again, thank you!

thank you for everyone who came last Tuesday night...

thank you for the effort sa getups!

thanks for the food, gifts, smiles, prayers and the well-wishes...

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

invitation sneak peek

text by: gen | layout by: rej

I'll be getting the first five copies today...

I really hope it will turn out good...

#jitters

new phone wallpaper---ayeee!

i'm prepared to not-have a perfect marriage.

and i prepare more on having a happy marriage.

(#purposefulmarriage --yes =))

"Do two walk together, unless they have agreed?" -Amos 3:3

hala...

Uuuuuuy, naka-crush! =p

(among the bunch of shots that will not be included in the photobook)

still editing the photos for the photobook... it's due tomorrow, and obviously, I'm cramming--yet enjoying much!!!

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

can't afford

Recollecting the day when we decided to pursue marriage, we took the step of faith. Yes, faith it is because we both didn't have money (hehe!). Nonetheless there was so much peace in our hearts.

It was only yesterday that I had the opportunity of publicly sharing our testimony (will blog later in case you won't be around the engagement party) regarding the finances, and I myself was moved to tears. God is so faithful.

I can attest that when we do things in faith and in obedient response, God unlocks the heavens. And even more, I can say that I am loved not for what I have and I love not because of what Gen has. Clearly, true love cannot compare to any cost in this world. Because if love has a tag price, no one could ever afford it. However, through Jesus, we enjoy the gift of true love at His expense.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

e-session

from the spontaneity of our e-session shots...

 

venue: davao riverfront corporate city area, ma-a

photographers: rhea annie tulio, val francis matabalan

stylist: rhea annie tulio

taken august 16, 2011

open lines

Communicate. Because...

1. you can.

2. you need it.

3. you should.

I guess one of the keys to know if you're ready for a relationship is the ability to communicate. If this is still a problem, you won't only hurt yourself, but the other person as well. 

I wouldn't say Gen and I are excellent communicators. But this is one thing we put our best efforts. Again because we can, we need to and we should. Although we knew the need to be very open, there are also things we can't talk about or maybe not dwell too much on. And the best practice that we did was first converse well with God. If you're besting the secret place with Him, other lines get opened and you're saving yourself from choppy connections that will unnecessary break what you're trying to build up.
God bless everyone!

crush.

#Godisthoughtful #truelovewaits #trueloveweds

Happy working, Teammate! =)

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can there be a day?

[photo taken by: rhea annie tulio]


Here is Gen's first poem. (written 01 January 2009)

We now have the answer. 

#Godisthoughtful

 

there is a day in a moment,
there is a moment in a day yet
can there be a day that you are not a moment?
i flood my day so you can't stay,
still i fail so i ask anyway,
can there be a day that you're too far away?
thinking i could run today and turn my back,
so quickly i'm filled with lack and so again i ask,
can there be a day that your picture dims blurred in black?
i am a blind eye inside your heart...
a captive of your charm, a slave by your radiance.
can there be a day that i don't think of you?
can there be a day that you don't invade the minutes of a day?
can there be a day that i don't wait to watch your icons play?
can there be a day...? how i wish there was a day...
oh i desperately need that day that you don't stay in a day...
oh i wish there was a day...
but it never came...
it never comes...
it never will... unless a day turns into...
...a lifetime or sadly a plain yesterday.

can there be a day where you remain in that day...
...and you stay because you choose it that way?
can there be a day when you speak of what i crave you to say?
yes, i believe there can be a day...
...but it's just a day where illusions spray.

i hope you don't mind if i stay with you in a day,
so i could ask you one last time if i may...
can there be a day when the day i talked about today...
...is the same day that you experience everyday?
can there be a day? may it be... Today.

for the love of snail mails

I think I was born a letter-writer. Even when I had to ask for favor from my parents back when I was in grade 1, I write them. I also remember slipping notes in Papaps' bags whenever he traveled. I am fond of writing letters and I sure love getting some. I wonder if Gen would allow me to bring my big box of heart prints with me when we move into some neat place (as God prepares!).
After realizing that I had never sent him letters or cards since-the-time-I-allowed-myself-to and that he would be here sooner to start {forever}, I defaulted myself to a twelve-day scribbling my honest rants. Although I can easily text, call or email my man, I now opt for the more laid-back way. And I wonder why there's more kilig. hehe! 
Is it really like this when you're getting married?

I delight greatly in the LORD;
   my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
   and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, 

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up

   and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness

   and praise spring up before all nations.

-Isaiah 61:10-11

The Bride and the Groom are among the rare creatures
that are pleasing to the eyes. Almost incomparable.
And Isaiah compares that to slavation.
Salvation makes us beautiful.
(if not for God's saving grace,
we will not be here in this season together.
God has saved us from ourselves, our past and our tendencies.
We now understand how important
for two people to have a personal encounter with God,
before entering marriage.
Apart from that, there is no glory.)
Salvation is our glory. And this is only done by Jesus' blood on the cross.
It is like the beauty in a wedding.
Amazing noh?
Conscious sad diay si Isaiah sa mga weddings before noh?
Weddings are head-turners.
It is powerful enough to take us out of our busyness
to chance at two lives beautifully remade to
walk love's journey, for God's will and praise.
...
If the groom takes the lead spiritually (other areas follow),
it is a beauty to behold.
If the bride is bedecked with jewels (grabeh diay sauna noh?),
it is beauty, royalty, and grandness.
It keeps everyone breathless. And God delights at that.
...
God ordains things and events
to show forth His praise and glory!
He causes things!
...
And here we stand proclaiming
"Jesus is our Reason!"
-Gen and Rej

perfection defined

[link from ate rhea annie tulio]

God desires a blameless, spotless bride for His Son. Somebody who is practically perfect. As I walk through this bridal season, I am humbled by the many realizations (revelations in Christianese! =D) God graciously unveils. 


He knew that the Church, the Body of Christ as the Bride of Christ, walks in compromise many times, faltering even in the least details so He unconditionally gave His Son (Romans 5:8---while we were yet singles sinners, Christ died for us!) to wash us clean. It was the Father who paid for the ransom, it was the Son who paid for the beautiful white dress of the Bride, it is for her to keep it untainted until the time her Bridegroom returns. Then she can walk the aisle of grace, everyone amazed at her beauty, mesmerized by her perfection.


But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1Corinthians 15:10 NIV

our vintage travel e-session

CREDITS:
photos from: val francis matabalan
creative directors: jingle sumagayan, rhea annie tulio
(photos from ate rhea annie tulio--not available yet)
 
¹ Now the LORD had said to Abram:
      “Get out of your country,
      From your family
      And from your father’s house,
      To a land that I will show you.

 ² I will make you a great nation;
      I will bless you
      And make your name great;
      And you shall be a blessing.

 ³ I will bless those who bless you,
      And I will curse him who curses you;
      And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 

Genesis 12:1-3

I'm taking a break from the layouting task I asked myself to do. Doing the invitation is not easy. But to say the least, we are actually having fun. This is something so-me-and-the-groom at the wedding. At least, we have one theme to focus on. This should stop us from entertaining other equally great ideas we see in the internet. What we're being challenged more is the text part.

While being spontaneous, I talk a halt (Gen left for some errand---yes, online collaboration) as I face the dilemma of whether to include the note on the matter of gifts. Although we would welcome house necessities as presents, Gen and I are soon leaving for Luzon to start ministry there. We need to lessen the stuff to pack. And being certain with that, and as per advised by closest friends, we need to note that we prefer monetary gifts.  And since we are not including the traditional money dance, it somehow fair enough to slip envelopes in the invitations. At least, it will keep the amount a secret. It seems like we are doing our guests a favor already, right?

So as I was trying to find a spot for this matter, I rushed to Google for help. Invitation experts (yes, this phrase was there, I actually didn't know there are those kinds of professionals) say that although guests would usually bring gifts, giving presents is optional; and it is rather unethical to even mention them in invitations.

So,what do you think?

And I'm now happy for being rid with the challenge keying-in the kindest words so that we won't sound uncouth and too bold. The guests are free to bring presents. And as for ourselves, we are already very, very delighted of the truth that God has gifted us to each other for a lifetime. 

God is thoughtful. This is a perpetual musing in my heart.

licensed.

Fetched the marriage license before the day ended today. I was beaming with joy, peace, praise, faith, love, worship--all sorts of eternal things in complete attendance. And then I found myself quite alone unlike the last time I was here, Gen was all too makulit--his usual.
I would have wanted to wait until he comes back, but that's a month more to go. I can't allow an increased chance of document loss; neither could we be negligent in claiming what is supposedly ours.
God is utterly thoughtful.
#gracelikerain


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À Dieu soit la gloire!

Being in love with the vintage flair since high school (I usually dye my DIY stamp-covered notebook), I only realized I do not just love its aesthetic side, I have been carrying a burden for France. It alsmost started as a joke way back when we were called to cite the nation where God would send us as missionaries, PI is the only place I think of. I never see myself leaving the Philippines for work or even missions. Brutally. But when papaps asked me at our staff meeting (in 2004---my first year being staff, then I left for a secular work, and then came back as the calling was stronger than any effort to hush it) where would I go besides the homeland, I blurted France! Ouie, ouie!
I have read an article how European churches are being converted to mosques and that not many young people are passionate for God in these countries. I might as well go and minister to the place. Honestly, the burden is as ever fresh as it was first planted in my heart. France might be a little long away from my current schedule, or it could be close to God's calendar, who knows?! One thing is certain as of now, we (Gen and I) are very much eager to start touching places and carry the spirit of revival to any place as long as there are people--hello to Kabacan, Mati, Samal and Tibungco (Urdaneta, of course!) for our first few stops before the literal going-into-the-world mode.

Forgive the old soul in me, and lemme tell you, it's a new wine being poured to new wineskin that's going on. Many times, we move our thoughts away from the wedding preparation and Gen would lead me to pray (my, it's really long! peace! =D) and ready our hearts more for the long term things that God is calling us to do. 
November Twelve is just one big day that will lit the many, many big days of our lives together! #SoliDeoGloria

no bridal shower for me

I easily fell in love with this chic cake. And I honestly mull over having something like this for the bridal shower. I actually sent this pic to a dear cake-maker, Ms. Novie Tacugue, and she, too, loved every bit of it. Who wouldn't be?
Nonetheless, since I decided not to have a bridal shower--an intimate event with friends where they shower you gifts--those that are actually extra intimate--we have to forego this piece of sweetness. Realizing that I would have more of a despedida-de-soltera night---where you bid farewell to singlness, it's better to come up with something that is purposeful but still fun, inclusive rather than exclusive.
With one reason in mind, I can surely attest, I want to end a season with worship, in worship to God for blessing me richly lived single years. I have so much to say. I have so many stories to tell. And yes, so many learnings to detail. All these things point to one thing--one accummulated loud praise to my Creator and King. Definitely, one night will not suffice. I might as well write a book, noh? 
I love the season of singleness. If only I can extend it. But they say, you can't overstay in one place and still have the fullest measure of the next phase for they are not impenetrable. I have to be found ready and able at the time I am expected to. So, here I am, Lord.
Since Gen share the same heart, and wants to do the same, we have realized we needed to throw a simple engagement party together when he arrives. Although we have been engaged since February, this is no longer an event to announce it, but more appropriately said, it is to seal one season and gift from God that we have truly enjoyed. At best, we can both express our gratitude to friends who have encouraged us to go through the process in worship, obedience, purity and full faith. It can also be a time to share our love story to the young people in church and leak to them our treasured lessons. In our little way, we hope in God, that His work in us will further in everyone their commitment to Him.


This is a precedence...
I can see that many more committed young people are soon to be wed.
Praises!

can't be any happier

Here's a video from Kuya Rey of soulzoundzdezign. It's really very nice noh? The wedding looked very vintage yet fab already. Thanks to Kuya Rey's save the date video--all glory to God for the edged skill and competent creativity. (You can also watch other videos at the website).


When the skill evaded us this time, I'm glad Kuya Rey is there! I can't be any happier now. So blessed to be cousins with you!