Of Weddings and being a Maid of Honor on Valentines Day 2014: God's faithfulness

Today, we celebrate the wedding of both Froi2x and Geri. Personally, I am just so blessed to see how much God has been faithful in both of your single lives and now as a newly-wed couple. 

Socrates once said, “By all means marry. If you get a good wife, twice blessed you will be. If you get a bad wife, you’ll become a philosopher.” HAHA J Good thing Froi for you, you have found a good wife in Geri. I pray for twice the blessings that only the Lord can provide the two of you and your future family.

Pero that doesn’t mean na si Froi lang ang nakakuha ug good and perfect gift, let’s be fair. To let you in on a little secret, a few years back when Froi2x was not yet in the picture, kani si Geri worried kaayo ko for her.  When we would shop for our Godson’s gift together, I would tell her “Huy Ge, help me out.” She’d say “Uhm ok ra na Res, ikaw ra bahala. Tawagi ra ko pag mubayad na. ” Iya ra ko pasagdaan. Then I seriously told her, “Ge, dili pwede. You need to learn about these things. Unsa ang good bottles and not. Unsa ang BPA-free, etc. You have to know these things.” Geri would say “Parehas kayo ni Karen. She’s telling me to learn how to cook. Para maging blessing daw ako sa mapapangasawa ko. Pero ok lang yan. Wag kayo mag-alala. Bat ba mas nag-aalala kayo kesa sakin?” 

I told her, “Geri, we will not be together forever. What if you have your first baby what would you do? Come here, turuan kita.” Geri’s reply: “Simple. I will call you. Diba Res, what are friends for?”

I am sharing this to let everyone know that even during those times, the Lord has kept Geri at peace and confident. Kaya pala ganon na lang ang confidence niya, it’s because God provided those exact things in Froi. God knew what would be a suitable partner for her someday. Froi who is very detailed, knows what to look for when shopping, and cooks for Geri, indeed you are a good and perfect gift for her too. Kaya Ma, I can breathe na. Knowing that you are in good hands. Plus mahal man ang long distance from Hong Kong so thank God for Froi2x. Froi, akong mama ikaw na bahala a? Love her as Isaac loved Rebekah. Geri, be of comfort and encouragement to Froi your husband. 

They say a wedding is one thing. A marriage is something else entirely. But based on the preparation that the Lord has subjected you both not only for this day but the rest of your days together, I know you guys will be more than okay. I put my confidence, not in the two of you but the God who has brought you together. May you always remember Him who has been so faithful in your lives as singles, as an engaged couple, and your future life together. Know that both of your families, closest friends, as well as your spiritual family from Dumaguete, Cebu, and Hong Kong we all share in your joy today and we will continue to cover you both in prayers. I don't want to leave out Mamang because I know she is rejoicing with us. So happy that we are all here today to celebrate your marriage. 

And as your Maid of Honor, thank you for letting me be a part of this glorious wedding. I now understand why it is such an honor to be one. There is no better place to be this Valentines Day. I love you both.   

On choosing to love.. As He chose to love us.

Wow it's 2014! Nope this isn't my annual Valentines Letter to God knows who yet. It's just a spur of the moment blog on some thoughts.

So lately I've been so busy. Yes with my sisters and ministry but more on helping in the preparations of one of my closest friend's wedding which happens tomorrow. 

Being with the bride while meeting her suppliers over the past months, dealing with the stress alongside her and her groom, and rejoicing in the joy they're experiencing as the day nears got me thinking. Yes about marriage and love in general.

A lot of people involved in the wedding preparations have said to me, "Grabe noh? Maid of Honor ka pero parang coordinator ka na rin. Na-apil pud kag kastress. Ikaw, kelan ba yung sayo?" I'd laugh and say "Oh don't worry. You'll definitely know. Kasi icocopy paste ko lang tong lahat ng preparations for Geri's wedding when that happens. That is if the husband agrees and if the husband (Piolo) finally finds out. HAHA" 

Seriously, I find it amusing that I can be in high spirits and so humorous when I respond that way. Perhaps because I know that it's all in God's good timing and when it happens for me, all Glory goes to Him. If you were to ask me if I would be ready to get married if someone proposed to me tomorrow, I'd say of course not. You see, saying YES to such a life changing event bares the responsibility that will affect not only you and that man but the generation that follows in that marriage. Then again, nobody is every fully ready until it happens. So this waiting period which others dread, I consider it God's grace. His grace of preparation until that time comes. Until that person comes.

Many of you know that I drive. Last year, during a flesh and spirit battle I had to basically pull over to the side of the national highway as I drove myself home. In tears I cried out to God and said this prayer "Lord I will let go. Not because I find it easy but because I know you have a great plan for me. I know I deserve someone who will choose me. Not confused. Not playing it safe but someone who will choose me the way You chose me. Who will see me and know I'm his. The way You saw me and just knew. Someone who will take a risk with me the way You took a risk with me many years ago knowing full well that I may not even accept You, but you still risked it all for me. Because I am worth it."

Many people think that when they get saved, it's because they chose God. But when I came to know Christ, I knew it wasn't me. Because if my salvation was something I could do for myself, then when I feel like turning my back on God and I just don't want any of this Christianity thing anymore, then I can take matters into my own hands and unsave myself. But I did play a role. I accepted the invitation. Even Scripture backs this up in John 15:16 Jesus says “You did not choose Me but I chose you.” 

Tomorrow I will be witnessing two people exchange their vows. Two people who CHOSE each other as God chose them to be a part of His family. Tomorrow I will be smiling, laughing, probably crying but all in joy. 

Then I go home fresh from it and work on that Valentines Letter that I know some of you guys have been waiting for.  When it's done, I'll link it here. Til then, Happy Valentines everyone! :))

OFF LIMITS

Found this on the blog of H. A. Paulsen, author of "Emotional Purity: An Affair of the Heart." (which by the way is a very2x good read). Very insightful. Helped me bring to light some things in my life and I pray that you be blessed with this blog as well. -ressa (I have put the thing which I agreed with, and my personal thoughts at the end, in BOLD.) 


OFF LIMITS (http://emotionalpurity.blogspot.com/2011/03/030411-off-limits.html)

"God, no You can't ask that of me!"

"God, really You want me to change that!"

"God, You can't really want me to say that!

What are your "off limits" to God: singleness, mission field, being barren, moving, finding a new job in this awful economy, a new group of friends, a ministry at your local church, overeating, an anti-depressant, repairing a broken relationship, or down sizing so you can be a stay at home mom?

What are you afraid to let go of?

As soon as something becomes "off limits" to God, it becomes an idol in our life. It's really that simple! We're choosing the flesh over the Spirit. We're choosing our way over God's way. We're thinking we know what's best for our life, our family or our church.

Surrender is a process in the Christian walk, not an easy one, but an essential one to mature in faith!

And remember the things that God is calling you to let go of, maybe totally different than what He's calling someone else to...so no judgement, no being critical, just trust that they are on their path towards surrender! (Preaching that to myself!)