The Diary Game || 22 September, 2024 || My debut 30 - minutes public talk and friendship moments.

_{Hello Everyone👋🏽.
This is @alli001 from #Nigeria🇳🇬.}

Visiting the dry cleaner with my friend

Today was a day I had been eagerly anticipating. It marked a significant milestone, my first 30-minute public talk in our congregation, a step up from my previous 15-minute presentations. I was thoroughly prepared and, with God's guidance, I delivered a confident and impactful message.

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In my diary entry, I'll share the inspiring topic I addressed, and the valuable lessons that can be applied to our lives as steemians. Plus, I'll recap the delightful evening that followed, full of joy and connection with friends. Stay tuned🤩.

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I rose early at 3am, diligently preparing for my debut 30-minute public talk. As morning broke, my family stirred around 6am, and we gathered for our daily devotion. I had the privilege of leading the session, which lasted approximately five minutes.

Stations were I couldn't find fuel	The dry cleaner shop

After the devotion, I took the clothes I'll be wearing for my public talk to the dry cleaner. When I arrived at the shop, the dry cleaner said he has fuel, so I took his can to buy fuel from the fuel station. Unfortunately, there was no station to buy fuel this morning due to high cost of fuel in my country. I was nervous and confused, because I was running late.

Waiting patiently for the dry cleaner	To iron my clothes

Just when I thought all hope was lost, I recalled a dry cleaner I had met previously. His memory sparked a solution, and I promptly called him to inquire about his shop's location. He graciously offered his services, expertly ironing my clothes for a reasonable fee of 1,000 naira, which is equivalent to 3.3 STEEM. Though I didn't expect to spend that much, but I was happy because my clothes was ironed.

On my way to the kingdom hall	That smile of confident

Upon returning home, I had only 45 minutes to spare before my talk was scheduled to begin. With time ticking away, I prioritized my preparations, skipping breakfast to ensure I could shower, dress, and arrive promptly at the Kingdom Hall before 10:30am. As I headed to the Kingdom Hall, I received a timely boost of encouragement from one of our esteemed elders, who reassured me that Jehovah would undoubtedly support me throughout my debut 30-minute public talk.

My public talk is ongoing

After a 5 minutes Godly song and prayer, I started my public talk for the day titled "How to Build Strong and Lasting Friendships". In my public talk, I highlighted why we need friends, how to choose good friends, how to build strong friendships, how to build the most important friendships and lastly, how to make your friendships last forever. We're living in a world where people only care for themselves, running helter skelter just to survive. With this, making it difficult for people to find good friends.

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Jehovah and Jesus Christ is the only true friend one can ever ask for, because they're always ready to embrace and take us in as their friends too. Jehovah said He'll walk closer to us if we do the same to him. Dear steemians, as the world is drawing to its end, it's right time we make Jehovah and Jesus Christ our best friends, by praying to him always, reading the Bible and making friends with people who love Jehovah.

	My little cousin

We can imitate people who set a good example of honest friendship such as; Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, Paul and Timothy. The congregation applauded me when I concluded my public talk by saying "If we choose to make friends with those that love jehovah, we'll be blessed even now and forever". After the watchtower study conducted by our elder, I ended the meeting with a closing prayer.

Preaching to the masses with my friend, as companion

Preaching to the masses is one way to show Jehovah that we truly love him as our good friend. So after the meeting for today, I was given my best friend as my companion. I'm always happy to teach others what I know about our heavenly father, can you see that smile on my face?🙈 That's a smile of relief, peace and happiness. Since today emphizes on friendship bonds, I decided to make it a reality.

On my way to visit our friends with my sister

Upon returning from field service, I made plans with my sister to visit our friends, as it had been far too long since we'd shared quality time together. True to her loving and kind nature, my sister enthusiastically agreed to join me on the outing. Securing a taxi to our destination proved challenging due to the limited budget we had. The prevailing high fuel costs in my country had driven up fares, forcing us to negotiate with multiple drivers before finally encountering a kind-hearted individual willing to transport us at an affordable rate.

The drinks they served us

Our friends were taken aback by our unexpected visit, but their bright smiles quickly revealed their genuine delight. If their hearts were transparent, I'm certain we would have seen an outpouring of warmth and joy, for they were truly overjoyed to see us. With that excitement, they offered us a drink and put on the television for us to watch movie series. While enjoying the soft drink and movie, we had a wonderful conversation that'll etched in my memory forever.

She's peeling the yam	For parboiling

They generously offered us a meal before we left, pulling out yams from the pantry to parboil, which we enjoyed with the egg sauce they had prepared earlier. This heartfelt gesture epitomized the true spirit of friendship I had spoken about earlier, the kind of selfless love and hospitality Jehovah encourages us to show to our neighbors. It was getting late, so we decided to take our leave.

Helping my friends	To set a trap for bush animal

As I prepared to leave, my friends requested my assistance in setting a trap to catch a pesky bush animal that had been disturbing their compound. Helping those I care about brings me joy, so I gladly obliged. Without hesitation, I expertly set the trap using a cassava as bait, hoping to lure the troublesome creature in. Hopefully tomorrow, my friends will eat the bush animal.

Joyful moment	Mimicking people's walking steps

After setting the trap, our friends kindly escorted us to the main road, where we awaited transportation back home. As we waited, we shared lively jokes and playfully mimicked people's quirky walking styles, savoring every moment of our joyful camaraderie. The depth of our friendship in that instant was unspeakable, they're the best Christian friends I've ever had, and I'll always be there for them too.

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My day was filled with a sense of accomplishment and joy, having delivered a successful 30-minute public talk, followed by cherished moments of laughter and connection with dear friends. It was a truly fulfilling day, one that I will treasure forever.

All pictures are mine

◦•●◉✿Thank You✿◉●•◦