IT IS THE TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN...

I post this today because it is time of the year when people count their blessings and losses. This is the time of the year when people celebrate but many more despair. Yes dear, now is the time when it dawns on you that another year is gone and you are not married, you are not back in business, you have not bought the house or car, all your wishes for 2009 are unrealized. Even though you have some form of successes in 2009, this is the time when the “bigger” unrealized dreams overshadow the realized ones.

To all of us living till date, there is hope. God’s word affirms, “a living dog is better than a dead lion.” The portion of the bible I read yesterday seems to speak to me. “God determines your steps, why worry over what he’s going to do next?” Now is the time to live and trust God for better days ahead. He never fails and He’s always on point. I agree, He seems always late but His time is perfect for us. Trust me on this. Anything God controls, He preserves and nourishes. Enjoy this my friend.

A boy once said to God, “You know what I want when I grow up.” He then proceeded to give God his list: to live in a big house, to marry a tall blue-eyed woman; to have three sons - one will be a senator, one a scientist, and one a quarterback. He also wanted to be a mountain climber and drive a red Ferrari. As it turned out, the boy hurt his knees one day, while playing football. He could no longer climb trees talk more of mountains. He ended up marrying a beautiful and kind woman who was short with brown eyes, instead of blue eyes. Because of his business, he lived in an apartment in the city and usually rode the subway instead of a big house. He had three lovely daughters instead of sons and they adopted a male fluffy cat! One daughter became a nurse, one an artist and the third, a music teacher. One morning the boy woke and remembered his boyhood dreams. He became extremely depressed. Heartbroken, he cried out to God: “Remember when I was a boy, I told you all the things I wanted, why didn't you give me all those things?” “I could have” replied God, “but I wanted to make you happy. Some of those things you asked for could have led you to an early grave.”

Stories like this remind you of the old saying “Man proposes but God opposes.” It’s not like he opposes everything you WANT; he only makes sure that you have what you NEED. Since he is all-knowing and he knows the end from the beginning, he is always committed to giving to you what will make you happy. He said, “my thought towards you are the thought of good not of evil to bring you an expected end.”

I have seen how people stopped serving God because what they fasted and prayed for never came to pass. This reveals where their heart is - the product instead of the producer. If your heart is on God, you will trust Him to give you what you really need. Do you know it doesn’t cost God anything to make you a billion dollars richer if that’s what will make you happy? You mean more to Him than silver or gold. If anything will steal your peace, He holds it back till you can manage it.

Believe in God and trust Him to make the best use of your life by putting all your worries on Him. He knows what is best for you. If your dreams don’t come to pass this year, he knows why and it’s always for your good. Cheers

Rejoice in the Lord. I will say it again, REJOICE.


God bless you. see you soon

QUEEN IBIAM - WINNER MALTINA DANCE ALL SEASON 3: I'M READY TO RULE

If you followed The Maltina Dance All 2009 edition, Queen Udu Ibiam was one of the reasons you turned on your TV set. Of course you fell in love with her natural ability and energy as she shook her body to the rhythm of the music – I did. No wonder you voted for her everyday even though you’ve never met her, until her family won the Maltina Dance All Season 3. Her talent got you longing to watch her everyday. It takes more than just talent to keep you glued to your tube – Queen’s talent is rare.

There’s also something you don’t know about Queen as she thrilled you on set with her costume. Queen is no doubt a queen – body, soul and spirit. She’s so passionate about dancing that I felt it almost immediately she sat across my desk this afternoon. She keeps a smile on her cheek as we talked over a drink. And God! She laughs so genuinely. I spent 55 minutes talking with Queen Ibiam about everything from Maltina Dance All 3 and to her plans for the future. Queen left me with an impression that will last forever. Here is the excerpt of the little talk I had with this queen that will rule the world soon. Enjoy it.

MY EARLY DAYS AS A DANCER

My journey as a dancer began in my church when I was 10 years old. Like Michael Jackson of the then Jackson 5, I was the youngest in the dance group yet my input was enormous. Unfortunately, my impact in the group was short-lived when we moved to another environment and I had to change church. To keep up with my passion for dancing, I joined another group called “BABES 4 CHRIST” at my new church. I have worked with several groups while growing up particularly in the church. By God’s grace, I still dance for a cultural dance group in my church where we try several cultural dance steps.

In my early days as a dancer till date, I have always desire to do something extra. And so, aside dancing in my church dance group, I ventured into dancing professionally at Christmas festivals and with some local artistes. The pay wasn’t even enough to buy me dinner but I was fulfilled as long as I did something I loved. In 2006, I joined a Christmas carnival band in Cross River State called “The Freedom Band” where my hidden talent in dancing was highly harnessed and appreciated. With the help and support of my friends, I excelled tremendously and also I won the best dancer in the band. And by God’s sufficient grace I have maintained that title till date.

MALTINA DANCE ALL 3

My trip to Maltina Dance All 3 began on a sad note and covered in initial setbacks enough to stop anyone. It is true that success always come in disguise as failure. Only the persistent people eventually enjoy it’s benefits. In 2008, a close friend told me about the Maltina Dance All competition and the auditioning holding in Calabar at that time. Amidst fear and faith, I went for the auditioning and qualified at the regional level. For reasons I cannot understand till date, I couldn't qualify for the academy in 2008. I didn't allow that failure to kill my guts and so I kept rehearsing and getting ready for other opportunities. Foolish people see failure as the end of the journey while the wise see it as the beginning of success stories. I didn’t allow my setback in 2008 to be permanent and so I looked ahead in faith.

When the competition began in 2009, I got my boots on again and went for regional auditioning at Owerri. This time, it was worse because I couldn't make it to the finals, which was easier for me in 2008. My spirit kept on fighting and challenging me to give it another try and so I traveled all the way to Benin and there God’s favour caught up with me and I qualified amidst daunting setbacks. And from there we move into the completion with my family and I working very hard and creatitively until we got to the top, which in this respect is maltinal Dance All 3. Now I am better convinced that road to destiny is usually rough but our faith in ourselves and our gifts open great doors for us.

DANCE IS LIFE

Dancing is more than a hobby, it's my life. I wish to use it as a weapon for social change for the betterment of lives and my dear country. Dancing is one thing I will never stop till Jesus comes. In the past, people refer to dancers as prostitutes or NFA (no future ambition). The story is changing now. Thanks to Nigeria Breweries, organizers of Maltina Dance All Completion and other organizations in the country making changes the lives of dancers. It keeps getting better.

FUTURE PLANS

I have a lot of ideas in my head to execute as the winner of Maltina Dance All 3. Right now, I am talking with management to prioritize. The bottom line is that I will use my gift and ideas to change many lives and impact my world. Dancing is a gift to be used to make the world a better place and not for the destruction of souls. I have very good ideas in that direction and with your help, we will change the world. Watch out! Something is about to happen.

TO MY FANS

I appreciate your support and love. I promise to use the faith you have bestowed on me for the good of all mankind. Your love makes me strong and I will not disappoint you.

Queen now offers dance services of any kind. Call 07039018191, 08023740017.