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.

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

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!

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. =)

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.

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

yes, you are.

I spent the whole morning doing the layout for the setup and detailing the tasks. Oh for the fun side of each left and right brain! Langga and I were messaging today... And I saw this vid in the previous entries of the thread, dated March I guess. She linked this among the vintage elements. 

Sigh. Rascals in-love.

Thank you, Ms. Rizza Jean Rivera. So thoughtful of you. We need more time for business meetings and chitchat, of course.

You are beautiful to Me. -Jesus

(with a different kind of voice of course!)

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!

vintage-fy!

Yay, so happy today since Kuya Rey (our always creative and worship-oriented cousin--see their blog here.) offered to edit the photos for us. I have the raw copies already, and I was just staring at them, not knowing where to start as things were flooding my mind. This is such a load-lifting news today, and for sure, outcome will be better than what we can imagine. 

Thank you in advance, Kuya Rey and Ate Minette! :) 

Notes:
-Spent the night chilling with my friend at her sister's birthday (photos here). She and her family's got their tickets for the wedding already. Weee!

at thirty

Imagining thirty years with Genesis. My, that would be lots of disciples, soaking, children (four?), conferences, businesses, money, giving-money and trips abroad. These could only be real with God’s hands over us.

I sound so inspired, eh? Parents celebrate their pearl wedding anniversary today. We are all overwhelmed at the longevity of their bliss and how fresh they dream of more things to come. They have always been a blessing in every way. And I am just so blessed to be modeled by one marriage so proximate as theirs. I am so glad they made the right decision thirty years ago. And soonest, it will be my turn. I am nervous. Yes, nervous, but not scared.

I wish I could word their love story in detail. The truth is, the more we get deeper on the seeking and preparations, the more I get to know my parents’ story’s sweetest deets. (And I realized, there were resemblances in both tales). Although they were classmates back in Bible School, they have been lovers for three years after graduation. (Okay, we’re not the same on that. Gen and I do not have a boyfriend-girlfriend stage (yes, pwede). We had been praying for (round-off ang 2years and eleven months) three years.) Papa (the shy type) offered to send off Mama (a typical sanguine) at the port. That was surprising for mom. But they were friends, so she didn’t mind. But while there, papa gifted her a book entitled “I Love A Girl.” And that said something. Then there was a more meaty dedication on the inside cover. That could have said it all. He then asked mama to tell her parents that somebody is pursuing her (since he could not visit and talk to them personally at their province in Visayas–long travel, financial issues then–but he was sincere). Summer came, they were posted to pastor different churches in distant provinces. And way back when, imagine the mode of communication–snail mail and very rare telegram. So they had looooooots of loooooong letters. Soon, it was August 26, 1981. #happyhappyhappy

Fast forward three decades.

With how we decided to pursue marriage and how we heard God, will let you know in a different blog entry later. I have the tendency to flow. Let’s halt a bit since I have to hit the sheets already as migraine necessitates. And tomorrow, it’s preaching time at the Re-Encounter. Pray with us. Thanks. =)

*sixth of forty*

my man's suit

Paid for the suit… Gen fitted it last Wednesday, but we waited until today before purchasing it to get a discount. It’s still rather pricey at its remaining cost. But he deserves it. (Several more add-ons needed, though).

Getting it today is one less stress point. Weeee!

This is another favor! God is truly opening doors for US in perfect sequence. #praises

vintage casual

Photo taken and edited by Ate Rhea Annie Tulio.

We seemed hard core on the vintage themes that we wanted to project for the e-sessions. We only wanted a touch of the vintage era, but as ideas flowed out, resources also poured. I love how the photos came out (except for the fact that my hair dried too much from all the ironing, perming, moussing and spraying =( ). Well, there’s always a sacrifice to any good result you wanted to get.

=)

vintage glam

This is a take on vintage glam for our e-session. That’s Jason’s hand on the background as he sets my hair. He’s an added talent for this part of the wedding preps. God truly rallies people when we need them.

Once again, thank you guys for helping us out. May God bless you more and promote you all the more!

a sneak peek to the vintage travel e-session

Our first round of shots were taken at the cargo ship deck in Sasa. Ate Rhea and Val were thoughtful photographers while Ate Jingle was very good at checking the details. We are blessed with a great team. Several more rounds coming up on Monday. Tough job.

But to me, doing this is really necessary. #worship #awakeningtalents