Engagement Seminar: What is Marriage?

Our personalized cover. I made two drawings on our separate folders. 

I've been hearing stories about engagement seminars to equip couples about what to expect in marriage. At Victory, we are blessed enough to be guided with leaders and help us face another season of our lives. Exciting! Thrilling! Name it!

To start of, we were interviewed about how our love story began, how it grew and what made us decide to marry each other. The responses were overwhelming. We were also asked about the wedding preparations and more importantly - the marriage itself.

Our first session talks about the definition of marriage. There were quotations to ponder if we agree or disagree on the matter. One of my favorites is...

"The Christian understands marriage as a covenant made under God and in the presence of fellow members of the Christian family. Such a pledge endures, not because of the force of law or the fear of its actions, but because an unconditional covenant has been made."

In connection with this, three important passages that I wrote are as follows:

a. 1 John 4:18-19 (We love because he first loved us.)

b. Prov. 31:12 (  good not harm, all the days of her life...)

c. Mt. 18:19 ( When two agree in prayer...)

Other definitions that lit up my night were:

"The marriage relationship is a school, a learning and growing environment in which both partners can grow and develop."

"A Christian marriage is a total commitment of two people to the person of Jesus Christ and to each other. It is a commitment in which nothing is held back. Marriage is a pledge of mutual fidelity; it is a partnership of mutual subordination. A Christian marriage is similar to a solvent, freeing up of the man and woman to be themselves and become all that God intends for them to become.. Marriage is a refining process that God will use to have us become the man or woman He wants us to become." 

Along with it are the positive reasons to get married. Thank God we are on the right track!

1. Companionship. (Check!)

2. To work together and fulfill your own and your future mate's needs. ( Of course!)

3. To fulfill sexual needs in the way God intends. (Yes!)

4. Love. (Absolutely!)

5. Because you are convinced that it is God's will for you to marry this person. (Without a doubt!)

To sum it all, here are eight marriageability traits that can make it more possible to have an enriched and satisfying marriage:

1. Adaptability and flexibility

2. Empathy

3. The ability to work through problems

4. The ability to give and receive love

5. Emotional stability

6. Communication skills

7. Similarities between the couple themselves

8. Similar background

I know that these are big words for us imperfect beings but with God's transforming grace, we can learn the art of mastering them.

Valentine's Sweets and Bliss

Today marks the so-called Hearts' Day and I'm glad to finally celebrate it with my family and loved one. ;) My day turned to be a busy one with all the food preparations and getaway date with my yabee! ^_^. For the first time, some of our ninangs and ninongs met at home and I felt their joy to stand with us on our BIG day! Here are some momentous photos when godparents met face to face.

Other godparents were not able to make it, but in time I will definitely write the Part 2 of their meeting before the wedding. One shot first before eating mightily! :)

We're blessed enough to have moms who are the best cooks ever! They prepared the not so common foods which our godparents really liked. Their hunger and appetite were satisfied.

After having a full lunch, we geared to our Valentine destination at Enchanted Kingdom. Click! Click!

Yabs and Yabee (our sweet endearment) posed while a couple offered to take our picture. Sweets and Bliss of Love!

Because I'm too scared to ride on some heart pounding rides, I managed to take shots of my brave fiance.

I can't ride on that one. haha! Thank God there were only few people in EK which allowed us to ride on a good number of rides.

Relaxed shot before heading to Jungle Log Jam and Rio Grande. I'm dizzy already!

And to make it sweeter, he gave me a white rose while I bought him a couple shirt.

I'm His Queen. I'm Her King...

I can't thank God enough for this wonderful story we had. He gave us our hearts' desires at the proper time. 

A Childhood Promise

Who would have thought that a childhood promise can stand over the years? I believe that one of the finest gifts that we can receive is relationship - a genuine and a long-standing one. I count it a blessing to have a best friend for 16 years. She knew me like nobody else and it's good to reflect the times where we've tasted life's glorious revelations. We may have traveled our unique and personal roads but our friendship will continue to thrive by the grace of God.

A glimpse of our friendship that grew over the years...

Birthday celebration at home :)

Family Dinner after capping :) 

Graduation day :)

On our way to church service :)

Balikbayan treat :)

After our aerobics class :)

These are just previews of how we value our presence on such important days and events. She never took an absent. Lols! Looking forward on my BIG day...

And to catch up stories, here are snapshots of our lunch chitchat that lasted for 4 hours. :)

Sweet and salted cookies plus my favorite dark chocolate. :) 

Perfect Bridal Magazine for me. :)

In return, I gave my best friend a box of wedding favor asking her to be my maid of honor. She loved it! For future brides, this idea will melt your maid of honor's and bridesmaids' hearts. Surprise them with something sweet and personalize. :) I'll be creating another blog for my bridesmaids after meeting them.

"Will you be my maid of honor?"

She graciously said "yes". :)

It's always nice to savor these moments that should not be robbed by time and distance. It doesn't matter if it only take some hours because real friendship I believe need not to be demanding. It's giving and listening... It's understanding and rejoicing...

Best friends forever!!! Ooopss wait, there's missing. :) Will soon meet another close friend to complete the package. Childhood days.... such a blessing!

Gear Up

To get ready for a coming action is my motto this season. Summer draws near and I am so excited  about the kids workshop that I'll be handling. A few prospective clients gave interests already that's why all the necessary preparations should be done on my part. Once again, I was reminded of the verse, "Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be." I don't know to what extent these seeds will grow but with faith and diligence, they will bear much fruit.

Thank God I have my "yabee" who is not only my inspiration but my co-laborer. Yesterday, we started cleaning and making some changes in my tutorial room. Even though it was tiring, we both enjoyed working together, sharing ideas and dreaming for the young generation of learners. We got to discover new things about each other and those are bonuses we received from our loving father. Before, I used to dream alone but this time I have someone whom I can honestly share my thoughts and passions. Two heads are better than one. It really holds true with people. :)

And now we're both gearing up towards our calling and family life. Greater things are yet to come. I love this season! ;)

Worth the Wait

In my 26 years of existence, one of the most valuable lessons I learned is that much of life is spent waiting. The world may operate faster than centuries ago but God allows His children to have waiting periods because it is the DNA of our faith.

This morning after spending time walking with my parents and future godparent, I came across our garden and saw this notable plant. What makes it special for me is because I've witnessed how it grew in spite of delayed moments, limited space and rocky home. :) It went through a lot of trimmings and watering but it didn't bloom at the right time. I even remembered my dad joking that this plant is bearing hairy caterpillars and not flowers (lols). It used to filter smoke because we had canteen before and it surpassed the inconsistent weather last 2012-2013. I thought the end purpose of it is to give shade in our garden until I saw these changes...

It served its real purpose which is to bear flower. It lived by its design. I'm excited to see the tiny sprouts of branches that would eventually make more flowers in the coming of days. They might be even used for my wedding as ornaments and witnesses. :)

Living in this fast paced generation, we tend to take short cuts and skip the process of digging the foundation of our faith. When we don't see immediate results, we lose heart and stop believing. We resort to things that we thought will work until our soul lost its fragrance and home.

You might have felt hopeless and forgotten with the situation you are facing now but be secured that there is someone who is working behind the scenes. He can send rain to your dying spirit, give sunshine to your tired bones, and provide the lush green to your empty heart. He does not only labor for you but lovingly operates in your whole system. He will turn your 'waiting hours' into a bullet, able to hit the mark of your success. ;)

As we all wait for Him, let these moments be an active state. Know Him more. Embrace our uniqueness. Learn new skills. Serve others. Be ready for promotion! ;)

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

One Step Closer

I can't believe it's been a month since I said 'yes' to the most crucial and popping question a woman could ever answer. From then on, life has never been plain and routinary. I love the way God brought me to this exciting season and looking back after years of trusting and waiting, He proved himself faithful.

Many people raised the same question, "What's the feeling?" and all I can give is a radiant smile and a happy utterance of what I feel inside. Though I'm still a bit uncomfortable about the warm wishes and favors from people, I knew it is but right to share how my story blossomed and how it will flourish in the course of time.

I give the credit to the people who became part and will still be part of our story. Without you, this would just sound like an ordinary song or even out of tune (lols). Thank you for lending your hands in the most beautiful and unexpected ways. You know who you are. Haha! Most importantly, this could not have happened without my Daddy God's consent. It's unbelievable how you scripted our story and made it true in Your time.

Now I am faced with the A-Z of wedding lists and preparations but to channel out these stresses, it's good to pen down my thoughts, dreams, and convictions. I know that by His overflowing love and grace, it would surely be a life-changing wedding march. :)

It is my delight to share with you my sweets and bliss of being a single to being a married individual. Happy Reading! ;)