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Tuesday 25 October 2016

Waiting and Loving It!!! feat Sewa and 'Laolu Olubiyi

I am so excited! Yes, yes, yes!! We are back! I have missed featuring this series and I am really glad that it is back. 

If this is your first time reading about Waiting and Loving It then it might help to read an introduction to the series/project, please click HERE, HERE and HERE.

This week, I am delighted to introduce you to Sewa and Olaolu Olubiyi! It feels like Sewa is my sister, yet we were reminded last week that we'd actually not met properly in person! I remember when we first started Waiting and Loving It, Sewa was one of the first people I contacted but I guess it wasn't to be at the time and their story is actually richer a few years down the line.

I won't say too much, but hope you enjoy the trip into a little bit of their beautiful and blessed world and I bet you will pick up one or two things.... Presenting Sewa and Olaolu Olubiyi!

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Hello guys! Thanks for being our 'come-back' feature on the Waiting and Loving series. Please tell us a little bit about yourselves...

Sewa - Hiya! My name is Adesewa Olubiyi. I’m 27 years old, a Law graduate and I work in the city of London within the financial services sector. I have been married to my hubby for 4 years now to the glory of God and we are blessed with a son. I am a chorister and worship leader in my church. I also run a fashion styling, wardrobe management and wig making business. I enjoy singing, shopping and meeting people. I also enjoy counselling people in relationships.
Sewa Olubiyi 'Fashionista'
Oh fab! Thanks Sewa, very impressive. Good to meet you! Laolu?
Olaolu - Hi, I'm Olaolu Olubiyi. I’m a Solicitor, a go getter, a worshipper and I love my Baby – Adesewa very much. My hobbies are reading and travelling. I used to support Arsenal football team, but now I support any team that plays well after experiencing several heartbreaks with Arsenal.

Hahahaha... I feel you, that's a very wise decision! Thanks Laolu. So, tell us Sewa, how did you meet Laolu?

Sewa: Ok so I attended my current church (RCCG) with my family in 2006 and when we walked in as first timers, the ushers greeted us and led us to our seats. My hubby was the head of the Singles' department and also a worship leader. The choir was ministering when we walked in and I noticed a guy (my husband) with a black suit and white shirt and a red tie on the stage. (You remember what he was wearing?!! Lol) He was standing at the far end. He was looking very very handsome and was the only guy on the stage among so many ladies in the choir. That was when I noticed him and nothing more crossed my mind. I just thought to myself, "The only guy in the choir... wow!" 
Some time later. a lady heard me sing and suggested I joined the choir. She told me the day the choir would meet, and so I attended. 

On the choir practice day, (which happened to be the same day as my hubby’s birthday in the choir), I still didn’t know his name. I just attended the choir practice for the first time and I was told it was Laolu’s birthday and someone explained to me that Laolu was the guy in the choir, so I knew it was him. I was told to sign a card that they got for him which I did. (We still have that card at home and of course so many cards after that). So they served refreshments and celebrated it for him. However, we did not speak to each other even though I had signed his card. The following Sunday, he came to introduce himself as the head of the Singles' department and asked for my number and said to me that he does follow up of all the new singles / youth that join the church. He then called me the very next day – a Monday and left a voicemail as I was not available to pick up the phone. When I heard his voice, my heart melted. I could not hear most of what he said but I kept playing the message over and over and over again and blushing that this very handsome guy had called me. I felt really important. I was getting butterflies. So I returned his call and it went to voicemail too. I also left a voicemail. Eventually we got talking but whenever we saw each other at church or choir practice, we never spoke for some reason. I used to find it difficult to look into his eyes then. I struggled to look at him which is probably why we just never spoke. There was always this fire that ignited or spark that came out of his eyes whenever we looked at each other by mistake. So to avoid that spark, I just never looked at his direction. I really couldn’t look at him for a long time in the relationship. We would go home and start chatting via Yahoo messenger about how choir practice went, etc. and what we thought of the service or the message. As I was very young then, I was only partially involved in the Singles activities and so he would call me to tell me everything and how the programs I didn’t attend, went etc. I would rush home from College just to be able to sign on to Yahoo messenger cause I knew he was online from time to time because of his Law School studies then, to send me chats and it was so cool chatting with him for hours non-stop. All these while we were still ‘friends’. Then one day, he started chatting to me on messenger saying ‘you make my heart melt’, ‘you make me shiver’ etc blah blah blah and that was when he asked me out to be his girlfriend and the godly courtship / relationship of 5 – 6 years started. We have now been married for 4 years.
Hopefully, you're able to look into his eyes now :-)
Oh wow! Sewa! I laughed at so many points! Ignition, spark! Awww young love is so beautiful. Thanks for replaying it so vividly. So Laolu, what's your side of the story?

Olaolu: It was a summer evening on a Thursday – our usual choir practice day which happened to be my birthday when my Baby walked into the church hall. Unknown to me, she was joining the choir for the first time and no one had told me about her or anything.

She was wearing a black top and green bottoms and I was singing on the stage when she walked in. She then went to pick up something by the side of the Ushers' department table, and that was when I set my eyes on her as she walked passed and I REALLY noticed her. There was an immediate skipping beat in my heart even though she didn’t see me or notice me that evening. Later that week after the Sunday service, I stylishly approached her to collect her number under the guise of ‘following up’, for the Singles' department because I was the head of the Singles department at the time. That was when the journey started. Several calls, texts, and Yahoo messenger chats later, we became an inseparable item! We courted for 5 – 6 years in the godly Christian way. The rest they say is history. We have been married for 4 years and it feels just like yesterday.
The rest they say is history....
Succint and straight to the point lol. Thanks Laolu. So I know you already mentioned her looks, down to what she was wearing but what was the specific attractive quality you saw that got you sprung?

Olaolu: Ahhh! It was her sexy eyes and that innocent beauty she has. . I just could not keep my heart beat under control. I also had to be careful not to be too carried away.

Sewa: For me, it was his love for God. His gentle and calm nature, also the fact that he was and is still an ardent worshipper, The way he pours his heart out to God and sweats when he leads praise and worship. He gives it his ultimate energy. He’s a man after God’s heart. And to me that is very sexy. He’s also got that sexy Jesus Boy Look and cute eyes.

Sexy Jesus Boy Look (SJBL), that's a new one! :-) So apart from the obvious attraction points, what were the other qualities that made you know that this is the person you would like to spend the rest of your life with?

Sewa: I realised that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him because we had courted and had been friends for so long, and although there were many guys from all walks of life (both celebrities and normal guys), interested in me at the time, he was different. There was just something so genuine about him, his attitude to the things of God, his selfless love for me. He was my brother, my best friend, my gossip buddy, my go-to person all rolled into one and I had grown to love him more because he was just always there for me. I remember even during my college days, he would study with me as I was reading Law and he was a Law graduate so he really helped to mould and shape me, my orientation about life, my studies and so on. He is just simply the best.

Awwww, that's lovely!

Olaolu: I had been spending time in prayers before then for God’s will to be done in my life. I did not know how or when but in my walk with God he had and still always does things for me at his own right time. There was a time we had a conversation and I had a lot on my mind. I had been fasting and praying and at that stage I asked God for a clear sign that if this, this and this happened, then I knew she was the one. Almost immediately it happened, exactly how I had asked God. I got my clear confirmation that she was the one and there was no going back. I keep sinking into the ocean of love and joy with my wifey every single day. I have not looked back since.

No looking back... Just looking forward!
That's so beautiful! Thank God for you both!
Now, as you mentioned, you both wanted and made that decision to have a godly relationship. What made you make that decision to wait?

Sewa and Olaolu: Waiting was an important part of our Christian journey. We wanted to look forward to something special. There was no point trying what you will still enjoy later and we looked forward to the goal. It wasn’t easy but boundaries were set to ensure that the ultimate goal was achieved. There was no point going into something that after the wedding it would just be a case of ‘continuing’ from where we stopped. We felt it wouldn't feel special anymore. The thought of falling was also a very scary one and neither of us wanted to bear the consequences. The fact that we are also worship leaders would have made it very hypocritical lifting up ‘holy hands’ in church when we knew we were not living holy. So there was no way we would defile ourselves in that way.

(Sewa) On my own part, my parents had drummed it into me from a very young age that the wedding bed must be undefiled and that I had to keep myself and preserve myself for only my husband and no one else. My mum had told me of consequences of spiritual soul ties and repercussions which I definitely did not want to dabble with.

That's great, thank God for making it possible and giving you the grace to go through with your decision. However, was it smooth-sailing or was there a time you wanted to throw in the towel?

Sewa: Oh yes it was extremely hard especially because we were so attracted to each other. There were tears. Lots of tears lol especially in the cold nights of winter when we go out after a lovely meal! The desire was very strong! But with God’s help we overcame the strong desires and temptation! When one person was weak, the other was strong for both of us. The words I remembered when I faced these temptations were ‘of what gain is few minutes of pleasure for eternal regret and condemnation?' The consequences were not worth it. I also believed keeping it was the best gift I could ever give my husband and I had made up my mind that there was no question about it.

Olaolu: It was very hard, several times, but I just relied on God to see me through. I also encouraged myself that I am having this forever so why rush into it!

What practical measures did you take to ensure that you stuck by your decision? 

Sewa and Laolu
: We made up our minds that the foundation of our marriage had to be firm, right and rooted in God. The practical measures we took were that we ensured that our Pastors were very much involved in our relationship from the start and were able to guide and counsel us during difficult moments. They were always only a call away. We also had great Counsellors/mentors along the way who were married and were great sources of inspiration. We always tried to focus our discussions on things that were edifying and not sex-related. We just had the mind that keeping things uncomplicated was the best way to go. We ensured that we were not alone in private places so as to avoid any unnecessary invite to temptation.

Thank you guys so much! We are almost there now, tell us what one advice would you give to your single self in preparation for marriage now that you’ve crossed that line?

Sewa: Although I married at the age of 23, I would have probably spent more time volunteering in more ministerial projects such as youth empowerment. Also I would not have courted for 6 years, and would have probably married earlier.

Olaolu: The waiting would be all worth it in the end and I probably should have made more business investments… lol

Describe in 3 words / sentences the best part of being married!

Sewa: Companionship, Responsibility and being a home maker. Marriage is enjoyable with the right person in it. You feel complete. You feel whole. You feel fulfilled. Your whole world starts to make sense. You get that sense of TOGETHERNESS in everything you do. Always having a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear is awesome! And having someone who can share your pain, your thoughts, your highs and lows is a great feeling!

Olaolu: Sex, Children, Companionship and Friendship. Having my second half always there is a good feeling. Having my ‘go-to’ person is a gooood feeling. The saying two heads are better than one is a true wise saying.
Two heads definitely better than one!
Awesome! Finally, just before we let you go, it's PDA time! We usually like to give couples that opportunity to publicly affirm each other...

Sewa: Baby, you are the best man on earth! I love you with all my heart. You complement me and complete me. You make my world go round. You give me constant joy. I don’t know how my life would have been without you in it. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I thank God that he made our paths to meet.

Olaolu: Blessed is the day I set my eyes on you Adesewa. If I had another opportunity in my lifetime to share my life with you again, I would grab it with both hands! I won’t trade you for anything in this world. Glad I stayed and waited till the end. I love you Baby mi, Aya Mi, Iyawo mi. You made my heart melt then and you still make my heart melt now. EVERY SINGLE DAY. I love you so much and I CAN'T SAY THAT ENOUGH! You are special to me in every sense of the word. Your passion for fashion is infectious…lol. I love you baby with all your sweet imperfections.

   

Sewa the Fashionista! Follow her @adesewastylesignature on Instagram
@adesewastylesignature on Instagram
                   For all your fashion styling needs, accessories, wardrobe management and wigs, please follow Sewa @adesewastylesignature on Instagram!
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Wow, love love love the comeback with these two! They've said so many things so I won't repeat them, however I'll like to pick on a little point that Laolu mentioned with regards to getting that confirmation and assurance that Sewa was his wife.

I know that a number of people, often ask this question - How do I know I'm making the right decision? In addition to the other points raised (attraction, character, compatibility, friendship), it is important to present before God and even ask Him for specific signs. I have heard so many testimonies of people who did this, and God answering very specifically (You don't have to be a Pastor or Prophet to do this!). Just ask sincerely and wait on God to answer. He will!

Most importantly, even today, it is very possible to have a relationship fully committed to God, with the grace to hold on until marriage for sex. It might not be easy but it is possible and very worth it! May God give us all grace in Jesus name.

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Click HERE for other Waiting and Loving It Couples... And please don't forget to share too!

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Thursday 20 October 2016

The God that Compensates!

I will never forget an incident that happened when I was a child. It was a birthday party and of course we were slugging it out on the dance floor (In case you didn't know, we are champion dancers in the Thompson family LOL).

Image result for black girl dancing
Dancing is in our blood!
We were told to dance and that good dancers would be rewarded with a sweet. A number of people know that we used to dance then to win a prize - we took no prisoners!

As we were dancing, sweets were being distributed. Even though I danced with all my might and all my strength, giving them moves known and unknown, up and down, left and right, I didn't feel anyone tap me to hand me a sweet!

What happened was that my mum(!) was in charge of distributing the sweets and because she is a woman who wants to be fair and unbiased to a verrryyyyy large extent, she refused to reward my hard labour with a sweet, all because we were related! People who were not even doing half of the calisthenics I was displaying on the dance floor got a sweet! Lol

After a while, one of the other mums who had been watching stood up and exclaimed saying "This girl has been dancing so much, please she deserves a biscuit!"... Alas my hardwork hadn't gone unnoticed and where others got a 'paltry' sweet, I got a nice, bigger biscuit! :-D :-D

I can never forget that experience. This happened many many years ago but the lesson from that day still encourages me and I would like to encourage someone with it as well.

Looking at life and the bigger picture, God is a God that compensates. There's nothing on this earth that you do that goes unnoticed (good or bad). It may seem like no one knows or others are getting a reward, yet you keep putting in so much with nothing to show - it's only a matter of time, don't stop, don't give up, your reward will come and it will compensate you for all the time it seemed you were ignored or neglected.

With the benefit of hindsight, would I take the sweet? Heck no!! I will not change that story at all. The biscuit was worth the wait!

Your wait will be worth it. God will compensate you for every single effort, sacrifice, commitment, disappointment and any other thing you think you might have been deprived of! Hold on, don't stop, keep doing, it will come!

Tuesday 18 October 2016

Where do Broken Hearts Go...

"I feel like such a fool!!

I feel disappointed. I feel hurt. I feel like I don't have sense. I feel unlovable."

Those were real words from a text I sent to a dear friend once. At the time of sending that message I was a heart-broken girl. At that point, I wasn't the confident Ayo, the 'healthy self-esteem' Ayo, the bold Ayo, the goal-getter Ayo, the positive Ayo, I was just the broken, hurt, sad little Ayo.

Many of us might be able to understand what it means to face rejection or be broken-hearted and I'm sure you know just how terrible it feels.

It's sad that one moment, one word, one decision can make you feel so unworthy, making you forget everything else that's good and just focus on that one area that isn't working... Such a bad place to be!

It's amazing how we sometimes allow the actions of one person drastically change our perception of ourselves in the twinkling of an eye. At that point, it doesn't matter who you are, what you have achieved or what God has blessed you with, it is easier to focus on being empty and perhaps not good enough.

... And that's such a BIG lie! A Big lie that you mustn't allow to sink in or be established in your heart and mind. You see, the devil plays tricks with our minds, allowing us to wallow in a state of unworthiness to the extent that we start to believe his lies and make the truth of God concerning us irrelevant in our lives.

We think, ruminate and allow our self-worth get rubbished by thoughts we form in our heads as a result of a bad experience.

You are not useless
You are not foolish
You are not unlovable

You are beautiful
You were created with so much love and attention to intricate detail
You have so much in you to give
You are stronger than words
You are stronger than rejection
You will survive

It's alright to hurt, it's alright to feel sad, but don't stop there, pick yourself up and if no one else is doing so, affirm yourself!

Surround yourself with people who can encourage (I thank God for I have them in abundance!) - if you don't have any, I'll be happy to be one for you! {Email below}

Immerse yourself in the word of God and let Him speak truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to you. Let His word define you, not the circumstance, not the words, not even your own thoughts.

Pray. Tell God every single thing and express yourself without holding back on how you feel. Let Him know that you need His help. Trust me, He loves you enough to respond to even the littlest or most trivial need. His heart is moved by your tears, He hates to see you suffer. Tell Jesus.

Listen to music. I would recommend songs that would uplift your spirit. Please don't waste your time listening to break-up songs, it would probably only make it worse! Be intentional with the words you feed yourself via music. Let God use music to soothe your soul. It works!

Where do broken hearts go? They go seeking for help, for reassurance, for peace... And there's no better place than in Jesus. Let Him help you.. You are worth it!

Image result for you're worth it
Note to Self - Never Forget!
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