Smiles for 2011 - Cheers to a Blessed 2012!

Memories. Lessons. Relationships. Courage. Hope. Love. Blessings...

These describe what wonderful 2011 had been. Looking back, it was all new for me. I grew (and still growing) into a woman that God has planned for me. 2011 was the year when I started a whole different job. I had to learn the basics which I am very grateful of. I wanted this job and it was all worth it. It also taught me to be more confident, assertive,and courageous.

I handled a household group, finally, after two groups that I was not able to finish facilitating due to schedule and work circumstances. I would like to put it this way, it was all God's plan. I only have to follow. At the moment, I am caring a small group of 3 beautiful ladies whom the Father has entrusted me.

Dave formally asked for my hand in marriage last March 12, 2011. As we are preparing for a summer wedding this year, all this preparations made us better communicators which in turn shape us into more loving and understanding individuals. We have a long way to go but we are grateful for the instances that made us learn lessons, sometimes in a hard way.

We are grateful for the many unseen blessings. Blessings that we may have taken for granted. Those little things that make life as wonderful as it should be. Laughter shared with friends, deeper relationships. All throughout the year, we are perfectly healthy - what more could we ask for?

For the year 2012, I am looking forward to a more grateful heart. Always be reminded that God has blessed and will bless me and the people around abundantly. Looking forward to becoming a daughter that reflects Him. To God be all the glory! All praises and thanksgiving belong to Him!

E-Session : Behind the Scenes

We were all ecstatic one lovely Sunday morning (October 16,2011) for our long overdue and early engagement shoot. Long overdue because we booked our photographer friend as early as April, a month after Dave and I got engaged, also early for the wedding that will take place next year.

We headed to our shoot location as early as 6.15am since the travel will take us one and twenty minutes or so. We prayed before going there and asked the Lord for protection and blessings for the whole day. We have been blessed with a wonderful and fun shoot and lots of food, praise God! Here are few of the beautiful things that day. 

1) Picnic Theme

     Dave and I wanted to have a fun shoot that is true to us, something that reflects who we are individually and as a couple. I first thought of this picnic theme since we both love nature. We both like to recreate with nature and can spend a day wandering in a forest, hiking, taking pictures, camping, etc. Since he is a musician, we brought along with us a guitar, he played and I sang. Since I am into reading inspirational books, we also brought along some and read together.

2) Fishing Theme

    We have gone fishing quite a few times already and this is one of the activities we do to bond as a couple. Way back then as a kid, I spent a lot of time fishing in our province. We had this clean and fish-filled river (now gone) that served as a abundant source of water in our place (remembering those days). No, we are not professionals when it comes to fishing but it is one of our favourite past times as a couple, plus, it teaches us to be more patient.

3) Playful Theme

    Why playful? Because we are like playful children in many ways, laugh on silly jokes, tell lesson-filled stories, and 'lambing' like a child. We also wanted to have it fun and colorful. Makulay ang buhay!

4)  Miss Wonderful Photographer

     We have been so blessed to have a dear photographer friend who helped us a lot in our preparation and all the way through our shoot. Carem even spent time with us to discuss details of the shoot and was as excited as we were (even more I think haha :p). It really helps a lot when you are friends with the photographer (befriend them if you are hiring photographers that are not your friends) because it creates a setting where you are more relaxed and can be just yourselves. I think we spent a lot of times giggling and laughing throughout the shoot and that would make beautiful candid pictures (right Carem?). Even more lovely with her is that she contaminates her cheerfulness, a happy photographer makes happy pictures . :)

5) Ever-ready stylists/assistants

     Aby and Ivy were also with us to help us with the shoot and were excited to go to Merimbun for the first time. We can't thank you enough ladies for being there and helping us set the shoot, from the hair and make-up to accessories and especially your time (kering-keri ang pagbibilad sa arawb :D).

6) Bountiful Lunch by Kuya Romy

     Picnic lunch over the green meadows, calm lakes and cool-hot breeze (ok, 'twas mostly hot breeze - but never mind) we enjoyed a full seafood lunch courtesy of dear Kuya Romy. Thank you so much kuyang. We felt so loved and cared for. Praise God for your kindness. Alongside with Kuya Romy were Elmer (thank you for the chips mer) and Kuya Benj. Thank God for your time, blessings to you all!

7) The location - Tasek Merimbun

     When we planned for this shoot, Dave had already had Merimbun in mind. The place was perfect for our two themes, picnic and fishing. We visited the place 2 weeks before the shoot to plan ahead. Even we had to travel for more than an hour to get into the place, it was all worth it. And we had a perfect weather! What a bonus!

8) Something blue (outfits) and something borrowed

    We have planned this shoot ahead and we see to it that we are not going to spend a lot. My dress/blouses and Dave's polos/pants were all budget-friendly (very budget-friendly). For the accessories, it was a blessing that Ivy brought her turban, bangles and earrings to complete my bohemian look for the fishing theme. Thank you so much Bella!

All of these blessings were brought to us by the Greatest Provider.. Thank you dear Lord for all of these!!

I was teary-eyed by the end of the day realizing all the blessings (kasama na rin ang pagod :))..

Blessings to us all!!! To God be all the glory!

   

Shining Silver Year!

July 13, 2011 was my shining silver year as I turned 25 gracefully. Wow! time flies just so fast that I think I skipped my early 20's. Thank God for these blessed years. I've a lot to count to. Counting blessings is way better than worrying about the future. (Easier said than done as they say but I say, just try, and you'll see wonders).

I've always wanted birthdays to be silent. I told Dave that we'll celebrate it together - only the two of us. Well, I was actually minding the budget here (haha). It's just I am not used to having parties during my birthday. Most of the time, I don't tell anyone. I even blocked my Facebook wall, so no one can greet me. Being the melancholy type, during my college years I would celebrate my day alone; I go to church, pray and just be alone with myself.

But Dave has his way of making it silent yet something special. And so we asked two of our dear friends to have dinner with us. Later that night we went to a Japanese restaurant, well, expecting that there will only be four people I was not surprised that he booked the bigger table. After a while dear Ate Lis and Kuya Romy arrived, I was very glad they came. Part of Dave's silent-yet-special surprise to me. Then later Don Henz and Jobelle. Food was great and even greater to be shared with them. I wish I could bring more friends there and then we'll wash dishes after (lol).

Happy 25th!

With blooming Wabby

Dave and Jim playing around with chopsticks

Guys: Don Henz, K Romy, Dave and Jim

Ladies: Wabby, Xen, Ate Lis,Jobelle

Delicious cheesecake from Topbake (I would love to bake this one day)

Agradecido

Today I feel like enumerating down the blessings I have. Things that I am thankful for. I remember what Bo Sanchez wrote in one of his articles, ''instead of complaining, why won't you find the blessings that are right in your eyes''. Sometimes people tend to just look at the bad side of everything, well, it's easier to spot those wrongs/negatives when we are the downside moments of our lives. It doesn't help anyway. So why focus on that? At times we are just burying ourselves on things that really don't help. Pardon me I'm actually talking to myself.

I've got hundreds of things to be thankful for, and I'm going to enumerate few of them today. I want to focus on these blessings that my Father has been bestowing me. I'm sorry Lord sometimes I fail to see these blessings.

Abba Father, I thank you for:

- Your love and grace.

- Keeping me safe and perfectly healthy.

- The gift of life.

- The gift of family. My strength and inspiration.

- For my father and mother who are always there to listen to me. Who love and care for us. For keeping them  healthy.

-For my beautiful sisters and handsome brothers.

-For my fiance', Dave,  who has been my loving prince.

- For showering him Your unfailing love.

- For using him for your greater honor and glory.

- For my work that enables me to learn things that I thought I wouldn't  be doing.

- For a good boss who trusts me.

- For a friendly work environment I am in.

- For the safe place I am staying.

- For my phone that I use everyday to communicate my loved ones.

- For the air that I breathe.

- For the water that quenches my thirst.

- For the food that fills me physically.

- For my community -Couples/Singles for Christ.

- For my church.

- For my friends.

- For my brothers and sisters in Christ.

- For giving me the chance, the strength and the zeal to serve your people.

- For the elders of the community who in one way or the other have become our second parents.

- For the ability to work efficiently.

- For the technology that enables people to connect even we are distant from each other.

- For this blog that I am able to write and express my thoughts and the events that I want to record.

- For your unfailing love to me that enables me to always rise up with joy. To overcome challenges.

- For holding my hand and never left me.

- For calling me your beloved child.     In Jesus' name. Amen.

There are still a lot of things that I am thankful for. If it should be specific. This page cannot handle it.

La vida entera a Cristo, viviendo! (Kay Kristo Buong Buhay Habangbuhay)

P.S. The title means ''thankful'' . It is a Spanish term.

March 12, 2011

..And then he (Dave) formally asked for my hand in marriage. Sealed.

I didn't quickly realized he was serious because it was when he picked me up that Sunday morning to go to church together for the mass, so early that I perceived as untimely for a 'proposal'. So I said ok, and he asked me again. By this time I realized he is serious. He gave me the ring and just hugged him. I replied ''Uu naman''. (teary-eyed and blushed at this point). When I asked him why did he ask me that early, he replied ' I just can't wait it until the end of the day'. He was pretty sure that I would say yes but just to be 'sigurado' and seal it formally was so thoughtful and sweet of him. Well, I was kind of expecting that he would do so haha as he was bringing me to jewelry shops few weeks before that. He made sure that I would have the ring that would perfectly fit me and something that I prefer too.

I never thought of it until when we arrived at the church, every time I have a glimpse with the tiny thingy on my finger I am reminded that I am getting married soon.

I am going to be Mrs. Goh Chi Kiong :).

Rainbow On A Misty Morning

Cold morning. Lovely breakfast of wholemeal bread and peanut butter, fresh milk and one serving of fresh honey melon. Yum. Shared with my beloved.

Just on my way to work, two gorgeous and wide rainbows presented themselves on clear skies.
Oh how I love rainbows, it just reminds me of God's promise in the Bible. Whenever we see rainbows in the skies, it's a reminder for us of His love. In Genesis, the Lord said ''

I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth.” 12 God added: “This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: 13 I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”

Thank you Lord God for reminding us of your Love...

 

First

Oh yes, the sky is so blue. Birds flying. Magnificient view.

''It's good for you to at least have a journal of your life journey or something that you can read on your later life''. Not mindless of how it went''. From the words of our dear Ate Lis. It got me thinking, yeah, it's true. Why not have a journal of joyful memories, of lessons learned and of blessings. That should be great, I said to myself. I wanted to be a bird who knows where it reached to, what fruits I have eaten, the beautiful scenes that I have witnessed, my journey with other birds and to where I am going. This is what got me to write my first..

I'll keep flying then...Cheers!