I took the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) twice.The first time was last August 13, 2009, I failed. Last May 23, 2010 was my re-take. Today, I got the result. I passed. :)

In between those dates, I have learned that God does allow sad things to happen. He allows failures for growth. But more than that, God also is a God of Rewards. Every time I empty my cup, He fills me. I have fully surrendered my career to Him. I tried my best to study hard and pray harder. :)

Now I've passed,I still am not sure yet of what lies ahead, but I know He does.

With all my heart, I thank you for praying for and with me. Thank you, too, for your encouragements.

Thank you, Tita Chuchie and Tito Jerry for financing my exam. Your generosity has blessed many.  

Ephesians 3:20-21 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,according to the power that works within us,to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.

I took the NCLEX twice. The first time, I failed. The second time, I passed. God expresses His love for me just the same. :) All glory to Jesus Christ! :)

I took the NCLEX last August 13, 2008. The result came out today: September 14, 2009.

I did NOT pass. :) I'm 10% Sad, 90% Joyful, but, 100% Peaceful, because I know God has His BEST plans for me- according to His perfect will and perfect time.

Even before I sent my NCLEX application, I had claimed His promise for me in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord- plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

All throughout self-reviewing until before, during and after the exam, the Lord has filled my  with overwhelming peace and joy.

I believe God has prepared me for this. He has been speaking to me in His Word and through the book I just finished reading the other day. (http://doryness.multiply.com/journal/item/6)

My sadness goes out especially to my relatives who financially supported my exam. They have expressed genuine concern for me and my future.

It's indeed painful going through failures.I know I still have to go through a lot. The best comfort I have now is the truth that I am in the center of His Will. And that's all that matters.

I'm not sure how, but I pray that God is glorified in this. My heart will choose to say: Lord, blessed be Your Name!

To you who've encouraged, prayed with and for me: THANK YOU!!! You are a blessing!

Excerpts from the book I'm currently reading:
If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat -John Ortberg

* Every time that people said "yes" to their calling, they experienced the power of God in their lives.

*Obedience is no guarantee of being spared adversity.

*(On Peter walking on water:) This is not just a story about risk-taking; it is primarily a story about obedience, That means I will have to discern between an authentic call from God and what might simply be a foolish impulse on my part. Courage alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment.

*There is more to life than sitting in the boat.

*Your boat is whatever keeps you so comfortable that you don't want to give it up even if it's keeping you from joining Jesus on the waves.

*Fear will tell you what your boat is.

*The choice to grow is the choice for constant recurrence of fear.You've got to get of the boat a little everyday.

*Fear and growth go together like macaroni and cheese. It's a package deal.

*Every time you choose to stay in the boat rather than heed its call, the voice gets a little quieter in you.

*It's not that the fear goes away, but that you get used to living with fear. You realize that it does not have the power to destroy you.

by my cousin,Sherry Dizon-Goldstein/ Huang Mei Yin:

For those of you on this family tree who can't quite understand the significance of this Grand Reunion, I'd like to shed some light.

January 15, 2008 was the first year anniversary of my dear grandmother's, Luz Uy, passing. A group of family members decided to search for my grandfather's, Huang Ching Sio, roots in China. This expedition was pioneered by my uncle, Jerry Uy. Although this had a lot to do with finding out more about my grandfather, it also had to do with my Uncle Jerry's personal and spiritual journey, which he could write about later.

In China, they merely had my grandfather's old passport at hand. They began to ask people in the airport and hotel on how to get to my grandfather's point of origin. After a couple-of-hour journey, they came across the City Hall. They, with much surprise, were met by my uncle Huang Zen-Shawon, and my cousin Huang Shi Hung. Tears of joy for the reunion, and sorrow for the lost times trickled down their faces.

Unknown to us, our grandfather, due to hardship in China, was urged by his wife Lee Hua Liu to go to the Philippines. He painfully left his wife, daughter and two sons in search for financial relief in the Philippines. Lee Hua sacrificed her life to raise three children on her own.

In the Philippines, he met my grandmother and had 9 children with her. No one would ever know how and why my grandmother, who passed away in 2007, kept this family secret to her grave. Nonetheless, there is much to celebrate about this new discovery!

This was a life-changing event for our family. It has filled our hearts with much joy to come across our long-lost family in China. In our eyes, it would have been understandable for our new-found family to feel betrayed, and abandoned, considering that my grandfather lived in the Philippines until his death. Unexpectedly, they demonstrated love, affection and acceptance towards those who actually took away their loved one from them.

This is a story of courage, sacrifice, acceptance and love that would forever be a reminder to us as a family. Papa Ching, Mama Lee Hua, and Mama Luz, we honor you for your legacy.

September 2008.
Uy-Huang Grand Reunion, China

1. Fiesta every meal. Minimum of seven dishes per meal. Maximum of thirteen dishes. No joke. (PG mode everyday)
   
2. Ancestral worship is practiced.
3. Driving (in Xiamen) is almost same in Manila. Mala-ipis kung sumingit at mag-cut ang mga motorists.
   
4. Food is cheap (and mostly healthy, low sugar, low salt).
5. Very few ang marunong mag-english.
   
6. I missed eating rice.
7. Use of chopsticks is a skill.
8. Chinese-English dictionary is a must. And calculator (for shopping.;) )
   
9. Feeling "GI (Genuine Intsik)" ako.
10. Husbands are well-respected by their wives.
11. I've met the most hospitable and generous people.
    
12. Tom (my Nephew) and Luke (My Niece's boyfriend) proved that Chivalry (in China) is still alive.
13. Hearts communicated (Most days, we had an interpreter with us. But I believed we still had meaningful conversations even without one.)
    
14. I've had precious moments of fun and laughters with my relatives.
15. Goobyes were very difficult. I did not expect I'd cry. But I did. :(
    
16. Group/Family Portrait took almost an hour.
17. Temperature peaked at 38 degrees. Jabarriffic! (Habang ang Pilipinas ay binabagyo naman.)
    
18. I ate pig's brain for the first time.
19. Gu Lang Yu Cruise and BRT Xiamen Round-Trip were my favorite.
20. I got sick with cough and colds but got way better after taking Tom's 999 "healing" tea!
21. Starstrucked ako kay Ahiya and Dhiya (Mom's Chinese older Brothers). Sila kasi ang next 'gods' in Chinese Tradition.
22. Madaming nakakatawang signage.
    
23. I was given my Chinese name: Huang Xing/黃星 
24. Tea is water.
25. For the first two days, we had to wear nametags. Madami pa pala kaming Chinese relatives na hindi kilala.
26. Dad bought me a red Adidas jacket. woohoo!
27. Men seemed expressive in affection towards each other.
28. The appropriate way to accept a gift is with both hands. 
29. People are sentimental and traditional.
    
30. The legacy of Papa Ching, Mama Luz, and Mama Lee Hua came alive.
    

I just love this song. :)

Strong Enough

As I rest against this cold hard wall, will you pass me by?
Will you criticize me as I sit and cry?
I had fought so hard and thought that all my battles had been won
Only to find the war had just begun


Chorus:
Is He not strong enough?
Is He not pure enough?
To break me, pour me out and start again?
Is He not brave enough?
To take one chance with me
Please can I have one chance to start again


Will my weakness fall and and now make me suffer for a lifetime?
Is there any way to be made whole again
If I be renewed and find forgiveness by the strength I've never had
Will my scars forever ruin all God's plans?


Chorus:
Is He not strong enough?
Is He not pure enough?
To break me, pour me out and start again?
Is He not brave enough?
To take one chance with me
Please can I have one chance to start again


He took my life into His hands
And turned it all around
In my most desperate circumstance, is where I'm finally found


That You are strong enough
That You are pure enough
To break me, pour me out and start again
That You are brave enough
To take one chance on me,
Oh thank You for my chance to start again

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Isaiah 1:16: "...No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even of you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as whool."

Source: JL Mason's The Enemy Called Average.

Do more than exist. LIVE.

Do more than hear. LISTEN.

Do more than agree. COOPERATE.

Do more than talk. COMMUNICATE.

Do more than grow. BLOOM.

Do more than spend. INVEST.

Do more than think. CREATE.

Do more than work. EXCEL.

Do more than share. GIVE.

Do more than decide. DISCERN.

Do more than consider. COMMIT.

Do more than forgive. FORGET.

Do more than help. SERVE.

Do more than co-exist. RECONCILE.

Do more than sing. WORSHIP.

Do more than think. PLAN.

Do more than dream. DO.

Do more than see. PERCEIVE.

Do more than read. APPLY.

Do more than receive. RECIPROCATE.

Do more than choose. FOCUS.

Do more than wish. BELIEVE.

Do more than advise. HELP.

Do more than speak. IMPART.

Do more than encourage. INSPIRE.

Do more than add. MULTIPLY.

Do more than change. IMPROVE.

Do more than reach. STRETCH.

Do more than ponder. PRAY.

Do more than just live. LIVE FOR JESUS.

-JL Mason

*Help me, Lord, to always DO MORE for You.* :)

 

 

Source: Gracetoration

Someday - Today

Someday our heartaches will be o'er;

Today He comforts me.

Someday our pain will be no more;

Today I have His grace.

 

Someday we all will understand;

Today I trust His will.

Someday we'll enter heaven's land;

Today I will walk with Him.

 

Someday we'll feel no pull of sin;

Today He does forgive.

Someday we'll be all pure within;

Today He cleanses me.

 

Someday we will no burden bear;

Today I have His strength.

Someday out Savior's rest we'll share;

Today I'm in His arms.

 

Someday we will this earth possess;

Today I live by faith.

Someday we'll feel no loneliness;

Today Christ walks with me.

 

Someday we'll bless Him face to face;

Today He blesses me.

Someday all cares will be erased;

Today He cares and keeps.

-Grace L. Young

*Indeed, the best is yet to come. What a comforting assurance! I am looking forward to this sure someday. * Ü