Leap Child

It comes once in 4 years.
So what happens if you were born on this day?
You celebrate it once in 4 years.
But know that you are special.
For all other years you don’t get to celebrate
This is your day to Leap!
So I dedicate this poem to you
Leap Child!

I’m not a poet,

but I think I am,
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.

Interesting reads Here and There

I don’t plan for this kind of post to be a series as some bloggers do. I just had to share!

Mouth Dropping Sculpture
I’m a bride of Christ and came across Bride of Christ ministries during an online search few years ago. David Magiera has released a mouth dropping sculpture. I keep thinking “wow,” every time I look intensely at the image. Go “wow” yourself too by clicking here, haha!

Impact Value of Jobs
I have a pastor friend who considers his calling/job as the most important of all jobs in the world. I've often felt slighted by his repeated assertion. I’d usually respond, “Well, I don’t aspire to be a pastor, I think it’s a tedious job. You always must be the beck and call of others and at odd times too.” At least, my pastor friend seems to enjoy his work and that’s a good thing. Well, a pastor is different from a psychologist, yet they deal with people. A cook and a seamstress met different needs. But are their impact value the same? Check this article out.

Where myths are shattered: Ready or not
Should you have completed college/grad. school before you marry? Or must you be established in your career before you tie the knot? Isn't that what most of our parents, teachers and well meaning friends advise? This article does shatter some myths about a person’s readiness for marriage.

Fun Bible Infographic
Tim Challies has created this colourful infographic on the books of the Bible. Go grab it.

Pastor Comparison <> Encourage your own pastor
In Ghana, there are instances of “pastor comparison” and “church comparison” going on.
“My church is better than yours,’cos we have a 24 hour prayer team, 7 days a week.”
“My pastor operates in the prophetic so he must be more anointed than yours.”
Never heard John Piper preach but I’ve read some of his stuff (Books & Blog). I think he’s cool, whatever cool means to you, haha! Check this article out and appreciate your pastor just as he is!

Encouraging read for women
This article is for all women, whether married or unmarried, whether a stay-at-home mom or not, women do have some “home-cares.” It’s an encouraging read… guys, you may want to read too, so that you can encourage your wives, female relatives and friends.

I hope you found something useful here.

Happy Blog Hopping,
Lady Akofa.

Christmas Hampers

20 years ago in Ghana, there wasn’t anything like “Christmas Hampers.” People would give notable gifts such as a live chicken, a goat, a cow (or parts of a cow), large quantities of meat or a bag of rice or sugar, Danish butter cookies, etc.

These days, the corporate world and individuals have become creative in the way Christmas gifts are packaged and given.

ENTER: Christmas Hampers.

The hampers are usually filled with assorted foods and drinks, sometimes a pen here, a towel, there. But… it’s not everybody who gets these hampers. If you have friends in influential places … say a CEO/ MD, a top government official you might find a clerk or a driver delivering a Christmas hamper to your office or to you at home. Or if you have a dollar account with a bank or some huge stipulated amount of money in your bank account you’re likely to receive this Christmas Hamper.

In recent years, I look forward to ‘receiving’ these hampers at Christmas. I say ‘receiving’ in quotes because it’s my parents who get these gifts but I am the chief consumer, haha! I’m not mad that the same bank ignores my teeny tiny Ghana cedis and doesn’t show me love at Christmas. Nope, I’ll get there soon!

In which she blog about Christmas hampers on 31st Jan… : - )

Blessings,
Lady Akofa.

Selfishness is weakness

“Selfishness is weakness.
But loving and caring for others is a position of power beyond anything that we can possibly imagine.”

~~~Joyce Meyer

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.

“I can’t go on like this anymore!"

Promises to live by: “I can’t go on like this anymore! I’ve no strength left!”

Are there days in your life when it seems as if you have no strength to go on? Responsibilities overwhelms us, the state of important relationships are not as desired and we are unable to accomplish significant goals. These seasons come and go, but while we are in it, we wonder when it will be over.

I was fervently praying through some overwhelming responsibilities and expressed similar words, a few days ago. The Holy Spirit dropped 3 bible verses into my heart. These are verses I’ve memorized in the past. The Spirit inspired remembrance was like the resurrection of the verses… seemingly dead words coming back to life to me.

So I write these mostly for as reminder and in part, share with you. If you find yourself in a similar state now or sometime in the future, this could be starting point for prayer and assurance. God promises to give you strength and it shall be said of the situation, “… and it came to pass.”

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall.”
Psalm 55:22; NIV

“The Son the is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things (including me!) by His powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Hebrew 1:3; NIV

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Philippians 4:13; NIV

*All emphasis are definitely mine.

Without a doubt, there are more Bible verses that apply to overwhelming situations, but these are what God reminded me of at that time.

God’s sure word is this: He will sustaaaiiin you!
Lady Akofa.

11 days gone already!

Wow, it is 11 days into 2012 already!!

Where did the days go?

Yours truly finally took down the Christmas decor this morning. My Christmas posts has photos of a few of them. The rest of the photos didn’t come out well… still testing the new camera I got for Christmas, courtesy of my lovely mom. Yippee!

As expected, the season was all eating, drinking & chatting with family to the point that I had to briskly walk a couple of nights to “walk away the pounds.” I'm not an exercise person but when it becomes necessary, I "hit the floor running."

I made a weird resolution: not to drink any soda (Fanta, Sprite, Coke, Pepsi, 7up, etc) during the Christmas & New Year Season at home or when it was offered at a gathering, party… wherever. I drunk juice, water and green tea instead of sodas. (Indeed, I'm drinking green tea as I type this post). It was pretty strange to my hosting friends & family that I wouldn’t take up the offer of Coke or Sprite, when I visited. It also meant that instead of me drinking all the sodas at home, -sheepish grin : -)- we have plenty of left overs and somehow, I've no desire to touch them. At least, not yet. I think, I may be getting cured of my coca cola addiction… or perhaps it’s the usual New Year resolution to save money with a no-coke agenda. Whatever… but I did it!

I was glad to attend 3 Nine lessons and Carols Night services within a week, in which I read a bible lesson in one of them. It was like God, dropped that opportunity on my lap at the last minute!

So… HAPPY NEW YEAR! Belated… needless to say… I wish you all my blog readers God’s very BEST and nothing less in 2012!

It’s a brand new day!
It's a brand new year!
New things are here!
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 ~:).