Often in our prayers, we ask for things that we dream to achieve. We ask for things that we wish to have. And most of our wishes could be physical things, tangible or non-tangible. Behind those wishes, have we ever asked ourselves if those things are appropriate to ask or not? Sometimes, we focus on things that we want, not on the things that we need. But whether those things are liked or just solely needed, it doesn’t matter as long as one has pure intention behind owns request. 

God has never left me in my entire journey. HE, indeed, walks with me whichever path I take. Sometimes we ask if HE’s there. Sometimes we wonder if HE’s listening. Sometimes we think why things happen. But even if it seems that we had lost HIS support, that doesn’t prove that HE is not listening. HE has His own way in helping us and answering our needs.

I have been in college for almost 7 years, an enough period to study medicine. When I was in the Philippines, I spent 1 year in accountancy program against my will. Then, I changed my course and spent 1 year taking prerequisites and 2 years in nursing. That time, I have already set my own specific goals: that I will graduate on time, finishing college within 4 to 5 years strict.  However, the path that I have chosen and the goals that I have set were not the path that was written on my fate. While in college, my nanay received a letter from US government concerning about the visa for permanent residency. And that’s were the main story started.

I had to stop attending college because we need to go to US. What was my feeling that time? Ironically, I was excited and didn’t even bother to think that I will be delayed in achieving my goals. I understood that there were some things that needed to be done no matter what the consequence was. After 1 year of working full time, I missed college. I thought of going back to college and finish my unfinished business. The university didn’t recognize the courses that I took from the Philippines, so I started all over again. I didn’t have choice but to accept it and get over it. I enrolled in a university to get a degree in nursing. It was so challenging and stressful to work full time and study full time. But behinds those challenges, I was awarded to receive an institutional scholarship and federal grants. I believe that GOD has paved way to help me in my financial needs. College is really expensive.

“What the heck these people are saying?” I asked myself while in the Psychology class. The only person that I understand was my professor. The rest of the class was so confusing. Same experience happened in my other classes. They talk like a bird with different accents and language- English in different style. It was so frustrating for me to adapt the new way of learning and adjust in this environment. Everything is new. Hence, there’s no space for giving up and stepping back. My goal was to finish college, and help my family.

While on my last year in college, I was so nervous because we had this upcoming exit exam. If you won’t pass it then the university will hold you from graduating. I was so scared to take it. Nursing is not just a typical course. It is an applied science that requires critical thinking. All the knowledge that nursing school have taught us are all useless if you can’t apply it in real situation. Exams are mostly situational. Most of the answer choices are right, but there’s only one correct answer. That was what kills me about the exit exam. It makes me really sick every time I think of it. Almost all of the schools in the US state where I live don’t require exit exam but why my school requires this? “If I only knew, if I only knew…,” I said. “I won’t study here,”

Almost every night, I begged our LORD to help me pass the exit exam. I studied hard but I am sure it’s not enough. I couldn’t study regularly and completely because out professors ask a lot of things to do, a lot of projects. I was very close in losing my mind because I can’t get rid of this thought - which I am going to fail the exam. I cried almost every night. I’ve been studying for a long time, and all I want is to finish college for my family and myself. I always take studying seriously but now why I am so afraid, as if I am close to face a big failure. Until one time, I decided to read the bible. How long it’s been since I last opened and read a verse from the bible? Very long… a long time ago…

Here’s what the bible had showed me that time: Matthew 21:21 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” It was like I was hit by a lightning. Where is my faith in GOD? Why I worry too much about things that I don’t have control?

Today, I am waiting for an approval and permit to take my board. Yes! I passed our university’s exit exam for nursing. God has answered my prayers. HE even surprised me when I received an outstanding academic and scholastic award from the nursing department. And also, HE indeed surprised me when I found out that I got a placed for Magna Cum Laude in the university. I didn’t expect all of these things. It wasn’t even part of my goal- ever! It was much unexpected but definitely a great blessing that GOD has gave me and mostly to my family.

This article is written to praise GOD, to share how GOD has blessed my life. This story is only one of the few things that HE had done and still doing for me and family. GOD is really great!

Sorry, nothing to report.