That is Faith

2023-08-10T18:30:00.002+08:00

Embracing Strength and Dignity: Navigating Life's Challenges (Proverbs 31:25)

Life, with all its beauty and complexity, often presents us with a series of challenges that test our inner strength and resilience. As women, we wear many hats—mothers, daughters, professionals, caregivers, and so much more. In the midst of our multifaceted roles, it's easy to lose sight of our own worth and the strength that lies within us. Yet, in the timeless words of Proverbs 31:25, we are reminded: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come."

This powerful verse offers a beacon of light in the face of life's challenges. Let's delve deeper into its wisdom and explore how it resonates with our journeys.

The Beauty of Inner Strength:

Life's challenges can often leave us feeling vulnerable and unsure of ourselves. However, Proverbs 31:25 encourages us to clothe ourselves in strength and dignity. It reminds us that within us lies a wellspring of resilience, courage, and fortitude. The strength we possess is not just physical—it's the unwavering determination to overcome obstacles, the courage to rise after a fall, and the tenacity to pursue our dreams against all odds.

Dignity in Adversity:

Dignity is a quality that radiates from within, regardless of circumstances. It's the ability to carry oneself with grace and self-respect, even in the face of adversity. When challenges threaten to shake our foundation, we can draw inspiration from the dignity depicted in Proverbs 31:25. It reminds us to hold our heads high, remain steadfast in our values, and approach difficulties with a sense of poise and self-assuredness.

Facing the Unknown with Laughter:

The verse's assertion that she "laughs at the time to come" is a testament to a heart that remains unburdened by worry. Life is filled with uncertainties, but instead of succumbing to fear, we are invited to greet the unknown with a spirit of joy and anticipation. This laughter is not one of naivety, but a celebration of our ability to find hope and positivity, even when circumstances seem daunting.

Navigating Personal and Professional Challenges:

As we juggle our various roles, challenges arise in both our personal and professional lives. We may encounter setbacks in our careers, experience health struggles, or face interpersonal conflicts. Proverbs 31:25 encourages us to approach these challenges with the same strength and dignity that define us. It reminds us that our journey is not defined by the obstacles we face, but by how we navigate and overcome them.

Creating a Legacy of Strength:

Each challenge we overcome contributes to the legacy we leave behind. When we stand strong and dignified in the face of adversity, we inspire those around us—our children, friends, colleagues—to do the same. Our ability to laugh at the uncertainties of the future sets a tone of hope and resilience, creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond our own lives.

Proverbs 31:25 serves as a timeless reminder of the inherent strength and dignity that lie within every woman. As we navigate life's challenges, we are called to clothe ourselves in these qualities, to face adversity with grace, and to greet the unknown with laughter. Let this verse be a guiding light, inspiring us to embrace our unique journeys with unwavering courage, unshakeable dignity, and a heart full of joyful anticipation. Through every trial and triumph, we emerge stronger, more resilient, and deeply empowered.

How to Request for a Certificate of Good Standing from Saudi Council (SCFHS)

2017-06-05T22:29:00.001+08:00

For Ex-Saudi nurses who are currently applying for registration in other countries (like Qatar, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and more), you would most likely be asked for a Certificate of Good Standing. This is usually submitted as a proof that you have a clean track record while working as a nurse in KSA.

If you are still in Saudi Arabia, you can ask this from the hospital you are working. Most hospitals usually process this for free before your final exit. However, if your company does not process this or you are already outside Saudi Arabia, you can go to the SCFHS website to request for your Certificate of Good Standing (COGS).

Step 1: On the SCFHS website, go to E-Services > Additional E-Services List > Registration. Then click, Request a certificate of good standing.

Step 2: You will then be asked for your Registration Number (printed on your Saudi License). When you type your registration number, make sure that you do not include the hyphen (-) on your registration number. For instance, instead of 15-J-M-0063790, type it as 15JM0063790.

Step 3: Afterwards click Next, Under Check Information, you will now see your name and validation date (when your license will expire). Below that, you will need to put your email address (where the COGS will be sent) and your mobile number (must be a Saudi mobile number). If you do not have one, you can ask for the mobile number of a friend in Saudi who will make the payment for you.

Step 4: Under Required Service, select 'Good Standing' then click 'Add Service'. After that click Next.

Step 5: You will now see the total price of the Good Standing Certificate which costs 300 SR and under that is the Account Number which will be needed in paying for your certificate.

Step 6: At this point, you can ask a friend or relative in Saudi Arabia to pay this in any ATM machines thru SADAD payments. Just choose Saudi Council for Health Specialties (SCFHS) as the biller (code is 129), then enter the Account Number given to you upon requesting the COGS.

Once the payment has been made, your Certificate of Good Standing (in PDF) will be emailed to you within the day.

And you're done! You can just print the Certificate if you need a hard copy.

Hope this post helped you. God bless!

Complete Guide on NMC Full Application and Assessment (with additional info for Ex-Saudi Filipino Nurses)

2017-06-05T22:16:00.001+08:00

The next step after passing the CBT would be the Full Application and Assessment Stage which requires you to upload scanned documents and complete barcoded forms that needs to be mailed to NMC.

But first, you have to wait for the confirmation email of NMC which will be sent on your email address. You will usually receive the email the day after your exam, but for some candidates it reaches until 2-3 days. If you do not receive the email on the third day, you can email NMC at overseas.enquiries@nmc-uk.org or call them at +44 020 7333 6600.

Upon receiving the confirmation email, you may now log-in on the NMC Registration website to pay for the Application fee that costs 140 British Pounds (which is almost 9 Thousand Pesos). After payment, NMC will then send you an email telling you that they already received the application fee.

Before you start uploading anything, please make sure you have all the documentary evidences you need and download all the barcoded forms on each section.

A. DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCES (these will be uploaded on your NMC portal)

I. PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION

Passport
NSO Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate (if you are married)
Change of Deed/Deed Poll Certificates (if you changed your name)

II. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Qualification Certificate - Diploma (BS Nursing)

III. POST QUALIFICATION REGISTRATION

Registration Certificate - PRC Board Certificate
Police Certificate - NBI Clearance (must be issued within the last 3 months)

FOR EX-SAUDI NURSES:

Registration Certificate - SCFHS Professional Accreditation Certificate + Official Translation + Declaration of Translation
Police Certificate - Saudi Police Clearance

If you do not have a Saudi Police Clearance and it is impossible for you to acquire one, write first a personal statement declaring that it would be hard for you to get a Police Clearance since you are already outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and you do not have any representative or known relatives there. After making a personal statement, notarize this document. Afterwards, get an official translation of your Exit Stamp or Exit Visa with a Declaration of Translation from the translator. In summary, you need Notarized Personal Statement + Exit Stamp/Visa + Official Translation + Declaration of Translation.

REMINDERS:

Please make sure that all the scanned documents are in PDF format. Also, the size for each file must be less than 25MB.
Click 'Save and Exit' upon uploading documents on each category. Errors usually appear when you try to Save or Submit all documents at once.
If you uploaded a wrong document and re-uploaded a new one, there's a possibility that the previous document will still be reflected on your portal. To avoid confusion, just call or email NMC to clarify which document they see on the system.

B. FORMS TO BE MAILED TO NMC

I. FORM TO ACCOMPANY TRANSCRIPT OF TRAINING
This needs to be completed by the university you graduated from. In my case, I went to the College of Nursing and they already know what to do. They usually attach ORIGINAL Transcript of Records, breakdown of Theoretical and Clinical training hours, and Related Learning Experience Certificate.

*Some Colleges/University offer to send it directly to NMC, but I chose to send it myself to lessen the mailing expenses.

II. REGISTRATION AUTHORITY VERIFICATION FORM
Bring the form to a PRC branch near your location and ask for a State Board Verification. The fee is only 75 Pesos plus 25 Pesos for the stamp and mailing envelope which amounts to 100 Pesos all in all. You can also tell PRC that you will be sending the form to avoid paying a separate courier fee.

FOR EX-SAUDI NURSES:
If you do not have someone who could go to a Saudi Council Office for you, you can send NMC a blank RAV form with a Personal Statement why it can't be completed and a copy of your Certificate of Good Standing (which must be issued within the last 3 months).

How to Get a Good Standing Certificate in Saudi Council.

III. EMPLOYER REFERENCE FORM 1 AND 2
These forms must be completed by a Senior Nurse or a Doctor who supervised you for at least a year. If you have several work experiences, choose the two most recent employment. But it is also fine if you get references from only one hospital (provided that it is your most recent employment).

FOR EX-SAUDI NURSES:
Ask a friend back in Saudi to print the Employer Reference Form. Afterwards, send them a picture of a filled out form for them to copy what they should write. Please be mindful of the County/State in your Reference Form. This should be the Province/Region, for example, Jeddah City is under Makkah Province. You can check your Professional Accreditation Certificate to see what SCFHS provincial branch is stamped on it. Then, search and verify it online if it is the province or region of your city.

After completing the forms, ask someone to send it back home so that you will not pay for a separate courier fee from Saudi to NMC.

IV. DECLARATION OF GOOD HEALTH

This must be completed by a Registered Medical Practitioner who had examined you in the last six months or by the Occupational Health Department Representative in your current employment. This must be also issued within the last 3 months.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Make sure that all the information written on the forms is the same with the information typed on your portal (dates, numbers, names, job titles, etc.).
If you only have the the documents for the portal but have not completed the forms yet, I recommend that you just save it first. Don't click 'Submit' yet since your application will not be placed in the assessment queue until they receive all the barcoded forms.
If you have completed all forms, you can now click 'Submit'. After submitting, you will receive an email stating that your application was successfully submitted and your portal will now be 'Read Only'.

I recommend availing the service of DHL Express. It only took them 3 days to send my documents.

Once NMC updates your portal that they have received your documents, that means you are already in the assessment queue (start of Day 1).

According to NMC, assessment lasts from 40 to 70 working days.

At this point the waiting game starts. This moment, I would say, can make you both anxious and excited. I, personally, am just so happy and thankful to God that I already reached this stage. I know that He is in control of everything down to the little details of my application.

I sometimes think about my incomplete Saudi documents and somehow be bothered by it, but when I think about the Lord, I am reminded of the great things He has done in my life. He is a God that can make the impossible, possible. So I put my trust in Him and just wait for His perfect timing. :)

For those who are still processing their requirements for this stage, I pray that God will make a way for your documents to be processed faster. For those who are already waiting for their Decision Letter, I pray that God will move upon the assessment queue and make the waiting time shorter. :)

I hope this post helped you somehow in your application journey. I will be updating this when I receive my DL. God bless!

UPDATE (JANUARY 2018):

Hi Guys! Sorry for the late update. Was so busy last year that I haven't had the chance to update or post anything on this site. For those who were asking, Yes, I am already in the UK and by the grace of God I passed the OSCE this month. I am finally a UKRN now. Weeee!

Anyways, regarding my DL, I received an email last August 2017 with a request for additional information about my employment history. I just uploaded my CV under additional ID and half an hour later, I already received my DL. That was 36 working days after my queue date.

A lot had happened during my season of waiting, before my papers entered the assessment queue, one of my documents were missing. It took them 2 weeks to find it. Our flight was also delayed because of some issues with the agencies. Then, the anxiety in taking the OSCE (yung feeling na walang katapusan yung exam, yung bakit kelangan mo pang kumuha nang practical exam eh napasa mo nman yung computerized exam, yung hindi pa ba sapat lahat? haha). But God is so faithful in His promises and He answered all my prayers.

I cannot really share information about my exam because I signed a disclosure form and there are nurses who were revoked of their PINs because of sharing information. However, what I can advice for those who will be taking the OSCE, is to be confident while speaking, to make sure that you are communicating clearly and to always prioritize patient's safety. Most importantly, commit everything to the Lord. In Jeremiah 17:7, God said "But I will bless the person who puts his trust in me." So, just trust in His promises! God bless you future UKRNs!

Complete Guide on Overseas NMC Registration for Filipino Nurses (IELTS and CBT)

2017-05-26T23:20:00.000+08:00

According to the National Health Services of United Kingdom, they are experiencing shortage of nurses with not enough new recruits to fill the gap. This is why the UK considered bringing in nurses from other countries to address the increasing demand of nursing services in their country. Due to the multitude of nurses in the Philippines and the reputation we have as competent, efficient, compassionate and extra caring nurses, our country became the target of recruitment drives by NHS Trusts and private care homes.

So to help my fellow aspiring UKRNs, I wrote this blog post to give you a step by step guide on how to go about the application process of NMC Overseas Registration.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council is the regulating body of nurses and midwives in the UK. They have set strict standards for nurses which is why before you can register you must make sure you have these requirements:

Education Requirement (at least 10 years school education before starting Nursing Program)
Practice Requirement (at least 1 year post-registration clinical experience)
Language Requirement (IELTS band score of at least 7 in each area)

NOTE: If you don't have an employer yet (which is a specific NHS Trust), I recommend you take the IELTS first and do the job interview after. This gives you freedom to work on your own timeline since some employers tend to pressure candidates into taking the IELTS right away to meet their target dates. Also, employers will be more enthusiastic in hiring you because you already have an IELTS certificate.

I. Aquiring your IELTS Certificate

According to NMC, "Applicants must be able to show that they can communicate clearly and effectively in English. They must complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and achieve a minimum score of at least seven in all areas."

Last 2016, they modified the rules in which candidates may use two IELTS test results to meet the requirements, provided that the scores don't fall under 6.5 in any categories. Also, the two test sittings must have a gap of only six months or less.

For instance, if you took the IELTS last December 2016 with a result of 7 in Listening, 6.5 in Reading, 6.5 in Writing, and 7 in Speaking, your second take should be on or before June 2017 and it must have a result of 7 in both Reading and Writing to be able to use both test results.

If by any chance your second take is still 6.5 in Reading or Writing, you cannot combine both. If you were able to reach the band score of 7 in both Reading and Writing but your scores in Listening and Speaking are below 6.5, then you still cannot use both results.

There are news of NMC evaluating the minimum score requirement because most of the foreign nurses cannot achieve the minimum band scores, but they have not confirm any changes yet.

If you have taken the IELTS and achieved the required band scores, you are now ready to proceed to the next step. Although, you must first wait for your IELTS Test Report Form to arrive via mail because you will need the TRF number for verification purposes.

II. Eligibility

The next step would be the Eligibility stage. All nurses trained outside Europe (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) needs to register in the Overseas Registration Applications.

1. To begin the process, first, create an account in NMC and activate it by clicking the link they will send you on your email address. (Reminder: Do not create multiple accounts because this will create problems during your application.)

2. After creating your account, log-in and fill out the Personal Information and Eligibility Tabs (This is where you will put the IELTS TRF code).

3. After verifying your eligibility, NMC will send you an email (usually within 24 hrs) indicating you have passed the eligibility stage of registration. This will also be reflected on your NMC account.

4. At this point, you will just have to wait for Pearson Vue to email your Authorisation To Test (ATT) and your Pearson Vue Web Account Confirmation which contains your username and temporary password. (Reminder: You do not need to create an account on Pearson Vue)

You are now ready for Step 3!

III. How to schedule your NMC-CBT (Test of Competence - Part I)

1. After receiving your web account details from Pearson Vue. Go to the Pearson Vue website. Under 'For Test Takers' menu, click 'Schedule an exam'.

2. Type 'NMC' on the input box and wait for 'Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)' to appear then click it or you can click here.

3. Once you are in the NMC page, read the overview of registration process and instructions on how to book the exam. Afterwards, go to the sign in page and enter your username and temporary password. You will then be asked to change the password and create security questions.

4. Upon logging in, click your Pre-approved Exam. In most cases, it would be RN1: Registered Nurse - Adult.

5. You will then be asked to choose for a testing center, after which, the test date. Pearson Vue do not conduct exams during weekends and holidays. Also, Manila test centers have 6 test time slots while the Cebu test center has only 2 time slots (morning and afternoon).

6. After reviewing the Test Appointment and Location, you can now checkout and pay the exam. The current price of CBT as of 2017 is 130 British Pounds (which is about 8 Thousand Pesos). After payment, you will also receive the appointment details on your email.

STUDY REFERENCES FOR CBT:

1. The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures - 9th Edition
- You don't need to memorize everything in this book. Just read and understand then answer the multiple choice questions in their website. (Click here)

2. The Code for nurses and midwives (NMC)
- Read this several times if you can and digest every principles by heart.

3. NMC Nursing Blueprints
Domain 1: Professional values
Domain 2: Communication and interpersonal skills
Domain 3: Nursing practice and decision-making
Domain 4: Leadership, management and team working

Adult nursing: Field specific competencies
- Honestly, I did not read the table. hehe. I just clicked the recommended readings at the end of each PDF.

4. The NMC website has a lot of resources in which you can read which includes:
Standards for competence for registered nurses

Standards to support learning and assessment in practice
Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers
Standards for medicines management

Raising concerns: Guidance for nurses and midwives

Social media guidance

Guidance on the professional duty of candour

Enabling professionalism in nursing and midwifery practice

Safeguarding resources and best practice

5. Good Practice for Drug Calculations (Baxter)
- There aren't really much drug calculations in the exam, but you still need to practice and review basic medication calculations before the exam.

6. RCN website - Royal College of Nursing (practice and policies)
Accountability and delegation
Quality and safety
Principles of nursing practice

7. NICE website - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (evidence-based guidelines)

8. NHS website - The National Health Service (symptoms, conditions, medicines and treatments)

9. eMC website - The electronic Medicines Compendium (information of medicines licensed for use in the UK)

10. Resus website - Resuscitation Council UK (resuscitation guidelines)

REMINDERS & TIPS FOR CBT:

Please double check your birth date in your NMC account and make sure the details on your passport and NMC account is the same. (Some candidates were refused admission because of wrong birth dates)

You only need to bring your Passport during the exam. But it is better to have a copy of your appointment details (printed or saved on your phone) to avoid confusion on the time and date of exam.

Try to arrive 30 minutes before your test time so that you can request for better exam cubicles. When I took the CBT, I was placed in the most uncomfortable location (beside the door and facing the corridor). During the exam, I can see silhouettes of people passing by and whenever someone enters or leaves the room, the sound of the door was driving me nuts. I had no choice but to endure it since the exam room was already full.

Maximize the time given during the exam. I know some of you might feel that 4 hours is too long for a 120-item exam, but it really pays to review your answers (I triple checked my answers).

Do not over-analyze and do not assume. Just answer what is asked in the question.

If you find your self clueless with the question asked or confused with the choices, just go back to the nursing principles and the code. Always prioritize the patient and act on their best interest.

Above all, pray and commit everything to God. 1st Corinthians 2:5 says "Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but on God's power." You see, no matter how hard we study and no matter how intelligent we are, it is still God who is in control of everything. We must first rely on Him and believe that His power is greater than anything else. If you are reading this and you plan to take the CBT, I pray that on the day of your exam God's power will move upon you. Claiming victory on your exam, in Jesus' name. Amen!

After the exam, the staff from Pearson Vue will give you an envelope with an Examination Report. They will not give you the result right away like Prometric/HAAD exams. Instead, you will check the result of the exam on the Pearson Vue website, which will be updated an hour after you finished the exam. Just click 'Exam History' which is under 'My Account'.

Upon passing the exam, you will now proceed to the Full Application and Assessment Stage.

Part 2: Complete Guide on NMC Full Application and Assessment

Hope this post has helped you somehow. God bless!

The hands that bled for me

2017-03-17T21:37:00.002+08:00

"The hands that cradle the stars are the hands that bled for me."

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:8

It is so amazing how Jesus endured all the sufferings just to free us from the bondage of sins. He was born in a poor family and grew up being rejected by people because they do not believe that a carpenter's son is the promised Messiah. Even in His death, people chose to save a notorious prisoner (Barabbas) rather than Jesus who is not guilty of any sin. For any ordinary human being, this must be so hard to bear, but Jesus embraced His death just to save us. His love for us is indescribable.

However, we all have taken this for granted, desensitized with all the images and movies of Christ dying on the cross. We forgot the true meaning of His sacrifice for us. In fact during holy week season, it is sad to see people tormenting themselves, walking on their knees in churches, whipping their backs, and even crucifying themselves believing that it is the only way to be forgiven from their sins.

"In Him we have redemption through His blood,

the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

Ephesians 1:7

Therefore, you do not need to do all these things to be forgiven and saved. We are saved by the grace of God through faith. In other words, we just have to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior to be saved. We do not depend on our good deeds to be saved, we just have to accept the gift of salvation.

I understand why it is so difficult for some of us to understand how God can just forgive, save and give blessings to those who just accept Him. This is because we are conditional beings. We are programmed to think everything has a condition because we live in a corrupt and sinful world. However, God is different. He loves unconditionally. He just wants you to acknowledge that you are a sinner, repent and turn away from your sins, and accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. It's that easy!

I believe that it is not by accident that you are reading this blog. God directed you here. If you want to be saved and invite Jesus into your life, you can say this prayer of acceptance below:

Gracious Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that I am a sinner.

I know that I have done a lot of things in the past that is not pleasing to You

and I have fallen short of Your glory.

Thank you that you sent Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins.

Forgive me Lord and cleanse me from all my unrighteousness.

I want to turn away from my sins and release every hatred in my heart.

I now fully receive Jesus as my personal Lord, Savior and Master.

Jesus, come into my life and reign in me.

Help me live a life that would give glory and honor to you.

In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

If you wholeheartedly prayed this prayer, then rest assured that the old is gone and the new has come. You are a new creation now in Christ. God bless you!

Please God

2017-01-23T18:01:00.001+08:00

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Galatians 1:10

It is our human nature to always seek the approval of others. Sometimes, we even try to please people and gain their favor at the expense of our relationship with the Lord.

Remember, Jesus was crucified because He was sharing God's word even though it was against the beliefs of some people. He chose to honor and glorify God rather than to please everyone.

There is nothing wrong in pleasing others, but it becomes a sin when choose to please people rather than the Lord. Serve God, not the world.

God Bless you!

Beginnings

2016-12-31T12:22:00.001+08:00

Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.
Alan Cohen

I have to apologize for the long hiatus and for not being able to reply to your questions both here and in my email. Things have been busy lately and this year has been quite a roller coaster ride. :)

I am just so excited to post more and share about God's goodness on this blog now that I have more free time to do so.

I know everyone is busy preparing for the coming new year. Families get together with food and fruits in the table. People are preparing their lists of New Year's resolutions and promises.

With all these going on, I would just like to remind everyone that we must give time to our Lord and lift up our plans to Him. Yes, a new year is a new beginning, but God is the God of beginnings. He can restore and renew our lives whatever year, month, or day it is.

Isn't God so amazing?

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22

May God bless you and your family this coming 2017!

Don't compare yourself to others

2016-09-09T21:23:00.001+08:00

Don't compare yourself to others who call themselves Christians.

Compare yourself to Scripture.

In this present time, the term 'Christian' has become more of a classification rather than a character. Being a follower of Christ in this modern society has truly become a tough road to tackle. But with the strength coming from God, all of the hurdles in life can be easily overcome.

The world might have set a standard of Christianity, but always remember to test everything you hear with the word of God. The Bible is our instruction manual on how to live our life here on earth, so we must mold ourselves with God's words and and not with what others tells us.

God bless!

14 Bible Verses about Faith

2016-09-06T16:09:00.002+08:00

Here are some scriptures that strengthen your faith:

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong."

1 Corinthians 16:13

"that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

1 Corinthians 2:5

"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

1 John 5:4

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."

2 Corinthians 5:7

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;

it is the gift of God"

Ephesians 2:8

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith."

Galatians 3:26

"For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

Galatians 5:5

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"

Hebrews 11:6

"Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

James 1:3

"For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,

The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:17

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Romans 10:17

"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things."

Romans 14:1

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

2 Timothy 4:7

Thank you for time!

God bless you!

Lead me to the rock

2016-09-03T22:38:00.002+08:00

"From the end of the earth I will cry to you,

When my heart is overwhelmed;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Psalm 61:2

There are times, when we feel like we are drowning in a deep crisis, we find it impossible to survive. We even feel hopeless and just succumb to the storms of life.

But we have to remind ourselves that we have a great and mighty God who can deliver us and save us from troubled waters. He is our rock and our source of strength. Just cry out unto Him and He will answer your prayers.

Jesus loves you. Regardless of who you are and what you've done, He will always love you.

God bless you!

My first duty as a Private Nurse

2016-08-31T23:16:00.001+08:00

August 30,2016
It's currently 2:30 pm and I am trying my very best to sleep because later, at 7 pm, I'll be having my very first duty as a private nurse here in the Philippines. I know some of you might be wondering why I decided to try this new career path, given the fact that I already worked abroad. Well, frankly, I don't know if I would like to go back to the middle east, I'd rather stay here in my hometown with my family rather than working outside of the country again.

A little background: It has been almost 6 months since I stopped working and when I started to think of applying to hospitals here, a friend of mine told me that an organization for private duty nurses were looking for available nurses, so my friends and I decided to try it. There were three of us, and we were called last Saturday for an observation duty. After a couple of days we just received a text message for our first duty schedule, which is today. Weee!

August 31, 2016
I am supposed to be back this evening for my shift, but unfortunately the patient expired in the afternoon. :( When I left, his BP was already 50/40 and his HR went up to 170 bpm. He is in a DNR status and the family is fully aware of his worsening condition. I prayed for him silently while I was caring for him. He was still young, a 47 year old businessman with no wife or children. As cliche sounding as it may be, I realized that life is really too short. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn and to appreciate the life that God has given me.

Friends, only God holds our future. Some of us are so preoccupied with studies, work, relationships and all, that we forget to give our time to Him.

Luke 12:20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

This verse shows that our soul is more important than the things here on earth, all your worldly possessions will not earn you a place in heaven. God loves you and He has given you salvation for free, you just need to accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour.

If you are reading this at this moment, before you do anything, examine your life. When was the last time you read the Bible? When did you last prayed and talked to God?

You are loved by an amazing God. Give time for him.

God bless you!

God will lead a man to you

2016-08-25T18:02:00.001+08:00

"Ladies: It's not your job to catch a man.

It's your job to serve God until he leads a man to you."

I see this quote a lot in the internet and it simply reminds me, and all the ladies out there to wait in the Lord for a God given partner.

But have you ever attended a wedding and you realize that you are the only unmarried person in your circle of friends, and you still don't have a boyfriend.

Do you know that feeling? haha

Anyhow, whenever that happens, I remind myself that as a Christian, I must trust that God has already planned everything for me. He holds my future, so God already knows who the man is and when we'll meet (or maybe I already met him), I just need to let God control my life.

To all the ladies and the gentlemen reading: Stop worrying about your future wife or husband.

Remember, God made you and while making you, He already thought of a perfect partner for you.

Just rejoice and glorify God while waiting. Be active in your church, workplace or community, serve God in any way you can.

And when he/she comes, in God's perfect time, you will be glad that you waited.

God bless!

Charm is deceptive

2016-08-22T08:20:00.004+08:00

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

There are a lot of women who battle insecurities everyday, this is because of the superficial concept of beauty standardized by the world.

We are often judged by the color of our skin, the flawlessness of our face, the type of clothes and shoes we wear, the measure of our weight, and the list goes on.

But God said in this verse, that everything we see in the outward appearance is deceiving and temporary. Which is very true, because when we get older our bodies change, beauty isn't forever.

However, our inner beauty, our character as a Godly woman will forever be etched in people's heart. This will never fade away.

I know it is hard to battle discontentment in a world full of lies. I, for one, have been bullied because of my skin color when I was younger. In the Philippines, if you have dark skin tone, you are considered unattractive. (I guess this also applies for other Asian countries.)

I struggled a lot, but with the help of the Lord, I was able to overcome my low self-esteem and insecurities. I praise and thank the Lord for a wonderful mother who was always there to remind me what real beauty is.

So to all the girls and ladies out there, remember to root your identity in Christ, and do not be fooled by the enemy's false accusations that you are not beautiful enough.

Whenever you're in doubt, fix your eyes on Jesus.

God bless you!

Haggai: Put God first

2016-08-20T22:57:00.001+08:00

"Put God first and everything will follow."

What is your priority in life? This was the first question I asked during our Bible Study last Friday, and by the way, it was my first time leading a bible study group (Yay!).

But before I continue, let me tell you that I did not enroll in a Bible college or studied theology, so everything that I say here is my own interpretation of the verses. I also did some reading and research just to be able to know more about the book.

Anyway, just to give you a small overview, Haggai was a prophet that was sent to Jerusalem in 520 B.C. This book was a collection of God's messages to the the people after they returned from exile. The Jews were actually held captive by the Babylonians for quite a long time. So when they returned, they were busy restoring their city.

Haggai 1:2-4

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: "These people say, The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house."

3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:

4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

On Verse 2, the Lord already knew what the people were thinking and saying. The people were more concerned on their own houses more than the house of God. That also means that God already knows what our excuses are, our reasons, in other words, He knows our hearts.

Haggai 1:5-6
5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.

6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

In this part, God asked them to think about their ways. Their misplaced priority has caused God to withhold their blessings. Have you ever stopped and examine your life? Did you ever feel like all your hard work doesn't pay off?

Haggai 1:9

9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

There is nothing wrong in being a hardworking person. It becomes wrong, when you put your work first before God. Human beings are selfish by nature.

When we achieve something, we do not settle and just be contented. Instead, we strive harder and try to reach the next step. Sadly, in that process, we sometimes forget God. We fix our attention to our goals and dreams in life that we set aside God.

Prioritizing God doesn't mean we must leave our work, businesses, or studies and just focus in Church alone. What He wants is for Him to be honored and glorify in your life. Every moment of your life, you must think of Him first before deciding anything.

I know some of the workaholics there would be asking, "If I focus on the Lord, will I still be able to earn? to eat? to live?"

Haggai 1:13

13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord.

In this verse, the Lord is simply saying that if you fix your eyes on Him, He will be with you, He will bless you. He will not just provide for you, but He will give you the best.

Continue being faithful in Him!

God bless you!

13 Bible Verses about Love

2016-08-17T08:00:00.002+08:00

What is love? You probably have been asked this question multiple times, but do you know what the bible says about love?

Here are some scriptures from the Bible that talks about love:

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:31

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Romans 12:9

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15:13

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:10

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease;

where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:14

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:8

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.

Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:7

We are loved by a perfect God, therefore, His love is perfect.

God bless!

Give it to God

2016-08-15T18:59:00.000+08:00

Give Him all your worries.

"Give it to God and go to sleep."

Are you in a problematic situation right now? Philippians 4:6 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

We just have to commit all our worries and cares to Him. Lay all your burdens and let Him carry it for you.

Just pray and read His words daily, because God is bigger than any of your problems. Trust in Him.

God bless!

Do not fear, I will help you

2016-08-14T22:19:00.002+08:00

Are you always anxious?

"For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you."

Isaiah 41:13

In this verse, God is assuring us that He will be with us in our every step, but we just have to let Him lead.

Let Him take your right hand and follow Him as He guide you, and He will help you in everything. This is one of God's wonderful promises!

So if you are stuck in a hard situation, just relax and call unto Him for help. He will surely rescue you.

God bless!

The hands that made the stars

2016-08-12T13:25:00.002+08:00

Did you know that there are an average of 100 billion stars per galaxy?

The hands that made the stars are holding your heart.

Multiply that 100 billion stars to about 10 billion galaxies existing in the universe (you can do the math), the numbers are incredibly massive!

That's how great our God is! And here we are, constantly worrying about our life, our future.

Do we really know what kind of God we serve?

"But Zion said, The Lord has forsaken me;

my Lord has forgotten me.

Can a woman forget her nursing child,

that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?

Even these may forget,

yet I will not forget you.

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are continually before me.

Isaiah 49:14-16

He loves you and He knows your needs. So stop worrying! Whenever you feel like there is no hope, just look up and remember that the maker of the stars is your Father and He loves you.

God bless you!

I put my trust in You

2016-08-10T07:11:00.000+08:00

If you are in great distress right now, take time to read and reflect on this verse.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise—

in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?"

Psalm 56:3-4

Psalms 56 was written when David was seized by the Philistines in Gath.

Instead of panicking, he trusted the Lord. He knew that he is the hands of a mighty God.

So if you are trapped inside tough circumstances, just cling on to Him.

Trust and have faith in the Lord.

Do not be afraid.

God bless you!

12 Bible Verses for Encouragement

2016-08-08T18:32:00.003+08:00

There are times when we feel like giving up due to the problems we have in our life. It might be because of our work, studies, family issues, health problems, relationships, or anything that causes stress in our life.

If you are in one of these situations, do not fret, God is with you. You just have to listen to Him and read His words.

Here are 12 scriptures in the Bible that will uplift your spirit and encourage you when you are in troubled waters:

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you;

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

"So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.

I do not give to you as the world gives.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:8

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

produces perseverance."

James 1:2-3

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation,

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

In God, whose word I praise—

in God I trust and am not afraid.

What can mere mortals do to me?"

Psalm 56:3-4

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

he delivers them from all their troubles.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted

and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:17-18

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things?

If God is for us,who can be against us?"

Romans 8:31

"You are my hiding place;you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;

He will never let the righteous be shaken."

Psalm 55:22

I hope you got blessed by reading His words of love for you. Just keep on praying and continue trusting in Him. He has great plans for you.

Thank you for watching! God bless you!

Stand firm in your faith

2016-08-07T07:36:00.000+08:00

It is tough being a Christian. Everyday, you are in war with the enemy. This is because when you become closer to God, Satan works overtime to destroy that relationship.

"the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in your faith, then you will not stand at all."

Isaiah 7:9

Being a Christian does not mean that you will live a life in a bed of roses. It means that even if you undergo trials in life, you will still trust the Lord and believe that He is in control.

So if you feel like giving up, Stand Up! You are part of God's army. Face the enemy with confidence because God is on your side.

Onward Christian Soldier! God bless you!

Dance like David

2016-08-05T12:49:00.004+08:00

"Then David danced before the Lord with all his might;

and David was wearing a linen ephod."

2 Samuel 6:14

During that moment, David was so overwhelmed with joy because the Ark of God was returned to Jerusalem. The verse said that David danced before God with all his might. This means that he was jumping, leaping, whirling and rejoicing with all his strength, to the extent that his wife, Michal, who saw him dancing detested his actions.

2 Samuel 6:16 "Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart."

2 Samuel 6:20 "Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!"

She ridiculed him and pointed out that he acted like he was a commoner. Michal, as a King's daughter, believed that his dancing was improper and not honorable. However, David stood firm in his faith. He still declared that he will dance and play for the Lord because he owe everything that he has to Him.

2 Samuel 6:21-22 So David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.”

He even added that he will even look foolish in the future when praising the Lord, but his fellow believers will still look at him with dignity because they know that he danced for God.

When the spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart

I will dance like David danced.

Have you felt the spirit of God?

Did you ever danced like David?

Did someone criticized you like Michal?

When the presence of God prompts you to dance to express your love and gratitude for Him, just do it. Do not think of the people around you, because it is just between you and the Lord. You are made to glorify Him, so fulfill that purpose. Show your humility and reverence like David and God will bless you endlessly. Let God be the judge of those who make fun of you.

2 Samuel 6:23 "Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death."

Therefore, Dance for Him.

Play for Him.

Sing for Him.

Because you are made by Him.

And you are greatly loved by Him

God bless you!

Life in Saudi

2016-08-03T23:08:00.002+08:00

The meager income of jobs here in the Philippines has pushed a lot of Filipinos to look for opportunities outside the country. This modern diaspora was mainly driven by the low economic status of our nation. This is why nurses, who are in demand in other countries, opt to work overseas for them to be able to give their families a better life.

The Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, remained the top destination of Pinoys in the past years. The flourishing economy of Saudi and their need for workforce, especially in healthcare, have made it easier for Filipinos to secure employment in the Kingdom. Furthermore, the income is tax-free and most of the employers in Saudi offer free accommodation and transportation for their employees, which made it more inviting for job seekers.

I, for one, had the opportunity working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I worked there as a staff nurse for two and a half years. It was not an easy job. I even do work outside of my scope. My colleagues and I would usually joke that we are not just nurses, we can also be the cleaner, the secretary, the pharmacist, the medical technician, the security guard, the receptionist and sometimes, the doctor.

If you have worked in Saudi, you might know what I mean. But to those wondering, I was simply saying that nurses are usually considered as the utility man or all-around workers back there. We serve as pawns to raging patients and the receiving end of blames. Trust me, whenever there's something wrong, you would always here them say "hada mamarida", which means "that nurse".

Working there was truly a test of patience, I learned how to deal with different kinds of personalities and I became more understanding and nurturing to the people around me. It was also a test of faith since Christian churches are not allowed there. However, there are secret churches where I usually attend. My fellow church members became my family there. I can't even describe how much help and comfort they gave me during my home sick moments. It is truly a blessing to have Christian friends in times of difficulties.

Albeit hard, I can't really say that I did not enjoy my stay there. There are places that I could go to when I want to rest and unwind. My favorite spots were the red sea, Al-shalal theme park, and sight seeing with cable cars in Taif. I also do retail therapy (shopping!) when stressed, especially when stores are on sale during Ramadan and Hajj. Clothing items can go down up to 10 Saudi Riyals each (for real!).

All things considered, I can say that my stay in Saudi was worthwhile. It did not only help me to become a better nurse, but it also molded me to be a better Christian.

So for those nurses who are planning to work in Saudi Arabia, ask the Lord for guidance and His will. And remember to always be the Christian who will shine the light of Jesus.

Note: the first step through your journey is taking the Licensing Exam of Saudi Council.
You can click this link for the process: Complete Guide on how to apply for a Saudi Prometric Exam

God bless you!

Purpose of marriage

2016-08-02T20:26:00.000+08:00

Marriage is a gift from God which must be treasured.

The ultimate purpose of marriage is not to make us happy

but to glorify God.

To avoid marrying for wrong reasons, you must first be happy in your singleness.

Until then, God will show you the person He created solely for you.

Keep praying for that person.

God bless you!

God centered relationship.

2016-08-02T06:24:00.000+08:00

God should be the center of all relationships, because God is love.

A God centered relationship is worth the wait.

Before you date someone, ask the Lord for His guidance and approval.

Pray for the person that God has in store for you.

Trust that even if it takes time, it will be all worth the wait.

God bless you!