Let go and let God

Below is a speech I made last year for Toastmasters... This is actually an ice breaker speech because the requirement is just to be able to introduce yourself and conquer the fear of speaking in front of a group. 

Warning: Speech contains highly emotional language which may not be good for your heart...

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God works in mysterious ways. He has prepared the best plan for you…. So let go and let God.

My mom had mumps when she was three to four months pregnant with her youngest daughter. She was then told by the doctor that the baby in her womb may be infected by the virus if she was three months. But there could be a better chance of not being infected if she was already in her fourth month. Since my mother could not exactly determine if her baby was three or four months, my mother and father became very worried during the remaining months of her pregnancy. They stormed heaven with prayers for both mother and child. With their strong faith in God, they claimed that the baby will be okay. So they let go and let God to take over.   On September 28, 1980, a bouncing or I may say, a bubbly baby girl was born. Thank God, that, aside from having a fat face and chubby cheeks, the baby was born normal and healthy, as you can see standing in front of you right now. You know me as Berna, which is short of Bernadette, but my family calls me Bubbles.

My childhood life was happy and fairly comfortable. My sister and I were provided with all our needs.  In fact, we had plenty of toys, courtesy of our parents and relatives. A nanny whom we call Nanay, attended to us and stayed with us before I was born, and until I got married.

I attended grade school at St. Scholastica’s College where I was always one of the top students.  I excelled in academics and belonged to the honor class. At that time, grade school was up to Grade 7 but one may be accelerated depending on the school’s evaluation.  I was then confident that I would move to High School without passing Grade 7.   Unfortunately, that did not happen. I had to stay in grade school for one whole year of Grade 7. At first, it was difficult for me to accept that. I even questioned our teachers that they might be wrong. But eventually, I had to face reality, and accepted that God may have a different plan, which I know is best for me.  This is the first time that I had to let go and let God. I was challenged to excel more in my studies, and yes, graduated with honors.  In fact, I was given the honor to deliver the speech of gratitude on behalf of all graduating students.  God really works in mysterious ways.   My high school life was made easier with merit awards and again graduated with honors.




Last picture with Marc (guy wearing sando)

 

In college at the De La Salle University, I took up a five-year course, known as Manufacturing Engineering and Management:  a multi-faceted course – a combination of industrial, mechanical and electronics engineering.  As it was male-dominated, most of my friends were boys, and one of them was Marc.  He was bright, witty, happy-go-lucky, dependable and a very special friend.  Everything was doing fine with us, until April 19, 2000. On that  day, Marc with his parents and all siblings planned to go to Davao for their summer vacation. I was not able to talk to Marc on the day he left for Davao since at that time I was in Quezon Province. His vacation would only be for 5 days and I thought I would have more time with him when he gets back. On that day, the Air Philippines plane headed to Davao crashed. There were no survivors and yes, that includes Marc and his family. I had to endure the excruciating pain of losing my close friend. I cannot explain to myself why it happened. I did not even have a final glimpse of Marc. But what can I do – except -  to let go and let God.  Losing Marc was a learning experience for me,  a realization that life is short and I do not know what will happen next, so I have to move on, again exert more efforts and dedication to my studies resulting to my being a consistent dean’s lister. 

After college, I decided to join Singles for Christ so that I can deepen my relationship with God. Hardly did I know that it was God’s way for me to meet my prince, Gerard.  He caught my attention because he is funny.  Honestly, I thought that our relationship would last for a year, but since our foundation is rooted on God, we were able to go through all the tests and trials.  We tied the knot on August 17, 2008 – the happiest day in my life. 

As in the case of married couples, we are hoping to have a baby soon.  Up to now the baby has not come, and we do not know when it will come.  We are seeking medical assistance to resolve our conditions. Even if medically speaking, we only have a very small chance of having a baby, this is not stopping us to hope and trust in God. Of course, divine intervention is paramount in our list. Meanwhile, Gerard and I are happy together in our new home, confident that nothing is impossible with God.  We believe God works in mysterious ways. Our life is still a work in progress and I know that the best has yet to come. As always, we just have to let go and let God.