Save the Date

Dust off your passports and pack your bags!!  We are getting married and want to share our special day with you.  We have set a date and picked the perfect beach.  We can't wait to see you for a weekend of celebration in Cebu.

Twas a Few Weeks before Christmas

Twas a few weeks before Christmas and all through the malls
Gepher and Andrea were stirring up and down the halls

The merchandise was placed on the displays with care
In hopes that great sale shoppers soon would be there

Gepher and I were searching for flip flops in red
While visions of children’s excitement danced in our heads
Children’s shirts were thrown on the tables without care
Our hopes of finding the perfect gift would surely be there

   

And I with the generous donation and Gepher with the list
Begin choosing kid’s gifts with our hearts filled with bliss
Pink flip flops for the girls and red ones for the boys
Along with a new shirt and book that is sure to bring lots of joy

Sunday morning we wrapped the gifts up quick
Because after church the children would visited by “St. Nick”
More rapid than eagles to Bible class they came
I greeted each one and called them by name

Welcome Mary Joy, James, and Marvin
I’m so glad you are here today Joven
Everyone take a seat as today is a special day
We are going to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday

 

The children sat quietly as we read Luke 2,
The story of a Royal birth where a manger would do
“The Crippled Lamb” was the movie loved by all
The children’s handmade nativity scenes hung on the wall

No party would be complete without fun games
The children enjoyed “Jesus Bingo” with prizes of candy canes
As Bible class drew to an end,
The real fun and surprises were about to begin

The children moved to the auditorium full of glee
Their smiles, giggles, and laughter made everyone happy
“Santa” and the gifts magically appeared
As the “elves” begin to help and cheer

   

Each child’s name was called by “Santa” from his list
Santa’s “elves” made sure no one was missed
The smiles on their faces and laughter in the air
Are sights we’ll never forget and memories we’ll always share

The Christmas season is a time to celebrate and show God’s love
And blessings in abundance as all gifts come from above
For those He has called , who are called in His name
His promise of eternity is still the same

So join in the chorus and share with those who don’t know Him
Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Come Worship and Adore Him.

A Day in Paradise

The definition of Paradise is a state or place of extreme beauty, delight or happiness.  Plantation Bay is our little slice of Paradise.

   

Gepher and I spent a lot of time during my last trip teaching Bible classes, planning youth events, and Christmas celebrations for the kids and members of Naga.  On top of our ministry responsibilities we stayed busy with work, family time, and wedding plans.  This made for a very busy trip and one that did not leave much alone time for just the two of us.

   

We are strong believers in the importance of a date.  Its a chance for us to refuel our relationship and focus on what's important, our love for one another.  Plantation Bay was the perfect setting for the perfect date.

Gepher was the tour guide for the day.  He made sure we experienced every activity the resort had to offer.  We started our day playing in the salt water lagoon zipping down the twists and turns of the water slide.  Our afternoon wouldn't be complete without a little snorkeling and diving from the rock.  Gepher is definitely part fish.  He loves swimming with the fishes and pretending he is one. 

   

We capped our day off with a little kayaking.  The two of us are definitely not ready to enter any kayaking races.  Let's just say you can't get anywhere fast when you go in a circle.  In true gentleman fashion, Gepher took over the rowing and I enjoyed the ride up and down the salt water lagoon.

The day was absolutely perfect.  We enjoyed a slice of paradise as we reconnected and focused on one another.  We cannot wait to enjoy more slices of paradise as our future together unfolds.

The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is America's preeminent day. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November.  For our family it’s a day to come together as a family with close friends and reflect on the bountiful blessings God has given us throughout the year.  This year our table looked like the First Thanksgiving feast.  We gathered around the table with close American friends in Cebu along with some special Filipinos.  Just as the Pilgrims celebrated with and were thankful for the Native Americans, we feel the same about our Filipino family here in Cebu.  This year I was excited to share this tradition with Gepher as we celebrated "The First Thanksgiving" together in Cebu.

   

Mom and I spent the day cooking together.  Cooking here is more of an adventure than when we cook together at home (as you never know if you can find all the ingredients or not); however, the outcome was just as good.  The kitchen was filled with the smells of home and the holidays.  Even being on the other side of the world it felt and smelled like Thanksgiving.  We had all the southern Thanksgiving staples on the table and even had a new addition...RICE!  Mom and I wanted to make sure there was at least one familiar item on the table for Gepher.  Gepher was very adventurous and tried every dish as it was passed around the table.  He actually got so full off of the Thanksgiving staples that he didn't even eat the rice!  (I believe this was the first time I'd ever seen him not eat rice at a meal.)  We had a wonderful night chatting with another American/Filipina couple, playing Thanksgiving trivia, and listening to the sounds of Bluegrass music. 

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude to God, who's guidance and care go before us and who's love is with us forever.  Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the changes, to remember we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another.

This year Gepher and I have a lot to reflect on and be thankful for.  Of course we are thankful for one another but we are most thankful for the gift of prayer.  Without prayer we would not be together.  Without prayer we would not know God's plan for our lives.  And without prayer we would not have a relationship with our heavenly father.

Thank you God for the ways you have blessed our lives more than we ever asked or imagined.

She Said Yes!!

It was Tuesday night and it seemed like any ordinary Tuesday night (although looking back there were signs showing me otherwise).  Mom told me earlier in the week that Gepher had agreed to speak at devo and Meredith wanted to Skype in to hear him.  I found Meredith wanting to hear him a little odd considering the time difference; however, sweet and supportive which is what she has been to me lately.

That afternoon I popped my head in the room where Gepher was working on his lesson. He turned and looked at me from the desk and quickly said, "You can't come in here".  I thought, "What do you mean I can't come in here?"  He was dripping in sweat and obviously very nervous.  I didn't understand how he could be that nervous about devo (since he'd just spoken the week before with Raymond).  I told him I was not coming in but instead just making sure he was ready and didn't need anything.  He smiled the smile that melts my heart and went back to working.

People begin showing up at the house for devo.  Josh gets up to lead singing but there was no sign of Gepher.  I'm now beginning to wonder where he could be.  He's supposed to speak at devo, yet devo is starting and we have no speaker.  Finally I see him walking down the steps as Josh is leading the second or third song.  Then I get a text on my phone.  The text tells me to go up to the bedroom where he was and bring down what's in there.  At this point I'm real confused.  I text back asking am I to leave devo and get it?  He never responds back.

Gepher begins speaking on a topic that makes me remember just how God brought us together.  I immediately begin to wonder if he's about to use us as an object lesson.  I become a little nervous, unsure of what he's about to say or do.  I thought "surely he won't use us as an object lesson without warning me first?"  The lesson comes to an end and I begin to breathe a sigh of relief because he didn't use us as the object lesson.

What happens next is something I will never forget.  Gepher tells the group what he's about to do is very personal.  He begins to talk about how God intervened in his life and about that moment puts his hand deep into his pocket.  He takes a step to where I'm sitting and now I know he's up to something.  He drops down and asks me, "Will you spend the rest of your life with me?"  I immediately say "YES"!!  He then realizes he wasn't on one knee so he drops down to slip the ring onto my finger.

   

There were cheers coming from all over the room (and around the world).  Filipino culture doesn't always propose with a ring so I never dreamed Gepher would give me a ring.  We had been very private about our relationship and what God had been doing in our life, so I never imagined Gepher proclaiming his love to me in front of all our friends and family.  I'm so glad Gepher proposed with friends and family to witness.  It was the perfect time and place for us to declare our love for one another, our excitement for the future, and our thankfulness to God for what He is doing for us.

The Amazing Race

As Christians, the Hebrews' writer tells us we are running "The Amazing Race" every day.  Just like the reality show, there are challenges that hold you up and detours that cause you to make a choice and potentially throw you off track.  The producers of the hit reality show aren't too far off illustrating the life of a Christian (especially the life of a teenage Christian).

   

The 4 churches in the south of Cebu (Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, and Toledo) gather every month for the youth to share in food, fellowship, and devotion.  It’s an event that is an important tradition for the young people of these churches.  On the first Sunday in November we had almost 60 young people excited about being together.  This ReCharge was centered on the race we as Christian's run every day.  We could not think of a better way to illustrate this than for the teens to participate in "The Amazing Race - ReCharge Edition".  When I think of "The Amazing Race", the first thought comes to mind are teams jet setting across the globe experiencing challenges and detours.  The ReCharge Edition was no different.  The teams didn't jet set across the world or take every mode of transportation possible, but the teens did run all over Naga completing tasks and detours.

   

Each pit stop had a Bible theme (and hopefully taught the teens a lesson).  The first pit stop was entitled "Order Up".  Here the teens were given the books of the New Testament and were asked to put them in order without the use a Bible.  I was amazed at how quickly teams were able to successfully complete the task.  It was obvious these teens had spent time in the word.  You can't have a relationship with our Heavenly Father if you aren't studying His word.  I was so excited to see these young people building their faith through His word.

  

The second pit stop was entitled "Jesus the Carpenter".  Here teams were given a small set of Lego’s.  They had to use the step by step instructions to build the car or helicopter.  Teams realized the better they worked together the more successful they would be.  They needed each team member’s help and support in order to complete the task.  This is very similar to our Christian walk.  We need our fellow Christians to help and support us along the "race".  Jesus was no different.  He had his disciples with him every step of the journey.

The third pit stop was entitled "Say What".  Here teams were given a scripture written in code.  They had to work together to decode it.  Of course the scripture was the theme of the day.  Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

 

The final pits stop was a Detour.  Here teams had to make a choice between "Run or Roll".  If they chose "Run" the team would be tied together 3 legged race style to race from one point to another.  If they chose "Roll" the team would select 2 players to wheel barrow from one point to another.  Of course one option would be much more difficult than another.  This is very similar to life.  Some choices we make are more difficult.

The teams raced all over Naga learning lessons about the Christian walk while having fun.  Everyone wanted to win and when it was over everyone was ready to race again.  I'm sure this won't be the last "Amazing Race - ReCharge Edition" the south of Cebu experiences.

Parents Meet the Parents

After the crazy adventure of "Meet the Parents", Gepher and I were prepared for anything with "Parents Meet the Parents" weekend.  This meeting didn't include any crazy van rides or cars that wouldn't start, instead it was filled with love and support as we begin to embark on this new journey together .

Philippine tradition is for the groom and his parents to come together to meet the bride's parents before the wedding.  In this meeting the parents typically discuss the plans for the wedding, pick a date, and the upcoming marriage.  It is important for both of us to accept and embrace one another's backgrounds and traditions as we form a blended family of two very different cultures.  This meeting was one of those traditions we didn't want to forget.

Gepher and Mom have a relationship that most fiances do not have with their to be mother-in-law.  He thinks of her as his second mom (and this was the case before the two of us were an "us").  This added a new dynamic to the meeting and one that made Mom a little nervous.  She didn't want to let either of us down; however, I knew she had nothing to worry about.

His parents came to our home for dinner on Friday night.  The girls had fixed a traditional Filipino meal that was delicious and enjoyed by all.  I wanted to do something special for the meal, so I baked a Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake.  I thought it was the perfect ending with a little taste of American cuisine as well.  Saturday night Gepher's family took us to a delicious Filipino restaurant.  Both dinners had a common theme, good food, good conversation, and a feeling of complete support filled with unconditional love.

Gepher and I obviously grew up in different homes with different traditions.  He grew up in a home where he is the oldest of 9 siblings.  I, on the other hand, grew up in a home as the oldest of two.  But despite these and other differences, we grew up with one thing in common.  We both grew up in a home where God was at the center, where family is important, and where parents love and support their children.  These are qualities we both are very thankful for, that make us who we are, and that we hope to make cornerstones in the family we will be building together.  We each are blessed to be welcomed into the other's family with open arms.  We could not ask for anything more.