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 

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.

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]

farewell

Spent all day editing our invitation and photobook... Plus break times to play with instagram stuff... i still have a life! Haha.

...

And, today, my Nanay Susing went back to the Lord at ninety-two. I only learned it when our youth pastors' meeting was about to start. I left the room and I was overtaken. She is so dear to me. Really, I miss her now.

Nanay Susing is truly an inspiration. She had been among the early Christians here in the south. She was saved when she had her third baby, that was in the 1950's I guess (to do the math: Papaps was born in 1957, he's the youngest of six). Since then, Nanay Susing became a passionate believer: evangelizing everyone she knows. And as a young Christian, she brought a radio with her when she could not share so others could listen. Imagine her doing that from house to house with six munchkins tagging along. She was an inspiration.

I feel so blessed to be a third generation believer. She didn't backslide in 60 years of faith. Nanay fought in faith & finished the race. #tears

...

I actually desired that she could grace the wedding. With that, we moved the venue from Villa de Mercedes to Palos Verdes (although we paid the downpayment already) so tht she would not find it hard to walk on stairs. The last time we saw each other (and another moment when Ate Grace wed), she promised me she would be there when I walk the aisle.

#tears

I miss her. I miss her singing. I miss her long prayers. I miss asking her questions on long drives during reunion. And I miss blushing when I couldn't answer hers (she asked if I had a boyfriend). And so do I miss her excited look when she asked me to sing at my cousin's wedding--the first and only time--si Nanay ang nakadiscover sa ako!

Sigh.

But I delight, however, that she now sits with Jesus and the Father. I will one day see her again--and tell her about my wedding and kids.

...

This grieving moment, too, shall pass.

...

ps: pls pray for our papaps, too. thanku.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

love's march

UPDATES:
Been to the give-away maker. Haggled. Bought additional parts and it's making me excited for the end of the month. I hope they turn out good.
Mama had been a great company today. I knew things are different with her street-smarts on use. We also found the needed candles. We weren't really looking for it yet, but found one that I really wanted to have. It's price is a bit fancy, but I read from a blog before that it's good to lit the same wedding  unity candle every anniversary. Now that gives the run of our money.
Mama also asked how much do I need to pay for the bridal gown. I probably blushed when I said the amount (It's not an arm and a leg though. I just didn't want to oblige her of support for she has been very caring already with matters needed done and preparing; and also because so far we have been enjoying all the planning at our own choice and--own expense. Haha). Nonetheless, she repeated the amount with a clarifying sound and then said, she will shoulder it. Waaaaaaah... I hugged her. And my head voluntarily buried itself in her shoulders. I was sooooo happy. Not because we would save some wad but because I will have a wedding gown from her. Yes, from her. I am a genuine sentimentalist, I know. But this one is different. This means I will be walking the aisle with the embrace of her motherhood and personhood. I am so delighted. So happy already. I promised myself I wouldn't cry when I do the march, but the blessing (not just the gown, but the release and love) might probably make me bawl big time. (I still hope I won't. Mahal ang makeup. Toinkz!).

#tears
#sigh

i love you, mama.

story-books

I'm privileged to have my favorite brother as my driver today.

To keep himself from the boredom over the expected stops, he brought along John Maxwell's The Difference Maker. We only realized that he left it where it is pictured until we got to F.Torres St. #joyrideyousay

Checked Artisan Design Studio, Leighton Photography & Jerry Sy Studio for photobook as an alternative guestbook (we've planned a different vintage-y style of capturing the guests' hearts, but it might take while until everybody is finished. So we thought of another way to divide the populace. Ha, populace! =D). Right now, I'm waiting for their quotations. For business, competition is good. ;) 

When I got to Abreeza (for further bridal preps), I chanced upon a store that actually tickled my visual sense. #fourtheyeforthesenseofdecorating Haaaaay, I wanted to faint seeing the small store being crowded with vintage books, notebooks, jars and lamps. It's like I want to invite them all to grace the wedding!

So to keep myself sane and quintessential when I leave the haven, I grabbed two hoax vintage books.

they are actually boxes.

Decorative, yet purposeful. Not bad at Php 90. Kuripot?

;)

What a bookish day. And yes, before I retire to bed tonight, I'm finishing my daily practice of reading one chapter of a marriage book that's really helping me much. Magbasa jud ko dapat kay dili ni joke. =)

made for honor

Just a quick post to let yall know that I had a great posh time with my favorite, Ms. Delight C. Lagat. Holidays are the best!

We picked new blouses and some late-gifts for our parents.




We also discovered these miniature versions of mango cheesecake and banana-chocolate (seems banoffee to me). So little for so much. ;)

So maid-of-honorly of her, she helped me get two apocathary jars for the wedding.

We're home now & getting ready for a night w the rest of the girls.
=)

Hebrew 10:23-25, Ha! ;)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

at the realm of willingness

Nine days is swift. Gen’s leaving tonight. =(

Nonetheless, we have to maximize the time left for us to [prepare] for the
big day
start-of-the-big-days! =)

We got the venue booked and we checked out the rings. But the best part of today is praying for  seven random students at USEP since the Eagerlz scheduled a campus invasion. That was our utter worship to the Love of our lives. Praying for people and speaking blessing as we wanted them blessed is one of the cores of our calling. While we were waiting for the other girls to finish, we were musing about our excitement to start the ministry at a certain place God has put in our hearts. #Godwearewilling

I feel compelled about posting a pic of us on today’s looong day:

All right, enough for the cheesy part (I’m a new convert!–Pwede man maging cheesy diba basta gikan kay Lord ang love story?!).

And so the day ends with the fact that he has to leave Davao [alone] *for the last time*…

Nothing is better than a family sending off in prayer.

God remains great! His love endures forever!

mother-in-(law)love

A musing: Before the evening ended at the pamamanhikan, I was very elated when Tita Nars (Gen’s mom) asked me for a hug because I was the one she was praying for a long time and that I would finally be her daughter-in-law. I was tearful. Not many girls are blessed to have a very sweet and prayerful mother-in-law (soon). I said a secret prayer to the Lord, “God, You are so faithful in Your ways. I have only desired that someday, I would get in-laws that I could get along with (Well, in-laws *should* get along–it’s more of an effort, right?). Now, You are giving me those who share the same heart and passion of seeing people saved and prosper in You.”

If I may tell you, during the time Gen and I were so clueless about our upcoming journey, Tita Nars was already praying for us. Knowing that, there was a high intensity of peace that transcended my cloudy thoughts. I could not explain it, but one thing for sure was–I love being prayed for–and I love it sooooo much that the mother of the man I have been considering is praying for me! I knew that we are having a stronger foundation (more than having prayed ourselves) and this would take us to a surer road. Our parents were praying with us! In fact, they were praying for us and our future spouses even before we did (My parents did so even when we were infants–surely there were other infants somewhere on the other spots of the world who are set to walk in the fear of the Lord and those who are called to be servants of God–and they are going to be our future mates)!

I call myself blessed. And I know, you can also walk the same road of favor as you continue to uphold God’s promises for your life. Yes, keep guarding your heart, there’s so much blessing that accompany waiting (which is also defined as obedience and worship)!

Yes, I call myself very blessed–aside from the fact that I am going to be Gen’s wife, I am going to have two amazing, women-of-God-kind of mothers soon! =) =)

ang pamamanhikan

Ours was different in a way that the groom’s father (Pastor Ric) and Genesis need not asked my father (Pastor Ruffy) for my hand. Well, charge that to the trust we all made that God has appointed a time for us to be together and that Genesis and I have decided (and chose–choice is big factor) to obey fully and be [here]. So, to get things a little more formal, we setup a meeting of families at Eden Nature Park in Toril, Davao City.

HOW THE JEWISH DOES IT

Last March, Gen and I have been reading on how Jewish people setup nuptials. Aside from the fact that they also do arranged marriages,
their custom is much closer to how we do it in the Philippines.
our custom as Filipinos is very much similar to how they do it. The groom travels far to meet with the bride’s family. At dinner, he pours our wine and if the prospect bride drinks of the cup, the betrothal is sealed. The two are pledged to be married in a year (at most, two). And while waiting for the day, the bride concerns herself of beautifying and preparing herself all the more in purity. The groom on the other hand goes back to his father’s house. They prepare the marriage tent while only the groom’s father know about the exact date of the wedding.

IN THE SPIRIT

Spiritually speaking, Jesus as the Bridegroom came to offer his lifeblood–dying on the Cross to save us all from our sins. From the conviction of guilt, we are made pure by the shedding of His blood. Hallelujah! And as we partake of that blood, we share in His sufferings, joy and mission. From then on, the believers as Christ’s Body and Church, is betrothed to Him who poured His Blood.–yes, we became Christ’s Bride.

WHAT HAPPENED

Conventionally, Genesis’ fam had to fly over from Pangasinan to meet with us for the said pamamanhikan, but it turned out that we had a  family getaway–yes, a rather good sway from the traditional–and it was something that both families actually needed. We had food, games, hikes, photos, swimming and singing. The presence of God was evident. Of course, we had discussions regarding the technicalities of the wedding and with joined faith, we are certain that God will set things in place.

Later that night, we had the Kingdom Meal–the communion led by Pastor Ruffy and commenced in prayer by Pastor Ric. It was binding. It was joyful. It took us all into a deeper level of faith. Truly, God has His own ways of exalting Himself even in seasons as intimate as this. I thank God for all His interventions for only with His works are these things perfected and given more substance. Praises!

 If you wonder why Gen and I do not have a photo together? Well, I wondered first! No one remembered, I guess. We’re set to have our e-sessions this weekend, anyway!

nerves are perfectly working

@3:56 am, I am wide awake for work. I’m finishing one task today as the next two days, and the rest of the weekend will be spent with Gen’s family here in Davao.

Today, we’re treading new waters in our obedience to God’s call for our life. Nothing mushy. Just  a dedicated, all-out, all-in “yes” to Him who is irresistible.

It’s good to be inside August 10!