ULog #9 - MY DREAM CAME TRUE! Find Out How I Made It! Yay! :)

What's up Steemians? How are you all doing?

It's been awhile since my last post and I missed everything about Steemit! I had to be away for awhile as I needed to focus on my review for NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination), a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States.

I PRAISE GOD ALMIGHTY because finaaaallllllyyyy!!.... all those sleepless nights, those crying moments when I was overwhelmed with all the information I needed to study plus my sleepyhead even before I'd start each night to review and feeling exhausted - have paid off! They're all worth it!

GLORY BE TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!

I just passed the IL board exam! No doubt that it's because of our Mighty LORD God in heaven! I have been praying so hard each day & night to make my dream come to a reality..You see, I came out from the Testing Center with feelings that I didn't make it..was totally clueless and felt kind of lost on the questions and choices that were seemed vague. There were a couple of times I did change my answers because the options I knew right weren't really obvious. It was tricky indeed! And to my surprise, the computer cut off quickly at the 85th question.

I was hoping to move on to 100+ when it stopped just so I won't be gauged with just 85 questions that were mostly composed of difficult ones like "Select all that apply's" because I know I studied very well, and not those ones I didn't even remember I encountered during my review like couple of medications I haven't ever heard of before! So, I immediately went to the washroom as soon as I'm done, just to sob & cry, and ease out all my frustrations over the exam. I really thought I failed! Nevertheless, I am so grateful and blessed that God is faithful and has been since the day I accepted Jesus in my life.

My review materials were only limited to Saunders book and UWorld, the rest were purely online sources, because I didn't bring any single nursing book with me from the Philippines as I haven't had a drive yet to pursue my nursing career before I moved to US in 2016.The Filipino Nurses: Soar High USRN group page has helped me a lot in processing all my CGFNS documents until I got approved to take the test by the IL Board of Nursing.

My hopes had started when I made a post on that fb page about which book is the best one that I could utilize and is not that expensive. Saunders was the only book I have had and have gotten it for free through a stranger, who's all of a sudden, came out of nowhere and messaged me on fb telling me she's willing to give out her book. She lives just a few blocks away from where I live and only have known her through the said group page after she read my post.

Another Filipino friend of mine (well she's actually my hubby's friend), also was kind to share some of her review materials with me. She even gave me some tips and encouraged me that I'm gonna make it. I really thank them for all their help and for everything!

I also want to thank my family of course, for all the love, for believing in me, and for all their support. I'm truly grateful that I have them all in my life. To my sister, @evlachsblog who purchased a laptop for me, her advanced birthday gift that I was able to use for my review online and for Steeming hehe... and also, to my husband, who has been my constant walking human reminder and calendar haha! Without his love, consistency and encouragement, I guess I wouldn't have been able to have this kind of motivation. We worked as a team!

But there were a few times, I admit, that he's kind of stressing me out whenever he asked me "Do you think you can make it?" or "How good you were in your last practice exam?", and I'd always tell him "40% or 50%" 😛😂 but instead of me getting irritated, I'd immediately replaced it with laughter like "really hunny??? Is that how you motivate your wife? Haha!." And we'd just laughed about it. Hence, he really did a great job of being my half. Not only that he helped me in taking care of our baby Hannah and Seth and guiding Christine, but he's also anxious with my exam as if he's the one who's gonna take it. 😂😂😂 that's why, I'm much much more motivated! Oh my sweet love hun!!! 😂😗

So, when I got back home after the exam, I cried over my Mother-in-law's lap like a baby and told her "Mom, I'm sorry! The exam was soo hard and I feel like I didn't make it. I didn't want to disappoint all of you." She comforted me so well. And even had a plan to help me on my next move if ever "I didn't make it". She would want me to attend a review class to help me on the areas I need to focus on.

I am just thrilled and joyful for how amazing our God is when He uses people, things, consequences and experiences to help you achieve and get what you need in life. All you have to do is to fully trust in Him along the process and do your part. The rest is all up to His plan. I am confident to tell all these things as I have witnessed it myself. He turned my life upside down. We may be limited by all our means, but we have God who's unlimited in grace, power and compassion! It's okay to cry out when you're feeling low sometimes but when you pray each day and always consult God with each step that you're gonna do and make this as a habit, you'll be surprised how He moves your life in a mysterious way, and sometimes in a humorous way haha.. trust me!

By the way, I graduated last 2008 and became a registered nurse in the Philippines the same year, however I wasn't able to practice my profession until now. So, imagine in between those years - I already lost hope as years went by. I thought it's not really meant for me, but now that God has given me another chance to get my feet back together and continue what I had started, He has set my hopes to reality.

What I did for a start was reading the whole Saunders book from March to April, followed by answering practice q&a from UWorld the whole month of May while taking down notes of the rationales. Then, I reviewed everything last month each night and the rest of the days this month through Nurseslabs and Kaplan q&a before the actual day of my exam.

The day prior to my exam, I asked all of my loved ones and some of my friends to pray for me. Hubby and I, my eldest daughter and I also prayed together.

I know this is just the beginning of my own race, but I am absolutely ready to face the real world of nurses! So, for those who feel like it's too late, if I made it, you can definitely do it, too, as long as you have the determination and perseverance in achieving your goal. Most importantly, meditate on God's promises and His words every day.

COOL FACTS ABOUT ME!

Let me just share with you what I have been doing yearly since 2015 - I would make a "Love Letter" for myself each year on my birthday to write down on a piece of paper all my wishes, hopes, prayers, or my heart's desires. It was awesome because I could clearly see how God works in my life. You could try it, too! Some wishes may not happen right away, but don't lose hope. Instead, be patient and let God control everything on His own perfect time. Keep up the faith :)

Here are some of what I've written:

I wrote in 2015

Sorry about this one. There's no any other piece of paper available at this moment. :)

2016

2017

2018

(This one of course is to be read by next year hehe!)

"God has given us the desires of our heart. That means He put the desires in there and He is working through us to bring them to pass." Just have faith in Him.

"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

I THANK THE LORD WITH ALL MY HEART!

HE IS THE REASON BEHIND ALL THESE! GLORY TO GOD! 🙏

Thank you @surpassinggoogle for this ULog concept as I am able to fully express myself about how I feel or how my day went each day. May God bless you more wisdom of "out-of-the-boxness" philosopy in life. :)
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