“Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 AMPC https://t.co/6o4zomI1CF
it is an unwritten rule of life that after every prolonged period of hardship and uncertainty, there is going to be a period when you are going to achieve quantum leaps across multiple areas of your life. the only requirement is that you do not give up on yourself.
Wale's 'everything is a lot.' has quietly went on to be one of the most successful rap albums released in 2025 💿
▫️Top 15 highest-selling rap album of 2025 by total units
▫️200K total units sold in the US
▫️300M streams globally
▫️Top 20 debut on Billboard 200
▫️#3 debut on Billboard rap charts
▫️300M+ Radio Audience in the US
▫️'Watching Us' reached #76 on Billboard and is close to gold eligibility
Quick tip: If your car gets submerged in water like this, the first thing to do is DON'T START THE CAR.
Have your mechanic drain and replace the engine oil and transmission/gear oil with the correct fluids first. After that, the car can be checked and started carefully to assess any electrical or mechanical issues.
Starting a water submerged car immediately can cause much more serious damage with changing the oil .
Really hope people don't have to spend unplanned money with this flood
My dad discovered voice notes last year and has fully replaced phone calls with them, He just sends long, unedited, stream of consciousness voice notes sent at random hours. I receive them like dispatches from another world.
Voice note received 6:47am
Dad: (sound of kettle in background)
Good morning. I was thinking about you. I saw something on the television last night about young people and stress and I wanted to check on you. Are you eating. I hope you're eating. Your mother made stew yesterday it was very good. I told her to send you some but she said you live far. I said that's what couriers are for. She said I don't know how to use the courier app. I told her I would do it. I haven't done it yet but I will. Anyway. Call me when you wake up. Or send a voice note. Your mother says you never call. I told her you're busy. Are you busy? Don't be too busy. Okay. Have a good day. Eat something. Bye. (paus It's dad by the way.
Me: (listens to entire two minute voice note)
Me: (it is 6:47am)
Me: (sends voice note back)
Me: Dad I know it's you. You're the only one who sends voice notes this long. I'm eating. Tell mum I'll call this weekend. Also you don't need to say bye and then keep talking and then say bye again.
Voice note received 6:51am
Dad: (laughing) Okay okay. Bye.
Me: (smiling at phone at 6:51am)
Me: (this is actually the best start to a morning)
I was in a meeting today where the room number was 404. I joked that I couldn't find the room and nobody understood. This is why I have a hard time making friends.
I think my biggest takeaway from this year is that God listens. He pays attention. He may not give you an answer in 6 hours or 6 months, but when he does, he answers all the parts. He may be quiet sometimes but he’s only bidding His time. He’s never ignoring you.
This year asked a lot of you, and you met it. You navigated big change, loss, instability, emotional upheaval, and moments where the ground kept shifting under your feet. You kept showing up anyway. You adapted. You endured. You did enough. More than enough.