one month and counting

woke up with this bouquet greeting me! 

December 12, 2011---one month after we said "I Do!" 

It seems like we've been married for a long time already and half of the feeling is just like being girlfriend-boyfriend. Kasi may month-sary na! =D hehehe! We didn't have those celebrations before we got engaged because we didn't really have that stage and we don't have that "Oo" moment... =( =) =D Well, we each have an "Oo" moment with the Lord... weird noh? Deh, ka-normal-an yan when you serve God! haha.

Really, the first month had been places, people, prayers and prophecies over us. We haven't stayed at home much of the time. But at-home with each other. naks! I guess that's one of the things you learn when you get serious in serving God. His presence is your home and the people He loves. God is home. God's People is home. Genesis is home.

I wish I could say more. And I will... next time.

#muchloveandprayers

nesting

Hello. =)


How's everyone? =)
And how's us? Haha, we're back in Davao and really taking things slow... Everything's fast the past few days... And in our hearts, there's too many things already... ministry... household stuff... work...


it's really good to pause and listen to the Lord... had a great time doing that with hubby. And we need more of that these coming weeks...


as for our household know-abouts, click here.


+planning to post vid clips of the recent trip
+planning to scribble more on relationship lessons here... #pa-delay

asa akong mama?

(cutie man diay ning medyas na nabunlot nako sa departmt store, maka-relieve ug pain... nyahaha)


feeling cold... having cramps... =( can i miss my mom?


...




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one more set of parents to love and honor

meeting with our mentors at the rooftop...


im having another set if wonderful parents... to be honest, i had apprehensions before as to what kind of in-laws will i have that's why next to praying for my God's will, I was really praying much about them. thankfully, God heard my secret petitions. Isn't He thoughtful?


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=) =)

BIG THANK YOU 
to everyone who came to the wedding.
God's presence is overwhelming and your presence made it even more beautiful.

strength from God's heart

Our first Starbucks (where the proposal happened #differentplacethough) date now that we're married. 24 hrs s really short to make all errands after the wedding, sending off family, fixing an apartment and packing up for a trip--and yes, still having our Monday close cell with the eagerlz. Truly, God is really sustaining us!

#thankyouLord

internet, where art thou?

I miss blogging. No internet connection for a time now.... huhuhu... I miss home... #toinkz

can there be one more day?

pa-extend...

November 10, 1982

Mama told me they prepared the name "Salem" for their child. It happened that they had a baby girl for their eldest. Mama wanted to name me "April Love." If it were so, vintage diay kaayo unta ang tirada. Maayo nalang "Rejoice" ang nabutang--as it kept on ringing in their devos back then. Bunga gyud diay akong name sa devo! Thank you, Lord! =D =)

Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! Happy-happy happy-happy! Happy-happy-happy! 

Rejoice! #wattaname =D

big list of old songs (click Read More)

So here I am (listening to really-old songs) waiting for my 12:00 midnight ritual before my birthday starts--a long deep breath and thanksgiving to God! He is so faithful! =) =) =)

walang katapusang preps, haha.

Kuya Ed painted more frames & decors white creating a more French vintage theme while Ton2 is making our backdrop panels. My, i love it.


weeee, pwede na gyud magpakasal! :)


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happy birthday, Pleng!

we love you!

It's Laloo's birthday!

She doesn't look her age noh? =)

We attended the G12 Tapok2 at HOF. Papaps preached about the Punctuation of Grace! We've heard the series in church, but it's really different hearing it another time! Our spirits were really fed! And I can say that I am so blessed to have a very anointed preacher for a father! happy birthday, Paps! Aw, Lai, diay! haha! =D

The family headed off to Villa de Mercedes to spend the remaining hours of the day. No one was there except us. Siyempre, exclusive use for the birthday girl! Ayos! =)

Thank you, Lord, for Lalight's life. #Godsent 

grace of giving

Got a package from Heldz! =D Three gifts inside---1 for my birthday, 1for our upcoming wedding and 1 for Lai's birthday--which is TODAY (will surely blog laterz)!!! I didn't really expect this since Heralynn is in Manila for work training. Yet she never failed to send us presents. I guess it's a habit she naturally cultivated. And this year, she didn't fail the record that started since 2005.

Heldz was among my advisory class way back when I was teaching Physics in one of the private high schools in the city. As far as I can remember, she was really good in my class and among the math quizzers. I can't believe how time flutters by and she's now a registered engineer! #thankyouLord But really, I am happier that Heldz remained a steadfast heart for God. I love seeing her in Youth Reload and BCC since it constantly reminds me that my stay in Davao Central High School was never in vain.  




This is really heartwarming today. I love the boxes, Heldz! #mababawangkaligayahan




We transferred some stuff at the apartment yesterday. And yes, I thought we need a wall clock. We now have one! Thank you!



And more thank you with this really pretty vintage bracelet! Super like! =D =)


Thank you, Heldz! And thank you (napud) for joining us ni Gen sa blogs years back! May you continue to excel in the grace of giving (But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2Corinthians 8:7) as the Lord will continue to prosper you in His great love. Take good care while in the metro and take good care always in the heart!<3

greatly blessed

How should i start? This is among the many long days this year. Long day and packed. And there's too many great things.

The Fire Team from the Pensacola/Brownsville Revival joined us for Sunday Service today. Keith Collins, Director of the Brownsville Revival School of Ministry spoke. Really, it was awakening. God is moving. We cannot reach the end of God. He is Alpha and Omega. He is eternity to eternity. And He is also Fire. All Consuming Fire. And I am so caught by that Fire. A great thing for sure. The second service ended at around 2pm where many still fell flat on floor. We were truly swept away by God's presence. 

Before it ended, Papa asked Keith to pray for Gen and I and our future marriage. I am personally thankful that our parents are really thinking of our condition and are believing with us and our role in the kingdom. While we were prayed for, my heart was really broken in the cause of God. Although I am sure that the bigger part of our marriage will be ministry, there's that unseen part of us. Something that makes me clueless for the things ahead. But today, Keith prophesied that God will bless us richly--children, ministry, finance and love for each other. I feel so blessed receiving an outpouring of God's promises while we are six days to our wedding. It keeps us grounded, calm, excited and eager. Truly, God is a God of perfect timing! #praises

I'm glad that in this season, we are not just falling and crying and praising, but channeling the fire and anointing for something very dear in God's heart, too. Tonight at our primary close cell, we talk about our satellite ministries. And this is something that Gen and I had been conceiving in our hearts since last year. After the wedding, there's already a lineup of trips to make. But in our heart, we are eager to take part of the advancement of God's kingdom--Kabacan, Samal, Mati... and many others that we cannot imagine as of now. God is awesome and we will never ever question His move and plan for us.

Also, before I close the praise-rants of my heart right now, I want to praise God even more for healing Tiffany's dad. We visited him yesterday at the hospital! He was diagnosed to having prostate cancer and his excretion bag was all red. But today, it's plainly urine! Amen, our God heals! Yes, God of wonders beyond our own knowing! #adoration

---

We also transferred some of our belongings to the apartment. Yay! #finally

Thank you, Amor, AJ, Joverly and LJ for the hand! =D

kicking

Mama is really supportive. We made cloth flowers for the bouquet today. These are scraps so we didn't really spend on it. We need to do it since there are not much of purple and peppermint/aqua flowers available. Also, we added feather accents (aqua touch)... and xempre, eagle's touch! haha.

...

In the afternoon, we did a hospital visit. Tiffany's (eagerl) father was confined. Val and Gen prayed for him. We hope for his salvation. We love moments like this. We have a Healer!

and the best part today?

Yes! Our cell group meeting!!! Topic: Five Love Languages

Thank you, Lord, for our cell group. Our ability and authority to minister is from you!

studio love

The other day, we were just freely goofing in front of Lai's laptop cam (yes, hundreds of shots taken from a weighty device!), now, we're bringing our sisterhood at the studio. This is Gen's shot of us from our poor camera phone. 

So blessed to have Ampleng as my sister! I love you, Pleng. Tigulang na ta! =D

~before this, Gen and I had our studio shots, too. We were a bit reserved about the idea of spending money there. But Lito Sy offers their Prestige package for two pax at P230 (so nag-butang gyud ug price! hahaha!). We can't miss having ourselves snapped since we had our trial makeup today. hehehe. So there went a guilty pleasure at two takes.

preps and more preps

bought this vintage hat for veil? 

haha. nooooooo.

---

Discipleship with AJ (bridesmaid-mode) while hopping stores in downtown.

i love heart-sharings.

some more marco loco

good morning from us, three!

overlooking our Alma Mater, Ateneo de Davao University. It gets us sentimental, though.

See what I mean!

yes, Tats was with us! =D

---

back to the preps...

we dropped by Gmall before we went home... 

bought home supplies... Gen might transfer today at the apartment...

We spent the afternoon sorting vintage stuff for the wedding decors...

The wedding environment will totally be away from the magazines...

I wish it turns out well...

This is a risk! hahaha!

More home supplies buying (and paint for some of the decors) at CitiHardware with Gen... and then drive-thru-ed merienda for the wedding core group... 

And the day wasn't over yet, we headed off to Palos to check the place again...

Papa, Mama, Gen and I stayed for a pre-marital counseling and checking...

Weeee! =)

And finally back home...

And one more extension of the day... Gen and I accompanied Weng to check their hotel room for the big day. How I wish I could join the bridesmaids for a sleepover!

RNR

Spending the day and night with the family at The Marco Polo Hotel.  We laughed and lazed around sans wedding notes and stuff. I certainly had the rest I so need. Thank you, Jesus!

 [Lai and I, getting really silly]

friendships in the journey

  

[new books, ayeeee!]

 

Coffee with Micah and Lai in the morning... It's good to intentionally share our hearts to return all praise to God for it is He who created it and knows it well. Psalm33:15

Gen was back to work in the afternoon while I endured a grueling headache. Probably, I should refrain from using my hair clamp. It's pulling my hair too hard.

In the evening, Tito Pepe invited us for dinner. I guess he likes Gen because of his Ilocano descent. God is really good for bringing Gen not just to our biological family but our spiritual family as well. From the start, we always believed that when God unites us, it will not just be an exclusive union (of course it is, covenant-ly-speaking!), but an inclusive one rather, ministry-wise.  We are for God and for His people!

Praises!   

ice cream on a rainy afternoon

Spent the afternoon with Kuya Rey & Ate Minette's family and also Weng... We recorded video clips and audio narration... We are so blessed becoming recipients to their creativity!

On our way home, I had flashbacks of our prenup concepts way back summer. I really wanted to take some shots from a vintage restaruant in Makati. But yes, it' in Makati. Too far away to do just that. But today, we were so blessed to know that there's a vintage diner within the city! I was overtaken by their vintage collection. Such a feast for the eyes!

Fifties Cafe, thank you for accommodating us today! We had a great time chilling all the more with ice cream on a cold afternoon.

trial make-up

Trial Make-up...

my left eye brow got bruised...huhu...

Gen and I were candle sponsors at Arnold's and Ate Debz's wedding today.

Me, trying to take a pic of myself... 

look at the scene stealer behind! =D

ma-picture-an nga!

one more! =)

=)

Tonight, Papaps wed Kuya Jeth & Ate Ren at Orange Grove Clubhouse. In its entirety, we had fun! Yes, over cocktail sweets and collecting emptied wine bottles after.  

Here's us after the full evening.

The Art Of Marriage

by Wilferd A. Peterson (short, popular version) Compliments Of Erik & Beth Kent, Co-Publishers of NJWedding.com  A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage the little things are the big things... It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once each day. It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation and
demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right partner...
It is being the right partner.  - by Wilferd Arlan Peterson  --- Saw this poem at the boutique (where I fitted my gown) yesterday.#amen 

pawayusa + pastowej = practical

[stimulated to sketch]

Bought lamps today... something i would really want to see at the wedding... so it's really practical to get things that we would be using more than once. Some of the decoration stuff were used at the e-session (prenup pictorial) and engagement party and will be used on the wedding! Ha, so excited to keep most icons in our future home.

Yes, Recycle-Your-Wedding is our core value for decoration!

can light bear happiness?

We tested the lantern with Amor... Yes, we flew 1 tonight, and it's [very romantic] according to Jackie (yes, she and mama came with us......
 

eagles' nest

[wasn't able to take a pic of the room; this is from the web]

We found a place! A one-room space we decided to turn into an all-in one studio. Bedroom, sala, work space, dining and prayer room. Yes, something we can temporarily call home. Mom loves the shanty place. Gen and I wanted to look for another one. But she insisted its safety and nearness. Mothers know best. And actually, my mind is racing how we can turn it into something liveable cozy. Really excited to clean up and pimp some space.

Time is short though. Any idea, anyone?

tatty bear will guest the wedding

Did so many errands with mama today... And here's a stop at the toys department...








Can't resist but buy a bunch of these cuddlies... Tatty bear will certainly have a part in the wedding! Woohoo!

1John4:18

Just playing with our photos... #undonevideo

eighteen days... #muragbalot

"Perfect Love casts out fear." 1John4:18

hand dance

Gen and I hand danced on this song while we were seated facing the comp (bookings). Haha, this is the best of what we can do as far as dancing is concerned! #funnight

We checked our finances. And in the Lord we continue to enjoy and hope.

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6"

two-gether

Found this on IG; 

taken by @kenius08

Sundays are not any better!

#thankyouLord

thank you, Kenneth ;)

pink sunday

[photo not mine; i found it at Instagrm; really made me happy just looking at it!]

Having a healthy sunday so far! #almostalways

Gen and I played with Nette2x after the second service. She's too smart to get us playing hide and seek with her and her toys! Haaaay! #unwinding

We then prayed for Weng who left for Manila to work on some career stuff. =)

Papaps brought Gen to Panabo and Tagum... Visitation at Panabo City satellite service and God-Encounter at Tagum City (where Bem is at). While the men of my life are out and about, I'm here working on the photo stubs.

full-packed

Hala sige, DIY gyud!
Every bit of me is tugged at posting random pics of what I've been busy with recently. Ha, I'm layouting the template for the photobooth (happy si manong from the studio--having been taken some weight of his burden). 

1. I don't like generic layouts.

2. I want our layout to be coherent with the theme.
3. I'm having fun!

So let's see if I'm doing well. I am so trying hard. Hahaha!

And... earlier today... we finished 90 token boxes! Kudos to Gen and me! Ang saya lang!

Kingdom Agenda

But... really... I want to post a pic of what is much of a highlight today:

Yes, our second meeting! Couples for the Kingdom: Genesis & Rejoice, Xeres & Glaisa and Shong & Cathy! Ayee!
Today's topic: The Purpose of Marriage and A Counsel To Bride's & Grooms (by Ps.Ed Lapiz)... if you happen to read this blog and you have friends or siblings whoa re pursuing a godly relationship/marriage, they are free to join our next cell meetings! ;)

All for God's glory!

honey pastor

My epic fail.

Yes, I failed to snap a photo of Genesis powerfully preaching at Reload tonight. I was totally absorbed. He preached about Fighting Brokenness With Community. I did the altar call and I saw a broken generation. There was too much of it even in a crowd like that. How much more on the streets and the rest of the public places we know. We really need to rise up and be determined to make Jesus King. To make Him known and channel His grace to everyone needing it.

To God be the glory.

Unconditional Love

Earlier today, we went to our first stop - PISD. We dropped the invitation to our Ninong Roger and Ninang Perla Kwan and the moment converted itself to a very rich marriage counseling. Marriage is indeed tough and it is only by the grace of God with daily intentional effort to love faithfully that it can last a lifetime.

When God chooses a lifetime partner for you, He doesn't give you the most compatible person you can live with. Instead, a person who can be totally different to who you are. Why? Because He wants you to learn to love unconditionally even when your own conditions can never be met. Living to love unconditionally is the greatest benefit that marriage can ever do to a person--this is the presence of God Himself. #Christ-likeness

precious!

Today, we're back doing the errands. We first met with the Welborn family to give them our invitation. This family had been one among the many who welcomed us when we first came to Davao. And since they're in town (they've been residing in the province to manage their beach resort), they wanted to meet Gen. We braved the hard pouring rain and got Gen on a hot seat. Aaww. They scrambled for our baby pics with their children and ha, it's really nostalgic refreshing the moments. 
...
We went to check my gown and it fits well now. Woohoo!
...
And... we finally got our rings. We were sent money (another blessing... grabeh na gyud ang John 1:16... dili na namo ma-explain!) Just enough to pay for the ring's labor. We fit them. And... We love it. Very simple. But we love it. Really soooooo happy! =D =) This is something we would wear forever!
Then, we LBC-ed invitations. While queueing for our turn, I was asking Gen how much my engagement ring cost. Ever since I had it he would never disclose. Tsk. But today I was best-bugger award. We played If-The-Price-Is-Right kind of game. Higher. Higher. Higher. Lower. Higher. 
...
...
...
What? You spent that much on me?
#tears


And it costs much more than our wedding rings combined. 


#tears
(Ayan kasi makulit.)


So many things came into mind as I think about Gen (I almost forgot about the ring). He surprises me many times. And before I went to bed tonight I texted him how much I felt so loved (although I am not the gifts-speaking-love-languager) even beyond the ring. Really thankful that God gave Gen to me. He is someone I would want to know more perpetually everyday.

celebration-worthy

we love you Ate (Ninang) Raya =)
Your life is worth celebrating!
Thank you for sharing your life and wisdom to us!
You are very inspiring!
See you soon!
#hugs 

artsy artsy

We went artsy artsy tonight by decorating matches... i so love these girls...