Abe Says - See EP

What I'm currently listening to

I love this neo soul/RnB/ classic Hip hop feel. My favourite is "When I Wake Up" love love love



Abraham Poopola is an actor, director and singer based in London. He just released his EP "See". I can't wait to hear more from him. I love his sound

Listen, and let me know what you think.

Love always,
Sabirah

Big Church

I was listening to a song that just took me back to two years ago...

I was in California, it was before I identified as Christian I think. Anyway it was a Sunday and I wanted to go to a church, so I googled something in the area. I found one that seemed nice, got dressed and headed out.

Due to my misinterpretation of the bus schedules on Sunday I ended up walking 45mins to get there, I was tired and exhausted.

Once I entered, I found a row in the back and joined the worship, it was a small church and the congregation was mostly white and Asian but the service was enjoyable. They performed this song that has stayed with me since then.
 At the end of the service, as I began to leave someone came to talk to me and before I knew it I was being invited to lunch by the pastor and his wife and some other church folk.

I had such a nice afternoon with them, we just talked about all sort of random things, not the kind of conversation you expect to have with "Church people". I was fed and encouraged to pack take away (hahaha who was I to say no?) and then I got a ride home from another church member.

The day left me with such a nice feeling, like, isn't this what church should feel like?

Fast forward to today, I came back from church with my mum a couple of hours ago. It's a big pentecostal church with 4 services everyday. I enjoyed the worship and the sermon was ok but I'm beginning to feel a disconnect. I don't know if "big church will ever be for me. I guess that's what fellowship groups are for though...

Do all churches have to grow (in size)? I understand that sometimes it just happens, congregations get bigger, churches move to bigger spaces, hire more pastors. But are there churches that stay small on purpose, that worship intimately and build a community based on love? That's what I'm looking for, somewhere I can be a part of...

If this sounds like your church and you live in Lagos, please invite me :)

Happy Sunday, and have a great week ahead!

Love always,
Sabirah

New Music : TY Bello

(photo via tybello.com)

I've loved TY Bello for a long time; She's just an amazing artist, singer, musician, photographer etc.

Amazing woman all around. So when I heard that she had a new album out I was surprised, I hadn't heard any buzz about it or anything, but I already knew it would be awesome. Here is what she had to say about it, it's called "The morning songbook"

Today's date is really interesting in so many ways it speaks of complete cycles. Perfection. Double 7+7=14 ...Two complete cycles...Doubly perfect! 

In 2009 I hit this beautiful season where I would write music to God as my morning devotion. It was a unique time of discovery and I felt it was a beautiful way to give of myself...Open and sincere...It wasn't long that I realized that I was recieving way more than I was giving. 

Every beautiful exchange with God always leaves us with more. I was also humbled when I got this heartfelt assurance that He thought the songs were perfect. Perfect?? If you've ever written music you would know that "perfect" is the one thing that simply evades. 
Well, it's taken a number of years to make...Here it is. My gift to God...His to me. And yours for free for as long as I can keep it so, let me know how it did. On a perfect day. 
Please feel free to share!

You can listen and download for free on https://soundcloud.com/tybellomusic
Absolutely love it! I started writing this post before I even listened to all the songs, beautiful music. Thank you TY!

Love always,
Sabirah

Want

This morning, I woke up in the bed of my friend whispering random nonsense to each other as we slowly woke up, then we ate a medley of left overs in bed - Sallah meat, small chops, rice etc. And in that moment I felt happy. Just happy. Last night I held my partners hand and kissed him goodnight as he went home knowing that goodbyes would be far between soon. Happy.

As Simi and I lay in bed I randomly mentioned that I wanted a new camera and then stopped myself. Yes my camera is currently a bit crazy- but it works. I just got a new laptop, does the wanting never end? Is every want satisfied only momentarily? Quickly to be replaced by another?

I don't want to live like that, constantly wanting, I have so much. So much. I am content, I need to practice my contentment- by being ok not to want anything- for a while at least. Make do- and make the best- of what I do have, and stop chasing the next high.

Happy Long weekend Nigerians,
Love always,
Sabirah

Thursday Tidbits

Hello!

1) I really want to make this this weekend, can I get all the ingredient in Lagos without breaking the bank? hmm
2) Long weekend coming up soon! Can't wait, I really believe the many public holidays are how God compensates us for living in Lagos.
3) I love this post on parenting
4) I want this haircut, and all these products! Yes I still watch natural hair tutorials
5) How to Start Dinner every night.
6) My children(students) make me want children, the way they write about their parents is sooo loving! Oh to love like a child!
7)I'm so tired these days, IDK if I'm just lazy or it's for real
8) I've found myself slipping into prayer at the most random times, while driving, in the shower, falling asleep
9)I absolutely love the show "Masters of Sex"

Love always,
Sabirah

Abeokuta

Still getting the hang of this new computer *squeal* and I recently transferred some pictures from my camera to it. This of course let to some reminiscing on some awesome things I've done this year.

One of them was going to visit my great grandma. It was such a lovely day trip. I went with my grandma and mum and it reminded me how blessed I am to come from a line of amazing women and I'm so thankful to God for keeping us. Four generations, isn't that something!

Grandma <3

Selfie

Four Generations!

Abeokuta, which means 'Under the rock' is covered with rocks. I find it so beautiful, especially all the old buildings. I loved everything about this day trip.

Hope every one is doing well

Love always,

Sabirah

To Love!

I feel like I've given love a bad rap lately, from conversations to pieces I've written, I've always leaned towards talking about the practical side of being in a relationship.

The sacrifices one has to make, all the teaching and learning, and how it’s not always rosy. For example here is an excerpt of something I wrote recently-

Love has come and it so different from what you thought you wanted. It is difficult, but teaching. It is the biggest lesson in humility ever and a game of “how vulnerable can you be”. Love has brought you closer to God and closer to yourself. This renewed self awareness is just...

Then there’s also this blog post I wrote a while back about it being Tough.

Now I haven’t lied in either of these pieces, but I might have been a little one sided.So allow me to get a little mushy, corny if you may. Love is good. It is oh so sweet. It feels so good... loving somebody and somebody loves you back.

I just came back from a road trip with friends and for 8 hours+ I had to sit next to my partner. While we have spent lots of time together this was different.  It was just us(front of the car) and all we had was that space and we made the best of it. I laughed and giggled so much. I just felt really happy that apart from loving this guy I really liked him.

So love is sweet. Love is feeling like the only girl in the room because the right person is looking at you. It’s hearing his voice and feeling yourself move before you can process the thought. Yes a lot of the time its rainbows and butterflies. Real life happens but real life is better with big splashes of love.

It’s having someone care for you so deeply that you can relax with them because you’ll always be safe. It’s sharing a look across a table. It’s talking in gibberish but still understanding one another. It’s having a hand to hold and unlimited supply of heart warming hugs. It’s praying together.

What I’m trying to say is that it’s awesome and it’s so worth it. Worth everything

To love!

Sabirah