Countless Blessings

…That’s how God listens and guides us. That’s God’s availability for us.

Everyday I see how He’s working in my life. He is truly guiding me in my every step. I’m really grateful about how He responds to my prayers and how He shows me that He truly loves me.

Today I had my Oral Defense for my thesis. The product of 4 years of studying. Without it, I won’t be able to graduate.

Flashback.

It was our first meeting in our Thesis class. We were immediately told that thesis will be done by 2 persons per group only. We were five in my group, and so I volunteered to go alone. I did my thesis all alone. You might ask me why did I chose to go alone rather than to have a partner, well, my answer will be, I know I can. YABANG! hahaha! No seriously, you’ve got to have the guts and the confidence. Why do I sound so sure? Duh, I HAVE A BIG GOD. Bigger than my panelists, bigger than any of the terror professors.

But fear comes in of course. Because I believe in God, I also believe in the devil. And he works in many ways too just to distract us and to weaken our faith.

Back to present time.

Last night I sent a message to some of my churchmates. I asked them for their prayers because I firmly believe in the power of prayers :D

This morning, I was a little lazy to get up, (but then I had to) so my morning rituals followed. Upon arriving in school and while preparing for my presentation, I helped my friends polish their presentation because they are the first one to have their defense before me. 

The panelists came in, they were smiling and even said “good morning” to us. I took my seat at the back of the room while my friends started to present. It was so frightening to watch them being asked by the panelists. I got nervous and scared. They were asked continously and the panelists even said things that disappointed my friends. I was praying at the back, asking God to help me and stand by me while I’m presenting.

My turn came, I stood up, fixed myself and smiled. I handed them their coffee and doughnut and clicked my slideshow presentation.

“Good morning Ma’am and sir..” was the first lines I uttered.

The presentation went well. There was not even a hint of nervousness or fear. I felt really happy and calm.

After my presentation, I said “That’s the end of my presentation. Do you have any further questions maa’m, sir?”

Taray! Over ang confidence level :))

To my surprise, no questions were asked. Some compliments that the panelists I would like to boast was, “Very good Ms. Valenzuela. I really liked your presentation. You have a good diction and I love your confidence. Well done!”

They asked me questions that were not related to my research, though. They asked me if I could recommend that thesis can be done individually. Of course I said yes, because it depends on the person and you just have to believe you can do it. A follow-up question was raised, “How about the financial aspect?” I answered, “That, sir. I don’t know because we all have a different status in life.”(In this part I would like to thank my Mom, because she gave me enough money to conduct my research. I love you Mommy!!)

The panelist also asked me, “What’s your religion?” I answered boldly, “Born again Baptist, ma’am.” She answered back, “Oh that’s nice. I just noticed it in your acknowledgements.” (because I included there “thanks to my Pastor and my churchmates who encouraged and supported me with their prayers”)

The next questions asked were so random. I continued answering them confidently and of course with a smile :D

After all that happened in my oral defense, I felt guilty because I had fear when God clearly said these words, Isaiah 41:13 “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.”(NIV)

That moment I realized, I may not have a partner in doing this research, but God is totally with me all the way and He volunteered to be my partner too.

I am so grateful for what He has shown me today, and I am excited for what He still has in store for me in the future.

Thank You Lord for your bountiful blessings. I will always count my blessings, and I’m gonna name them one by one.

I love You, Lord <3

xx,

Izelle