It’s My Birthday

It’s My Birthday

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas Eve Baby!

This time last year I just wanted to sleep all day and wash my pain and sorrows away. This year this is what I am doing with my new bundle of joy. God has been truly faithful. 

 This year I honestly said I didn’t want or need anything for my birthday, I have got everything in this photo & so much more. I prayed last night that she should let me sleep through the night as a birthday present to me from her and sure she did, she didn’t wake up till 8:30am this morning crying for food. She ate and went  right back to sleep. Today, this is what we are doing around the house: in PJs all day, sleeping, eating (fufu & pepper soup, cassava leaves, potatoes greens), watching Christmas movies, sitting by the fire place cozying up to this perfect bundle of joy, changing wet diapers, kissing and loving on her & my husband and enjoying life as a family of 3. I swear babies make the holidays so much better. I am blessed, I am highly Favor, the good Lord has been faithful to me, I am full, my heart sing for joy, my lips have testimonies. Thank you Jesus! Looking forward to a blessed and fruitful new age & year (2018). 

May this year bring lots of beautiful moments and inspiring new journeys in Jesus Name Amen!! 

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NEW MOM MUST-HAVES

NEW MOM MUST-HAVES

Sunday, December 3, 2017

So you just had your baby. Your body has been through the most it has ever and will ever go through (until another baby comes along). I personally think people rarely talk about the recovery process for women after birth and what to really expect in the next few weeks after you leave the hospital. 

Here a list of products to have at your house the moment you walk your brand new bundle of joy. I found these products to be most helpful in my recovery journey.

Eating well and staying hydrated. It’s true that breastfeeding burns up lots of calories! Even if you won’t be nursing, you’ll still need to nourish your body.

Eat well, have snacks on hand, and keep a water bottle by your side. 

Sleeping when the baby sleeps. Babies aren’t able to sleep long stretches of time, and postpartum sleep deprivation is no joke. People often say this advice is a cliché and it’s not possible to sleep when the baby sleeps — it is. Really, make it a goal to sleep once a day while the baby is napping. Trust me – the chores can wait. 

Being patient with your body. Let your body heal on its own schedule. Do your part to take good care of yourself and give your body a break. Manage your own expectations about how your body has changed or how fast you might lose the pregnancy weight, and remember that your body just created a beautiful miracle. 

And this is just the bare minimum! Let’s not forget that after birth, your baby will be here (!!) and she’ll need your attention around the clock — all the more reason you need to be taking good care of yourself. That’s why it’s important to build a good postpartum recovery kit and make sure to practice your own self-care. Think about what you need to feel your best, and to feel centered.

Home from the hospital for mom:

• Homemade Padsicles 

Definitely worth the time to make before you go into labor. The hospital also give you the manufacturer one. Cold packs are a must-have in your postpartum care kit because cold therapy helps soothe the pain and irritation you experience after birth. They are so cool and soothing-you will thank me for this later! I recommend that you grab as many of the perineum cold packs as the nurses will give you from the hospital because they work so well. They are are pretty bulky and shouldn't need them for more than 2-3 days after giving birth. However, you'll still benefit from some cold therapy after that point so I suggest that you make your own DIY Padsicles!

• Madela Disposable Breast Pads

I did not realize how much you leak once milk comes in. For me I go through at least 4 of these breast pads a day, but my milk supply is large. (Funny story, I prayed for a large milk supply when I was pregnant. It was on my prayer list, and my best friend and I prayed about it. It was funny when we prayed about it but God did hear and answer our prayers.

• Instant Heat Packs (For engorgement)
• Tucks Pads
• Overnight Pads and Ultra Thin Pads for during the day. (Disposable Underwear is probably the most comfortable for the first few nights. But I did use it for the first two weeks but day and night to make everything much easier for me. If you remember throw some in your hospital bag while there.
• Nipple Cream (I use both Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Cream and Boob ease) They are both good and organic
• Nursing Bras
• Fridababy Fridet the Momwasher (This is an ergonomic peri bottle that is designed to make it easier to apply water pressure. It is BPA-free and features an angled, narrow neck that makes it easier to…get the water where you need it to be. Please excuse my enthusiasm, but this is one of the single greatest products available for postpartum care. It is more expensive than a regular peri bottle – true – but I think it’s worth it to at least have one of these at home
• Detol antiseptic ( I do the old African way, I pull detol in very hot water in a bucket and sit over the bucket for few mins. This helps the healing recovering process and it ease any pain.

Don't be shy to reach out to a lactation consultant sooner rather than later for any discomfort or issues regarding breastfeeding. I took advantage the 3 days I was at the hospital, Its my first time so I needed to learn all the tips. I called them often to my room to help me out. So before I was discharge, I got the hang of breastfeeding. 

For Baby

Here are some of Zuriel's favorites. I feel like we are constantly moving her around from one of these to another. You will find once you get home from the hospital you naturally set up stations around your house. These product listed below, all have a place and a purpose that figured out with time!

•  4moms.-mamaroo (This is one of my favorite baby product so far, we keep in the living room. while I am busy with doing other things, it helps rock her to sleep when she's well fed. 
• Dockatot we just started with sleep training, this helps so much and its safe for co-sleeping. She's is not a big fan of her Halo Bassinet yet so we can place the Dockatot anywhere around the house for her to lunge and sleep in. Baby will love sleeping, playing and lounging around in this comfy, portable sleeper docking station that is lightweight and easy to take along when you travel. 
• Halo sleep bassinet-swivel-sleeper premiere series its expensive but to me worth it. We took lots of baby care classes and we are all for safe sleep. She is not yet comfort with it but once she's in deep sleep and we put her in it, she sleep for good 3 hours. I love the fact that it store diapers and wipes easier so that way in the middle of the night you don't have to be a zombie walking around.It also have lullaby music that can snoo baby away.
• Halo sleepsack-swaddle this is by far our favorite baby product, its a life saver. We swaddle her at night, with this its safe and most importantly keep her sleeping warm and cozy for few hours. I tell her a well rested parents then a happy baby :). When nothing work, this do!
• Stokke stroller I love this stroller! I took months searching for the right stroller, I needed something that she would always know that mommy and daddy are there with her during the ride. So a smooth, sturdy stroller was important to me. Plus, I love the different seating positions to adapt to for her ever-changing needs. It has front or rear facing with a five point safety harness, adjustable footrest and handle. It also has a lot of room for storage below....and once I added a cup holder on the side, its now perfection! Not to mention super easy to fold up and load into car (looking forward to easy travel time for both local and international trips.
• Boppy® Luxe Pillow with Reversible Slipcover I don't know how women nurse at the beginning without the support of this. It help with a great feed. 
• Childs-Health-Record-Keeper-Book I tried to be organized even though its difficult. I keep this in her diaper bag and use it during her pediatrician visits.
• Babyganics. Fragrance-Free Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer people who love you shouldn't feel offended when you ask them to wash or sanitizer their hands before holding the baby. I keep this on the go in her diaper bag, I like that the product is fragrance and alcohol free. I also use Noodle and Boo hand wash and cream at home for myself and my husband and any guest that walk in the house. 
• Fridababy NoseFrida The Snotsucker Saline Kit  This is hands down one of the must have baby product, it keep your little one's nostrils clear naturally with the Fridababy NoseFrida Saline Kit, the all-in-one stuffy nose solution for babies. Its my top 5 baby product, it make life so easy.

The stroller in the pictures are Stokke.... it’s so easy for travel, plus it’s stylish. 

I was overwhelmed with all the different baby products out there. And really you just need a handful of things at the beginning. Once you figure out your baby you will be able to make better decisions of baby products as oppose to filing up your house with unnecessary things.

Most importantly, remember to take care of yourself. Having recovery products on hand makes everything better, I promise!

                                                                                                                      XO

                                                                                                                EARLINDA

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Pregnancy after miscarriage

Pregnancy after miscarriage

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

My prayer point was I would hear the cry of a baby before the end of 2017 in our home. The Holy Spirit instructed me to fast for 3 days and see what would happened. On the second day, it was the hardest thing to do and that’s when I was tempted with food the most. I am a foodie, I love great food! I stood strong and continued the fast. A day after the fast, early Friday morning at 6:00 am, I jumped out of bed while my husband was still asleep, I took a pregnancy test and it came back positive. I took another test to make sure of what I was seeing was positive, I then shouted my husband's name calling to come and see the goodness of God...  "We are Pregnant, We are going to have a child"! 

When the pregnancy test was confirmed, these are few of the things I did to maintained a healthy pregnancy while holding on to the WORD of GOD. 

Knowing about your Fertility ( "Taking charge of your Fertility" are few of the books that you can purchase to start your pregnancy journey.

Knowing if your body and mind is ready for pregnancy

By the way, I’m not a healthcare professional or anyone you should take any sort of medical advice from. I’m just a lowly woman who is a research fanatic and trying to steward her health for the glory of God.

 I don't have fertility problem but I thought and did the right things to prepare my mind and body for a healthy pregnancy and baby!

Spending time in the Word of God (Positive thoughts)

Praying through Pregnancy I knew the only way I'd survive pregnancy was through prayers and organizing my billions..... prayer requests was no small task. Way before I got pregnant, I made a decision on Dec 31, 2016 to soak myself in the Lord and spend more time than ever in His presence. On January 1, 2017, I started the one year Bible plan, and other bible plans. I sometimes missed a day to read the plan but I didn't missed a day in prayers or thanksgiving. The 9 months became an incredible journey and a time I experienced the most growth I'e ever experienced in my faith. I had prayer sessions with my best friends every Wednesday's, my husband and I spent time together in prayers when we could. I ordered a few books from Amazon that could help me on the journey.

 Here are list of the things I actually prayed for during the last month before she was born. Prayers For Mom: healthy pregnancy, healthy body, labor & delivery, be light to nurses and doctors, breastfeeding and milk supply, sleep and energy, postpartum recovery, postpartum depression, finding quality time with God, peace and patience for due date, joy during the first two weeks, bonding time with my husband, taking away fear and anxiety, for off the Lord, best before the babies, smooth maternity leave, confidence in parenting. 

For Baby: safe delivery, sleep, able to breastfeed, sweet spirit, pleasant baby, healthy and strong baby, overall health, a light for Jesus, future friends, destiny (future career/passions) future mates.

Eating healthy ( Eat nutrient dense foods)

Nutrition is a key part of boosting fertility and giving your baby the best possible start. A good diet can increase your odds for conceiving and help your body overall.

Nutrients that I like to focus on when preparing body for pregnancy are vitamins A, C, D, E, and K2, iodine, and omega-3 fats. Though there are several other important nutrients, these are a good place to focus my efforts.

Some Fertility Superfoods:

• Pastured eggs
• Wild-caught fish (Salmon is my favorite!)
• Butter
• Cod Liver Oil
• Dark green leafy vegetables
• Citrus fruit
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes
• Garlic

2. Limit sugar and caffeine

In addition to eating nutrient dense foods, I also limit the amount of sugar and caffeine I consume when preparing my body for pregnancy.

By cutting down on sugar and caffeine, or eliminating it altogether, my body can work to balance my hormones and increase my chances of conceiving.

3. Exercise regularly

Here are some common known reasons to exercise:

• Help maintain a healthy weight
• Better sleep
• More energy
• Improves mood
• Improves mind clarity

Exercise is a great stress reliever, and it’s very helpful in restoring hormonal imbalances. Therefore, when I’m preparing my body for pregnancy, I exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three to four times a week.

4. Getting your husband/partner on board and standing together.

5. Create a habit of rest

Rest is not a sin. Let me say it again. Rest is not a sin.

As a culture built on productivity, it’s easy to think we are being lazy when we choose to rest. However, it’s simply not true. Lack of sleep, pushing my body to the maximum, and choosing self-sufficiency causes health problems. Rest plays an important role in the production and balancing of hormones.

I create a habit of rest.

• I start my evening routine by 9pm
• I turn off electronics by 9:30pm
• I read books in bed
• I rest for 15 minutes to an hour in the middle of the day
• I take naps if I need to
• I cut back on unnecessary work (it’s helpful to remember that every need is not my calling)

6.. Drink herbal teas

Herbal teas are a great way to nourish your body. Herbal teas can give you a natural boost of vitamins and minerals all while hydrating your body!

I buy most all of my herbs from Whole foods or a local health store. 

Herbs I like for fertility:

• Stinging Nettles
• Red Raspberry Leaf
• Peppermint
• Lemon balm

 7. Get a Maya Abdominal Massage

Among its many benefits, a Maya Abdominal Massage can help boost your fertility. I found this to be gold. I found a Douala (Lisa) a women and healthy wellness store in West Palm Beach Florida http://www.amazingbirths.com/Preconception%20&%20Fertility.php#mam

http://redtentwellness.com/mayaabdominalmassage.php

 Lisa explained to me that many women uteruses get out of line and that it  could be resolved with a simple 45 minute massage. I was skeptical, but I was also desperate to try it. I just wanted to feel better. And rested. Plus who in their right mind would turn down a massage?

Maya massage is a massage technique that is noninvasive way of re-positioning internal organs that have shifted. A misaligned uterus can cause a lot of health problems, especially related to your fertility. 

Symptoms of a Displaced Uterus (here are a few):

• Painful periods (Your period is not supposed to hurt! Extreme cramping is not supposed to happen. Not ideally!)
• Late, early, or  irregular periods
• Dark, thick blood at onset and at the end of menstruation
• Headache or migraine with period
• Failure to ovulate regularly
• Painful ovulation
• PMS/Depression
• Blood clots during menstruation and excessive bleeding
• Chronic miscarriage
• Premature deliveries
• Difficult pregnancies/incompetent uterus/spotting
• Infertility
• Painful intercourse
• Difficult menopause

“When reproductive organs shift, they can constrict normal flow of blood and lymph, and disrupt nerve connections. Just a few extra ounces sitting on blood and lymph vessels can cause havoc throughout the different systems in the body. By shifting the uterus back into place, homeostasis, or the natural balance of the body, is restored in the pelvic area and the surrounding organs. Toxins are flushed and nutrients that help to tone tissue and balance hormones are restored to normal order. This is essential for healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery.” ~Arvigo Therapy, Definition and History

Since having a miscarriage, the Maya massage has been crucial to my recovery. Plus, they feel amazing!

 9. Get a vaginal steam

Yep. You read that right. I did vaginal steam baths to prepare my body for pregnancy.

In addition to the Mayan massage, my Douala created a concoction of herbs for a vaginal steam that I did before ovulation. I go to her office and let her pamper me, but you can easily do a vaginal steam bath at home.

Note: Vaginal steam baths are also helpful post miscarriage to help clean out the system and aid the uterus in recovery.

Basically, a vaginal steam bath cleanses, tones, and nourishes your uterus, cervix, and tissues.Vaginal steam baths aren’t just helpful for fertility, but if you experience PMS, painful menstrual cycles, hemorrhoids, and other monthly cycle symptoms, then a vaginal steam bath could really help.

Herbs Used in My Vaginal Steam Bath:

• Calendula
• Partridge berry
• Lemon balm
• Thyme
• Plantain
• Oregano
• Basil

You can buy the vaginal steam herbs here, if you’d rather not make it yourself.

Thoughts on being a Christian and Using Natural Means to Boost Fertility:

You might be wondering why a Christian would use Maya massage and vaginal steams and diet to boost fertility. Aren’t these methods associated with spirituality and such? Isn’t it wrong to use healers? Is this voodoo or something?

I always sigh heavily when I get these questions. It’s much like the question, “Won’t your baby drown if you do a water birth?” to me. It annoys me a little bit to be completely honest, but I also realize that it’s ignorance that poses the question. We simply don’t understand that which we’ve never encountered.

Do people talk to spirits and such when conducting Mayan massages and vaginal steams? Yes. They do. To be honest, I think my Douala (who is not a professing Christian) has rituals that she likes to use when preparing her remedies and healing treatments. 

But me – a Christian? I see it as an AMAZING way God has provided for our family through natural means to heal my body and boost fertility. For me, I see the herbs growing from the ground, the water running in the streams, and the gift of knowledge He has given my Douala as just that – a gift. A gift that reminds me of how great He is and how He has provided for us through His natural creation. Also, my Douala has never done anything against my beliefs in front of me. She respects my beliefs 100%.

Personally, I wish more Christians talked about natural healing and methods we can use to boost fertility. I wish it all wasn’t so taboo. I think it’s an area where God is left out, and it makes me sad.

Therefore, if you’re looking for ways to boost fertility, try one of the tips above. Like I said at the outset, this is what I did and it worked well for us. Every case is different, and even though we did “everything right” our fertility is ultimately in the Lord’s hands. He gives and He takes away. And all of it is grace!

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Monday, November 13, 2017

Our testimony, Our Rainbow baby!!!!!
The song writer says “Hallelujah!
You have won the victory.
Hallelujah!
You have won it all for me”

After every storm and rain there's Sunshine....This our testimony, this is our song!

Today, our hearts are full, we are pleased to announce the arrival of our Rainbow and Miracle baby!

                              Oluwakemi Zuriel Akanni

Oluwakemi: God is taking care of me. God has kept me. God has taken care of me.

Zuriel: The name Zuriel is a Hebrew name which means: Stone.
Biblical Meaning:
In Biblical the meaning of the name Zuriel is: God is my Rock! God is my strength. Rock or strength of God.

                        Born November 7, 2017
‪                                        at 4:21am‬
weighting 5 pounds 15 ounces 18 inches
Memorial Regional Hospital, Hollywood Florida

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Event

Event

Coming soon

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Event Gallery #1

Event Gallery #1

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Boluwatife: The Will Of God

Boluwatife: The Will Of God

Saturday, November 11, 2017

On October 29, 2016 the unthinkable happened to us! Our baby boy was born at 23 weeks 5 days and departed to be in the father's arms. Two days before the 29th, I went in for a regular doctor appointment but they couldn't find his heart beat. My heart sunk and I started to shiver, the doctor then referred me for an ultrasound but they still couldn't find his heart beat. I didn't know how to dial my husband's number, because that's not the joyful call I got from him in early September telling me that we were having a boy. I then called him and told him what had happened, he said "how did that happened, I kissed him this morning".  I was told I had to go into delivery to birth him ASAP. I refused but went home standing on faith that he would move. At night I kept telling my husband that our baby boy is alive, he's just sleeping. The next morning I had no choice but to be admitted into the hospital at 11am on Friday. My mom kept telling the nurses they shouldn't start the procedure that the baby is alive. We did another ultra sound and his heart wasn't still beating.  I told them that I had to wait for my husband, I can't do anything without him. The doctor came in when my husband had arrived and said "I have been MD for 30 years and seen this happened but the longer we wait, you will be infected'. At 6pm we started the procedure, I kept saying Jesus why is this happening to me!

By 2:30am on Saturday October 29 we birth our precious and beautiful Boluwatife (God's Will, The Will of God) Akanni and said goodbye to him. He looked exactly like my husband but had my skin color. This is not how we picture our birthing experience to be. Watching Tunde hold our son was one of the greatest memories of them all. His love, his pain, his pride. They were all written on his face. A father’s love for his son bursting into the room. I could hear my husband say, "son I love you so much, but God love you more.  I started to question my faith and my God. I was hurt, I was destroyed and I was angry. The doctor came in the next day and said there's nothing that could have be done because it was a cord accident. He was very active in the early stages that the cord may have tied. Even though I kept blaming myself and saying all the "What if". My umbilical cord tied around his neck and therefore he stopped getting all the flow he needed. Our little buba was having too much fun in there. My heart felt heavy knowing what had happened but brought a small bit of relief to know it wasn’t something we did or didn’t do. Knots are undetectable. But this brought tremendous grief that his passing from this knot happened completely out of our control. We couldn’t have protected him from this passing! We were not alone in this loss. ( my best friends reminded me that there's no power strong enough to kill or harm our baby but it was all in the Will of God.

(John 9:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Matthew 6:10, Proverbs 19:21).

The nights were longer and the days were shorter, I cried myself to sleep, I cried in the shower, when I saw other babies pictures, when I think of that day, I cried every time. When I look at my husband, face I could see our son. I refused to pray because it was the hardest thing to do. I’m a mom!  My life has changed forever. No matter what happens I’m a parent now, there is no taking that back. From that point forward, I was a mom. In that moment, my identity changed and my role in life shifted. I could only go forward on the road to parenthood as there was no going back. When my son died, it was as if my identity as a parent died too. Well, my anticipated identity. I soon came to learn that there are different ways to ‘parent’ your dead child just as there are different ways to parent a living one. We parent through letter writing, tending to their graves, celebrating anniversaries, and giving back in their name. Moms and dads are born when their children are born as the great spiritual teacher Osho states, “The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.” So what happens when that child dies before he was even born? Well I’ll tell you, it’s as if the mom and dad die too. At least their role as a parent does or that is what it feels like. You feel lost. One minute you are growing into this new identity and role as a parent as your belly is blooming with life and in the next it is gone. Almost as if it never happened. You ask yourself questions that no one else has to ask, “Am I a parent or am I not a parent?” or “Was I ever a parent or was I just hoping to be a parent?” These questions feel absurd to you like asking a man who has use of both legs “Do you have legs or don’t you have legs?” He answers with, “Well of course I have legs, there they are.” You think the answer should be that obvious to others but it’s not because your legs can’t be seen. Your child is nowhere to be found expect for in a few photographs taken after his birth and some of you smiling innocently while touching your bulging baby belly. And oh, I think I would have to argue with the spiritual teacher Osho. Maybe it’s because he was a man (but I think most loss dads would agree with what I am about to say too) or maybe it’s because from my knowledge, Osho wasn’t a bereaved parent. But in my opinion a mother isn’t born when a child is born. A mother and father are born when the dream of a child is conceived. That’s what makes this grief so unique I guess, because I lost so many things the day he died including my innocence. 

Two weeks after the incident, I had an OBGYN appointment with our doctor to run few tests and was told to be back the following week. At the next appointment, after all the procedures, he stated that it was not still birth but miscarriage. That I was measuring ahead but I was actually 18 weeks and not 23 weeks and the placenta had detached from the uterus which had cause it all. Any pregnancy loss before  20 weeks is miscarriage.  I was confused, wasn't this same doctor who had told me it was a stillbirth and it had to do with a cord accident. Now, I was weak and wished my husband was with me. The doctor stated that so many women go through miscarriage and there's nothing that could have be done and it was all nature taking it course. All the tests came back negative and I was healthy and everything was fine with me. It was nothing genetic or anything wrong with my body, if the body must go through miscarriage there's nothing one could do to stop it but let it happen. That's great news I have heard in the whole 3 weeks and I was thankful to God right there for great health and life. I didn't want to worried my husband so I waited for him to come home and I told him. He then said, "well its Thanksgiving and there's so much to be thankful for". I decided to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and be thankful for my many many many blessings. We had one of the best Thanksgiving (after all it was our first Thanksgiving as married couple) just us two with lots of food. We needed that time together. Whether it stillbirth or miscarriage, we loss our baby and there's nothing that could have be done!

Boluwatife your name say it all, even though you didn't had a time on earth you affected us in so many ways. You made our love unbreakable, our faith in Jesus stronger. Not a day that goes by we don't think of you. I love how you were so active in my belly when I read psalm 91 to you and could rubbed the anointing oil on my belly and tell you how much mommy and daddy loves you. And how you already acted like your father in my belly. You showed us what real love is and what really matters on this journey called life. I am so glad I was able to connect to other mommies who went through similar thing and they got me through the difficult days. We never realized what others go through till we experienced it, I was shocked to know that thousand of women have experienced this including my mother in law and even my mom had a miscarriage before I was conceived and I wasn't alone. I didn't want to do this, knowing how we are very private but I had to do this for someone who may need this. I read other stories to get through the tough days therefore I know someone else need mine. God chose me to be your mommy and now not for a second I wonder or question why I am your mommy. For He know the plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11).
To our village of support and love, we say thank you. To the world greatest mother, your unconditional love is everything. . These memories are both the happiest and the most painful I’ll ever know, and there’ll never be enough of them. There is this peace that could only have been from God that we feel every day. I know I’ll never understand why God chose his precious soul to be in His arms so soon, but I find some comfort in knowing that the first face Boluwatife saw was His. This has not change our faith but made it stronger because on Christ the solid rock we stand. I fall in love with Jesus every day and I am more than thankful for the gift of life. All things are working for our good and there is purpose in our pain.  

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