption and to be given as gifts, lol! I also have an ambition of owning a bookstore. My wish might just come true. But first, I need to add to the collection of books of this world. So help me God.  

I would want my children to develop a love for reading much earlier than I did. I know an older woman in my church who taught her grandchildren to read by the age of three years. When she told me this, I exclaimed, “Wow, three years!” Then I understood why her grandchildren were proficient readers among their peers in my Sunday School class and why her own children, who are my peers, had been avid readers when we were growing up. I’ll need to go back to learn some skills from this woman on how she accomplished this in her family. In recent years, I’ve started building a collection of children books. I try to select them with care, so that I can answer questions when they come up, but you never know, kids always ask the most unsuspecting questions, don’t they?

I’m grateful to my mom, who sparked the fire for my reading craze. Yaaay, it’s my hobby now! Although I did not catch it earlier, I’m beginning to see why it is not healthy to have an appreciable understanding of one’s own local literature and I believe that is one on the things my dad had been trying to teach me in my teen years. I’m always amazed at how much my dad reads despite his impossibly busy schedule. I’m also grateful for my sister, her personal library became mine in those early years and I was never for want of books or have never been because I still get to borrow her books.

Now, I love reading!
Lady Akofa.

Why I love reading

I’ve been reading a lot lately. And that’s because I’ve a lot of time on my hands to do so without much distraction. I’ve several unfinished books, including a John Grisham book from 2009 or 2010 (I think?), which I started reading on a flight on one of my work trips. The next time I picked up the book, I couldn’t remember who the main character was and what the plot was about. I put the book down, because it would mean starting all over again and I wasn’t ready for a fresh start yet.  I’ve found that while I’m hoping to finish reading those half-read books, I’ve been adding new stacks of books to my ‘to-read list’ by moving unread books to from my shelf or my sister’s shelf to my bedside table or just about anywhere in my room where I can have easy access to them. 

I’ve just finished reading an insightful blog post targeted at Christian men on how they can grow in their faith. At the end of my reading, I felt my heart soar and I thought, “Wow, this is really uplifting! Even though men are the target audience of the article, look at how blessed I am too! I love reading and wish everybody loved to read just as I do!” And that has got me thinking, “Why do I love reading? What do I get from it?”

I love to read books or articles that stimulate me to think critically about life, God, my beliefs, my values, health and nutrition, the world, social change and justice, hot bottom issues - some of which are not ‘issues’ in my country, Ghana (at least, not yet), etc. 

Through my love for reading, my worldview has been shaped largely by Christian literature, well… that is mostly what I read these days, lol! When I was younger, I would read all kinds of stuff: Baby Sitters Club (anyone?), The Pacesetters, Sweet Valley View, Sweet Valley High, Enid Blyton books, etc., and some romantic books, that I was warned not to read. I found a love in Mary Higgins Clark, John Grisham’s works, Condensed Readers’ Digest Collections, among others and I had friends with whom we would exchange our latest findings or purchase. As I grew older and especially when I got born again, I lost interest in such books. Apart from my Bible, I was hungry for Christian books for the most part. However, I do light reading (newspapers, magazines, blogs, comic stuff) as well but I’m selective about what I read now.  My worldview about relationships, marriage and family, work, my faith, politics, health, etc. have been shaped by a combination of both what I’ve learned from the my walk with God, at home, at school and through what I’ve read. Oftentimes, the literature gives explanations or scientific evidences for why, for example, my mother would let not me run off to play immediately after eating lunch or supper as a child or why, it is good to drink water first thing in the morning. 

There are a lot of things that I know about this beautiful world and life not as a result of classroom/lecture sessions or because my parents or a mentor taught me but because “I read it somewhere.” Oftentimes, in a conversation a friend would ask how I know what I’m saying and if I couldn’t remember the exact book or article, my response would be, “I read it somewhere!” Despite the best efforts of the government, the regulatory agencies and teachers, I think the educational system in Ghana is unsatisfactory and one needs to back up school lessons with self-motivated, individual lifelong learning. Reading is just one of those avenues for learning.

Reading gives me fodder for writing. When I read, I often get ideas for how to write; “Oh, I like the way she skillfully constructed that sentence,” or “Wow! See how the author brilliantly uses the two adjectives to describe the dog!” I also do get ideas for what to write, “This aspect would make a good insert in a short story,” or “The issues raised in this article about child-labour will make a good story. It’s amazing how children are lured away from their homes and schools into force labour!”

I’m sure there are more reasons why I love reading, but the above are what immediately come to mind.

Read! Read! Read!

Lady Akofa.

Perspectives: New Eyes

I was driving down through a street that I normally use, but for some reason I looked at the street with different eyes. The lineup of mahogany trees on both sides of the road suddenly appeared beautiful to me and I thought, “This would make a beautiful landscape photo like the ones I see in calendars and on desktop screens.” The only thing that prevented me from attempting to capture what I saw was that I didn’t have my camera with me at that time. That’s what I call the “photographer’s eyes.”

I know an architect who says he watches movies with an eye to check out building designs that he can use in his work. And I’m sure an interior decorator will have a different perspective when watching the same movies as the architect.

I also remember seeing a rainbow a few years ago. Between my sister and I, we briefly took turns taking photos of the rainbow. While I focused on the rainbow itself (hey, you don’t get to see rainbows often, right?), my sister focused on the rainbow and the surroundings. Professional photographers call this “composition.” In the end, her pictures came out better than mine.

While perspectives are good, they can be limiting in the big scheme of things. We all have view points based on our backgrounds, experiences, professions, etc but that’s not all there is to life. There is the Big Picture that includes all generations and all people. Even historians sometimes get it wrong, either because of misinformation or because their experiences skew their perspectives. Only God, the Beginning and the End, the Eternal God, who is also the Creator and Designer, has the Big Picture.

My encouragement for you today is to ask God to gives you “new eyes” to see beauty in the mundane. Live with the expectation that God will show you new things, and He will.

With new eyes,
Lady Akofa.

Ghana at 55

I love my country. It may not be the best place in the world to live, nevertheless, I love my country.

As we celebrate 55 years of independence from British colonial rule, I’ve been reflecting on God's goodness to us as a nation and to me as a Ghanaian.

I’m grateful for the peace we have as a nation. I’m thankful for the leaders who have served us in times past. I didn’t get to meet Kwame Nkrumah, but I’m grateful for some of the policies he initiated and the institutions that he helped establish. I’m living under those blessings. The Tema Harbour, the Tema motorway, the Akosombo dam were all built under his rule. For a long time, the Akosombo dam was the only hydro-electric source of power for the entire nation and Tema Harbour serves as a major trading port for the country.

Other leaders have come and gone and have contributed to the growth of this nation, including those who were kicked out earlier through bloodless coups.

I’m thankful for my fellow Ghanaians. It’s easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger in a trotro (public transport mini-vans) and laugh as if you were siblings although you’re unlikely to ever meet this person again. In my experience in a few other countries I was told, “You don’t talk to strangers in this country.” One of the best topics to raise with a fellow Ghanaian you're meeting for the first time is football. Yes, football.

I appreciate that I’ve been able to experience and observe the changes over the decades. Yep, I'm very old! For example, before 1992, there was only one television station in Ghana but now there are many. Media is booming.

And I quite remember that we didn’t have commercial breaks within television shows, but rather in between two different shows. So if you wanted to pee, you made sure to do so before you sit down for 30mins, 45mins, 1 hour straight otherwise you might miss an important or funny scene while you’re in the washroom. Today, companies are massively advertising and television companies are generating huge sums of money from this business. I’m often amazed at how much a company has to pay for an advertising slot per minute in the electronic media or for space in the print media.

And it’s amazing that private enterprises and banks have sprung up all over the place. We have moved from the socialist way of managing our country to embracing capitalism.

There are new roads and yes, some with potholes, haha! While they are not enough, there have been new hospitals, schools and other new facilities that weren’t there in the 80s or in the 90s.

This nation, Ghana, could be better than it is now. I pray that Ghanaians will be grateful for what they have now, work and believe God for more. That’s the way to go.

Happy Independence Day!
Lady Akofa.

Valentine = Red

Yes, this is late. I took the pictures late but I had the idea much earlier! So I’m dating it 14-Feb-2012 instead of 27-Feb-2012. Yes, I can do that, it's my blog!

In honour of Valentine’s Day, I decided to do an all RED photo shoot. I didn’t think I had enough red things to merit a photo shoot but I looked and found several items. So here we go:

Pleasures has become one of my favourites because some members of my family can’t stand the other perfumes I use except this one.


So they’ve ended up becoming my ever faithful suppliers. Gotta love them!

Red car lights.

Can you see my shadow? I look so tall!


Audio Bible

She who hears these words is blessed.

Red marker.

Mr. Red Scissors is here for all your stationery cutting needs!

Cherry coloured, smiley, brown purse. So cute!

Chocolate.

I didn’t really enjoy the chocolate, to be frank. But, don’t get carried away we’re supposed to be thinking and seeing red, right? Good!

Finally, Mr. Valentine is here!

But what’s inside?

Heart-shaped, lemon-scented shea butter cake lotion that melts on contact with the skin! I love, love, love this! A valentine gift from my sister and made sure to tell her how much I love this.


Happy RED day!
Lady Akofa.

Jobs, Lessons & Gratefulness

I haven’t worked long in the professional world. 6 years is not long or is it? As I move on to a new job this month, I’ve been reflecting on my career experiences and the lessons I have learnt since I started working. And guess what? I feel so blessed!

My new boss asked me during the interview, “What do you value in a work place?” I hadn’t really thought of it but somehow I had a ready answer, “Following laid down principles, working to meet expressed expectations and good work relationships.” Indeed, when a said expectation is not met or work ethics are not followed, it mars work relationships. However, being the peacemaker that I am, I’ll mostly take the initiative to work things out and bring back peace. I can take confrontations much better and I’m more assertive than I was, 5 years ago.

I remember a boss who mildly expressed his displeasure by shooing me away with a few words when I brought him my first document for perusal. Silly me! Didn’t I know to put the document in a file before handing it over to him? Then, I didn’t know. Now, I know, haha!

I also remember a “baptism of fire” that each employee went through in at least one project that he/she handled. Those are not my words, my former boss teasingly said those words to me; he knew I was really stressed out. No ill feelings towards him, I laughed at myself too in those miserable moments! Indeed, I went through the fire and rest assured, I survived intact with no burns (Isaiah 43:2).

There were work relationships in which a person’s action or attitude got me angry but I couldn’t express it or wouldn’t because I didn’t think it was necessary. Sometimes, it was because I was stuck with the person anyway (like one stuck with a spouse’s stubborn quirk), so I’d find a nice way of getting my assignment done through this person. I learnt to channel my anger and frustrations towards God, asking Him to come through for me. I have prayer journals to prove this. Writing my thoughts to God helped me processed my feelings and also created an avenue for God’s power to move in difficult situations and for His comfort and peace to calm my heart. And God did some pretty awesome things. At a farewell party in one workplace, one guy remarked, “I’ve never seen Akofa angry before or fight with anybody in this place. She should tell us how she does it.” Oh my, if only he knew!

I remember having to submit to a colleague who was the next to my boss. I was confronted with my insecurities and inadequacies because I wasn’t sure how to relate with this person. I brought it before God and this is what God gave me:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6 & 7 (NIV)

I also remember God leading me to sow into this person’s life by presenting a sacrificial gift. Oh, how I laboured over the gesture! I didn’t know how it would be received. It will surprise you to know that my perspective changed and we got on well together. We both have left the same company yet we still in touch base with each other from time to time.

I remember quietly observing colleagues who were more focused and diligent than I was. They inspired me to do better because I could see the rewards of their efforts by the results they got.

Each workplace hold special memories for me and each person I met on the job has enriched my life in some way. And it includes those who didn’t wish me well because I learnt lessons through those unpleasant situations. I learnt to commit work relationships and work projects to God and got closer to God through those experiences.

As I’ve gotten to know people through each workplace, I often like to keep relationships long term as much as possible, but that’s often not the case. And that’s okay. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to use to my skills, training and talents to bless others through my work.

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
Deuteronomy 8:17 & 18 (NIV)

May the favor of the LORD our God rest upon us;
Establish the work of our hands for us-
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:17(NIV)

May God bless the work of your hands today!
Lady Akofa.

Of Pleasant Dreams & Resurrection

I’ve forgotten how to play J.S. Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s desiring.” However, I woke up remembering a dream in which I was effortlessly and skillfully playing it like I used to years ago before I fell out of practice.

And the words are so, oh, so... really, I can't find the right words!

It’s a New Year. Perhaps, resurrection is taking place. : )

Sorry, the photo is grainy.

Mr. Music Score, where art thou?
Lady Akofa.

A Christmas quiz of some sort

I must say that I started playing Christmas carols in … ahem… in October. Weird, I know. Okay, I do play carols in the middle of the year... just because... well, just because I can! So I’ve been rather psyched up for a looooong time. It’s only left with the food and family part then it will be complete, haha! I found this quiz on Faith's blog and decided to play along. Ssssh… Faith doesn’t know I follow her but today will just be the day.

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? Eeerm… what’s an eggnog? I’m a chocolate girl both in colour and in food, haha!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? I didn't believe in Santa growing up so it’s not my thing. And... most families rarely do the Christmas tree thing in Ghana.

3. Coloured lights on tree/house or white? I think coloured lights are fun, but I really don’t have a preference. (Note: There is no way I'm going to spell "coloured" the American way, just bear with me... ha!)

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up? 1st December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Fufu with goat light soup or chicken light soup.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Dressing up in new clothes, getting a new hairdo, going to church with my sister and cousins and the feast after church service. I also remember the hazy, dry and cool weather at this time.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Never believed in him, so there was no truth to reveal. But I do remember asking my mom what’s the big deal with Santa Claus when we lived in the US, because it was so silly to me.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We didn’t and don’t have a tradition of when to open a present. You open your gift as and when you get it.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? We haven’t had a Christmas tree in years!

11. Snow! Love it or dread it? I love watching the dancing snowflakes but don’t like the cold weather, nor the mess it leaves at the front door when it starts to melt. I’d love to live outside Ghana (say US.. wink, wink) someday soon and experience a white Christmas just one more time!

12. Can you ice skate? Nope, never tried it.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? A teddy bear, from an uncle, who turns 21 this Christmas. Yep, Mr. Teddy Bear could be older than your kid, haha!

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Singing gospel-centred carols, reflecting on Christ’s birth, being with family AND the food!

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Piccadilly biscuits, Danish butter cookies and any chocolate delights.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to church (not always on Christmas day) and coming back home to eat fufu and all the goodies are what I look forward to. I love being with my family as we chat about not-too-important things, recount our favourite memories and talk about everything in between.

17. What tops your tree? There is no tree.

18. Which do you prefer: giving or receiving? Both. It’s an exchange, you know? Haha!

19. Candy canes: yuck or yum? Yum! But don’t always get it in my part of the world.

20. Favorite Christmas movie? Home Alone 1 and 2. Macaulay Culkin - “Kevin” was really cute then.

21. Saddest Christmas song? Can’t think of any... perhaps, I haven't yet heard a sad Christmas song. Or did I miss the joke? Yeah, I thought so! :)

22. What’s your favorite Christmas song? I love them all but it's a seasonal thing too… click here to see my post on this.

Christmas is coming, the chicken (not goose) is getting fat,
Lady Akofa ~:).

Of my favourite Christmas carols

I have always loved Christmas carols; both listening and singing to them.

If you ask what my favourite Christmas song is, I doubt I’d be able to pin point a single one. I tried listing my favourite 5 on my facebook page and then remembered all the others that I love but didn’t list, haha!

In my childhood days, I listened to whatever carol was available and eagerly learnt those taught in our singing class at school. We had really good music teacher, Mr. Okine, who was passionate about each group (tenor, soprano, bass and alto) getting it right and on the beat. He had a bamboo cane with a cock head shaped tip to ensure that, haha! I remember Mr. Okine teaching us, “The Holly and the Ivy” and “In the Bleak Midwinter,” although most of us hadn’t seen snow before at that time in our lives, haha! May his soul rest in peace.

I remember often listening to Boney M.’s in one of my next door neighbour’s house when I went to play with them during this season. I often associate, Boney M.’s “Feliz Navidad,” and “Mary’s Boy Child/Oh my Lord,” with this family. Today, Boney M.'s Christmas carols are heard all over town.

At home, my dad often played Christmas country music; both the ‘blueish’ ones and the upbeat ones like, “Jingle Bells.”

And then when I got to secondary school, I joined the school choir and was part of the annual tradition in which we hosted the Nine Lessons and Carols Service for our school and for the alumni. To learn to sing Handel’s “Messiah,” was a heavenly experience.

Now, I’m more interested in the word content of the carols; those that speak of the advent of the Messiah, of waiting for His coming, of his Light and of His coming deliverance and of the establishment of His Kingdom. This is partly because of my own personal need and partly because I long to see God’s kingdom established in my family. We are beginning to see relatives give their lives to the LORD in recent years and I’m more than thrilled at what God is doing.

Also, ever since I took my first 90 day Bible reading challenge and followed the account of God’s chosen people and how non-Jewish have been called to be a part in our day, I’ve always looked forward to the day that Heaven (the New Kingdom) will be a reality. I was so enthralled by the temple design of Solomon’s day that by the time I got to Matthew in my reading challenge, I kept asking, “Ah! So where is the Kingdom? Where are God’s people – the 12 tribes?” Oh, blessed that John the Baptist came preaching the coming of the One, who would establish the Kingdom: Jesus Christ.

So in this season of my life, I will say, “O come, o come Emmanuel,” and “O Holy Night” are my favourite Christmas carols. I do more of quiet meditation on the words than sing them. And that has been meaningful to me. Some hymns books list all 8 stanzas, others 6, and some others 4 but I share the stanzas in no particular order from, “O come, o come Emmanuel,” that resonate with me:

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.

Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Perhaps, next year or in 5 years, I might tell you of my new favourite Christmas song.

Have a Merry and Cheery Christmas!
Lady Akofa.

It wasn’t my turn: God’s voice in an unprepared teacher’s day

It wasn’t my turn. So I wasn’t prepared to teach. I was only prepared to assist my co-teacher by monitoring the sweet, often restless 7 to 9 year old kids and by guiding them through an activity, if need be.

Unexpectedly, I was called to teach an older class because as an assistant teacher wasn’t available to take his Sunday School class. “How do you teach 11 to 13 year old kids, unprepared?” I wondered. “These kids will skin me alive with their teenage inquisitiveness! I’m not even armed with grown up wisdom to tackle their questions,” I thought. I hadn’t even glanced through the bible lesson the night before.

Yet here was I, leading the bible lesson. We, together, went through Exodus 17, verse by verse as the Holy Spirit led me to ask questions so the study would be interactive.

We saw how God provided water for the Israelites out of a rock – beats my imagination- this my God.

We also saw how God delivered the Israelites from the Amalekites who attacked them in the wilderness.

What struck me was God’s promise to vindicate the Israelites for all eternity after the battle had been won through the praying, lifted hands of Moses. If you are familiar with the Old Testament, this was the command King Saul failed to obey, which cost him and his descendants the throne (1 Samuel 15). For me, I saw God’s powerful hand of protection over His chosen people. He was and is willing to go to all lengths to honour His Word.

The 2nd thing that struck me was what Moses said of God, “The LORD is my Banner.” Trust me, prior to the study, I hadn’t really considered what a banner stood for and didn’t know why God is called a Banner. Yes, we sing it in songs but God? A Banner? What’s the link? What was I to tell my little students, eh? But as I was leading the discussion, I suddenly remembered the Independence Day parades and lifted banners at war scenes I had seen on television over the years. BINGO! So I asked, “Have you ever seen on TV or participated in an Independence Day parade?” Heads bobbing up and down.

A banner is often lifted up ahead of an army when they are parading or going to war. Often the name of the group, its emblem and other identifying details are written or drawn on the banner. As God was for the Israelites, the LORD is also MY BANNER. He goes out before me in battle, fighting for me and giving me the strength and wisdom to fight. Just as God promised to fight for the Israelites from generation to generation, I can be sure He will fight for me and my descendants, whatever circumstances come our way in the future.

Yes, I wasn’t supposed to teach. It’s almost unthinkable to call an unprepared teacher to teach. But, I believe that God had a HAND in it. Although, the kids seemed to grasp the lesson and I sure hope they did, I suspect that the study was more for me than the kids. I probably would never have gone through the study after that Sunday.

While serving impromptu, God teaches me lessons. As I pray through God’s promise to lift up His standard over me and to fight for me, it makes me confident about the victory in store. See… the BANNER is Himself… the emblem on the BANNER is My All-Powerful, Unconquerable Father and all that He is, who can withstand Him?

JEHOVAH NISSI, He will forever be to me.

He will also fight for you, if you so believe Him,
Lady Akofa.

"Auntie Akofa is here!"

“Auntie Akofa is here! Auntie Akofa is here!”

These days, that’s how I’m welcomed whenever I go to my friend’s E.’s place. The voices belong to her 3 ½ year old son and her 2 year old daughter, excitedly announcing the arrival of a familiar face; a family friend.

Sometimes, my arrival is too early in the morning, that is on bread collection days, and though the little ones are awake, it seems they would rather go back to bed and skip school. Or perhaps, I got there at hungry moments when they were patiently waiting for breakfast... so no happy welcome for “Auntie Akofa,” haha!

It’s a privilege and an honour that my friendship with E. has spilled over to her marriage and now, to her children. Almost every time I visit long enough to sit down for a chat, her son, Ad., eagerly searches my bag for my cell phone –not that it’s fancy, by the way- or for something equally ‘cool’ enough for him to play with. Ad. is usually delighted if he’s able to pour out all the contents of my bag if he manages to escape the watchful eyes of his mother and I, who are catching up on life’s happenings and God’s goodness on our lives.

It wasn’t until recently that her daughter, Ay. gave up her suspicions of me and embraced me with her shy smile and cautious handshake. Or should I say Ay. had been gingerly checking me out all throughout her 2 years of life? Now she delights in pointing out her big brother’s impish ways, “Auntie Akofa! Look at Ad.!” Or she would call out simply, “Auntie Akofa! Look at…!” I’d turn towards the direction of the little pointed finger and true to the report, Ad. is gleefully indulging in some mischief.

In early October, their little brother arrived and I had the privilege of keeping them with me over the weekend. It was challenging to keep them entertained and occupied, so that I could tackle some 'adult' task. For some reason they didn’t like the kid music video I had, neither did they seem to like one of my favourite cartoons, “The Lion King.”

However, whenever they were allowed to, they got busy on my mom’s exercise bicycle often fighting over who to ride it- a quarrel I refused to stop. I figured they would solve their toddler quarrels on their own by way of crying, lol!

Ad. and Ay. were pretty excited about being able to freely run around and play in front of our house. Lots of space to freely roam and get dirty too!

One night, we 3 all went for a walk and they told me stories most of which I didn’t really get but encouraged their storytelling nonetheless with my, “I see! Oooh! Hmmmm! Is that so?’ etc. While I’ve forgotten their stories, the memory of slowly walking and talking together is precious to me. I hope to do this with my children someday.

And there was one night, we shared a bedtime prayer. Although what Ad. said was mostly unintelligible, I know God heard his prayer. I was proud of him and more importantly of his mother’s effort in teaching and modeling prayer to her children.

I cannot wait to get to know their little brother as he grows up to be a sweet toddler, like Ad. and Ay are now.

Grateful for friendships,
Lady Akofa.

Lady Akofa’s WHAT EVERY WOMAN NEEDS IN HER WARDROBE

Obviously, this is a vain list… for people like moi who have such time to think up such a list… Of course, not all women can afford this, I know. And most women have lived without these items. But what does it matter?  Do I have all these items? Nope!

This may well be my 1st submission for “Vanity Fair” magazine, wink, wink. For the sake of silliness, humor, vanity, self-indulgence, I also seek your indulgence! :-) Pun definitely intended! :-)

1.    A simple black dress, that can be worn with coloured accessories over and over again.
2.    A pair of coloured shoes, bag, scarf or shawl, earrings; all to match.
3.    A simple stud pearl earrings and a matching necklace.
4.    A long black skirt/ knee-length black skirt/ a pair of black trousers that can be worn with any coloured or any multi-coloured blouse.

5.    If married, a lingerie is a must. I’m sure Dear Husband will appreciate more than one though.

That’s it! Vanity Shop is CLOSED. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
 

God bless ya,
Lady Akofa.

All Things Blue

Hi there!

I got this idea from a lady photographer's blog in which she posts pictures of random things of the same colour from time to time. I was a bit bored and realised I hadn't taken photos in a while. The colour BLUE came to mind and the word 'randomities' as well, haha! Of course, Bethany's shots are better than mine. She is a professional, I'm just a beginner. :)

So here we are:

Yep, perfume box... I could care less what brand it is, as long as I love the fragrance.

My folded comforter... these days it gets cold, ahem.

A CD cover of a famous Ghanaian youth choir.

Wanna guess what was wrapped in this?

Dictionary... I'm always learning, you know?

Different shades of blue.

Earrings in a bracelet.

The good old vaseline.

Blue Magic Hair Pomade.

Grateful for blue things,
Lady Akofa. :)

***Note, I use British English on this blog, so color is colour here. :)