From Dream to Calling

Just recently, I have joined the Metro Manila Toastmasters Club, a local chapter of an international organization that aims to improve one's public speaking and leadership skills. For my first project, I was tasked to introduce myself through an icebreaker speech. Sharing to you its content. Enjoy!

I remember when I was about to step into college, I prayed to God, “Lord, I want to declare Your faithfulness and Your grace to me and my family.” And I knew that one grand way to do it was to deliver the valedictory speech for our batch. At that time, that was a far-fetched goal; and it took me four long years to know if it would be fulfilled. And now, I look back and see how God has started to make my dream come true. It happened! And it didn’t stop there. God has opened more opportunities for me to share publicly about His goodness. Then, I realized that it’s not just a dream accomplished one time, but a calling that I’ve always wanted to pursue. And that brings me here in front of you.

Good evening fellow Toastmasters and guests!

I am Janina Jayme, a daughter of a carpenter and a housewife. I was born in a family with nothing much to pride about – no wealth, no degrees, no securities.

When I was ten, we sold our small house in Caloocan and transferred to Laguna where my older brother pursued his degree in Civil Engineering. A father without a stable job would support his son in college for a five-year course plus a daughter in grade school; that was me?? It was definitely a leap of faith! Imagine living in a house beside the train railroad. That was where you would find us. To best describe our life back then, “Isang kahig, isang tuka.” And my father? He was at the verge of losing his mind. But, God made miracles after miracles that brought my brother to the school’s finish line and pass the board exam.

We went back to Caloocan. And then it was my turn for college. I was so motivated. In my mind, I knew my family needed to get out from the clasp of poverty. And when I’ve seen God’s awesome work on making my brother a success, I just knew in my heart that He’s also up to something for me. I took my degree in Business Administration at STI Colleges. It still wasn’t an easy journey after all. I strived hard with my studies and got sidelines during summer breaks. I also became a student assistant, working early in the morning and attending classes at night. And God has blessed me indeed as finally, I was able to graduate with flying colors.

And so, God allowed me to deliver the graduation speech in 2011. And then doors and windows of opportunities opened up as I got to be invited as an interviewee, seminar’s resource speaker, and graduation’s guest of honor. There’s just so much excitement within me each time I do it. It is neither because of the popularity nor the honorarium, but the thrill of inspiring and encouraging people to trust in the Lord. That’s why I’m here. I want to learn more. I desire to make such great impact on lifting people up and declare that in this world of chaos, there is hope. I, myself, experienced it.

Dear fellow Toastmasters and guests, it all started with a dream which turned out to be a calling and a lifelong pursuit. How about you, what is that dream that God has placed in your heart? Pursue it! No matter how hard the journey would be. Strive hard for it!