Wedding Dreams And Reality

Friday, April 6, 2012

No Greater Love

photo courtesy: google.com

Today, as we celebrate the Lenten season, let's be reminded of the sacrificial love God has for us. There is no greater love than His.

No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection]

than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.

-John 15:13 Amplified Version

Take time to spend time with Him and let your heart be open to the love that He is offering and giving you. He loves you so much and his love is greater...greater than your lover's love...greater than your dreams...greater than your past...greater than your present...greater than your future...greater than anything else.

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

A New Look Of Wedding Dreams And Reality Blog Site

Three days ago, i created a new design for my other blog site because of its second year anniversary and today, i created a new look for this blog site, not because of it's anniversary (it would be in October) but because i just want to give it a new look.

Me on the background picture (taken last February 25, 2012 at Camaya Coast, Bataan)

May all our wedding and marriage dreams come to reality in God's time...

God bless!

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Their First Kiss Happened On Their Wedding Day

courtesy of Faye Villanueva-Chelabian

I've been wanting to share her love story story since last month but i didn't have much time to do it. I was blessed with it especially when i watched her and husband's prenuptial video (which was supposed to be posted here but for some reason, i couldn't upload it here, so i will just share this interview.

Her name is Faye. Faye is one of the contributors of Young Women On The Journey book which i just recently reviewed on my other blog site. She is also a blogger and the Marketing Officer of CSM Publishing. She's a nice woman. I happened to meet her personally during the Manila International Book Fair at MOA last year but prior to that meeting, we were already exchanging emails because of my book reviews (since October 2010).

I hope you'll also be blessed by her love story.

Here's my interview with Faye and some of their pictures:

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

How long have u been engaged before u married?

Faye:

We were engaged for six months before we got married. But prior to that, we were in a relationship for eight months. But then prior to the relationship we were praying to God for about five years (we haven’t met each other yet) that He would give us the right person at the right time.

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

How did u meet each other?

Faye:

A common friend, Relly (his church mate who happened to be part of my team during a Music Workshop series at CSM), has known Aria as someone whose first priority is to please God. He always desired that Aria would finally find "the one" he has been praying for, if it was not God’s will for him to be single.

For some reason, while I was at the hype of being busy in serving the Lord through being involved in various ministries in and out of the church (one of which is this Music workshop tour where I taught in churches, its about Worship leading), Relly saw something in me that he thinks perfectly matches his friend Aria’s taste. He tried to introduce Aria to me through a phone picture (gwapo siya) and wondered if I could have lunch with him (kasi his office is just a block away from ours). I am so not into those match-making set ups ( I’ve experienced the hassle before) pero sabi ko bahala yung guy kung gusto niya. Ako, bahala na si Lord kung ano ang gusto niyang mangyari kasi I trusted that whatever He will lead me into will be the best. So hands off ako sa sarili kong buhay. I’ll just go with God’s leading.

courtesy of Faye

Aria went to our office one day to get a DVD which Relly asked him to get from me (a set up). I was so shocked at how well-mannered and good-looking he looked like. He asked me for lunch, I said, no. And he smiled and said “OK” and walked away. Natawa ako kasi parang natuwa pa siya that I turned him down. Later on I found out that siya mismo ayaw niya rin pala ng match-making stuff and was glad I turned him down. But it was a first time that a girl turned him down agad. It got him curious.

He kept texting me after that. Sabi niya sanay naman daw siyang ma-turn down. For some reason, his honesty made me interested and we realized that a friendship was being born out of the exchange of text messages. Later, I was told that my blog posts spoke to him kasi he had same experiences like mine, only that he was a guy.

Ayoko sanang mag-invest on friendships with the opposite gender. I’ve had my heartaches before. But we had a lot of common things to talk about. Lalo nung nalaman ko that he was also discipling young men as I am discipling young women and we’re both involved in the music ministry, I felt a bond between us. Yung text eventually landed on friendly lunch dates. We had a lot to talk about, our passion for God, struggles at work, and in our ministry. I was happy I had a new friend who was like an old friend who understands me so much.

We did not know that at the middle of this budding friendship, we were looking in our checklists (we had our separate list born from our years of praying for “The One”) and were asking God about it. When I knew that he has the characteristics of that guy in my checklist, I only asked God to give me the grace to wait for Aria to move. And if hindi Niya will, ok lang. At that time, I was not yet that romantically involved but I trusted where God was leading me regardless of what I feel.

Aria on the other hand, asked God for signs, other than the confirmation on his checklist, if I am the one. Nung confirmed na, he gained courage to tell me. We prayed for it, asked for counsel and eventually, after our parents’ blessings, we got into a formal relationship.

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

What were your struggles in your relationship before you got married? How did you overcome it?

Faye:

Our major struggle in our relationship was yung pag-resist sa temptation. Since both of us were already living away from our parents (we both rented different places near our workplace), there were a lot of chances to be alone. But by God’s grace na-overcome naman.

When we entered a relationship, we sat down and talked about our boundaries. Aria asked if it was ok if we don’t even kiss until our wedding day. Nagulat ako kasi long ago, after I ended my last relationship, I asked God for a love story like Donita Rose’s. Yung tipong first kiss niya sa altar with Eric despite the past mistakes she has done. And behold, it was happening to me na! Sabi ko siyempre, that’s the wisest thing to do. Yun pala, based on his experience also, dun (sa kiss) nagsisimula ang mas matinding struggle. So better yet, don’t start it there.

We’ve learned from experience that we should decide on the boundaries before the temptation occurs. Kasi when it gets in and we’re not in our right mind, mahirap magdecide to stay away from it.

We also had other struggles like wanting to get married already but we didn't have enough funds, pero basically this and the above struggle were the major ones.

Faye And Aria Before Their Wedding

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

How long have u prepared for your wedding?

Faye:

We prepared six months to get the wedding done (after nilang mamanhikan). Sabi ng coordinators short time daw yun. For us it seemed just the right length of time to prepare kasi if it was longer than that, mas matagal yung agony and worry of getting the event done. If it was too short naman masyado ring cramming. I think 8-6 months is just right.

courtesy of Faye

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

What are your tips for making your wedding successful and organized?

Faye:

Be realistic with your budget, always decide together, and always be sensitive to God’s leading in every step of the way.

When it comes to the program flow and venue, always consider the convenience of the guests and do something that they will remember or learn as they go home. For us, we held the ceremony and reception in a venue which was in the middle of the metropolis and since it was during rainy season, we disregarded yung desire namin for a garden wedding instead we made a garden-inspired set-up inside a function hall.

Then, we did a lot of non-traditional things that made our wedding unique, fun and contemporary. We also made sure the central theme of the wedding was for God’s glory. We were able to inspire our relatives and friends to seek God first and the joy of life will definitely follow!

courtesy of Faye

courtesy of Faye

courtesy of Faye

courtesy of Faye

courtesy of Faye

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

Now that you're married, what are the advantages / disadvantages? What are the adjustments that you are making?

Faye:

We appreciate each other more now that we are married. One of the advantages is, hindi na ako ihahatid at susunduin sa Marikina, while he’s coming from Cainta, and then we work in Parañaque. We cut down on the time, energy and fare because now we don’t travel around the metro weekly. Magkasama na kami (sa Cavite) in one roof so we don’t spend for separate rentals.

We also finally are able to do things that are prohibited to those who are not married to each other yet.

We’re also starting to build our dreams together now. Most of them are childhood dreams that we were not able to do kasi wala kaming partner to support us before. We do the ministry together na rin now that we’re already serving in one church.

The disadvantages may be that we both miss our parents and they miss us too. Yung mga perks of being in the parents’ roof, on my part (free food, free fare, free board and lodging, free laundry), wala na. But we still see each other in church naman so nabawasan lang talaga yung stay ko with them. Our house chores take most of our time when at home. Walang ibang gagawa kundi kami.

Another is that, I don’t decide by myself anymore. I always have to seek for his approval (and vice versa) on schedules, expenses, and decisions. If not kasi, this is where a marriage relationship starts to fall apart. So kahit medyo tedious talaga, it has to be done. We have to be accountable to each other at all times.

during their honeymoon (courtesy of Faye)

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

What tips can you give to the newly weds?

Faye:

We still consider ourselves newlyweds and we still have a lot to learn in our married life. But so far, the things that we have learned (and that we want to impart) are:

Have a lot of patience. You’re two very different individuals living in one roof already. In many ways, you are different from each other. One’s a man and one’s a woman. Dun palang malaking pagkakaiba na. You need to always understand where the other is coming from kasi magkaiba ang thinking talaga ng man sa woman.

Prioritize your spouse next to God. That means he/she is now above your family, friends, and work.

Remember, a man needs his wife’s respect and a woman needs her husbands love. Again, magkaiba kasi tayo ng pagkakagawa ni Lord kaya we also have different needs.

Above all else, put the Lord at the center of your relationship kasi Siya yung glue to keep the marriage strong and harmonious.

courtesy of Faye

Wedding Dreams And Reality:

Thanks!

Faye:

Thanks also Mariah!!

Faye, thanks again for sharing your love story. I pray that God will bless you more and that your marriage will always be a blessing to you and to your husband, and to others as well. I wish you all the best in your marriage and career!

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

What A Man Wants

"It is the spirit of a woman that a man senses.

He wants a woman who every man wants but every man has not had...

A man does not want a woman he has to question or worry about.

If a woman gives her body to a man too soon,

he will always wonder how many other she has given herself to."

From the Book

What Women Don't Know

(And Men Don't Tell You)

read also my review of this book here.

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Monday, February 13, 2012

The One Thing That Still Stands When All Else Has Fallen...

photo courtesy: google.com

I Corinthians 13:7-8

J.B Phillips New Testament

Love knows no limit to its endurance,

no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything.

It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.

[ All gifts except love will be superseded one day ]

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Friends Or Lovers?

Valentine's day is around the corner. Everyone is excited about it especially those who are in love. In line with that, I wanna share some thoughts from the book I've read a few months ago (I'll post a review of that book soon on my other blog site).

In the meantime, here are some interesting thoughts there which i totally agree of:

A woman may have a platonic friendship with a man-and that's all it is. Yes women see circumstances differently from men. Women see things a man does not see. Just because you are great friends with a guy does not mean he's planning to marry you. He may be really nice to you, he may say wonderful things about you, he may even tell you that you would be a wonderful wife-all without ever intending to marry you. Friendship with men can confuse women. However, you should still be a friend first. Your relationship should start out as friendship and progress to courtship and then to matrimony. But how can you avoid the situation where the friend you hoped to marry calls you one day and tells you about this wonderful woman he met? He just wanted to call you, his friend, to tell you about his happiness.

Learn to listen. Are you foreseeing and imagining a future with someone who hasn't discussed having a future with you? Listen to what the man says. In some cases, men lie and deceive you, but in most cases, women deceive themselves. Men tend to commit to their words. Just because a man is nice to you, friendly, caring, and helpful, don't assume he loves you in a way that will eventually lead to marriage. Protect your heart by really listening to what he says.

From the book

What Women Don't Know (and Men Dont Tell You)

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Walking Her Home

This is a great song...one of my favorite christian love songs. My favorite line on this song's lyrics is this, "He wandered through the best days of her life. 60 years together and he never left her side." I wish every man is like that.

video courtesy of youtube.com

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Wedding Vows That Can Touch Your Heart

I've been wanting to post this video mid 2011 but since I also wanted to post here the vows in words, i waited for an available time for me to transcribe them. Now that i already transcribed them (i hope i did a good job in transcribing them accurately), here's the video of the wedding vows I've been wanting to share on this blog site.

These vows are really touching and inspiring. I also posted my review of these wedding vows at the bottom of this post.

GROOM

When I say I love you,

I’m not just making you my wife,

I’m making you my best friend,

My last dance, my only hope, my forever lover.

When I say I love you,

I’m not just expressing a feeling,

I’m solidifying a commitment

And i know it'll take my whole life to show it to you

When I say I love you,

I’m not claiming to have all the answers,

I hope that when we are together

We can ask all the right questions.

When I say I love you,

I’m not just repeating “'til death do us part,"

I’m saying i'll be here for you forever

In this life and the life to come.

When I say I love you,

I’m not just voicing mere words

I’m telling you that I’ve been surprised, challenged, shocked, humbled—

realizing that soul mates really do exist.

When I say I love you,

I’m not just giving you human love

I'm attempting to pour out God’s unconditional, sacrificial love

Dying to self, in hopes that I can better honor and serve you.

Alicia, i don't know how to imagine it myself

an undeserved blessing, a gift from God

To most in the world, my life is closed

but to you I open my heart

I don’t know what the future holds,

but I know that I don’t have one without you.

Just know that when I say I love you, I love you.

BRIDE

When I say I love you,

I’m not just making you my husband,

I’m making you my stronghold,

The family leader, my heart’s protector, and my goodnight kiss

When I say I love you,

I’m not just standing before family and friends,

I’m kneeling before Christ our Savior

And praying that His grace will knit our lives together

When I say I love you,

I’m not just adding your last name,

I’m subtracting our loneliness, dividing our sorrows

And multiplying our joys so that two can become one

When I say I love you,

I’m not just asking you to make me whole,

I’m asking you to stay focused on God

And together with the strength and love

We will be made holy

When I say I love you,

I’m not expecting happily ever after,

I’m just preparing

But to the mountains and the valleys,

Swim through the joys and sorrows

Battle the good times and the bad

So together we can make a life.

When I say I love you,

I don’t want big houses or fancy cars

I just wanna live in your arms and touch your heart

So we can dream bigger dreams than we could do separately

Jason, you are the man of my dreams—

a real-life knight in shining armor.

And i never had such peace when i'm with you

I never felt closer to God than I’m with you.

I know i'm not perfect, but I believe that we fit perfectly together.

Just know that when I say I love you, I love you.

Just a review from me (the blogger): The vows are really touching and they are very inspiring especially from the statement of the groom that says:

When I say I love you,
I’m not just making you my wife,
I’m making you my best friend,
My last dance...my forever lover.

Every word would make you fall in love and would make you cry. It's like a fairy tale in a real world.

I just wanna review some of the statements like:

"I don’t know what the future holds,

but I know that I don’t have one without you."

We know that God holds the future even if someone is not with us, but i can understand that in a "lover's perspective". The groom and the bride in this video are godly so i believe they know that God holds their future.

I want to review this statement as well:

"I’m making you my stronghold,

The family leader, my heart’s protector..."

God is our stronghold, he should be the family leader and our heart's protector.

Ephesians 5:22 says, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord." God is the head of the husband, the husband is the head of the wife, so God is the family leader. On the other hand, i also agree that the husband should be the leader of the family because God has given him authority to lead the family.

As the heart's protector, i believe in some point that a husband can protect the wife's heart but not all the time, so, God is still the ultimate protector of our hearts.

But, overall, these wedding vows are really inspiring and very touching.To all the married ones, may this video inspire you more to love your spouse and remember your vows and fulfill them. If you are single and soon to be married, may you find inspiration from these vows and may your heart be touched.

I would like to thank Jason Illian for giving me permission to post the video here. To Jason and Alicia Illian, may you continue to be blessed in your marriage life and continue to make Christ as the center of your relationship.

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

This Is Very Sad

Proverbs 25:24 The Message (MSG)

Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

I put "copyright" on my every post because this is my blog site, it's like my signature on my every post.

By the grace of God I am what I am.

POST SCRIPT

Thank you for visiting my blog site.

If i would quote some statements or would share something written or created by another person, i would make sure that i would give credit to the writer/s or the books/materials where i got them. I don't consider others' work as my own.

But most of the things i would share here are the things that I've learned personally with my thoughts and insights. And if i would share something written by another person, i would also put my insights/thoughts on them.

And if in case you would like to post my own writings, thoughts/insights to your own blogs or use them in any way, please ask permission from me first or at least give credit that it came from me. Thank you so much:)

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