Our Wedding

Due to the fact that I tend to forget things, I have decided that now is the right time to write about our wedding day!


In addition, I want to take this opportunity to thank our family, relatives and friends for attending our wedding. Thank you for taking the time to leave your work and dress up for this event. Thank you to all our Principal Sponsors and the rest of of the entourage. Thank you to Ate Tess for helping us organize this wedding. Thank you to Paul and Toni for being our emcees. Thank you to RC, Jamai, A4peeps and all of Rab's friends for ushering. Thank you to Mimi and her friend for my make-up and hair. Thank you to my mom-in-law for doing those beautiful bouquets. Thank you to Ate Hilda for doing my gown. Thank you to our families for fixing the flower baskets and the clothes, accessories of all our super-duper cute nieces/nephews. Thank you to all our friends from elementary, high school, college, previous workmates, current workmates and all those who have travelled far. Thank you to Blue Gardens, Zapata, Shekinah. Thank you to everyone for making this possible. God bless you all...


As for our wedding, this is how it all happened....


Saturday: The day when I came home from Brunei. That day I found out that my wedding gown is so wrinkled. I told myself “okay, I will have it dry clean”, not knowing that dry cleaning takes 3 days. Oh Gosh! What am I going to do? Can I wear the gown like that? Out of desperation, I cried to Rab during our phone conversation. I was like a baby crying helplessly. L

Sunday: It was a busy day. Me, Rab and Toni (my friend) went to the mall looking for this iron that can be used to iron my wedding gown. And it took us so long to find it. After finding it, I realized that I haven’t done my nails and it’s almost 10pm. So what to do? We decided to just buy all the manicure stuff and do it ourselves. While Toni and I were busy looking for those stuff, Rab was looking at us with amazement. Haha! He said “are you sure you can really do that?” And Toni and I said “of course, kahit French tip pa yan!”

And then we realized that we haven’t done our massage. Thank God that there was a massage place near the hotel. So after checking in, we went to this spa and had our massage. The day would have been okay when suddenly me and Toni overslept and Rab have been waiting for us for almost an hour. Rab was mad and I felt so ashamed. Huhu.

After Rab went home, Toni and I were busy ironing my gown. It was a very long gown and I am telling you, it wasn’t easy!!! And then my mom arrived and she helped us to fix some of the things for tomorrow. I think it was 3am when we finally went to bed.

Monday: My Wedding day!! J This day was c-r-a-z-y.

Vows: The three of us woke up at around 8am, had our breakfast and took our showers. After that I opened my laptop and started doing my vows, only to end up with an outline. I am good with speaking anyway, so I told myself I will just do it impromptu. Haha!

Make-up and Photographers: Around 10am, my friend who will do my make-up said that she will be late. But thank goodness, she made it! J While she’s doing my make-up and hair, the photographers came. All the member of my family came too. So, it was very chaotic! I mean kids were running around the hall and my room was filled with people and equipments.

Cars: And then I got a call from Rab, he said that they are running late because the cars that they rented were all late. That time, I really wanted to cry. I also wanted to be mad at Rab. But I realized that he must be in a lot of stress too. So, I tried to calm myself.


Bouquet & Rings: After a few hours, the entourage of Rab went to the hotel to bring my bouquet and wedding rings. And so, everything was set. We can start the photoshoots. While taking the shots, everything was chaotic. I mean, I had to tell Toni to bring this and that, to tell someone this and that etc. Toni acted as my maid of honor even though she’s my emcee and I am so grateful for her.

Bridal Car: When I got inside my bridal car, the driver doesn’t know the place! Grrrhhh! L But as Bruneians always say “What to do?”

Prayer: During all the chaos, as I was inside the car, I have all these emotions. I was stressed, I was tired, I was hungry and thirsty, but I was also happy beyond something I can ever explain and imagine.

Before coming out from the car, I prayed. I told God these words....

“Lord, this is it! I know a lot of things were not in order. A lot of things were not the way I expected them to be. But I am thankful and happy because I am about to marry Rab, the man that I’ve been waiting for all my life. Thank you for giving him to me.”

Aisle: Maybe some of you have seen a lot of weddings before. Have you noticed that most of the time, the bride and groom cry while the bride is walking down the aisle? Don’t you think it’s exaggerated?

Well, here’s how it happened to me.

I went out of the car, stand up in front of the gate and these girls are telling me “Maam, once the gate is open, don’t walk first. Wait a few seconds and then start taking your steps. But walk very slowly. I mean as slow as you can.”

I told myself, “Okay, I will walk slowly. Oh Lord please don’t let me step on my gown, lose my balance and fall off the stairs. That would be very embarrassing!”

Arc: Finally, I am in front of the arc. While standing there, I was able to see the whole garden, the lights, the flowers, the people and it was so beautiful...EVERYTHING is Beautiful! ^_^

Our Magical Moment: Rab was singing while I was walking down the aisle.

As soon as I met Rab’s eyes, he looked at me and I looked at him, everything else became blur. Visions flashed before my eyes. I remembered the 12 months that we’ve been together. I remembered all the fights, the struggles, the cries, the longing, the laughter and all the love that we have for each other.

Then tears fell from my eyes. I told myself “The past is now behind us. The chaos of the day is now behind us. From this day on, I will only see one person, and that is my husband – Rab, whom I love so much!”

The Rest of the night: The ceremony and reception went well and we are proud of it. Rab and I have given so much effort to have the wedding. It was for the Lord, it was for our parents, it was for all the people who loves us and it is also for our kids. I know that in the future, they will look at our pictures and videos, and they will see how GOD and how LOVE can move in this crazy world and make things wonderful!! ^_^

                           

Being Single

Recently I’ve been noticing some of my single girl friends having heart problems. And something just hit me. I told myself “thank you Lord I’m done with all of that but I wish I could say something to them that will make their heart at peace.”

Well, I’ve only been married for one month. I guess my opinions would be a little half-baked for now. Nevertheless, here’s what I think. When I was still single and available, I can do whatever I want. I can go wherever I please and I can decide which direction I want my future to be.

However, there’s also the other side of the coin.  I can vividly remember when I was turning 25, someone told me that 25 is the age where you would find yourself wondering, thinking, asking “where did 25 years go?” It’s like you’re in a mid-life crisis!!! “Where is that guy? Where is my prince charming? Where is my knight in shining armour that will sweep me off my feet? Huhuhu”

Seriously, I’ve been there. I found myself really looking. I mean, it’s like wherever I go, be it in the jeepney, on the bus, at a party, in the office etc., there’s this whisper in my head saying “maybe you will meet him here?” And then when I don’t, I would feel sad and lost L

But God told me how being single can be fun, good and exciting! I guess I was blessed to have been surrounded with family and friends that showed me how to look at life. Before I turned to scary “30”, I was able to get my CPA License and Masters Degree, I was able to travel, I was able to do a lot of stuff that I never thought I would experience like surfing, mountain and wall climbing, scuba diving, , scary rides etc. I also did some writing, sketching and photography.

The most that really helped me to get through this “phase” is reading. I read a lot of books about being single, about relationships, about God etc.

As they say “Don’t look for the best person but be the best person.” You cannot live life thinking that you are incomplete because you are single. Being single doesn’t make you incomplete or being married makes you complete. You have to be complete on your own, with God. In addition, it is better to be single than be married to the wrong person! That would even be horrible :-(

Someone told me that when you get to the point wherein you can say that “God and You – is enough,” that’s the time God will give you the gift. It is because He knows that when you feel that, you’re dependent on Him for your happiness and that HE is your number 1.

To all my single girl friends, being single is a PHASE. It will come and it will go. So, as long as you’re there, just enjoy it, be productive, learn a lot and be a blessing. Because one day when you’re married, you will look back and you will say “Thank you Lord. I am a better person because I went through that phase.” And then you will look at your husband and you will say “Thank you Lord for this wonderful gift” ^_^

RaVen Our Love Story

RaVen

Our Love Story

Written through the eyes of

Venus Cristy R. Reyes

This is dedicated to my fiancé

Robert Allan S. Bolista

who will be my husband on December 19, 2011

This is also for our future children to read

And when they do they will praise the Lord for

His goodness.

September 25, 2011

Chapter 1: When and how did we meet?

I am not actually sure when I first saw him. I think it was in 2005 or 2006 when I was still taking my Masters Degree. The SRF (Starbucks Raiders Fellowship), a group that was built because of Christianster, was having its usual dinner. We are in a fastfood somewhere in Makati. I don’t really remember that actual scenario in my mind. It is quite blur. But I remember that there was this guy with his girlfriend.

Though my attention is focus on someone else during that time, I am convinced that there’s really something with this guy. Something that is very special. I noticed that he is very funny. He can really put up a show. He is just so funny that we are all laughing out loud. I myself was very captivated by his humor that I was tongue-tied the whole night. I remember him saying to our friends “ganyan ba talaga yan si ate cristy, tatawa lang ng tatawa, hindi man lang nagsasalita or nagpapatawa?”  And I would just continue to smile and laugh.

After that dinner, I don’t remember seeing him again.

Chapter 2: Our Broken Roads

Way back in 2003, I was taking my Masters Degree in Ateneo and at the same time working as an Accounting Staff. In 2005, I was able to finish my Masters Degree. However, I still cannot climb the corporate ladder because I am not yet a CPA. After thorough consideration, I decided to resign from my job in 2006 with the plan of taking my CPA board exam. Though my family is very supportive of my decision, it was a very big risk to take. I don’t have a job, I don’t have any money and I am not even sure if I will pass the board exam.

Nevertheless, I felt that I was push behind the wall with no other way but to just take that big risk, do my best and hope for the best. With hard work and lots and lots of prayers, I became a CPA in October of 2007.

Personally, I was depressed. I was on my late 20’s, still single and I don’t know what to do and where to go with my life. I remember a day wherein I was fixing myself to go to work and I was just so sad. Everything seems to be routinary. I kept on asking God when, when will I really be happy.

I had my first boyfriend in 1996 when I was only 17 years old. I was really heartbroken when it ended. Everything about me was changed because of that relationship. It took me almost seven years before I finally said “This is it, I am letting go,”

In December of 2007, I fell in love for the second time and in December of 2008 I fell in love for the third time. I’ve always prayed to God for the right person but everytime I fall, I always get my heart broken. And I was really really broken beyond repair L

Though I won’t really know exactly what he’s been thru during those years, I know for a fact that he had three heartbreaks too, same as mine. I know that he was broken beyond anything I could ever imagine. Someday, he might want to talk about it to our kids J

Chapter 3: Results of disobedience

In May or June of 2010, I was very blessed to be sent to Houston Texas to attend a conference. It was my first time to go to the US and also the first time I will travel on my own. I told myself that I have to do this for my sake, for me to face my fears and for me to realize how big the world is. And so after the conference, I went to San Francisco and Los Angeles all by myself. And it was something that I will always be proud of. I have conquered my fears and I know that wherever life leads me, no matter where it is in the world, I can and I will survive.

During my stay there, I was able to ponder on all my previous relationships. I realized that I deserve to have a better guy. I was able to let go of the last boyfriend. However, during my stay there, me and my second boyfriend reconciled. And so, as soon as I got back to Philippines, my heart was taken again.

After that trip to the US, I decided to meet a girlfriend for dinner. As I was walking along Ayala Avenue, I bump into an old friend, a guy that I remember seeing 4 or 5 years ago. I didn’t actually recognize him but he approached me. So we said “Hi” and then I asked him “Kailan ang kasal?” and he joyfully said “this year, this year.” We talked a bit and then that’s it.

After a few months, I’ve been seeing some status on his Facebook about issues with his girlfriend, that they separated etc. Since I don’t really care about him and his personal life, my life just continues as usual.

As I look back on those days now, I realized that during May or June 2010, the time that I was able to let go of my last boyfriend, he and his girlfriend also broke up. If only he let go and if only I decided not to come back to my second boyfriend, we would have realized that the accidental meeting on the street of Makati in June of 2010 should have been a start of something beautiful and great L

But we didn’t, so we had to bear all the pain of those decisions…..

Chapter 4: Our brokenness

From June until September of 2010, we tried to hold on to those relationships. But the more we hold on, the more we are broken. One quote said “you cannot fix broken things, the more you try, the more they will cut you and break you.” And I believe that’s what happened to us.

In September of 2010, me and my boyfriend broke up. On his side, he also finally let go, seek some healing and move on. I think around October of 2010, he started to notice me in Facebook. He said he started to comment on my status once in a while and often look at my pictures.

I was in a good state during that time too. I was enjoying my life, I have a good career, good family and friends and I started to do stuff that I never thought I can and I would do. I started to travel, go to beaches, island-hopping, surfing, climbing, photography, extreme sports, take scary rides etc etc. I was having the time of my life.

Personally, I am also great. I am reading books on healing and waiting for God’s will. There was a time wherein I told God “Lord, me and you is enough for me.” The hope of finding my future husband is still there but I just surrendered and gave it all up to God. I know in His time, in His perfect time, He will give him to me, wherever in the world I may be.

Chapter 5: His Perfect Timing

November 26, 2010 at 12:12PM, I posted on my Facebook that I am leaving for Brunei in December. He posted something and this is where, the GREAT and BEAUTIFUL thing started J

Two days after this, as I was vacationing in Boracay with a girl friend, he started to text me. I think I challenged him right away when I said “I am old enough for games.” This is my way of telling him that if he is not serious, better not to start something. I think he got the point. Hehe.

We then started to text each other and sometimes he will call me at my house. We will talk and we’ll just start laughing. He would say a lot of jokes and for some reason, I always find each of them funny, even the cheesy ones. Hehe. He started to call me “chinitz” because he said I have small eyes. And I call him “ice craze” because he is crazy. Hehe! We also call each other “PP” or Prayer Partners since we agreed to pray for each other and wait for God’s will J

After two weeks, there was a meet-up to celebrate a common friend’s birthday. So we decided to see each other on this night. It will be the first time we will see each other since the brief encounter on the street of Makati way back June 2010. This will also be the “make or break” of this so called great-and-beautiful-thing.

Chapter 6: The Great and Beautiful thing

I went to this mall wearing shorts and blouse with no fear. I know in my heart that if this guy is God’s will for me, then everything will just happen. As I was walking towards Starbucks, I saw him and I felt different.

There’s a certain courage and confidence in me which says that if he likes me, that’s good. If he doesn’t, it’s also fine. And if it happens that I like him, I want to know if it is really from God. And if I don’t like him, its okay, I am leaving anyway. Hehe!

And so the night went on with us having coffee at Starbucks and then going to Shakeys to eat pizzas. I know that he is sort of trying to impress me because he paid for everything. Haha! I also noticed him looking at my reaction everytime our friends ask him about his ex. He even asked me if I am okay because I am not eating too much.

On my side, I was really curious on his way of telling his story. I am curious to know if he still has bitterness in his heart and if he is ready to jump into another relationship. I want to know if he is serious or just playing around.

After the dinner, he said they will drive me to my house because they are on their way to Tagaytay. Little did I know that he really planned to bring me home because he wanted to talk to me privately. We started talking inside the car and I felt that he is still not over his last girlfriend. I told myself that this will be a scary field to play. I should be very careful because I might end up heartbroken again.

I’ve already lost myself before, I was broken and God already picked me up, made me whole and made me a new person. I will no longer allow my emotion to rule me. This time, I will follow God. I will ask Him first before I give my heart away….again!

Chapter 7: Under the Trees

After that night, we continued to text each other. I found myself waiting for his text messages. I found myself thinking about him. I found myself falling for him.

But at the back of my head, I am still not considering the possibility of us being a couple. In my mind, I know that I will have to leave the country. I am more focus on starting a new life. I’ve always had plans about everything in my life. And this time, I want to get out of the country, see the world, go where the wind takes me, meet new people, see other culture and just live life to the fullest.

December 11, 2010, the SRF group decided to meet again. We all met at Starbucks Greenbelt 1. He was late that night. So when he came, there’s only a four of us left. Then these two people left and we found each other alone together.

I don’t know what I felt being alone with him. But I’ve got this strong sense in my heart which says “let’s get it over with”. We are seated in Starbucks and we started to play a game. The game is I will not smile in a certain period of time. If I smile, then there’s a consequence. So, we started the game. He was talking and talking. And I was very serious on not losing. Suddenly, he said “tara, lakad muna tayo sa greenbelt 3, dun sa may garden, hintayin natin dun si Paul.” While we are walking from Greenbelt 1 to 3, he cracked a joke and I suddenly forgot about the bet – I smiled!

We sat on the bench under the tree at Greenbelt 3 around 11PM on the 11^th day of December 2010. With the stars in the sky and beautiful lights that surrounded the garden, he told me my consequence. He said “You have to hold my hands until Paul gets here”

As we were holding each other’s hands, I had mixed emotions. I was confused, sad and happy. I was confused because why did God allow me to get a job in Brunei then suddenly give me this guy? Why now? Why not before I signed my contract? I am sad because suddenly everything changed – my plans, my dreams and my wants. In a moment, I wanted him. In a moment, I wish I wasn’t leaving the country. In a moment, I was happy to have found someone like him.

That night he also surprised me with one bouquet of flowers. They were beautiful and I love them J

Chapter 8: My Departure

The next day I woke up with a feeling of happiness and calmness. Although he hasn’t said “I love you” yet, I know that he loves me, I can feel it. I’ve spent the next two days packing my bags, texting him and talking to him on the phone. No agreement whatsoever on what are we going to do. It’s like we are just enjoying the moment that we are still able to talk and not worrying about what will happen afterwards.

My departure is scheduled at 7AM and I need to be at the airport at around 3 or 4AM. He then offered to pick me up and bring me to the airport. At around 3AM, he arrived at my house with two of our guy friends. One of our friends went inside the house first and gave me a shirt and said that I should wear it. The shirt says “Mate” on it. And I was so bewildered by it. Mate?? What’s that? As I get inside the car, he was sitting there wearing a shirt which says “Soul.” Our shirts say “SOULMATE.” Funny but sweet! J

As we are seated together at the back of the car, he was holding my hands. He is very close to me that I can even hear his heartbeat. Suddenly, he moved closer and kissed me on the cheek. I can feel his desire to kiss me on my lips but he never did. In my heart I wanted him to kiss me. In my heart I was shouting “Come on, just say the word, just tell me you love me, and who knows I might not leave anymore.”

We arrived at the airport, I got out of the car and we walked towards the boarding gate. He hugged me and I turn back away from him. I know he was still looking at me so I turn my back to see him again. And indeed he was standing there, looking and smiling.

I felt so happy at that moment. I know that even if I board the plane and we are already thousands of miles apart, I know in my heart that this is the guy, that he is the ONE. Words were left unsaid during that day but I am sure that he loves me and I am definitely in love with him J

“Grief melts away like snow in May, as if there’s no such cold thing.” Indeed it is true! Suddenly, all the pain, all my cries, my past, my mistakes, everything is gone, as if they didn’t even exist.

The Lord promised to me something on one of my prayers. He said “Cristy, I will make everything new. Just wait and trust me.” And He did. He made everything new!!! J

Chapter 9: When he said “I love you”

They say that we are now living in a Borderless World. I agree!

We both now spent our time texting, chatting, calling and talking in Skype. YES! You can call us LDR (aka Long Distance Relationship). Though, none of us said “I love you” yet, we are both acting like a real couple.

One night we talked about what we thought of the fast development in our relationship. I was hurt by his answers so I told him that maybe it’s better for us to stop communicating. He then texted me and said these words “I am sorry if I have hurt you. I love you and I don’t want to lose you.  And if given a chance, I want to marry you.”

Aren’t those the sweetest words ever? J

Chapter 10: Making it Official

We spent the Christmas and New Year apart! Though physically separated, we are emotionally connected.
We are both committed to a relationship that we know is from God.

After one month of separation, I was sent home to Philippines in late January to process my papers. This will be the first time that we will see each other after professing our love. We were both so anxious and excited J

I remember the night he picked me up at the Airport. It actually didn’t happen the way I imagined it. It was chaotic and funny. Hehe. I was at the arrival area of NAIA I and I don’t know where he was. He called me and said that he doesn’t know where he was too. Hehe!

Nevertheless, we still managed to find each other and it was just a beautiful scenario. I was wearing this gray dress and he was wearing jeans and shirt. As I was walking towards him, it was like a slow motion scene in a movie J I remember putting my hands on his face, caressing him. I just couldn’t believe that I am finally with him again. He then hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and we walked hand in hand towards the car.

We are just so happy to be together and personally tell each other the words we’ve both been longing to hear…..the words “I LOVE YOU”… J

The next day while vacationing in Laguna, we decided that it’s about time to announce our relationship to everyone. Our family already knows beforehand but this time we want to tell our friends and the whole world about the love and the sweet gift that God has given to both of us.

As soon as we changed our Facebook status from “Single” to “In a relationship”, our friends became ecstatic. Some were shocked, some were with unbelief and majority of them, I think, were happy for us. Afterwards, he changed his profile picture and made it our picture. As expected, hundreds of his friends put on their comments, greetings and well wishes. Hehe!

We know that people are still hesitant to believe our love. Some of them think that we will not last because they accused us of not yet over and done from our previous relationships. But who is the best judge to say that we are healed or not? Do they know more than what we know we feel? Were they with us during our brokenness and healing? Were they with us on the night that we fell in love? Were they with us when we both decided to commit to each other? Only God, he and I can say if our love is real and strong enough to stand the test of distance…and of time J

Chapter 11: When he said “Will you marry me?”

Valentine’s Day passed and we were still separated by seas and lands L

By mid of March 2011, he decided to visit me in Brunei for a 3-day trip. I am excited to see him and also for him to see where I live. I want him to get a glimpse of where I stay, where I work, my surroundings, my friends, so he can be a part of it.

It was Friday morning and I took a leave from work to pick him up at the airport. He is supposed to arrive at 9:45AM. At 10AM I was there at the arrival gate waiting for him. I was very anxious and excited to see him. I was like a child waiting for an ice-cream vendor to pass by. It’s already past 10AM and he’s still not there. I was worried. I was praying that he was safe. After a few more minutes, he was walking towards me and smiling. Seeing him again after a month still makes my knees weak and my heart beats fast J Oh, I missed him so much!

After our bible study that night, we got inside the room and he told me take a video of him. He said he wanted to document his first trip outside the Philippines. I was really tired and I wanted to sleep. But he begged me to do a quick video of him, and so I agreed.

As I was holding the video camera, he was talking about the place and stuff. Suddenly, he talked about me.

As I remember, he said the following words….

“Nandito ako sa Brunei ngayon. Kasama ko si Cristy. Cristy is my girlfriend and she is so important to me to the point na pinuntahan ko talaga sya. This video is for you Bebeh kasi ikaw naman manunuod nito kahit uutal-utal ako. Sinabi mo dati kung mag-po-propose ako, gusto mo medyo unique ng konti. Kaya ngayon Beh, gusto kong maremember mo ang araw na ito (he showed the ring) WILL YOU MARRY ME? Just say YES and say TRUE! Kaya eto na sya Beh. Sana naman this time formal na sya. So we can get married na the sooner the better! Wala akong script eh pero sana you accept my proposal. I love you Baby”

Although we have talked about getting married even during the start of our relationship, I was still taken by surprise. I remember that he was really shaking that time. When he showed me the ring and told me “Will you marry me?” I was speechless. I don’t know what to say. As I turned off the video camera, put it on the table, I came up to him and hugged him immediately. With tears in my eyes, I said “Talaga bang sigurado ka na pakakasalan mo ako?” He answered playfully “Hindi, joke lang ito!” then we hugged and kissed each other J

Chapter 12: Being Engaged

After less than 3 months of being together, we are now Officially Engaged and it feels so wonderful!! J

Being engaged gives so much security into the relationship since we live so far from each other.  Long distance relationship requires a lot of trust, understanding and patience. And this commitment has given us a new perspective on how to look at our situation. It has given us the strength to hold on during tough times.

He often tells me “Whatever happens, walang iwanan. Yung away, away lang yun. At the end of the day, tayo pa rin ang magiging mag-asawa!”

And I love him so much for always saying that J

Chapter 13: Distance and Differences

People might think that we live in a perfect world with no fights, conflicts and arguments. That is very far from the truth. In fact, during the first few months of our relationships we fight a lot.

Sometimes it is funny to think that our relationship started backward. We got engaged first and then we started to get to know each other. Nevertheless, I think it worked on our advantage. We both love God, we have the same core beliefs, we enjoy talking and doing things together, everything else is just a matter of compromise. But because of our distance the little things become difficult sometimes. This is where the “commitment” kicks in. Thank goodness!

After almost 10 months now, we’ve already passed the getting-to-know-you-stage. We’ve already seen the best and worst of each other. And in spite of it all, we have proven that we are in this together, forever. In His awesome goodness, God didn’t also give us what we want, He also gave us what we need. We are not perfect but we are Perfectly Fit! J

Chapter 14: Travelling

Travelling, one of the things we love to do! Besides that, we both love photography, reading, going to the beach, mountain climbing, music, movies, gadgets, the Bible, writing and a lot more J

In 10 months that we’ve been together while living from two different countries, we have managed to meet and see each other almost every month.

January and February, I came home and we went to Laguna and Nueva Ecija.

March, he came to Brunei to propose to me.

April, I came home for the weekend to see him.

June, I came home for a week to prepare some wedding stuff. We also came back to Nueva Ecija.

July, we met in Jakarta Indonesia (everything else is great except for the immigration situation).

August, we met in Singapore. We went to Universal Studios too (everything else is great except for the fact that we should have stayed longer). Oh! And he bought me my diamond engagement ring and diamond earings! What a dream come true!! Hehe!

It’s good that we both love travelling because at least we agree on how we see our future together. We have so many countries that we wanted to visit and see during our lifetime. But in spite of these dreams, we know that our main purpose in life is to serve the Lord. As early as now, we know that we will have a great married life with two kids. We are so blessed to have each other. Not everyone in this world marries their true love, their best friend, their lover. But we are! It is indeed a glimpse of heaven on earth.

God didn’t ask us to die for Him, He only asked us to live for Him, that’s the least that we can do!!

Chapter 15: Loving God First

When two people fall in love they tend to revolve their world around each other. Suddenly, everything else is about their partners. There came a point in our relationship where we are so in love that we made each other the priority. Though we don’t admit that, we know for a fact that we have spent all our time thinking about each other. We forgot about other things especially our relationship with God.

However, as time goes by, we noticed that we fight a lot. I believe that most often it is because of Pride. We fight because we feel neglected, misunderstood or simply because we think highly of ourselves over our partner. We say words like “How can he do this to me?” “I don’t deserve to be treated like this” “What about me and my feelings?” etc.

The Bible says….

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”

If we will only ponder on what Love means, we will realize that in order to love others, we need to Love God first. We need to make Him our number 1 and our partner number 2!

Jesus is the only one who can teach us what true love is because He first loved us. He is the only one who can give us the strength to hold on and not give up. He is the only one who can show us how to love our partners unconditionally because His love for us is PERFECT.

They say that marriage is like a triangle with God at the center. The more we walk towards God, seeking Him, knowing Him, loving Him, the more we get closer and closer to our Partners.  This is how God designed marriage - it is a covenant not just for two people but three!

Chapter 16: 121911

Finally, after a long time of waiting, we are here, planning our Wedding!! J The date was set for this wonderful day wherein we will take the covenant to love each other until our last breath.

Until now I can’t believe how far we’ve come. Not only on the day we met but since we started waiting and praying for each other. I believe in my heart that everything that happened to us – our broken roads, our brokenness - everything was designed by God! He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He knows us from the day we were born until the day we will leave this earth. He knows all the people we will meet and the person to whom will spend the rest of our lives with.

I believe with every cell in my body and every beat of my heart, that my fiancé Robert Allan Bolista is the man God made for me. A man that I will love, marry, have kids with, grow old with and serve the Lord with. He is exactly the man I have prayed for, asked for and longed for.

“I can’t wait to start the rest of my life with you baby because I know that through you God will show His marvelous, awesome and indescribable love to all men!”

Praise be to God our Lord and Savior!!

                                            Next Chapter: still to be written by God….

Jealousy

"Jealousy”

July 1, 2011

After almost seven months of being together with my fiancé, I can’t still help but to get slightly jealous whenever I remember about his ex girlfriend/s. Is jealousy a sign of mistrust, immaturity or love?

Me and my fiancé came from three serious relationships before we got to know each other.

My fourth ex-boyfriend (because he is now my fiancé) is the guy that is very different from all the other three. Well for one, we are the same in family status, background and faith. In addition to that, we have so many things in common. We are smart, kind and good-looking (hehehe), we are both givers and compassionate. We love simple things like books, music, photography, travelling, food, gadgets etc. Our differences are immaterial compared to all the things that we have in common. Most importantly, we want the same things in life; we have the same vision, goal and purpose in our lives. We want to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.

He never ceases to amaze me. He makes me laugh; he is a firm guy, a leader. In fact, he is the only one who can shut me up, who can tame me and who can make me stoop down. I never followed anyone in my life before, only him, because I believe in him, I respect him and I love him.

About his three ex-girlfriends, I know everything about them because he told me. Sometimes, the green-eyed monster attacks me but I try to ignore it. I know that there’s no longer any reason for me to get jealous because those girlfriends are his past, same as my ex boyfriends. Past is something that happened before I came into the picture. Whether good or bad things happened, he did not intend to hurt me because I wasn’t there yet. I am a non-existing-person in his life. Past is something that happened so that we can use what we have learned for the benefit of the future.

I often tell my fiancé that if ever he came into my life a little bit early, we might not reach this point of getting married. I believe I am a better person now. I believe that God prepared me for him and He prepared him for me.

This morning I was looking at me and my fiancés pictures. Suddenly, I felt this certain feeling of being proud. Suddenly, I told myself “He is mine now. I am the one taking care of him now. I am the one he thinks about every time now. I am the one he dreamed of. I am the one he desires. I am the one he wants to kiss. I am the one he wants to marry and I am the one he wants to spend the rest of his life.”

And so after that, I told myself that it’s time to let go of the green-eyed monster. It will never help us. It will just ruin us. What is important is the present, the now. And the fact, that this guy is no longer in love with anyone of them, he is in love with me :D

Hiding

Hiding

By Venus Cristy Reyes

June 1, 2011

When I was young, I used to hide.

I remember hiding and crying in a bathroom outside the house. I remember hiding inside our room w/ my cut fingers bleeding. I also remember going to the tomb of my older sister hoping that she takes me with her in heaven.

When I was in Elementary and High School, I always cry. It’s funny, I only realized now that my twin sister doesn’t cry the way I used to. She’s very strong. I never actually saw her cry before. But me, oh, I can cry the whole day. When I cry I can’t breathe and my hands will start to shake and I won’t be able to move. That’s how bad it is.

I’ve fallen in love and had my heart broken so many times already. I always cry when that happens. But after the “crying” part, I will do the “hiding” part. Why do I hide? I hide because I can’t take the pain. I am a coward. How do I hide? I break up, I let go, I turn my back, I walk straight, I don’t look back and I move on………………………just like that!

I have this idea about relationship, about love, on how it is supposed to be. I believe that love should not be painful. I believe that if two people love each other they will not hurt each other. I believe that they should bring out the best in each other and not the worst. I believe that two people should be getting better as an individual. I believe that if it’s not those things, then it might not be love after all.

They say that cruelty comes from the weak because gentleness can only be expected from the strong. Maybe that’s the reason why I am so cruel with all my previous boyfriends. The first guy I fell in love with, I broke up with him when he was sick. The second guy, I broke up with him when his parents were sick and he’s struggling with his work and finances. The third one, I broke up with him when he was so hopeless and confuse on what to do with his career. Yes, I am cruel. I am cruel because I am weak. I am weak because of that idea in my head - that if it’s real love, then why am I in pain?

Then one day, I met this guy. He is wonderful. He is exactly the person I’ve prayed for. All the characteristics that I wanted, I found in him. We started to know each other and we fell in love. After just three months he proposed to me and I accepted. I told myself, “I finally found the right guy, someone who will not hurt me”

We’ve been together for six months now, but I was wrong because he hurts me too L

But I’ve also never been so much happy before, only with him. And I’ve also never loved someone like this before, only him.

Whenever I feel so much pain, I can’t seem to let go of him. I can’t find myself “hiding”. Just to utter the words “I give up, I’m letting go and I’m breaking up with you” are something that my mind cannot fathom. Whenever I try to imagine my life, I cannot see it without him. It’s just impossible, incomprehensible and unimaginable!!!

Maybe what’s wrong with me is my mind set about love. Maybe love doesn’t mean without pain, maybe it’s not a bed of roses and maybe it’s not a fairy tale. I realized that there’s nothing wrong with feeling pain. A lot of times those people we love the most are the ones who hurt us the most. Even our Lord Jesus felt so much pain because He loves us so much.

Now I know I am ready.

Now I know that this is real.

Now I know that I really love my fiancé, Robert Allan Sangco Bolista.

Because I am ready to be hurt and I am ready to love him with all of my heart and my strength.

There will be crying, YES. Maybe even a lot of it. Hehehe!

But there will be no more “hiding”

Because I’ve decided to stick with him NO MATTER WHAT.

In good times and bad times.

In sickness and in health.

Until death do us part J