Since Birth

I was born with a Christian Family. My Mom and Dad knew the Lord since Araullo days (JIL-http://jilworldwide.org/). I thought, if my parents are Christian, Born Again to be specific, I am born Christian also.

In Sunday School.
Teacher: When did you receive Christ as your personal Savior?
Me: Ano daw? Kelan nga ba? Sagot ko.. "Since Birth" po..
Teacher: Bakit since birth?
Me: Kasi po, nung pinanganak ako, Born Again na po si Mommy at si Daddy, kaya ako din po.
Teacher: Explaining..(Pero bata pa ako nun, hindi ko pa siya ma-gets, hehe..)

I enjoyed going to church every Sunday, why? Ang dami kong kalaro! During the Service, mahilig kami kumain sa tindahan ni Nanay Mary.. Magugulat na lang si Mommy, ang dami kong utang, hehe.. After the Service, laro kami football and patintero habang attend ng meeting and seminar si Mommy. Ang Saya! hehe..

Sali-sali ako sa Tambourine Ministry, kasi ang ganda ng damit nila. Makintab, parang Princess, tapos ang ingay nung kumakalansing na hawak nila, hehe.. (Sayang, I can't upload picz, nasa bahay yung old picz.)

Enjoy naman ako sa mga practices, lalo na yung break at uwian, kasi laro nanaman kami! hehe..

I don't know the real essence of the so called Christian or Born Again and I honestly don't know the meaning of the Ministry.

I used to attend Children's Camp, it helped me to become an independent and responsible person. Sa Camp na ito na well explained sa akin ang real meaning ng CHRIST-ian. (IAN- I Am Nothing without Christ). I received Christ as my Personal Savior (John 1:12) when I was 7 years old . 1st Deliverance Night of the Children's Camp last April 1992.

Now, I'm a real Christian. May masasabi na akong date kapag may nagtanong sa akin, hehe.. As time goes by, I'm not involved in the Children's Ministry anymore. I'm now in the Youth Ministry (KKB-http://kkbmovement.org/). I realized that as we grow physically, we must also be matured spiritually. I started to be serious in my relationship with Christ. Hindi na yung tipong kabisadong prayer na "God is good, God is great, let us thank Him for our food, In Jesus Name, Amen." Seryoso na ito, from the heart. Hindi na basta-bastang basa ng Bible, it includes meditation. "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

I would say na maraming itinuro sa buhay ko si Lord, when I started to be serious and when I allowed Him to enter into my life and experience Him. My Christian Experience started when I became a KKB. It's not just about you. It's about your life, as an instrument to be used by God as a living testimony to the other believers and even unbelievers. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." I Timothy 4:12

It's about sharing His Word and His goodness, for them to know, How great is Our God. "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

EXPERIENCE GOD. 

BELIEVE AND ACCEPT HIM AS YOUR 

PERSONAL SAVIOR.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 

PRAYER OF REPENTANCE AND ACCEPTANCE:

Father, I ask forgiveness from any unrighteousness that I've done before thee. 

All my sins, from childhood until now, forgive me Lord.

Continue to cleanse me and I'm allowing you to control my life and have your will in me. 

Lord, I'm giving you everything from now on and I will acknowledge that you are the Savior of my soul. Write my name in the book of life and I pray that you will find me faithful until your second coming. In Jesus Name. Amen!

My plan or HIS plan?

We are the one making decisions for ourselves and we are the one setting our goals toward success. Why is it that sometimes, what we want doesn't happen and what we doesn't want, happen? By the end of this unexpected moment, you will realize.. Aahh.. kaya pala.. Oh, i see..

In my 2nd year of stay here, after my 1st vacation, I made a list of faith goals. I wrote my budget every month, my possible savings and my plans for that year, including an application to try US Visit Visa. After writing those goals on a monthly basis, I lay hands on it, prayed earnestly towards it, believing in advance that the Lord will grant my prayers.

Yes, I'm inspired to work! I'm fresh from EGR (July 8-9, 2011) and ready to conquer the reality. After a month of work, it's salary day.. Surprisingly, I (we all) received a deducted salary, super less than what I am expecting. I adjusted my written monthly faith goals, believing that next month, it will be back to normal. Unfortunately, it's the same story of salary without any assurance that the deducted salary will be replaced. Wheew.. 1st batch of stress..

After few days, a very controversial harsh TERMINATION happened. There are 10 names listed for termination. Nursing Director will call you at her office while you are on duty and will tell you face to face, I'm sorry, this is your last duty. You don't need to report tomorrow... Whhaattt?!  How would you feel? Without any prior notice, in a glimpse, without knowing, you are terminated. My 2nd year of stay here I would say, is the Most Stressful Year of my life. It's absolutely a PSYCHOLOGICAL TORTURE.

Hearing the sighs, burdens and worries of everybody, especially those who worked here with their entire family, made me question, why Oh Lord?! Breadwinners will be terminated? As if it's easy to find a new job instantly. All were making an alternatives, adjusting monthly budgets, saving, preparing ourselves just in case we're on the list. Whenever we build strength from ourselves, a new list will come. Monthly, it's happening, 1 by 1 or 2 by 2, they were releasing names slowly. Thanks for the Brutal Torture.

As time goes by, we get used to it. Believing that if a door closes, there are still plenty of doors that will open. Opportunities are everywhere. "I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:5-8. 

Stop worrying, God is in control. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7.

Who can help us? Only God and ourselves. For whom we can get our strength? Only from the Lord and from the encouragements of our fellow colleagues. We all became prayerful and we totally entrust our lives and our future to God.

Now, my faith goals were totally gone. I keep on asking why and He immediately respond, "I have my Best Plan for you my child," the Lord said. "Just wait patiently for the perfect time."

After 6 months of my 2nd year, I heard a good news. My sister, Meng, was Cum Laude. I'm so proud Ate!

My parents are so overwhelmed that they were able to save money for a back and forth ticket going to the Philippines and attend Our Cum Laude's Graduation. Glory to God!

Kaya pala hindi ko pinursue ang Application ko for US Visit Visa, which is for sure, I will fail all the requirements because of the salary and termination, it's because sila pala ang uuwe sa Pilipinas with a Big Event on March 2012, and yes, my due vacation is March 2012, oh wow! We were re-united again.

Another unexpected blessing came, despite of those people who discouraged us with our salary, a retroactive happened, the deducted salary was replaced after 9 months and it's exactly before my vacation. Wow! This is it! Time to make bawi for my Best Hero Dad, my Loving Mother and my Cum Laude Sister.. A treat to my family..

http://www.nurture.com.ph/

How awesome is God's plan rather than mine?

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21

“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans." Isaiah 55:8-9 

After my 2nd vacation, everything went back to normal. Salary wise - Check! Termination is silent for a while - Check! It's time to apply for a US Visit Visa. There's no regret in trying. All I want is to spend another vacation with my family. At this time, hindi sila makakauwi sa Pilipinas, practicality wise. I tried to make a way, to visit them, and yes.. I got it! 10 years Multiple US Visit Visa.. More than what I expect.. Satisfied na nga ako sa 1 vacation lang eh.. Multiple pa?! Wow! I'm so overwhelmed! You are Surprisingly Amazing, Lord! Thank you!

For my 3rd vacation.. Coming soon.. I'll be working on it.. Thanks for Reading!

All Glory to God!

May He bless the works of my hands as I prepare my way towards His plan. 

It's surely the best in His own perfect timing.

OFW

Overseas Filipino Worker

Mga Heroes ng Lupang Sinilangan. I'm a product of an OFW father. Since I was born, my father sacrificed too much for our family's sake, according to my Mom. I was given a chance to be one of the OFWs. Facing all the fears and taking all the risk, I kept on focusing on what my Dad has been telling me, "Kung kaya nila, kaya mo rin!" for me to pursue my goals.

I have my own acronym for an OFW. Saludo po ako sa inyo!

O-ptimistic
Bawal ang nega. Walang mapapala ang mga nega. From the start, we never know kung anong haharapin natin sa ibang bansa, just be positive, stay calm, trust in the Lord and we will conquer all the fears.

F-amily First
I am single, but seeing my colleagues' love for their family makes my heart melt. Working and sacrificing for 1 month, computing and budgeting for the upcoming salary day, waiting for the most awaited day (salary day), withdraw, rush to the Remittance Counter and unselfishly send all of the money. Pagkakasyahin na lamang ang itinira para sa sarili, at kung makatanggap ng text from Pinas na kulang pa ang pinadala, ang pinagkatipid-tipid na perang para sa sarili ay muling ipapadala para sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Wow! This is sacrifice!

W-orking Hard
Not being bias with the Filipinos, seryoso, iba pa rin magtrabaho ang mga Pinoy. Hardworking, hindi basta-basta, in short, quality work. What is a company without a Filipino? Hindi satisfied sa pwede na yan, dapat maganda, pwedeng pwede, maayos, malinis, organize, yan ang Pinoy. Kahit hindi naaappreciate ng iba, go pa rin, showing professionalism. Iba't ibang lahi ang nakakasalamuha, iba't ibang kultura, ngunit kayang-kaya pakisamahan ng mga Pilipino.

In my stay here, away from my Land and my Family, all I can say is "Mahirap Kumita ng Pera." Malungkot, homesick, bawal magkasakit, makikisama, trabahong walang humpay, at magsasakripisyo ng todo para sa mahal sa buhay. Lean on God, pray, make your goal and your family as an inspiration and you will just get used to it. Sabi nga nila, sanayan lang yan.

It just feel depressing when some of our fellow Filipinos demand too much from an OFW. Nag abroad lang mayaman agad, ganun? (Pinoy Mentality) Maybe, they're thinking is just: they are so blessed because they are given a chance to earn more money. Actually, that more money that they're saying has a big sacrifice in return. There is no perfect thing/situation in this world. We can work in the Philippines, happy and blessed with our love ones but, earning this much salary only na pagkakasyahin, nakakasurvive naman, right? We can work abroad, away from our family, earning much more salary, pero minsan, bakit hindi pa rin enough? Kasi, as we improve, our expenses also improve. Pareho lang, dba? My point is: Not to expect too much with an OFW. Ang Pera ay pinaghihirapan, hindi lang basta-basta hinihingi.

Sa kalagitnaan ng aking journey sa lugar na ito, I strongly admire OFWs, my Dad, wow! Like, ganito po pala ang pinag daanan ninyo dito. Gustung-gusto ko na gumive-up pero thinking of your sacrifices without complaining makes me go on. I don't have the rights to complain because this is a blessing from the Lord, this is where God tests our character and this is where we gain our life experiences to become a strong and a better person.


a Prayer for OFWs

Father, you are our strength in times of weakness.
You are the Great Provider in times of need.
You are our healer in times of sickness.
You are our joy in times of sorrow.
You comfort us, and we find rest in you.
You never fail to protect us from all harm.
Thank you Lord!

May your favor be upon us wherever we are.
Bless our families back home.
Bless our job, company, workplace.
Bless the PHILIPPINES, that we can go back home without hesitations, for You will raise up the Philippines! A rich land with a God-fearing people, without corruption and without love of money and power. Amen!


"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

By GOD'S GRACE CAREER

I called myself "Ms. Sabit," from the start of my college days of Nursing up to now.

After highschool graduation, that was the time you will realize, I'll be on the level of seriousness for my future. Everyone will say, you choose the course that you want. Parents will support you whatever field you want, but at that time, Nursing is Trending, hehe.. Of course majority wants it for me, but actually, I don't want.

I like office works. I want to work in Makati, wear clothes that I want to wear, wear high heels, wear simple make-up, make myself beautiful yet enjoying. 1st year of college, I took up Accountancy in PSBA. No uniform, civilian, I like it! One down, I can wear any clothes that I want, hehe.. 1st Semester was still like highschool, but you don't have advisers who pushes you to study hard. Nobody cares if you will attend the class or not, if you will pass your exams or not. It's like, you are the only one who holds your future. As time goes by, on my 2nd Semester, it started to be tough. Oh my, I'm not good in Math! I can't balance a big yellow sheet. I am not enjoying! Realizing, maybe that was not my line. Goodbye office girl career! huhu..

Since everybody is taking up Nursing (2003), I joined the trending course, hehe.. I went sweeping off E. Rodriguez Road to Trinity, Delos Santos and ended up on the edge of QC going to Manila, SACI. From there, I finished my 4-year course. Tough commute, tough schedule, tough and/or lazy professors, but still, I enjoyed. Realizing that Nursing is not just a job, it's touching lives. All aspects of life that needs treatment.

Graduation Time with my proud parents. But still, I'm not yet a real nurse and I'll be facing another tough and competitive exam. Board Exams. I'm not intelligent or a bright type of student. I would say, I'm a hardworking person. I will do my best to go there. 

Board Exam, here we go. After all the hardwork, a 4-year course is nothing without passing the Boards. Unfortunately, I failed, huhu.. (But still, I'm proud to say it because there are reasons behind it.)

Depressed. 1 whole day locked in my room. Disappointed. All I can see on my room was WHY?!

A verse that pushed me through:
" For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Moving on. I took my review classes again. Worked harder on it and get more deeper in my relationship with Christ. (For Students: The more busy you are in school, the more you use your time in serving the Lord through the ministry. You will be trained to manage your time, you will always feel God's guidance in everything you do and it's more easy to follow God's direction / plan for your life.)
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

2nd Board Exam, here I come. Sa dinami-dami ng araw, iyong araw pa talaga na iyon namaga ang dalawa kong mata, causing my sight to be more blurred and having a severe headache. Gora pa din kahit masama na sa pakiramdam. Pigain ang utak. Intercede. Pray. God moves.

It takes 2 months to release the results. Anong gagawin ko? Tambay? Time to find a work, kahit volunteer pa or Nursing Aid lang, go ako. Sa dami ng pinasahan ko ng resume, ni-isa walang nag respond, hehe.. Until such time na I'm arranging something for our activity sa church, madami akong tinatawagan to ask help, sponsorship, etc. Not knowing I called Ate JekJek (churchmate) in her workplace. "Welcome to St. Victoria Hospital, please dial the extension # you wish to call." Bigla akong napatulala, realizing na, oo nga pala, sa Hospital pala work si Ate. I forgot the reason why I called (church activity) hanggang na open up ko, na I'm looking for work. God's blessing, nasaktuhan, naka leave yung kasama niya and she needs some help. Oh wow! Kinabukasan, I went for the interview, agad-agad, pasok! I'll work as an Ultrasound Staff. Nevermind the salary, I'm into experience.

2 months after, ako'y naaliw sa aking trabaho, kinda office works din and dealing with people. My cellphone was ringing. It's Ate Marissa (my cousin working in PRC) saying Congratulations! Oh wow! Gusto kong tumambling! I can't help myself jumping and screaming! Buti na lang walang pasyente that time, hehe.. And yes, I'm a Registered Nurse! Our Dra. Capinpin is proud of me of course, and agad-agad she called the Chief Nurse, saying, "May papapuntahin ako diyan, new RN, she'll pass resume." Agad-agad, without waiting for my official license, I worked as a Ward Staff Nurse. Wow! What a blessing!

REALIZATIONS: 
1. ) Kaya pala hindi ako nakapasa nung una kong take dahil hindi pa nakahanda ang trabahong iyon para sa akin. Para daw less tambay. Ang galing talaga ng strategy ni Lord!
2.) It's not always whatever you want. It's about what God wants for you.
3.) Wait patiently. Persevere. It will come in God's perfect timing.

2 years after, I gained experience and wants to take another level of my career, going abroad. Sa 5 agencies na sinubukan ko, salamat sa 1 na nag respond. SRO (Saudi Recruitment Office), here I come. Pila, Pila, Siksikan, Walang kain-kain, Exam, Interview. Wow, I passed! Thank you Lord.

Now, I'm on my 3rd year here in Saudi. "Ms. Sabit," because all the official Nursing Exams that I took was literally, sabit. Haha.. By God's Grace Career! Mataas man or mababa ang grade, malaki man or maliit na hospital, pareho pa rin tayong, NURSE. hehe.. Thank you Lord!

P.S. I observed I'm englishera at first, biglang naging tagalog and then taglish. Nag nosebleed ako eh, hehe.. Enjoy reading! (MY PATH IS MY GOD'S WILL)

Special Thanks to the people who've been part of my by God's Grace Career! Pagpalain kayo ng Maykapal!

Share - Testify

Blogger. Blogspot. Diary. Journal. Letter. It's where you share your thoughts.

Elementary - I used to make letters with my friends and collect it. (Until now, I have it on my closet back home). I saved money to buy stationery and enjoyed writing on it. That was how I shared my thoughts.

High School - Diary. I'll make sure there's no single day that I did not update my diary. Secrets, experiences, crush, etc.. All are there (I will not tell where it is, but I still have it, hehe..) 

College - Social Network is up to date. Papers and pen were gone, now I'm into typing. I share my thoughts through status and pictures from Friendster, #1 Trend before, hehe.. 

Working Days - Busy, tired, wants to rest, more than writing or typing, but when it's like I want to burst my feelings, I'll talk to a friend or write it down, as an outlet. Facebook, stress relief, hehe..

Sharing your thoughts is like pulling out an emotion from within. It can be painful, but after pouring it out, it feels so good. It can be sad, realizing that you are blessed having friends who sympathize with you. It can be exciting that even a reader or a listener feels your excitement. It can be inspiring, not knowing that you encouraged someone who is in need of emotional support.

Sharing your thoughts is like sharing a TESTIMONY, a declaration of God's goodness and greatness in your life. It's like knowing God's purpose in every experiences that you are encountering.