Destiny Testimones: God Answers ALL Prayers

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

Hello Everyone!

Thanks for stopping by today!

I'll be sharing a fanstatic testimony here today!!! Enjoy!!!

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I had a baby about two years ago and of course I gained some weight. I gained about 50 pounds to be exact...that's alot of weight. After giving birth I was able to loose about 40 pounds with exercise, portion control and breast feeding. I was doing good...10 pounds away from pre-baby weight but I just stopped. I found myself in a stressful situation and lost all motivation. 

Recently, I realized that I was not happy with my weight. So I decided to start on the journey after gaining an additional 10 pounds. So I have 20 pounds to loose plus some muscle toning to combat the loose skin that I acquired after pregnancy. 

I've been on this journey many times before; and I don't like it too much...it's long, hard, and can be overwhelming. But I determined to be healthy, I have a destiny to fulfill and a family to cater to. At times like this, one person comes to mind...my dear friend Abimbola Adeniranye. Bimbo's testimony always amazes me and inspires me. I sent her a bbm a few weeks ago for some motivation and I've been on the journey since. 

Read her testimony below:

So who is Abimbola Adeniranye?

I’m not exactly sure how to answer this. Not cos I don’t know who I am, cos I do! Lol Lemme see… umm I’m a Nigerian girl, middle child born to a family I absolutely adore. Love Jesus Christ and all he is, does, and stands for. Recovering shy girl. Love people and love being able to be a tool when a person needs something. I’m a bit confusing.. somewhat of an introvert and an extrovert at the same time.. I’ll lean more naturally towards intro. I love to laugh. I LOVE food. Like to sleep. I can be quite the creature of habit which is great for consistency sake but can be dangerous for change/growth sake if not checked. My family may use the word “stubborn” to describe me  bleh.. but they may also throw in “honest” and “determined” just to make me feel better im sure lol.. I think that’s enough sharing for now.. My extrovert is loving it but my introvert is getting itsy lol 

Tell us about your weight loss journey?

I’ll go straight to the point. My weight gain journey maxed out at 245lbs 5ft4in and 19 years old. It was in July of that year, at that personal weight high that I decided (again) to lose weight and this time stick to it until I at least could get back below 200lbs which was where I thought I could aspire to get to and no less. HA! I never paid attention to weight loss or gain, or health really growing up in Nigeria, when I moved to the US after high school in 2001, I just kept gaining and eating and the first time I remember a number on a scale it was 190lbs.. needless to say, it kept climbing and climbing and even though (in my mind mentally anyways) I though I was doing my best (looking back now, I really wasn’t.. not consistently anyways). It went up until 245lbs in 2006.

I probably went from maybe about 160-170lbs when i first came to my highest weight of 245lbs in July 2006. Between about 190lbs and the 245lbs, I would try to exercise and diet here and there, lose a few lbs and gain it all back again (and then some). This time, I prayed to God about it, for the strength, grace and help to start the journey to lose weight one final time and God answered my prayers beyond my wildest imaginations (as of that time. I TOTALLY DID NOT see it getting to where he has helped me get to now). I started exercising daily and cutting my portion sizes and educating myself about food, exercise and also did quite a bit of work also in my mind, stretching myself as far as self motivating thoughts, discipline, etc.

What were your main vices?

FOOD! Was and (still is) a major vice of mine. I like it bad, I like it fried, I like it carb filled, and worst of all, I like it plenty in quantity! Lol sooo with that combination, that was a hard part for me. It is still my major struggle. I’d probably be more excellent at this if I could get total control over that. Esp. the portion side. But I tried to portion control.. I didn’t really cut anything out. 

Did you try to lose weight before? What happened?

Absolutely! I would. Do a bit here and there with food and exercise but I would never remain consistent. And didn’t find ways to make them things I could do for me.. knowing myself. That would challenge me but also keep me at it and work for me to stay going for the long haul. I would lose a bit, and gain a lot more. And I didn’t know enough about what I was trying to achieve to make it work for me

How much did you weigh at your heaviest and how much do you weigh now?

I think I answered the first part above already. But I was 245lbs at 5ft 4in at 19years old at my heaviest. Now I’m 29 years old, still 5ft 4in (fortunately or unfortunately lol) and I dance between 145lbs and 155lbs most times. 

What influenced your decision to loose weight?

To be honest, food motivates me. I love food soo much, It motivates me to work out lol. I would be lying if I said the physical aspect didn’t matter cos it absolutely did! I also want to look good. I want to look a certain way to be honest, and I pray God gives me the grace to continue to do what it takes to care about how i look. Another motivator was family; Family is a big deal to me. And looking down the line to my future, I want to be that mom/wife that is healthy and able to do things with my husband, children, grandchildren etc while feeling and hopefully looking good and healthy all along the way. I want to live a life for God the best way possible and that includes my trying to take care of myself as best I can to be the best for him and others around me. Make yourself a priority and those around you that you love will benefit from that!

What was the first thing you did to begin your journey?

Not to sound superrrr spiritual. But honestly, the first thing I did (and kept doing throughout even until now) was involve God and pray to him about it. It was a conversation like every other. I expressed what I wanted and how I needed him in every way cos I couldn’t do it on my own.. but I was ready to join forces with him lol. And I listened to what I felt he was telling me I needed to do in me and around me. 

I also got a calendar that I used to record what I did daily (I have one for every year since then). I prefer hardcopy and not electronic so that I can physically write what I am doing. One of the ones where the whole month is outlined on one page. I used a colored marker to cross out the day I do nothing. So when I see too many of the marker color, I know I need to pick up the next week to avoid too many mark offs on that week. That helped me personally just mentally as a self motivator. Cos I did it mostly with me having to motivate myself for the most part. (like I said, introvert side). I also set goals at every stage.. and rewarded myself sometimes (mostly with fav sinful foods that I can't have until I achieve lol) and set new goals with each one accomplished. Then I whipped out the treadmill we had sitting in our garage for over five years, purchased a static exercise bike, planned my food, researched a bit about what I was committing to do and starting to do, mixed the research up with my personal preferences and got to it!  

Which were the best or most successful techniques you used and why?

For me, portion control was huge. Again cos personally (you have to know yourself but still challenge that version of yourself you know) I love food. I cut out soda but I personally did not want to cut out rice or other faves. So I got to eat it, but with a calorie max for the day, I got to eat less. I guess I coulda eaten a bigger portion of greens or a small portion of rice. I did both at different times. But I went with portion control. Keeping my daily caloric intake to a certain number as much as possible. So that motivated me not to waste it on calorie drinks cos I needed to eat food lol and drinks ate into my calorie count big time. I also did a lot of exercising. Both were hard. But for me, personally, exercise made me feel good (the after feeling tho, never the before or during feeling). And my love for food made the food part more of a struggle for me. I knew I had to do both to get any kind of long lasting result. But cos of my love for food, I did a lot of compensating on the exercise part. Again both must be done for long lasting results and overall health.

What are the best things you have found about losing weight?

The way I look and the way I feel are definitely two of my favorite things. But also a big deal is mentally. The fact that I did this… showed me that I could in fact do more than I though I could. I am more determined than I thought. Not as lazy as I had thought. That I could set my mind to anything and do it. Mentally, that is huge. In every part of my life, I apply it when I think I can't. I remember, I once thought I couldn’t lose weight! Also spiritually, I thought it was more likely in my lifetime for me to see a dead man raised. If anyone told me at 18yrs old that weight wise, I would look how I did by 20 years old, I would have laughged at them like sarah laughed at the angels when she got the message that she and Abraham would have a child at their age. It was the most impossible of all impossibles to me. But hey! Apparently God really can do the impossible! And isf I “join forces with him” and get to it! Doing what I can, so can I apparently!

Is there anything you are going to do now that you never would have done before you lost the weight?

Lol I dunno. Hopefully keep it up! Its still an everyday struggle for a choice between work out and don’t workout.. or eat this and don’t eat that. Or eat less or eat more.. or prioritize and order your life or don’t.. It’s a struggle for me cos it doesn’t come as naturally to me as it might to some people to do the right things and chose the right things. But God is helping me.. and I’m still on his team.. working with him, surrendering to him, allowing myself to be changed by his.. so yea.. hopefully keep it up! And I’m sure some impossible thing will happen that I can’t see right now but I will do.. I don’t really know anything specific to answer this question (fortunately or unfortunately lol) 

What would you say to those struggling and want to do what you have done?

Do it cos you want it and cos you’ve been thinking about it for years.. letting it occupy your mind. One year from today will come… you will meet it, the same way a year ago you thought about it, and now, it’s a year later.. its still there. The difference in next year being different is what you do with the time in between. It’s a daily, gradual, uneventful day by day commitment to doing what needs to be done each day to get you closer that will get you there. You may not have cheerleaders there, I didn’t for the most part, you have to be your own and get it done! Committ to it either you feel like it or not! If you fall off, so what? The tragedy will be to not get back on it! Once you relaize, get back on it and go again, even if you have to start steps back from when you were in the groove. Still restart. Every Monday for me, was restart day cos I fell off quite a few times (and I still do like all the time) lol.. but you get back on it! Keep it up! You do have what it takes to do anything you set your mind to, commit your efforts to, work hard on and and join forces with God to accomplish!

Also, Find the BEST way to do what works for you. Lots of people have advice, don't ignore the good advice. Try it out, and find what works for you and what makes you the best, then do that. And you'll improve YOUR best over time. Make it YOUR own. What works for Bunmi may not work for me and vice versa. Take the good advice, challenge yourself to be better than your best effort, and stay consistent with improving! If you fall off, get back on whenever you realize. It's a lifelong lifestyle  

Workout routine:

Right now; I aim to workout 5 days a week. Most weeks i succeed, But I must end up with no less than 4 days a week. When i was loosing the weight tho, i aimed to workout 7 days a week, minimum of 5 days a week and most days, I did two-a-day workouts (in the morning before work/school and again in at night after work/school before bed)

Right now I do a minimum 3-4 days a week of incline treadmill (4.5miles for an hour). Then I do at least 4 days a week of muscle work; either muscle tone home workout dvd's at home; I have diff ones for abs, lower body,. upper body, total body, pilates, etc OR at the gym, i'll take either bodycombat class (mix of kickboxing, cardio and tai chi) or bodypump class (bars and weight circuit). I LOVE BODYPUMP to tone muscle. Or i go for bootcamp classes once in a week or so (I just recently started taking these). So to summarize: Cardio about 4-6 days a week and muscle tone/sculpt at 3-5 times a week.

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony Bimbo! You are truly an inspiration and thank you for stressing the GOD factor! With God ALL things are possible!!!

I hope you were blessed by this testimony! If you'd like to share a testimony here, please send an email to: destinationdestiny7@gmail.com (you have the option of being anonymous). 

You're blessed!

- Bunmi

Wait before you go:

1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!

2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!

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Oluwatomiyin VI

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today!

Enjoy as the story of "Oluwatomiyin" continues.

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Well she went on to get married. She married a man that her parents chose for her. He was a man that she barely knew; she only remembered seeing him in church while growing up. She married a man that knew nothing about her past...including me. In his eyes, he married the best. He married a pastor's daughter...an innocent Saint; to him my mom was perfect, she was his trophy wife. 

She would call big mummy from time to time when she was able to sneak some calls in. She would ask how I was doing and spend the rest of the time crying her eyes out over the phone. She was miserable, she didn't love him. She felt like she was living with a stranger; she didn't feel like they were compatible. She also felt like she was living a double life. It was eating her up inside, she wanted to have me by her side. She felt like a terrible mother. Big mummy would comfort her and reassure her that I was in good hands. She'd tell her not to beat herself up because decisions were made for her; it wasn't her fault.

After a few months big mummy stopped hearing from her; she stopped calling without a warning. At first, big mummy was worried but she'd hear that my mom was doing well when she called her daughter (my grandmother). She made up her mind to save me for the misery that surrounded my coming into the world. She vowed to herself to never bring my mom up for the sake of protecting me. She felt like there was no way I'd understand; it was a messy situation.

She was particularly upset with my grandparents. She couldn't phantom why they didn't want anything to do with me. She'd scold her daughter for living like I never existed. Her daughter (my grandmother) would apologize but she had no remorse. They were pastors and they had an image to maintain; she'd saying that they had to live by example. They felt that the money that they sent for my schooling and upkeep was enough to fill the void.

But it wasn't, I was robbed of a mother. I was robbed of a real family. I was robbed of a childhood simply because some people felt that I was a mistake and nothing good could come out of me. Thank God for big mummy and the community that raised me. Deep within, I knew that I was not a mistake; I knew that greatness lied within.

****

Big mummy and I would attend church every Sunday; she'd also go a few times during the week. But I'd make excuses about going with her during the week. I'd say I had to study for an exam or that I had too many assignments to complete.

I used to love going all the time as a little girl. But the truth is that I now hated the church. I felt like they were all hypocrites living a fake life. After all, my so called grandparents were pastors. I'd be at church physically on Sundays but my mind would be elsewhere; filled with negative emotions. I would fill a nudging to pay attention because I knew that they were speaking the truth but I'd ignore it. The words from the pastor's lips would go in one ear and out the other. 

****

After the discovery of my past, I became angry. I was not a happy person. Everything and everyone irritated me. I just wanted to keep to myself. I didn't want to be bothered. I trusted no one. 

All my friends noticed my sudden change in behavior, they'd try their best to comfort and encourage me but it didn't work. I felt unwanted and unloved. It was the worse feeling in the world. I tried to forgive my mom but I still blamed her secretly; there wasn’t an excuse she should have found a way to come for me. I didn't bother trying to forgive my grandparents; I hated them with a passion.

Big mummy was the only one that I loved and trusted. I did all that I could to make her happy. I didn't want her to be stressed for another second. I did well in school, helped more around the house and started assisting her with selling provisions at her shop.

When she became ill, I panicked. Her condition kept deteriorating. I prayed and prayed for a miracle. She was all that I had. Seeing her in pain crushed me. The doctors said that she had a heart condition. She could barely breathe, let alone talk. She was given tons of medications and other treatments but nothing seemed to work. 

My so-called-good-for-nothing grandparents said that they were too busy to come. The ministry was growing and they couldn't afford to leave. The best they could do was send money and prayers her way. Well neither of them worked. On June 7, 2001 I lost the only person that ever loved me. Big mummy died at exactly 5:15 am in my arms. In the blink of an eye, my whole world came crashing down. I tired to wake her up, I really did. But my vigorous shaking and ear deafening screams could not bring her back, she was gone...gone for good.

You're blessed!


- Bunmi


Wait before you go:



1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!


2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!


3. You can subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the 'Follow by email' section located on the right of this post.

4. You can share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon on the right.

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6. Like my page on facebook: Bunmi Adebiyi

7. Follow me on Instagram: destinationdestiny_mlmt

Big Dreams are Good Dreams!

A few weeks ago I asked myself a question, "Are my dreams too big?"  It was a question that had been on my mind for some time prior to then. You see, I have big dreams...really really big-gigantic-massive dreams. If I compare myself and all that have at this moment to what I see in my dreams, it wouldn't stand a chance. 

As that question wandered in my mind, I heard a still small voice that stopped me in my tracks.

"No they're not, I gave them to you."

That voice can with power, peace and comfort. It was voice of my father...the keeper of my dreams.

It is not a sin to have big dreams. You have a big GOD who does big things. And he gives big dreams! He does everything in GRAND STYLE! Your dreams are just a starting point with God...the tip of the iceberg.

Ephesians 3:20-21New King James Version (NKJV)
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

You see he is able to do exceedingly, abundantly and above what you ask or even imagine!!!

Yes dreams do come true! They come true as you learn to partner with the one that gave you them. Your dreams are fulfilled as you walk in the path that God has paved for you. Choosing to go any other way will lead to nightmares (Proverbs 3:5).

God wants us to have much more than just what we need, he knows that we have wants. And that's okay with him.

Psalm 37:4New King James Version (NKJV) 4                          

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

God is delighted when you obey his commandment of love (John 13:34), he is delighted when we trust him absolutely (Hebrews 11:6), he is delighted when we seek or put him first (Matthew 6:33), and he is delighted when we follow his plan for our lives (Matthew 5:14-16). 

Your dreams are not far-fetched; you deserve the finer things in life because you are royalty (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). It is natural for a king to desire and have the best of all things. Yes you can have it all because your father owns it all! 

Have you ever walked into a store and the item that catches your eye is the one of the most expensive things there? It happens to me all the time! It's okay to like and desire nice things; it only becomes an issue if we allow those desires to overwhelm us.

God has a way and it's called the blessing. When we learn to work the blessing and stop working for money, we will attract wealth and riches. God is the one who can truly teach us how to prosper (Isaiah 48:17); he is the originator of prosperity. 

So follow him, allow his Word to seep into the crevices of your heart and walk in the light of it. Prosperity is not a result of hard work; it is a result of revelation. 

Your dreams aren't too big! Big dreams are good dreams! So keep dreaming, and follow Jesus as he will usher you into the manifestation of them!

You're blessed!


- Bunmi


Wait before you go:



1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!


2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!


3. You can subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the 'Follow by email' section located on the right of this post.

4. You can share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon on the right.

5. Follow me on twitter @BunmiAdebiyi_

6. Like my page on facebook: Bunmi Adebiyi

7. Follow me on Instagram: destinationdestiny_mlmt\

Short Story: Oluwatomiyin V

Hello everyone! Welcome to the month of June AKA the second half of the year!!! It is getting better for you...God perfects all that concerns you in Jesus' name! AMEN!!!

Welcome to the blog today, thank you for visiting! I hope you've been enjoying the short story thus far. If you have not done so already, please read the previous four installments. Enjoy the fifth installment below:

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I woke up to the alarming sound of Big Mummy's voice, "Oluwatomiyin! Oluwatomiyin!! Oluwatomiyin!!!"

"Maaaa..."  I wiped the crust from eyes one after the other.

"Look at the time! You're late for school."

"Oh oh I'm sorry, I overslept" I jumped out of bed and made a mad dash for the bathroom. I quickly took a shower and brushed my teeth. I was out of the house and on my way to school in record time, ten minutes to be exact!

Everyone looked shocked as I tried to sneak into class; I was never late. As my math teacher went on and on about equations, I was busy trying to solve the equation of my life. Nothing seemed to add up. Where is my mother? Why didn't she ever come back for me? Why didn't she even bother to communicate with me? What happened between the last page of that notebook and now?

I was so lost in thought that I didn't realize when my teacher Mr. Fola asked me a question. Someone had to nudge me before I got the point. He repeated his question. 

"What is the difference between a polynomial equation and a linear equation?

I scratched the side of my head; I read about it the other day but couldn't seem to remember the answer.

"Umm...sir, I believe that the difference between the two is that one has multiple numbers while the other does not."

***SILENCE***

I knew that I had given the wrong answer from the class' response; everyone just stared at me.

Mr. Fola paused, took a deep breath and said, "Not exactly..." and then he called for someone else to answer the question. 

After class, Mr. Fola pulled me aside and asked if I was okay. I was the smartest student in his class. I explained to him that I was tired and apologized for not paying attention in his class. 

The rest of the day was a blur. I sat like a zombie in the rest of my classes. I couldn't focus no matter how hard I tried. I had to solve this mystery, it was eating me up inside.

I was overjoyed when it was time to go home. I didn't bother waiting behind to chat with my friends. I told them that I was in a hurry. I practically ran home.

As I opened the door, I heard the whistling of the kettle coming from the kitchen. I was surprised, big mummy usually wasn't home this early. I hesitated before walking into the house. 

"Hello...Hello...is anyone there?"

There was no response.

I tiptoed into the living, passed through the hallway and peeped into big mummy's room. She was seated on her chair with her eyes closed. I was relieved to see her. I proceeded to knock on her door, but she sat without flinching. The kettle continued to echo from the kitchen. I knocked a bit louder, there was still no response.

I walked into her room and stood beside her, tapping her gently on her shoulder "Big mummy....Big mummy."

I startled her, "Who is that? What is it?"

"I'm sorry ma; I've been calling your name for a while."

"Oh, Tomiyin it's you! Sorry my dear. I don't know when I slept off."

"I wanted to drink some tea so I put some water on the fire"

I remembered that I heard the sound of the kettle earlier, I quickly ran to the kitchen to turn off the stove. The water that was in the kettle was almost dried up.

Big mummy was right behind me. "Thank you jare, God bless you". She proceeded to take a tea bag from the cupboard and put it in a tea cup; she poured what was left in the kettle into the cup. 

"How are you dear? How was school today?"

"I'm fine ma, school was okay."

"That's good", she smirked.

"Big mummy, why are you home? Didn't you go to the shop today?"

"I didn't go jare; I wanted to stay home and rest."

"Sorry ma, I hope all is well?"

She sighed, "Yes my love, all is well." 

"What will you eat?" she asked.

"I want to change first ma, I'll eat rice and stew."

"Okay", she looked into my eyes and smiled warmly.

As I changed out of school clothes, I noticed that my notebook was not where I usually kept it. I searched and searched until I was sweating profusely. 

I heard big mummy's voice from the door; I didn't know when she came. "What are you looking for?"

I quickly grabbed a t-shirt from my wardrobe and pulled it over my head.

"Nothing ma, it's nothing."

"I know what you're looking for, here it is." She stretched out her right hand and there it was; my prized possession. 

I looked down at my feet, feeling a measure of shame. "Thank you ma."

"After you eat, I want to have a talk with you."

"Okay ma"

I ate my food so fast that I barely tasted it.

I skipped to big mummy's room and knocked. "I've finished eating ma."

"Come in dear."

I opened the door and stood trying to search her face for a clue of what was about to transpire.

I had no idea, but it seemed like it was something serious. 

"Sit down."  She patted on the bed. 

I sat down and looked at her face. She smiled at me and I did the same. 

"I wanted to talk to you about your mother. I believe now is the right time."

I sat up straight and gave her my full attention. 

She reiterated all that I read in the notebook from her point of view. She then continued where the book left off.

She told me that my mother had plans to come back for me after she finished school. Her parents agreed, and that motivated her to finish strong. She would call big mummy every week to check on me. She would ask to speak with me and I'd smile when I heard her voice over the phone. She wasn't allowed to come visit me anymore; her parents said that they didn't want her to be distracted.

Four years later she graduated at the top of her class. Her parents were elated; the daughter that once brought them shame now filled them with so much joy. After the graduation festivities were over, she sat her parents down and reminded them of their promise. 

Well they had other plans for her, which didn't include me. They informed her that she would be getting ready in a month's time. Her husband had been selected for her. They said that now that she had graduated, she had become a woman. She had to relocate to her husband's house and forget about me. It was an abomination to bring a child birthed out of wedlock into her husband's house.

She was crushed. She called big mummy wailing, she begged her to talk to her parents. Big mummy called them and tried to intervene, but it was too late their minds were made up. They said that they'd increase the money that they sent for my upkeep every month and ended the discussion. 

I sat numb...what kind of people would do such a thing?

To be continued...

You're blessed!


- Bunmi


Wait before you go:



1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!


2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!


3. You can subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the 'Follow by email' section located on the right of this post.

4. You can share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon on the right.

5. Follow me on twitter @BunmiAdebiyi_


6. Like my page on facebook: Bunmi Adebiyi

7. Follow me on Instagram: destinationdestiny_mlmt

Short Story: Oluwatomiyin IV

Hello! Welcome to this space!  If you’re new here, you’re in for a treat! If you’ve been here before, you know what to do: relax, sit back, kick up your feet and enjoy the new installment of the short story titled, “Oluwatomiyin.” Be sure to catch up on the last three installments if haven’t done so already. 

****
I  reread every line and each page repeatedly. I felt every emotion she felt with every word that I read. I felt like I went back in time as I read those pages. I felt for her, I loved her. Ultimately I made up my mind to forgive her. 

I held on to that notebook like a prized possession. It was all I had to connect me to my mother. It was my best kept secret; I didn't tell anyone what I've discovered. I didn't want to share; I wanted it all to myself. It was a great feeling...I found a missing piece of my identity.

Well that feeling didn't last long. Every night it was my daily ritual to read a page or two of my treasured notebook before drifting off into deep sleep. On this particular day, I broke the rules and decided to read a few pages right before my after school nap. I read the love letter that she wrote to me for the umpteenth time and started having sweet dreams in a matter of seconds.

Big mummy had been calling my name for some time, but I was knocked out. I didn't hear a thing. She came bursting through the door of my room. "Tomiyin! Tomiyin! Are you okay? I've been calling you!” I jumped out of bed suddenly as my beloved notebook fell to the ground. I quickly grabbed it, trying to tuck it under my pillow while hoping that she didn't notice it. 

"I'm sorry ma, I didn't realize that I was so tired...I didn't hear you ma."

"What are you hiding?"

"Ma?"

"You heard me, what book is that? Why are you hiding it?"

Before I could answer her question, she grabbed it.

She instantly began to read it. As she read it, I saw that her facial expression began to transform when she realized what it was and who the author was.

She couldn't take it any longer; she sat down on the bed beside me and held the notebook to her chest. All of a sudden, tears began to roll down her face. I sat there stunned, I didn't know what to do or say.

After crying for a few minutes, she caught her breath and began to apologize.

"I'm sorry dear, I should have told you all this while but I didn't know how."

"Please forgive me."

I was still stunned; I really didn't understand why she was apologizing. Without uttering a word, I hugged her and laid my head on her chest. We both wept, after a while there were no more tears and we both sat there quietly. To make it worse the power went out in the midst of our tears, not only were we both overwhelmed with emotion, but we were both sweating profusely also.

"Big mummy, it's okay. How was your outing? Let me make you something to eat."

The subject had been successfully changed. In no time, we were all laughs as we enjoyed our bowls of fresh fish pepper soup and boiled yam accompanied with chilled bottles of Malta.

After eating, I washed the dishes and tidied up the kitchen. Afterwards, I went on to do my homework and then I decided to watch television while we still had power. Grandma joined me as we laughed hysterically while watching a Nollywood film starring Funke Akindele. She was one of my favorite actresses.

By the time the movie ended, it was way past my bed time. Big mummy and I prayed together as we always did and went our separate ways. I spent the next few minutes thinking about what took place earlier. The emotions that filled those few moments after my big secret was let loose gave me goose bumps.

There had to be more to the story then what was written on those pages...

To be continued....

You're blessed!


- Bunmi


Wait before you go:



1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!


2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!


3. You can subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the 'Follow by email' section located on the right of this post.

4. You can share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon on the right.

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6. Like my page on facebook: Bunmi Adebiyi

7. Follow me on Instagram: destinationdestiny_mlmt

Short Story: Oluwatomiyin III

Hello! Thanks for stopping by today!!!

I hope that you've been enjoying this short story so far. Be sure to check out part one and part two if you haven't done so already.

ENJOY part three below!

****

When I first asked the question that big mommy failed to answer, I was eight. I never bothered asking her again. The truth is I was afraid to know the answer. In my mind, my world was perfect. I didn't want anything to mess it up. Big mommy's response was enough to shut me up forever.

Now at the age of ten, I guess the Gods deemed it the right time for me to discover my true identity. After a long day at school, I just wanted to sleep. When I arrived big mommy wasn't home. I quickly changed out of my school uniform and headed to the kitchen. I opened the fridge but didn't like any of the options; and I was too lazy to cook something new. I opened up the cupboard and grabbed a packet of indomie noodles. I tossed it into a pot along with chopped onions and peppers, just the way I liked it! I added an egg to the pot and shut the lid tight. After about 15 minutes, I added the seasoning package and a teaspoon of crayfish.

Ten minutes later, my belly was singing "Hallelujah...Hallelujah...Hallelujah". I was full and satisfied! The next thing on my agenda was SLEEP! Oh how excited I was to lay my head on my pillow and begin to count sheep. As I laid on my bed and prepared myself to sleep, I heard something drop to the floor. I looked down and it was the notebook from that morning. I wanted to ignore it and shut my eyes but something told me to pick it up.

I sighed and rolled my eyes as I lifted myself from the bed; I finally picked up the notebook. I opened the first page and the hand writing looked quite similar to mine, but it definitely wasn't my book. The notebook was old as the pages had turned a slight shade of yellow. After reading the first page, I couldn't put the notebook down. Page after page unfolded the mystery of my identity.

The notebook belonged to my birth mom. She told her story, her emotions laced in every letter that she wrote. She was distraught. Her life changed in a matter of seconds because of a costly mistake. Her parents sent her away and the love of her life denied her and her unborn child. She seemed hopeless and uncertain about the future. She wanted to be happy about me but she couldn't. She tried to get rid of me but I didn't budge. She just wanted to be a normal teenager. But now she had to be responsible. She couldn't continue her education, she couldn't see her friends anymore, she felt like her life was over.

Her days were filled with daydreams as she nurtured me in her belly. All she did was eat and sleep, big mommy didn't allow her to lift a finger. Jumoke Ogunrayo felt empty; she felt all alone. The whole world had turn their backs on her, except big mommy.

As my kicks got stronger with each passing month, she began to see a fragment of light at the end of the tunnel. She said that it all started to feel real and she suddenly felt some excitement as my due date drew closer. She couldn't place a finger on the origin of her excitement but she welcomed that feeling. 

She explained the day I was born word for word. She said I was beautiful. I had my dad's nose and hair but everything else was all hers! She said that tears of joy streamed down her face as she carried me in her arms for the first time. She said that I was her prized possession. She couldn't believe that I was hers!

She wrote me this letter: 

Oluwatomiyin, I love you with all of my heart. Thank you for making me a mother. You are perfect, you are adorable, you are so beautiful. I have to admit that this past nine months have been rough. Everyone made me feel like I made a mistake when I created you. I felt that way also for a very long time. But as I look into your eyes, I know that you're far from a mistake. You are a gift from above. I will love and cherish you forever my lovely daughter.

My eyes welled up with tears as I read those words. She loved me? Wow! I didn't know if I should be happy or sad. Her words seemed genuine but her actions didn't align. Why did she disappear if she really loved me?

The answer wasn't far fetched. After reading the next few pages, I discovered what happened. After six months of caring for me, her parents sent for her. She was ecstatic! They had forgiven her and wanted her back in their lives. Her excitement was very evident as she counted down the days to the reunion on the pages of that notebook. 

About a week to the reunion, her excitement fizzled. After a phone conversation with her mom, she was informed that I wouldn't be going back with her. Her mom told her that she had to finish her education and I'd be too much of a distraction. She was crushed, she complained to big mommy and cried herself to sleep countless times. Big mommy reassured her that it was for good. She told her that once she was educated, she'd be able to take better care of me. That stirred her up, she was determined to finish school and come back for me.

But that never happened.

To be continued...

You're blessed!


- Bunmi


Wait before you go:



1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!


2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!


3. You can subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the 'Follow by email' section located on the right of this post.

4. You can share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon on the right.

5. Follow me on twitter @BunmiAdebiyi_


6. Like my page on facebook: Bunmi Adebiyi

7. Follow me on Instagram: destinationdestiny_mlmt

Short Story: Oluwatomiyin II

Hello!

Welcome to today's  blog post!

I started a short story series a few weeks ago titled "Oluwatomiyin" [translation: My God is enough for me to praise]. If you haven't done so already, please read the first installment here.

Enjoy the second installment below:


My mom nursed me for six months and off she went to continue her life like nothing happened. I stayed back in the village with my great grandmother. I referred to my great grandmother as big mommy. My mother came around once a year during the Christmas holiday. She'd bring me lots of gifts and spend two days with me. I never knew that she was the one who gave birth to me; big mommy told me to call her 'small mommy'.

I loved her gifts more than her company. Most times she'd stare at me for moments without end. Her eyes would be filled with  tears that threatened to escape down the side of her cheeks. I'd just smile at her and give her a big hug. I would do anything to see her smile. I was a happy child, I always flinched at the sight of sadness. She would hugged me tightly in return and whisper that she loved me in my ear. In a few seconds, she'd have a pseudo smile on her face. 

At the age of six, small mommy's visits suddenly stopped. I missed the gifts and her hugs. I cried on the first Christmas without her. Big mommy consoled me with biscuits (cookies) and sweets (candy), I eventually got over it. After some time, I forgot about small mommy. When memories of our time together would cross my mind, I'd brush them aside and focus on something else. 

*****

Big mommy was the absolute best. Her love for me was extravagant. I never lacked anything. One day while playing outside with my friends Sharon and Mercy. Big mommy called my name "Oluwatomiyin! Oluwatomiyin! Ni bolo wa?" [Translation: Oluwatomiyin! Oluwatomiyin! Where are you)]. I was two houses away. I stood up immediately and replied, "Maaaa, mo gbo" [Translation: Yes ma'am, I'm coming.] Before I scurried off, Sharon said "Tomi, come why is your mum so old? Are you sure that's your mum?" For the first time ever, I realized that she was much older than my friend's mothers. She was even older than my teachers. I shrugged it off and ran straight home. 

Later on after dinner, Sharon's question popped up in my mind once again. After washing the dishes, I headed to big mommy's room to give her a good night kiss. Before I could stopped myself, I asked "Big mommy, who's my mum? Are you really my mum?" She smiled heartily and replied, "I knew this day would come, but I'll give you the answer when you're old enough to understand." "Oluwatomiyin, just know that I love you and that you'll always be my baby." She hugged me and asked me to close the door behind me when I left.

I went to my room and cried myself to sleep. I'm not sure why I cried but I suddenly felt incomplete. I felt alone. What did big mommy mean? Wasn't she my mother? These questions hunted me until I discovered a diary two years later. I was running late for school, as I hurriedly put on my earring the back piece fell to the ground and rolled under the wardrobe. I hissed in annoyance and got on all fours. My eyes scanned back and forth repeatedly until I saw it glistening beside a notebook. I quickly grabbed it as my hand brushed against the notebook. I grabbed the notebook and tossed it on my bed. I clasped the back piece and my earring together and ran off.

To be continued....

You're blessed!


- Bunmi


Wait before you go:



1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won't make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the 'Come to Jesus' tab at the top of the page and be saved!


2. Please leave a comment below, I'd love to hear from you!


3. You can subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the 'Follow by email' section located on the right of this post.

4. You can share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon on the right.

5. Follow me on twitter @BunmiAdebiyi_


6. Like my page on facebook: Bunmi Adebiyi

7. Follow me on Instagram: destinationdestiny_mlmt