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

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

can there be one more day?

pa-extend...

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]

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.

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!

Hello :)

Hello everyone :)

#sundaychill

whew!

Finalizing the guest list... Not easy...but fun!

the well of encounter: how we met

We were frequently asked as to how we met. I guess that's because most were surprised with the engagement--or because it seemed silent. I plan to share some bits tonight, although Gen's version (we have the same, though) is printed in the wedding invites. I hope I can word them well as I am overtaken by favor, love, grace and delight.

Back in 2006, Micah and I were booked to go to San Fernando, La Union to speak at a youth camp. Sadly, we had to call off the arrangement for a valid reason. After that, I found PK's (pastors kids) and some youth leaders adding, messaging me in Friendster (that was prolly the prominent social networking site back then)--mostly inquiring of God's work here in Davao. I was glad to accommodate them all. 

Come October-November 2007, Ate Raya (along with other youth leaders in PCGAMI-Mindanao) setup a Youth Summit in CDO. The vision of the gathering started as a gathering for PKs. I remember Ate Raya contacting me and my brother to somehow light a fire in our hearts for a gathering. It turned out to be a bigger one as we welcomed all church leaders. As the event neared, I was accustomed to getting inquiries from different leaders(Ate Raya and husband, Kuya Joey just came from La Union for a youth gathering. I was told my name was mentioned there)--including Genesis Supsup who emailed me and tried to get me a short YM chat (with how he knew my address: found my email address in Friendster). It was rather a quick conversation that ended up with him saying, "Thank you for all the info regarding the summit. We might not be able to make it as we have pressing needs right now. Nonetheless our hearts are with you guys. And... I know you're a very busy person... really, thank you for allowing me to chat with you. You might as well delete me on your contacts list."

The 5-minute exchange ended. I deleted the contact. haha.

Gen remained a passing inquiry. It was after several months (2008 na =D) that I heard from him again. I was trying out the blog feature of Friendster. Gen commented on this: "It's okay to sleep a hundred years and be kissed by the right prince than be kissed a hundred times by the wrong frog." I remembered him saying, "Have you ever thought why girls long for a prince when princes almost always pass a frog-season." (not verbatim)

Hmm... striking... 


I asked myself, "bitaw noh? Pandamay."

That year, we had very casual exchanges not until I came back from the youth summit held at Nasuli. Gen asked how it was. I heard from him again. But things remained plain and short. It caught my attention though when a few days passed my 26th birthday came. He wrote me a birthday note that had good length. Knowing the unentertaining-to-guys-kind-of-girl that I am, I only managed to reply "thank you" as I did to all who slipped me an e-message.

A month quickly cycled. December 10-12, 2008 were three great days at Cuneta. Yes, the second National G12 Conference. I met lots of new friends including those that I get to talk to online... Christian leaders that remain great friends today (yes, including Jez Manugue--one of the bridesmaids). And I quite forget that I hadn't met Gen yet. 


The last session closed and my parents were booked to meet with Ptr. Cesar Castellanos that evening. Mom asked me to bring the camera to their seat (front line). The spot was packed as people were crowding for photos with the speakers (Lorena and Sarah were there then). Bem and I squeezed our way to our parents finding them with Auntie Becky and two others---Tita Nars (Gen's mom) and Gen being introduced to our parents. I handed the cam, getting us introduced to them. He stretched his hands for a handshake. (I recognized this guy from the photos.) I exclaimed, "Uy, Genesis!"--I was happy I finally met all the leaders I met on the web.
  
He didn't say a word. #pwedemaulaw


I introduced Bem and left. I was embarrassed. I thought I have mistaken him with the guy at Friendster/PCGAMI PK.

December Twelve ended.


We arrived Davao the next Saturday. I found a message in my inbox saying, "Hi Rej. How;s your flight home? I just want to tell you I feel blessed meeting you in person. It matters to me sending this note."

Eeeeek.

Di na gyud ko ganahan mo-reply unta. But I thought, at least, tama ko na mao gyud to siya na guy. Things remained plain --and truly, I am so glad and proud how Gen maneuvered our progressing conversations from then on--that's why I remained to be there in the journey. He knew the topics I like to dwell on and those that I don't. (will insert a thought sana--but will post nalang another entry) I think that pays for the long progress. hehehe.


Yes, we met that night. At a conference... At a place where God's presence fell and people feasted on it, in His Word and where living water flows. The well of Encounter... Maki-barkada na mi ila Isaac ug Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel and Moses and Zipporah... We never knew we'd be here someday. But yes, we're [here] at the place we used to secretly wondered if there's a "there" for the two of us.


To God be the glory.


We are really humbled. With the impossibilities of being geographically apart, it is only God who can create an honest friendship within two people. #Godloveswritingstoriesoftheheart

one month

Fetched some of the invitations, checked the photobook and the wedding favors... We rushed all these hoping to get back to BCC at 1pm. We failed to make it on time. We then spent the whole afternoon at Palos Verdes with Ate Jingle, Langga, Amor, Arianne and Ate Rhea. We made layouts, gabbed and ate pizza until we get the 4:30, 5:30pm feel of the place. Believe with us that it won't rain, okay? =)

Preparation lessons:

1. Coherent. We want a coherent theme. #vintage (vintage travel, vintage chic, vintage glam - vintage clean and vintage simple! Vintage but not rustic.)

2. DIY. I used to make my school projects on my own (a typical eldest #birthorder) and I believe in Do-It-Yourself weddings. There's too many ideas to glean from on the web and definitely, I would want to have one that's not so generic as I see many weddings around town--10 weddings having the same decorations... DIY weddings are demanding though. And there's this kulba-part if things work or not. I sure hope they do. 

3. Being hands-on. We wanted to be hands-on with the preps. After all, it will be our first and last wedding. I can't just leave things onto someone else. Yes, hands-on but not be-all. I really believe that I don't always have the best ideas. And sure, during the preps, I found very smart and creative ideas from friends. They are real jewels wrapped in skin.

4. Up-to-date. Follow through. Follow sched. 

5. Live within the budget. Brides want the best wedding for themselves and it's tempting to splurge. And when ideas come, learn to sort which of them are most practical, most meaningful or most important to you. It helps keep the safety of the wedding fund.

6. Engage in moments. Although we're set with the wedding event, it's still important to engage in gratitude-moments to the Lord and with loved ones. I am learning to remember family and friends as much as possible and take time to thank them for their presence and loving support. I can't be too absorbed with the event and miss out on people. I also take me-time moments. Gen and I also ask each other even more frequent "how-are-you's?". Ministry is also our core values as well as secular work. Running time, but still keeping up and besting every moment. #asGodenables 

Our days are definitely numbered. In all these, God be praised!

#thankfultohavewillingfriends

buy one take one

Too many errands on a hot day; We decided to pause enjoy some Cornettos. It's great doing things together--maski asa magkauban. Buy-one-take-one ang tirada. Toinkz! #offtoBCCtopreparetheplacefortonight'sengagementfellowship

cardworm

Got another card! =D =) =) =)
Weeee!
My second while he's here... Does he know it warms my heart?
#diakomagsasawa

Haaaay...

Engagement party tonight... My first time to attend! #nyahaha

Son-day to last

Here are some shots we took having a teal-colored roll up door. During our vintage glam session, we designed to have it in Paper Tree. Unfortunately, we got there late. The store was already open when the team arrived. We ended up having the shoot at SM---place really hot and the day was humid at the time. And the guards shooed us away. Haha. 

The first Sunday to forever is finally here. Barely one month more to go, we're already very honored to serve the Lord together (it has been quite a while since "together" but it's really different now that we are in one place). Our morning started by praying for a sick child that was brought by her mother to church. The toddler just had colostomy and needs more medication. Gen prayed for the him after we talked and extended help to the young mom. We also met a couple who's getting married a month after us. And we are starting a cell group come Saturday! Weeee! After the second service we spent the lunch with Anne. I am so blessed with how Gen brings things to the table just to help me comfort one of my precious girls. We devoured Isaiah 54 (one of our core passages) with Anne then off we went to grab sundaes or Cornetto. To no avail. =( That means we need to schedule another afternoon for that (diba, Anne?)!

#LovingGodLovingPeople

togetherness makes the difference

Way back the Friendster days, I posted the shoutout, "Jacob worked. Rachel waited." Sure there are many angles to the status message and in all these, God has been faithful to bring us together. We now work together and wait together--and ever ready for forever. #asGodpreparesUS

I am always blessed seeing Gen work--and the thought that I will see him everyday working is nostalgic. Him accompanying mom and I for all the errands do take his working hours yet he freely lees way.

Some of my weekends thoughts, you know. Surely there's a lot more reasons to worship God tomorrow through songs.

See you around, people.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

taking part at youth reload anniv

I was occupied taking photos at Reload - Justice League today that we weren't able to take a photo together at the stage. Tsk. But as I scrambled through our photos, I found these. (Taken last July 2, 2011---6th anniversary of youth reload) =)

BEFORE

AFTER

serving God together...

inventory

Spent the whole day doing the inventory with mama, AJ and te Jingle. Now, here's us after the exhaustingly fun day. We're off to Reload :)

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here for forever

Joy is doubled today. Gen arrived early AM (his last flight/trip as single---naks!) and mom celebrates 53 years of God's faithfulness.

God is great!