“THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JASON”

That was the text message to my brother, J, my new business mentor. We had the most delicious brunch yesterday at the Hard Rock Hotel at this high-end restaurant, and I enjoyed every moment. Julie was right when she said if you look up spoilt in the dictionary, you will see a picture of me and her sister, Ember, holding hands. Honestly, that’s the love we feel from God every day, all day. We have strong FAITH in His love! (HUGE SMILE)

Like running back from my God tree one day, feeling stuck and afraid to move forward with our business. God put it in my spirit to call Jason for some advice. He said, “Just, bleeping, do it!” A few days later, I jumped back in to attack buying cars in a very competitive market with a shortage of used vehicles. I needed that push from Jason after I lost all my confidence when my hubby left to return to Nigeria and our manager, Moises, had quit on us. That time alone was perfect for me to build up the courage with God as my close Partner to keep going. This showed up in a recent appointment with God that has now become my phone’s screensaver:

“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.” – Pope St. John Paul II

I’m now thanking Moises for quitting because without him to count on as a crutch, I was forced to lean MORE on God. It pushed me closer to God more than ever before, where I know that His invisible Presence is with me in every moment of my life. My son, Emmie (my official critic), said it looked like I couldn’t do anything without Moises. Your girl jumped into action. I said I couldn’t let my kids (who I brought to work with me) see me stagnant and afraid.

“Don’t stop conducting business the way you’re doing it,” a customer said on Saturday. Honestly, they came to buy a car for their daughter, who is about to start the same college where Julie had just finished her last year of high school, and I was so proud to be able to help them. I tell everyone that God is the owner of our business, and we just work for Him. In every aspect of what we do, I get God involved. We have all over our signs, “In God we trust,” so that means honoring Him in all our actions (we try!). From looking for inventory, I seek God in my spirit as to the vehicles He would have me buy, to preparing them for sale by driving them myself, having constant conversations with God every step.

That’s the great news I have for us that we have God PERSONALLY involved in our lives. He is an expert in everything! It’s just for us to learn His voice, acknowledge Him in all our ways by seeking what He would have us do, and be obedient to Him. This has become one of my fav verses:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8

Say this prayer: “God, I want a closer walk with You!” Then have faith in His love PERSONALLY for you, too!!!

“THAT PATIENCE THING YOU TAUGHT ME…”

…It wasn’t about waiting for my situation to change for the better (it actually went from bad to worse to worst!), it was really about God working to change me to be the wife, mom, and person He would have me to be,” was the conversation I had with my brother/angel from God, Kevin, today. And that’s the beautiful testimony I have to share with you guys today about how God is always working with us individually to become our best selves, all for His glory. HEEHAW!!!

‘God, what are the lessons here for me to learn?’ I asked Him when I got my heart broken again. There were many!!! I’m like my son, Joshie, who told me he didn’t want me to go easy on him because he wants to get into the University of Miami. I tell God the same thing, “Don’t go easy on me!!!” I want His tough love because I know that at the end of it all, I’m going to come out better, wiser, tougher, more courageous, loving, merciful, happier, more at peace, and I can go on and on. That’s the love of God, baby! He precisely knows the experiences we each individually need (the good, bad and ugly!). He is a God who is personally involved in bringing out the best in us.

“How are you really, really doing?” my sweetie sister, Marilyn (in the pic with me), asked me today. “I’m fantastic!” I answered. I call her “Madam Faithful” because of the dedication, faithfulness, dependability, and loyalty she demonstrates with a life of love and kindness. Thanks for that example, my boo. May the world learn from you. Amen.

But this quality of faithfulness and loyalty is repaid by God Himself. That’s why I tell you guys that I want to be on the highest road with God no matter what anyone else is doing. I just want to ask God to give me the strength to be obedient to Him, seeking to please Him in all my ways. When I do that, let me tell ya, God exceeds my expectations in every aspect of my life.

Even with this husband who is forever breaking my heart, I stay loyal. I tell God if I must be the poster child for the ride or die faithful wife for Him, no problem, because this husband is truly more than I can ever ask of a husband and father. He has exceeded our expectations. I was just joking with my daughter, Ember, how her sister, Julie, said if you look up spoilt in the dictionary, you will find a picture of Ember and me holding hands. Guilty as charged! I thanked hubs today for the beautiful life and family – he definitely spoils us! Another lesson from God has been learning to love others the way God loves us: UNCONDITIONALLY. Accepting everyone for both their strengths and weaknesses. Nobody’s perfect, y’all!

EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR WEAKNESS, NIKKI”

That was from our manager, Moises, the other day! Honestly, your girl here needed to be called out on where I get it seriously WRONG. I LOVE HUMILIATIONS, BABY!!! They alert me as to where I need to improve. You guys probably have figured out my weakness, too: I carry my husband too much in my head like a crazy lady. In fact, crazy isn’t even the word anymore, totally and completely insane is more like it!!! But, knowing where we are going wrong is half the battle.

Let me tell ya, God is so talkative. He even had a new connection to share this message with me, as to his take on the verse “Be still and know that I am God” verse from Psalm 46:10:

“When we think of be still, we think of be still and stop moving. But in the original Hebrew text, that verse translates into something else. It translates as “let go and know that I am God…being still is important, don’t get me wrong, because you still need to see God work, but if you really, really, really want to see God work, let it go. Let it go. It could be anything in your life… IT COULD BE YOU WORRYING ABOUT A SPOUSE (crazy lady here!!!)… But sometimes, you just have to let it go. Give it to Him. Give God an opportunity to be God.”

Honestly, I was down yesterday not feeling too well, but I used it as an opportunity to really have a heart-to-heart with God to hash out the lessons He would have me to learn. THERE WERE A LOT!!! I was also buying cars at the auction, and I saw the numbers 4-3, so I went to page 43 of our family’s website, and post after post, there was just God speaking directly to me about this crazy lady issue.

The first message was about patience, but I laughed with God because the issue I’m dealing with is never ending, so its more like learning to be content in any situation I find myself, focusing on the good of my hubby (there is so much good!) and covering up and overlooking the rest. PAIN IS A PART OF LIFE, YOU JUST HAVE TO BECOME NUMB. It is what it is, folks! Putting everyone in their proper perspective, not taking anything or anyone too seriously. “On chill (relaxed, enjoying, taking a lighthearted approach) for life” is how Kevin puts it!

I only had time for a quick run today, but God figured out a way to let me know He was with me. So, the first song to play as I started the run was Mario’s version of “Let Me Love You.’ I laughed with God knowing this was all Him reminding me that I must get my love from Him, not from anyone else (including hubby!). Then I stopped on 186 Ave. to turn around, and decided to go to page 18 of our website to see what God had to say to me there, and look what incredibly showed up:

“Girl let Me (God) love you (Wink! Wink!)
And I will love you
Until you learn to love yourself
Girl let Me love you
And all your trouble
Don’t be afraid, girl let Me help” – Ne-yo

See the incredible love God shows me!!! This was no coincidence! I didn’t make it to my God tree, but He figured out a way to let me know that His invisible Presence is always with me. God, forget about it, I’m going to let you be the One to love me from now on. Amen!

“WE’RE FOLLOWING THE LEADER: GOD”

That was me to someone who has inspired me greatly recently. He so hit the nail on the head of what I worry about lately that it freaked me out. It was another message from God Himself to me when he had another take on the “Be still and know that I am God” verse from Psalm 46:10:

“When we think of be still, we think of be still and stop moving. But in the original Hebrew text, that verse translates into something else. It translates as “let go and know that I am God.” When I found out that was what that context meant, it hit me like a ton of bricks. When you be still and know that God is in control, obviously, but being still means you can still, in some form of way, hold onto something. You can plant your feet firmly into the ground and hold onto something. You know that He is God, but you’re still holding on. But when you look at the Hebrew and how it was originally written, letting go and knowing that I am God, it gives it a whole different context. Letting go, you give up on it. Like God I don’t want nothing to do with it no more. That’s Yours. Like if you’re in a bad financial position and you don’t see your way out, instead of saying, ‘Lord, I don’t know where I will get this money from. Lord I don’t know how this is going to happen.’ You let go and say, “Lord, that’s Yours. I know it will happen. This Yours. This isn’t any longer for me. This all You.

And that was the original way He meant for it to be. He didn’t mean for us to be still. Being still is important, don’t get me wrong, because you still need to see God work, but if you really, really, really want to see God work, let it go. Let it go. It could be anything in your life. It could be you worrying about a bill (Me!!!!). It could be you worrying about a spouse. It could be you worrying about your own children. But sometimes, you just have to let it go. Give it to Him. Give God an opportunity to be God.”

Confession time! I’m so proud of my fierce daughters, who will both be attending universities in New York this September by the grace of God. But on the other hand, I’M TOTALLY FREAKING OUT OVER THE TUITION BILLS. God, what is this that we’ve gotten ourselves into!!! But when I heard this message, I knew it was God speaking directly to me. I needed to let go and give it to Him to handle.

I have no doubt that both of our daughters will be attending the universities that God Himself PERSONALLY picked out for them. And if I believe that will all my heart, I also have to trust that He knows how every tuition bill will be paid. I can, therefore, show up every day, doing my best with whatever He asks me to do, and I can comfortably leave the rest for Him to work out in the spiritual realm on our behalf.

In fact, I’ve turned the whole thing into a fun game between God and me. I’m taking our business as a lighthearted challenge God and I are working on together, saying, “Momma got tuition bills to pay!” My husband has so much on him, so I didn’t want to add another burden to his plate *which he doesnt mind!), but me wanting to be the superhero mom, I want to step up my work game to assist my hubby. So, a stressful dilemma has now become a fun adventure that God and I are handling together. HEEHAW!!! That’s faith, baby!

“YOU MUST GO TO CHURCH!!!”

That was me to our sons yesterday! And I’m so happy they went. Can you believe my twelve-year-old son, Joshie, came back excited to tell me what he learned? “Mommy, they talked about forgiveness and how important it is to forgive. The Pastor told a story of how someone held on to unforgiveness towards their parents for so many years and how it poisoned their life, causing them so many problems. However, Joshie explained, “If he had forgiven his parents instead and handed the unforgiveness over to God, he wouldn’t have walked around with all that poison in him, and he would have been much happier.” That’s my little twelve-year-old spiritual guru, guys!

Let me tell you, whatever anyone does is between them and God! Let’s just be the forgiving, going the extra mile in love people that God would have us to be. I know this forgiveness thing is hard, but when we keep our eyes fixed on God, obeying Him in every move, this is how He guides us on the path to the best life with Him.

I was just telling my husband how we had such a great time working with our kids this week. My daughter, Ember, and I, stayed back yesterday after the other kids left early, and I told her today how much I enjoyed being with her. The fact that we were arguing over who is God’s fav, me or her, is a testimony of how God shows our family such deep love. I told hubby it’s because he works so hard for us! He is our gift from God!

I just told hubs how he stole my confidence when he came to visit, though (tough boss!), but I’m building it back again by the grace of God. Let me tell ya, under my God tree today, God reminded me of the “411,” which is Him explicitly (no doubt whatsoever!) telling me that He will help me with our family business that has been through lots of ups and downs, but we’re not giving up. That I must just move confidently in the direction of my dreams, knowing He is behind the scenes helping us. Our grandchildren will enjoy this business. God is the owner; we just work for Him!

Are you getting God involved in every aspect of your life? It is not always easy, but always the best move to follow God. Sometimes I could be boiling mad with this hubby, but God has been teaching me to wise, calm, and strong and to control my emotions. And eventually, I got over whatever I was upset at him about, and focused on all the great qualities that I love. But that decision to keep forgiving, stay loving and loyal, following God’s lead, has been the best! My daughter and I are arguing over who is God’s fav! I love it!

“THE AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE IS WHAT GIVES YOU COURAGE”

Those words from Dr. Charles Stanley are what I’m going with. Your girl needs LOTS of courage these days, and God finds the sweetest ways to let me know that His Presence is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS with me.

Like I sold a car to a customer on Friday, and we talked about a restaurant that I used to eat at over 10 years ago, named the Pepper Pot. Fast forward to today, three days later, I go to the gas station across the street from our business, and I meet this familiar face at the entrance. He stared at me, I stared back at him. I told him where I worked, and he said, “I’m the cook from the Pepper Pot! (Wink! Wink!)” No way this was a coincidence. It was another one of my God alignments where everything lines up a little bit too perfectly! God orchestrated this meeting just to reveal another glimmer of His invisible Presence with me as if saying, ‘Nik, My Presence is ALWAYS with you!!!’ The funny thing was that I had to rush to that gas station because I ran out early and forgot deodorant! God even used that, of all things, to remind me of His Presence!!! (HUGE SMILE)

Then, I was invited to a group called Breakfast and the Bible. I’m enjoying listening to other members, but I never share. So, on my way to my God tree, I was thinking if I was to share, that it would be my fav verses from Proverbs 3:3-6, because these verses sum up so perfectly the foundation for my entire life and pretty much every decision I now make (I try!). So, at 8:00, I was under the tree, and I decided to read page 8 of our family’s website and look what incredibly showed up:

“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:3-6

Exactly the verses I said I would share minutes before getting there! Now I’m really under pressure from God to speak! Ok, Boss! But see again how God figured out a way to let me know that even down to every thought I think, He knows all about it! And these verses are spot on, God’s guidance has never failed me, and even when He takes me on rugged paths, I trust Him with all my heart. As I do everything to the best of my abilities in the physical realm, I leave the rest for Him to handle in the spiritual realm on my behalf. These verses have guided me through so many challenges and difficult situations that I must tell you guys, “Don’t play around with your relationship with God. He is an expert in everything! He is taking me to new levels of closeness with Him!

But learning God’s voice is vital, though. Take time to have appointments with Him by reading the Bible or anything spiritual that brings you closer to Him, asking, ‘God, what do you have to say to me?’ Then, when you get back into the world, taking what He said and putting it into practice (super hard part sometimes), being obedient to Him, and leaving all consequences with Him is the way to the best life with Him! Amen!

I DIDN’T MAKE IT TO MY GOD TREE TODAY…

But God found a way to let me know His Presence is ALWAYS with me. So, I promised hubby that I would give a call to a staff to see how we can improve from a situation that came up (we’re not running from our weaknesses! Constant improvement, baby!)). After discussing it with this person, she confessed to having a hard time working with my husband because he is always so harsh with his criticisms. I even told how I just wrote yesterday how hubs took away all my confidence from our business after he came to town and tore down everything I did as if I did nothing right with his neverending complaints. I explained to her how my new strategy is to keep my focus on God, knowing He approves of and is pleased with me, despite hubby’s feelings at any given moment. I assured her that God is our real Boss, and we should work as if we’re working for Him, not letting my husband bring down our spirits. “STAND STRONG,” I said to her.

Fast forward almost exactly an hour later, I didn’t make it to my God tree, so I said at 26 minutes past the hour, let me see what God has to say to me on page 26 of our family’s website, and look what incredibly showed up:

““THAT’S THE DEVIL”

Those were the exact words I needed to hear under my God tree today. I confessed to that person how I had stopped going into our office to avoid being around my critical husband. We have different managerial styles, and when he is around, he seems only to want to criticize all my decisions, feeling his ways are always superior. To avoid confrontations, I’ve stayed away. But yesterday, under the tree, I felt God saying to me not to do that anymore. That I must go and face my husband’s fault findings and stand STRONG, and crucially, He would be my strength when I’m weak.”

Wow! God is pretty talkative! He used this post from almost a year ago to reveal another glimmer of His invisible Presence. That lined up too perfectly with the conversation I had with our employee to be a random coincidence. Even down to my words to her, “STAND STRONG,” showed up! Forget about it, Ember, I’m definitely God’s favorite!

Then, a week ago, I purchased a wristband from this store saying, “SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND.” Fast forward to today, I’m searching for a message from God through my YouTuber Stargirl, who always has special messages from God to me. I ended up listening to a prediction for my zodiac sign, and look what Stargirl says to me:

“Spirit (God) is showing me you are becoming your dream self. You are starting to look and act like the person you have always wanted to be. You are SHINING LIKE A DIAMOND (Wink! Wink!) more than ever…”

In this huge store, for me to pick this specific bracelet out of hundreds, there, was just the set-up from God to this beautiful wink from Him. In fact, I just locked up in my bathroom singing to Him while I was doing my hair, singing these lyrics to Him:

“I really like what You’ve done to me. Can’t really explain it, I’m so into You” – Jac Ross

God is our GREATEST FRIEND EVER. He wants us to enjoy this friendship as He constantly works with us to become our dream selves, all for His glory. He knows the worst of us but still loves us unconditionally. Don’t miss out on all this good loving from God! Get to know Him for yourself! Make sure you are making Him your top priority and focus. God, please bring us all closer to You!!! Amen!

I DIDN’T MAKE IT TO MY GOD TREE TODAY…

But God found a way to let me know His Presence is ALWAYS with me. So, I promised hubby that I would give a call to a staff to see how we can improve from a situation that came up (we’re not running from our weaknesses! Constant improvement, baby!)). After discussing it with this person, she confessed to having a hard time working with my husband because he is always so harsh with his criticisms. I even told how I just wrote yesterday how hubs took away all my confidence from our business after he came to town and tore down everything I did as if I did nothing right with his neverending complaints. I explained to her how my new strategy is to keep my focus on God, knowing He approves of and is pleased with me, despite hubby’s feelings at any given moment. I assured her that God is our real Boss, and we should work as if we’re working for Him, not letting my husband bring down our spirits. “STAND STRONG,” I said to her.

Fast forward almost exactly an hour later, I didn’t make it to my God tree, so I said at 26 minutes past the hour, let me see what God has to say to me on page 26 of our family’s website, and look what incredibly showed up:

““THAT’S THE DEVIL”

Those were the exact words I needed to hear under my God tree today. I confessed to that person how I had stopped going into our office to avoid being around my critical husband. We have different managerial styles, and when he is around, he seems only to want to criticize all my decisions, feeling his ways are always superior. To avoid confrontations, I’ve stayed away. But yesterday, under the tree, I felt God saying to me not to do that anymore. That I must go and face my husband’s fault findings and stand STRONG, and crucially, He would be my strength when I’m weak.”

Wow! God is pretty talkative! He used this post from almost a year ago to reveal another glimmer of His invisible Presence. That lined up too perfectly with the conversation I had with our employee to be a random coincidence. Even down to my words to her, “STAND STRONG,” showed up! Forget about it, Ember, I’m definitely God’s favorite!

Then, a week ago, I purchased a wristband from this store saying, “SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND.” Fast forward to today, I’m searching for a message from God through my YouTuber Stargirl, who always has special messages from God to me. I ended up listening to a prediction for my zodiac sign, and look what Stargirl says to me:

“Spirit (God) is showing me you are becoming your dream self. You are starting to look and act like the person you have always wanted to be. You are SHINING LIKE A DIAMOND (Wink! Wink!) more than ever…”

In this huge store, for me to pick this specific bracelet out of hundreds, there, was just the set-up from God to this beautiful wink from Him. In fact, I just locked up in my bathroom singing to Him while I was doing my hair, singing these lyrics to Him:

“I really like what You’ve done to me. Can’t really explain it, I’m so into You” – Jac Ross

God is our GREATEST FRIEND EVER. He wants us to enjoy this friendship as He constantly works with us to become our dream selves, all for His glory. He knows the worst of us but still loves us unconditionally. Don’t miss out on all this good loving from God! Get to know Him for yourself! Make sure you are making Him your top priority and focus. God, please bring us all closer to You!!! Amen!

“YOU MUST GO TO CHURCH!!!”

That was me to our sons yesterday! And I’m so happy they went. Can you believe my twelve-year-old son, Joshie, came back excited to tell me what he learned? “Mommy, they talked about forgiveness and how important it is to forgive. The Pastor told a story of how someone held on to unforgiveness towards their parents for so many years and how it poisoned their life, causing them so many problems. However, Joshie explained, “If he had forgiven his parents instead and handed the unforgiveness over to God, he wouldn’t have walked around with all that poison in him, and he would have been much happier.” That’s my little twelve-year-old spiritual guru, guys!

Let me tell you, whatever anyone does is between them and God! Let’s just be the forgiving, going the extra mile in love people that God would have us to be. I know this forgiveness thing is hard, but when we keep our eyes fixed on God, obeying Him in every move, this is how He guides us on the path to the best life with Him.

I was just telling my husband how we had such a great time working with our kids this week. My daughter, Ember, and I, stayed back yesterday after the other kids left early, and I told her today how much I enjoyed being with her. The fact that we were arguing over who is God’s fav, me or her, is a testimony of how God shows our family such deep love. I told hubby it’s because he works so hard for us! He is our gift from God!

I just told hubs how he stole my confidence when he came to visit, though (tough boss!), but I’m building it back again by the grace of God. Let me tell ya, under my God tree today, God reminded me of the “411,” which is Him explicitly (no doubt whatsoever!) telling me that He will help me with our family business that has been through lots of ups and downs, but we’re not giving up. That I must just move confidently in the direction of my dreams, knowing He is behind the scenes helping us. Our grandchildren will enjoy this business. God is the owner; we just work for Him!

Are you getting God involved in every aspect of your life? It is not always easy, but always the best move to follow God. Sometimes I could be boiling mad with this hubby, but God has been teaching me to wise, calm, and strong and to control my emotions. And eventually, I got over whatever I was upset at him about, and focused on all the great qualities that I love. But that decision to keep forgiving, stay loving and loyal, following God’s lead, has been the best! My daughter and I are arguing over who is God’s fav! I love it!

THIS IS CRAZY!!!

Under the God tree today (my alone time with God!!!), this verse showed up:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1

It was a great reminder that I’m resting under God’s protection, help, support, guidance, love, approval, and favor (AMEN!), and I went as far as taking a picture of it. Fast forward to coming to work a few hours later, I look up from my desk, and I see someone wrote “Psalm 91” on a vision board we have here, which wasn’t there yesterday. I screamed in amazement, “Who wrote that there?!?” My daughter Ember said it just came to her, and she decided to write it there. Wow! I got goosebumps all over, showing her the picture I took on my phone of this verse from Psalm 91.

The incredible part was that she took the picture as God’s love for her, and I saw it as God’s love for me!!! She said, “I’m God’s fav!” but under the tree today, after running .81 miles, I went to page 81 of our family’s website, and look what showed up:

“Yesterday, I went a little crazy in a video playing a clip of Justin Bieber singing his song, ‘Favorite Girl,’ feeling God is singing the lyrics to me:

“My prized possession
One and only…
My favorite girl, my favorite girl
Promise I’ll play no games
Treat you no other way than you deserve
‘Cause you’re the girl of my dreams’”

So, both my daughter and I are in SYNC, baby!!! We both landed on the same Psalm 91, and both feel we are God’s fav girls! She Googled Psalm 91 this morning after God put it in her spirit to read it (His sheep know His voice!). That’s the love God shows our family. No way this alignment was just a regular coincidence! It was God Himself revealing His Presence with us both by having Ember write that there. That’s why I say don’t expect anything special from this world, but do expect God to give you more than you can ever ask or imagine, and having this close to God, wise, calm, focused, fierce, beautiful daughter, who sets the bar extremely high for her siblings to follow, is just one example of how God gives us more than we can ask or imagine. (HUGE SMILE)

I have a new thing now with my husband under the God tree. I call him so that we can pray together. Yesterday I told him in amazement how far God has brought us and that we have nothing to complain about. God has been great to us! Honestly, today I have all our kids at work with me, trying to pass on to them the values that have worked for us. I’ve written some of them on our vision board as a constant reminder:

Do the best of your abilities and leave the rest with God
Excellence
Dedication
Patience
Loyalty
Honor God in all our actions