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......
 

labor of love

Among the things (concerning the wedding) that we really want to go hands-on is the invitation. As I have made money making invitations for others in the past, I thought I will surely go DIY with mine should my "schedule" come. And now that we're "here," we did it LOL---Labor of Love!

We kind of splurged on the invites (while Ate Emma gifted us some amount--thank you sooo much te!) but we thought it is worth it. We want to let the people know how excited we are to spend the late-afternoon-to-evening with them in God's presence. 

=) 

I wonder how the rich father felt when He sent out invitations for the wedding of His Son... Matthew 22:1-14

The original plan on the invitation was an Air Mail envelope (i love snail mails!) packing a vintage letter. We disregarded the idea when Gen wanted a book-type version as he wanted it to be coherent with what we're going through--a journey. It should somehow carry a message or tell a story. And I surely loved the idea, too! We kept it simple (hmm...) as we only wanted to send our love and hearts.

Anyhow, we need to get these out ASAP.

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

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

this eagle-ish bride

I started the day with a few collaborations with my potential bosses. #peaceinandthroughHimwhoarrangesourfuture

Then off Bem and I to downtown. We checked the buckles (which we requested NCCC's textile department to order from Manila, and they kindly accommodated us. Kudos to the store! #freeplugin =D) and they're finally here. We can soon work on the wedding favors. #excitedmuch

To spill some beans, I paid for the shoe orders I made online. Hehehe, I am so girly--and my spontaneous shopping days are soon over. (With that, I resolved to respect my future husband in the way I manage the finances. Hmmm, I must say, I'm a breed of a bargain-shopper and investment-shopper. From the mixture, I love it when papaps muse at me: "you make wise-buys!" Okay, enough for now. We'll talk about that in a different blog entry sometime later.) Nonetheless, I also promised myself to [indulge] if need be. So the purchase made a third of my day! =D

Along the way, Bem and I checked on the new opening of ukay-ukay stuff. I got a blazer! Haha. And I got Bem one, too--his prize for patiently tagging along. ;)

I grabbed a snack on the way home. (rice, adobong lechon, beef soup/broth and minatamis na saging = merienda noh?!)

Second "third" of my day.

Just after we got home, I had to sneak a power nap and rush the preps to attend Joverly's (eagerl) wedding at Insular Waterfront Hotel.

I had a great bonding time with AJ and Aivee (three generations of discipleship). I had the chance of inquiring the photobooth services since we also planned having one (and I have layout ideas already). So glad to sharpen my haggling skills and get it at a good price with the paper frame included (my first inquiries from other service provides cost much higher). Woohoo! Favored! Lagi nalang favored! Si Lord man gud bah! =D

Third third.


Soli Deo Gloria!

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

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.

the ninong/ninang agenda

We agreed to have seven pairs (3 from me, 3 from her, 1 common) ... but right now we still have ten on our list... wanna help doing the pick? #there-is-a-requirement-though =D

Rej and I were very careful about this one. Our first criteria in picking a ninong/ninang is the testimony of the marriage. Who wouldn't want to witness and be modeled by a God-ordained and God-blessed marriage?! Of course we're aware that we're incapable of finding perfections in marriages. But we do honor couples who have stood firm in their faithfulness to God with their vows of sanctifying their marriage to give glory to the Lord as they minister the Gospel and make God's love known through their genuine love and intentional fidelity to their only spouse. #plusablessedparenting

We also wanna be strict at picking those who can really attend the wedding ceremony--we never want them to miss witnessing our sacred vows being sealed in the Lord's presence. Bu have you ever thought of cheap presence wrapped in a cheap signature? Well, this happens when you invite your principal sponsors, they show up on the wedding day... they sign their best signatures... but will miss the way you live your marriage and raise your family for the rest of their lives! The Principal Sponsors should never be counted as decorations of a wedding because they weren't meant for the event but for the marriage and family life of the couple. #notethiswell

At the end of the decision-string, it really brings persistent delight being sure that we can go to them (selected Ninong and Ninang) and be accommodated genuinely as if we really are a son and a daughter to them. #anytime #anywhere #anyhow =)


And to note, right now, we already feel blessed at the list we have. Woohoo!

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!

peaceful chaos

[Today, I got Gen this mag. After all, it's his wedding, too!]

Part of being a bride in advent is managing all the things needed done. Well, that's what one pays for being too hands-on (Actually, I once battled the idea of getting a wedding planner/coordinator. And at some point, I emailed prominent and budding ones in the city. They're somewhere in between cheap and expensive. Affordable at the rate you want to get--thank God for the gift of haggling. But I thought to myself, they will only create either something too bonggacious that the wedding's not [about the couple] anymore aside from the color scheme; something that's about their creativity rather than your personality; or too bland if there are things you want to put but can longer be produced in the place you're in. I still admire them. But I can't let any of them rob me of the opportunity to be the bride--aside from being the one wearing white.  And since, there's no perfect wedding--but a dream wedding!--I opted going hard core in the research and the envisioning of what we wanted to see and not-see on that day whilst welcoming warm help of ideas and manpower from friends and family. With what could possibly happen come November Twelve, I could not be any happier at the thought of being staunchly devoted and involved in the input and output of things--yes, despite possible glitches. Right now, I just feel blessed to serve a wedding of God's writing. It just so happened that the bride is--I.) 


OTHER THOUGHTS
To everyone getting married, or planning to to marry someday, lemme tell you that the engagement season is not just about kilig. As they say, If you have to face circumstances, face them. Logic for pretty girls? You bet.


Engagement is stressful whether you like it or not. Since it is a season to transition to a different life (of both long seasons--singleness and married life), new things require adjustment, and adjustment is a stress--that inner push, pull, twist and stretch inside your heart and mind. Imagine having too long engagement (more than a year), you can't spare yourself from the much needed adjustment with having a another family, your grown family and starting a family; your finance, a new home, domestic life, ministry, upcoming trips and the possibility of getting children. They cloud the bride's heart and mind as she must be responsible enough to expect these things. How I wish somebody detailed all these areas to me. My heart screams I need a discipler-bride! Heaven, please! (And since, I am not sure I'm having one except having lots of those tidbit-advices, I am now entertaining the idea that, perhaps I have a calling to disciple future brides!)


Doubtlessly, here we are in a perfect situation to finding, chanelling and creating peace. 


Philippians 4:6-7 says: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 


Therefore, peace I receive today: eleventh of forty. At this moment of preparation, all the more I found family, friends, rest, confidence, company; and more distinctly, a very faithful groom and an even more faithful God. It's good to be submerged in a season such as this for God to tell me that He is real, and His peace truly transcends all that I cannot bear and comprehend on my own.

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*