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All love stories are the best in their own and special way. And for me doing the Save the Date (STD) Video project was a venue to relate our story – how it all began and how it blossomed to … Continue reading
And now it’s come to this. After months of preparation and planning it still feels surreal that tonight is going to be the last night I’ll be living a life that used to be just about me – my time, my needs, my wants, my dreams. In its very essence, single hood. Tomorrow it will be him and me and the coming days it will be more about him and less and less of me. Or maybe more about we. (So God please help me…become the best wife I could be.)
After all the wedding drama and the boo-hoos, at the end of the day what really matters is the choice we make, and the best choice we could make for each other. I know I could get a little overboard and become over the top bridezilla, but when tomorrow is gone, and all these are done, it’s just going to be him and me. Together for the rest of our lives in the best and worst times. In good weather and under the scorching heat with our occasional tempers.
All of these God thank you. I never even thought I would be getting married, but here I am and here we are with God as the painter, the writer, the author, the creator, – bringing us two broken people back together, over and over, to strengthen and bring out the best from each other.
Now I understand why even the worst day can sometimes be the best day as long as you are in the company of the one you love. I couldn’t imagine myself being with someone else.
Today, as it strikes 12 midnight, is going to be the best day – I’m going to be the wife of the love of my life. 🙂
1 Cor 13:7-8 (Love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Anniversary 4 years ago 🙂
Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
JEALOUSY
one of the enemies of the heart that can be concealed for a time, but later on rots the bone and gives off a bitter and sour scent.
This is one of the hardest things to admit since we couldn’t bear to say even to ourselves that, i’m jealous of his / her fortune or i’m jealous of what he / she has.
When we catch ourselves spiting another or being bitter about something, we know we are falling into the sin of jealousy. Also another evidence would be in James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Whenever I feel that my words are turning bitter or sour referring to another person, I have to check my heart. God wants me to admit this sin to him, to myself, and to my accountability partner/group. And once I do admit it, I feel this sense of freedom from the sourness and jealousy that’s rotting my bones, and affecting my life.
From the book ENEMIES of the HEART, to counteract jealousy, we need to celebrate. Genuinely celebrate others fortune, talent, skills, qualities. If others deserve a compliment, we do not hold it back from them. We need not covet God’s gift for them, because God has blessed us too. We just need to discover and nurture what we have. Their strength may be our weakness, but our strength may be their weakness.
I am blessed to have heard how to counteract feelings of envy / jealousy through our bible study group last Tuesday and now that I know about it, I have no excuses.
It wasn’t an accident for me to hear it. Now I know that God has given us this knowledge, God expects us to know how to counteract these feelings of envy / jealousy.
So the next time envy / jealousy is beginning to stir within me, I need to tell myself (with the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit), that God does not owe me anything, but in fact I owe Him everything.
IF ONLY.
The two most ungrateful words I would often catch myself say. We often have the entitlement mentality and think we deserve more in our life than what we have now. We even hurt ourselves and turn bitter by that little thing we won’t let go.
I would be happier IF ONLY i earn more than what I have now.
I would be happier IF ONLY he would love me more.
I would be content IF ONLY they could treat me this way.
I would be happier EXCEPT that I still haven’t reached my 5 year goal.
I would be content EXCEPT that ______
And our list goes on. We often focus on that little thing instead of God’s unending blessings and grace in our lives. If it is really for us, God knows best when to give it to us, in His right and proper timing.
God wants our honesty and our heart and when we turn to Him, God has the power to make our heart right.
In Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Numbers 11:23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”
Isaiah 59:1 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
Are you letting the exceptions rule your life or are you letting God rule without exceptions?
The pros and cons. The best and the worst thing that could happen. We always live by these thoughts every single day when we make a decision. Especially major ones.
Best effort I’ve done all I could, but worst case scenario, this is the solution I will do. Jason would often tell me if you don’t plan, you plan to fail, but of course there are situations that really can’t be avoided, so what will happen when those dreadful circumstances happen? What is the plan of attack?
Most marriages today would end up in divorce since the idea is we can get married, and if it doesn’t work out, we can just get a divorce. Of course you don’t have to consciously think that way and you don’t plan that your marriage would fail, but at the back of your head you know that it is an option.
I admit that before and subconsciously I would have this bad case of “worst case scenario” syndrome. If a relationship doesn’t work out, worst case scenario, I could just pack up my bags and leave. Some people have done it and they’ve walked out on it easily, why couldn’t I, right? Well wrong.
During the wedding preparations subconsciously I would think of the worst thing that could happen if our wedding didn’t push through. If an argument arises between Jason and I, I would have bouts of doubts and entertain the thoughts of just walking out and turning my back on all these hullabaloo.
However in marriage it doesn’t work that way.
Once married, you’re married in God’s eyes forever. That’s why it’s a big deal. It’s not something you do when you’ve fallen passionately and deeply in love. It’s not just the joys, but the pain, the health and even the sickness. This is the promise you made to your partner, this is the covenant you made with God.
Though we’ve heard this from pre-marital counselling in CCF a year ago, Jason would often remind me that divorce or annulment is never an option. As I’ve come to know God more and more, I learned to never even entertain this thought or this inkling of doubt, because this will become a foothold of the enemy, the devil.
Marriage is forever. What God has joined together, no one can separate. Mark 10:9
No matter how complex, how difficult, how doubtful, how crazy it’s going to get. work it out. There is no worst case scenario. PERIOD.
Marriage can only work if God is there. If we turn to God in times of happiness and in despair. Because God completes the divine triangle – He heals all wounds, He teaches us to reconcile, to obey, to forgive, to be merciful, to do the unimaginable, to temper our words, to curb our evil thoughts.
My papi Ceferino once told me, even in marriage the doubts do not stop. Sometimes you would want a way out. Given that these concerns are normal what then do you do? to turn your back on the opportunity to love greatly and not be troubled by these doubts. Or let love overcome all these doubts and fears?
It may be difficult but by God’s grace, He has impressed on me to step up and be courageous, for He will be with me.
1 John 4: 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
It may be tough, and scary, but I know God who has brought us together will keep us, in sickness or health, in happiness and in sorrow, all these, forever.
If you’re into spice, this is going to be a pleasant surprise. Thai Bistro was a very yummy discovery for Jason and I as we were strolling in Robinsons Magnolia for our much awaited and needed quality time.
What got our attention was this tarpaulin at their entrance stating the reviews from bloggers. With the good reviews, we decided to experience for ourselves the thrill of spice their tastebuds were treated to.
Jason had Thai Bistro’s Lemongrass Juice to ease the pain in his throat.
Lemongrass Juice (Php 80)
 I also had a sip of his tea and had it with honey.
I told myself I was just going to be healthy and have greens that night so I got myself the Prime Angus Beef Salad.
Prime Angus Beef Salad (Php 348.00)
I didn’t expect that it would be spicy. Good thing I love spices since it enhances the flavor and makes the dish interesting. The salad wasn’t the regular Western Salad that had more lettuce. This one was soaked in vinegar and it also had the aftertaste of herbs. It also tasted like orchids by the way since the scent of the flower seemed to have influenced the vinegar below.
The medium rare angus beef I had was soft and tender. For me this served as an appetiser. Instead of just having salad, the flavors gave me the craving to have and eat more than what I originally planned for.
Chiang Mai Khao Soi (Php 295.00)
So when Jason’s fresh egg noodles curry came, i requested for a bowl and a serving of noodles – my bowl of shame. (since I told myself I was just going to have veggies that night).
This was again spicy and the curry for me was delicious! We both loved the curry sauce and I liked how the noodles were crunchy despite the sauce. This actually excited me to get myself authentic Thai food in the country of spices hopefully soon. 🙂
I forgot about my so called diet after having my bowl of shame and even finishing off the last bite of Chiang Mai Khao Soi.
But since Jason and I were discussing a hot topic. [about the future] I guess it’s just appropriate to lighten up and have some sweets. Okay I’m just making up an excuse to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Takhoo Thai (Php 180.00)
This was one of the bestsellers from Thai Bistro so we didn’t pass up the chance to have it. Takhoo Thai dessert is warm tapioca pearls topped with creamy coconut sauce. It wasn’t too sweet and it wasn’t to heavy too that you’d feel guilty afterwards. [I actually had 3], Jason was chatting away, so he didn’t quite notice I was having a little more than enough sweets.
Thai Bistro is a thumbs up for me. The place is conducive for connecting and communicating, plus they also have this VIP area where you could hold parties / meetings at only Php8,000 good for 15pax.
I’d definitely come back here again to have my dose of sugar n spice, and everything nice. 🙂
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Thai Bistro
Robinson’s Magnolia Ground Floor, New Manila
703-6910 / 09178381696 / 0231003530.
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Freaked out! That’s how and what I am. With only a month and a few days left, I can’t believe how many wedding related problems are starting to surface. There’s this invitation boo-boo (which I’m totally responsible for), a change … Continue reading
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The humid weather, a tiny drop of sweat on my neck, and the late sunset. Summer has finally arrived. The ice cream business is about to get hot once again and my tastebuds are longing for a cool and creamy … Continue reading
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If you thought that reproductive health class or biology was boring back in grade school, Â you won’t see it that way until you hear it from the straightforward speakers in Marikina Health Center. I felt like a kid (that I … Continue reading
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Good thing Jason lives in Marikina where everything is fast, efficient, clean, not to mention orderly, plus they have free coffee too. 🙂 Marriage license application in the Philippines needs to be applied in either the bride / groom’s city … Continue reading