Last October 11 and 12, Michael and I got to attend our very first Couples' Getaway called Beyond I Do. It was pretty special for us because in the almost three years that I've been working in Victory Ortigas, we were finally able to attend a couples' retreat.
Aside from the fact that it was a great time to meet other married couples, a rare occasion to dress in famous couples costumes, and a perfect excuse to spend quality time with the hubby, Michael and I learned so many things that definitely will help us build strong foundations for our marriage.
Couples, costumes, and cuddles
In a nutshell, here's my key take away:
Marriage is about giving, giving, giving. Most, if not all, of us get into a relationship for what we can get get get from the other person. "This person can make me happy. This person can give me security." Yada yada yada. And that's not bad. It's simply human nature. But marriage is about giving--giving of one's self. As both husband and wife keep giving, both are able to receive love, understanding, patience, and sacrifice (to name a few) from one another.
This is something I've known intuitively, but makes so much more sense to me now that it's articulated. I'm so thankful for retreats like these. Can't wait for the next one!
This morning, I had all the time in the world to laze about and start my day slow. Instinct really should have been to grab my Bible and read on, but to be completely honest with myself, I'd been so busy with hectic mornings that my initial mindset was "I'll just read my Bible later..."
But today, I couldn't use that reasoning, so I sat down and opened the Book. I was led to Proverbs 4 randomly. It spoke to me in a very personal way this time around. While Proverbs is undeniably my "most frequently read" book, somehow, this passage struck me like never before.
I realize the depth of living in accordance with God's Word, keeping it in my heart, and acknowledging the gravity of a life of disobedience to Him. The passage reminds me of the promise of peace and prosperity that comes with a life that pleases God, as well as the consequences of veering away from His way. It's very practical. It's very straightforward. And sometimes, we need to approach our faith from this standpoint: one that is grounded on wisdom and brainwork. It takes conscious effort, yes, but as highlighted below, when we "guard our hearts" and align it with our heads, the walk will be less taxing, less complicated, less of a burden.
May we all live in wisdom that springs forth from hearts that simply long to please God.
Here's what it said:
Wisdom Is Supreme 1 Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father's house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, [a] get understanding.
8 Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor."
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
16 For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level [b] paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
There will be more candles to my birthday cake this time. Last year, I was in denial and declared I was 13 plus 10, but this year, I've accepted and am quite proud as my 24th year of life culminates in 9 days.
I just don't know how I want to celebrate it. All I know is that I do want to celebrate the year that has come and gone, get all my loved ones together, and acknowledge God's faithfulness in my life.
This song expresses my sentiments exactly:
Twenty-four Switchfoot
Twenty-four oceans Twenty-four skies Twenty-four failures And twenty-four tries Twenty-four finds me In twenty-fourth place With twenty-four drop outs At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' And I'm not who I thought I was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You'
There's twenty-four reasons To admit that I'm wrong With all my excuses Still twenty-four strong
See, I'm not copping out Not copping out Not copping out When you're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man Oh, oh I am the second man now Oh, I am the second man now And you're raising these...
Twenty-four voices With twenty-four hearts All of my symphonies In twenty-four parts But I want to be one today Centered and true I'm singing 'Spirit take me up in arms with You' You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man Oh, oh I am the second man now Oh I am the second man now And you're raising the dead in me Yeah
I wanna see miracles To see the world change Wrestled the angel for more than a name For more than a feeling For more than a cause I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' And you're raising the dead in me
Twenty-four oceans With twenty-four hearts All of my symphonies With twenty-four parts Life is not what I thought it was Twenty-four hours ago Still I'm singing 'Spirit, take me up in arms with You' I'm not copping out Not copping out
There's one song I've been singing non-stop for the past several weeks and seems to be perfect for what I anticipate I'll be going through for the next few months: a season of waiting.
Brooke Fraser sings it perfectly in her song Faithful
"Faithful"
There's distance in the air and I cannot make it leave I wave my arms 'round about me and blow with all my might I cannot sense you close, though I know you're always here But the comfort of you near is what i long for
[CHORUS] When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same When I can't hear you, I know you still hear everyword I pray And i want you more than i want to live another day And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful
All the folly of the past, though I know it is undone I still feel the guilty one, still trying to make it right So I whisper soft your name, let it roll around my tongue, Knowing you're the only one who knows me You know me
[CHORUS] When I can't feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same When I can't hear you, I know you still hear everyword I pray And i want you more than i want to live another day And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful [BRIDGE] Show me how I should live this Show me where I should walk I count this world as loss to me You are all I want You are all I want
Faithful - Brooke Fraser This song is in complete agreement with God's promise for me this year:
Psalm 27:14 (New International Version)
14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
And I must say, I used to be somewhat of an impatient person, but I'm enjoying this season of waiting, of stillness, of anticipation for God's breakthroughs but at the same time a quiet assurance that He's already working on it and that all He wants me to do is surrender.
My prayer is that you may all feel the love of God which He has so graciously poured out for me, for everyone. This Valentine's season, I just want to declare that His love endures forever (Psalm 106:1).
Artist: Brooke Fraser Album: Albertine Title: C.S. Lewis Song
If i find in myself desires nothing in this world can satisfy, I can only conclude that I was not made for here If the felsh that i fight is at best only light and momentary, then ofcourse I'll feel nude when to where I'm destined I'm compared
[CHORUS] Speak to me in the light of the dawn Mercy comes with the morning I will sigh and with all creation groan as I wait for hope to come for me
Am i lost or just found? On the straight or on the roundabout of the wrong way? is this a soul that stirs in me, is it breaking free, wanting to come alive? Cos my comfort would prefer for me to be numb An avoid the impending birth of who I was born to become
[CHORUS]
[BRIDGE] For we, we are not long here Our time is but a breath, so we better breathe it And I, I was made to live, I was made to love, I was made to know you Hope is coming for me Hope, He's coming
Ever since my good friend Ellaine brought up Piercing the Darkness, a book by Frank E. Perreti in one of our coffee conversations, I haven't stopped looking for it. I've searched in just about every bookstore I've come across but I think it's gone out of print because I just can't seem to find it.
Ellaine described the book to be a very engaging description, or more accurately put, the author's imaginative idea of the spiritual warfare we go through everyday; that which is unseen to us. I guess I'm intrigued by the subject matter more than ever now because it's only this year that I experienced how forces of good and evil battle for our souls every day.
I'll probably settle for an E-Book if the book is indeed out of circulation. But I need to get my hands on one real soon.
I feel like jumping for joy, and for no partiular material or tangible reason. I'm up at this hour still hyped up about something which I couldn't quite put my finger on at the start of this day; not until I remembered this verse:
1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
I woke up this morning with an indescribable peace. For the first time in a long time, I faced the day with a certainty about my heart which I've fully committed into God's hands, and with that, I was secured in the knowledge that there, my heart would be kept safe, treasured and romanced.
I realized that this was what I'd been seeking all along: a true and beautiful relationship with Him. Foolish of me to have sought this out in other things, other circumstances, other people.
Now that this has been impressed upon me, I can't but jump for joy. This is freedom like I've never felt before.
Thanks to my small group. You guys had a hand in this. ^v^
I'm wide awake on a weeknight at this hour. Four minutes past midnight...
I just came from a very refreshing long weekend. Maybe that's why I find that I am in no way exhausted from the day and in no condition to sleep yet. So, I picked up an unfinished book and read on.
I'm still reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge.
There's no way I can read that book in one sitting. I have to chew and digest each and every chapter. In so doing, I find that I am brought to so many realizations, sometimes so many I just can't take it all in. Though it's said to be a rather controversial book, I am taking it for what it is and reading the book with an open and inquisitive heart.
Having just read chapter five, I have taken some mental notes and bringing them with me as food for thought throughout this week:
- Many times, the treatment we get is in no way connected to the treatment we deserve. It does not determine our worth. - Regardless of how we've been regarded and no matter how insignificant others make us feel, God loves us, knows and values our hearts' deepest desires.
These and so much more. Perhaps I'll leave the next chapter for next week in order for me to see how the last one applies. I'd like to take it all in in bite size quanitities.
I had a full and lovely day. I can't but feel overwhelmed.
In the morning, I had a blast doing a photo shoot for a new condo's promotional material. This I did with one of my closest friends, Bianca.
The afternoon was spent in a go see for a TVC. Bianca and I tagged along with my sister. We all tried out and had a good laugh about the long wait and the silly VTR task of having to say "Bakit ba?" in five different ways (happy, sad, scared, etc...).
In the evening, my sister and I headed straight to Araneta Coliseum to see LIfehouse. Undoubtedly one of the greatest shows I've ever seen. I was literally in tears at the end of it, especially since Broken was their last song.Pareissa in the meet and greet with Lifehouse
To top all that, Pareissa (another wonderful gal pal), my sister and I hung out at Alchemy, where Lifehouse spent their last night here in the Philippines to wind down. This was a good three hours of having them just meters away from me. Without wanting to sound cheesy, it was a good feeling to have them there in the exact same place, considering how their music has made such a huge impact on my life especially in the past few months. How I wanted to tell them that they have inspired me in ways unimaginable! I couldn't, of course, since I wanted to give them their privacy. It was enough for me to see them up close and to interact with them even if only in passing.
That's them behind me in the photo.
I'm listening to their bonus CD right now, which I purchased before the concert. It's a great way to end this memorable day.
Thank you, Lord, that I feel and finally see You healing my heart - that you use different ways and various people in the process.
Call me a fanatic but I actually feel like I can die happy after seeing Lifehouse perform right before my very eyes this Saturday. They will be at the Araneta Coliseum on July 26, 8 PM. The minute I head about this, I knew I just had to be there. And I will!
Here's one more band (aside from Switchfoot, another personal fave) whose songs have inspired me and helped me through some of the toughest times of my life. Music is a very powerful tool, I believe, and I think it's important that we listen to that which will uplift us and not pull us down. Lifehouse's music is strikingly real about the heartaches and struggles of life, but their message is always clear: JUST LOOK UP.
Broken is currently the anthem of my heart. May I share the lyrics with all who read this? Whatever you're going through, no matter how spent you feel, regardless of how many disappointments you've faced, just hang in there. There's SOMEONE who cares and who will see you through.
The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out
I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing With a broken heart that's still beating In the pain there is healing In your name I find meaning So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on I'm barely holdin' on to you
The broken locks were a warning you got inside my head I tried my best to be guarded, I'm an open book instead I still see your reflection inside of my eyes That are looking for a purpose, they're still looking for life
I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing with a broken heart that's still beating In the pain there is healing In your name I find meaning So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on I'm barely holdin' on to you
I'm hangin' on another day Just to see what you will throw my way And I'm hanging on to the words you say You said that I will be ok
The broken lights on the freeway left me here alone I may have lost my way now, haven't forgotten my way home
Venus/Aphrodite
You are the Greek goddess Aphrodite, also known as Venus to the Romans. You are the goddess of love, lust, desire and
fertility. You have been called the most beautiful of goddesses and undoubtedly the most desirable. But you are also known
for your hot temper, and the ease with which you grow jealous of women that profess to be more beautiful than you. You also
own a special girdle which has the power to drive men insane with desire. Since you were born of the sea, from which you came
to land riding on a scallop shell, sea food has been known as an aphrodisiac. Which GREEK (or ROMAN) GODDESS are you? (Girls Only) with pictures! in
results
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While some of your behavior is quite normal...
Other things you do are downright strange
You've got a little of your freak going on
But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself
This morning, I had all the time in the world to laze about and start my day slow. Instinct really should have been to grab my Bible and read on, but to be completely honest with myself, I'd been so busy with hectic mornings that my initial mindset was "I'll just read my Bible later..." 
There will be more candles to my birthday cake this time. Last year, I was in denial and declared I was 13 plus 10, but this year, I've accepted and am quite proud as my 24th year of life culminates in 9 days.
I feel like jumping for joy, and for no partiular material or tangible reason. I'm up at this hour still hyped up about something which I couldn't quite put my finger on at the start of this day; not until I remembered this verse:
There's no way I can read that book in one sitting. I have to chew and digest each and every chapter. In so doing, I find that I am brought to so many realizations, sometimes so many I just can't take it all in. Though it's said to be a rather controversial book, I am taking it for what it is and reading the book with an open and inquisitive heart.
Pareissa in the meet and greet with Lifehouse
That's them behind me in the photo..JPG)
