19/06/2018
THE BEST UNIVERSITY
(Based on true story)
It is not the end. Taking education very late in your life doesn't mean you don't have the same opportunity with the younger ones who graduated from college with degrees. Honestly, I feel so overwhelmed seeing people graduated every year while I got a Highschool diploma and a college level only. But I never came across feeling jealous of what they've got but instead I am happy for their achievement.
The story behind why I was not able to finish my college life went like this for those who don't know.
HARDWORKS AND CHALLENGES
After graduated highschool in 2008, I went directly to NORSU and was successfully enrolled fortunately because I passed the scholarship grant exam at SG department. I took up BSCS because that was what I thought would best fit my ability and most of my classmates in HS took up this course. There was no days and months that passed where I didn't struggle for— foods, allowances, projects, poverty, school miscellaneous, majors and most of all that affect my study was family challenges. Eventually, after the first semester I was so sad that I failed to maintain the cut off grades that the SG scholarships demanded. That's why I stopped attending school in the second semester. I had no way to continue because there was no opportunity for me. Less assured my family couldn't afford to send me again because we are so poor and we had struggles in family relationship. I had to find job because I wanted to help my mother since she was the breadwinner in the family I admit she inspired me to be hardworking. Church friends, classmates, and neighborhood who knew me to be a smart/bright girl were sorry to what I've gone through. I had no choice but seek for employment. I had to work with people in restaurant, household services, babysitting, housekeeping, tutoring, laundry, packing ice candy for small commission, dealing with beauty products, and many more. Year 2010 of March I went to Manila to be employed for LDS member as a computer assistant and at the same time babysitting. I was grateful that I was always taken care of my best Companion while in Manila. I lost interest in continuing my education because what came to my mind is to prioritize— serving mission. I went to MPIR to take institute classes for one semester. My LDS employer struggled for the maintenance of the computers. That's why he was sorry for me because he had no choice but to close the shop. While staying at their home for a month I paid it by doing household chores after the whole day seeking for jobs. Until one day I got job as a sales agent —commission based. I had no idea what I had came up to but one thing for sure was that I got a new job. Unfortunately, being a sales agent for a certain product is not that easy. If you had no sale during the day and even weeks or months you have nothing to eat and expense for yourself. I struggled a lot, not eating for the whole day was not that easy. My boyfriend during that time advised me to come to Isabela because a certain fast food chain was in need of new crews. So, I bit his suggestion and he helped me for travel expenses since I was penniless during those hard times. That's the reason why I was able to reach up to north Luzon.
PREPARATION
My journey begun here earning money to send for my family and earning money for mission preparation. I had to mingle and adopt the peoples' ways there. I had to experienced typhoon Juan too. I had to experienced challenges while at work being belittle but later on they became proud of me. I had to accept challenges because that's the only way for me to become a better person and a better prepared one for missionary work. I had to choose between family and missionary work. Since it was one year and half not seeing them plus another 18 months. I had to choose between education and missionary work because after my contract at Jollibee Store they granted me scholarships if I continue to work at the same time study. But I got a better choice that no one could ever stole from me. I just waited to turned 21 year old on September 2011. But four months before my 21st birthday I already processed my application. Gladly, I got my call! President Carlos, the MP that time was so happy for me and guessed where I will serve. I read my call in front of him and of the very closed family who adopted me. It reads that I will be assigned at Philippines Naga Mission. President Carlos was right!
Luckily, I was called to serve part time services as a companion to Sister Benes ( Now Sister Concon Benes Daquioag ) for the month of October at Alicia, Isabela where I met Kade Arenas Acosta, the BML of Alicia 2, my husband now.
November 12, 2011 the date I entered the MTC batch 526. It was a warm fulfilling! Trainings were so helpful to help me be better missionary at the field. Days, months, year passed away and my mission was still best UNIVERSITY I ever enrolled. The best training ground not only for spiritual matters but also for temporal knowledge and better plans for the future.
IN THE REAL WORLD
After mission, I flew straight to my family here at Negros Oriental. After 3 years of being away from home made the difference. New home, grown siblings with different interests, and new struggles. Life continued as a returned missionary with different perspectives and plans. Facing unusual challenges just like before and even more difficult that I could ever imagine. But still life went on even losing some of my friends at Church made me sad. Parting with their own lives in different places. I was so sad that I didn't have friends whom I can share my heartaches. Adjustment took place but thanks to the only sister and friend who could understand my situation Rio Ray.
By the help of Church Educational System I applied loan from PEF. I continued my Institute Class and enrolled myself to NORSU. Actually, the Church program about PEF gives me choices to school but I chose NoRSu the cheapest one so that when it's time to pay back the loan it would be easy then. I feel so confident because my grades got higher. I finished the second semester. This time I was engaged. I married at the Temple May 2014. I was not able to pursue study while in Isabela because my husband and I were trying to settle down and for adjustment until few months later I got pregnant. I was so happy that one of my goals after mission which was Temple Marriage has been achieved. Most especially when we were blessed with a child. An assurance for eternal family is granted.
And now while writing this article I feel so much inspired because this coming year 2019 I will be able to pursue my college and get my desired line of work which is business. I thought being a mom, a wife, a self-employed, a housewife are my only roles now but that's just a thought. I will have an opportunity to shine and jive in with the new generation and get additional education. And be a blessing for my family and for everyone who needs it the most. If one day I achieved my long term goal I will never ever forget to turn back to where I started and thanks those who inspired me for better and for worse.
(Lesson: There is hope for the future. Never get discouraged. Everything has a purpose. If you you notice that you feel unfortunate whenever factors that maybe just hold on and be patient. Take it as an inspiration to grow and become a better and well prepared son and daughter of Heavenly Father. )
=Updated/posted on 2018, June 19th.=
By: JBM Jenelyn Acosta
Sister Jelay M Acosta
