quotes that sustains... me. :)

“One of the best wedding gifts God gave you was a full-length mirror called your spouse. Had there been a card attached, it would have said, “Here’s to helping you discover what you’re really like!”

– Gary and Betsy Ricucci

The more you invest in a marriage, the more valuable it becomes.
--Amy Grant

A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' come together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences.
--Dave Meurer

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
--Ephesians 5:21-33

The husband is away

The husband is away for a period of 5 days.. He's on a Campus Ministry Summit where all the Campus staff are gathered for a time of planning and strategizing for the year.

Its been weird going back to a quiet home, with no one welcoming me back or hearing any "good morning and good nights" from the hubby.. But I am happy too, to have some space on our own to spend and mediate on our marriage as well :) Mom has been really sweet during this period of time when hubby johnson is away.. She'll call me to ask if I am ok alone, and tells me to be careful when I am alone as my neighborhood is quiet.. Its funny but yet sweet to know that she cares a lot for me :) It is also in times like these that I miss mom and home when I get home, I will surely see mom watching tv and sis on the computer.

To date, we've been married for 3 months and so far, God has been really faithful. Hes been there when we argued or when there are times we were reminded to persist to encourage and affirm one another even when we are in our "comfort zone". There are also times where we had to help one another with the household chores, and it has been a continual exercise to remember to say "thank you for helping me clean this up" or "You're really sweet to remember my birthday" etc.

Though it hasn't been a smooth journey as many who were married often say that the 1st year is always the most challenging year, as two individuals or broken people come together to become one. I am currently reading this fantastic book by Gary Thomas. Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?
and it has been helping me to see our marriage in a different perspective, aim and goal. :) I would encourage you to read it if you are either in a relationship or married, or seeking a relationship :)

In Sacred Marriage, Thomas asks the question "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" - and you can probably guess that he believes this is indeed the case. There is some superbly challenging and thought-provoking material in this book, especially for anyone who feels somehow disappointed by their marriage. Thomas really shows how God seeks to work through marriage to shape us more fully into Christ's image.

On a lighter note:
We've asked funny questions to each other, understand one another during this 3 months and here are some for you to laugh with us :)


Question 1: What is one thing that you've found out about me after we are married that you didn't before we were married?

Johnson: The floor will be filled with amazingly a lot a lot of hair each time after you blow dry your hair. But you'll still have so much hair left on your head! I never knew one can drop soo much hair!!

Yvonne: Once I was in the kitchen washing the dishes and heard you let out a scream and was encouraging someone loudly. I rushed out to the living room thinking that you were either on the phone or there was someone at the door. But you were actually watching soccer on TV.


Question 2: What is one most interesting thing that you find about me?

Johnson: You are really really really afraid of sharks, crocodiles and snakes shows.

Yvonne: You have a set of fix routine each day when you reach home from work and interestingly you'll follow through them. Open door, take off shoes, go to study room to put down your bad, go to living room and take out socks, then sit on couch and watch TV for a long while...


Question 3: What is one thing that you enjoyed most being married?

Johnson: To be able to be with me at home, and she is helping me with the chores :p

Yvonne: That I get to see him at home at the end of the day and say good morning and good night to him :)