With Ira's permission, I am re-posting her blog. Alex is a young full-time youth pastor who serves in campus ministry. With limited financial means, they were able to have their dream wedding. They are truly an inspiration.
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Ira writes:
He gave it all on my wedding. Alex? No, not Alex. God :)
I was then a skeptic in the very first-place. That was 2009 August when Alex proposed. It was our very first anniversary as a couple. My eardrums can’t believe nor comprehend what my campus missionary boyfriend tried to ask me using a mic. I totally blanked out emotionally after he asked it the first time. Well, that’s probably the reason why he asked 5 times. In fact, I didn’t feel that I made him ask 5 times. I just can’t imagine where this guy would get the money on a wedding. It’s literally hilarious.
The thought is really funny and romantic BUT unrealistic for me then. There were only 3 words on my mind the minute I realized he was really serious. And they were - “Are you sure?!!” I mean at that time I was (ok, I deleted 'just') a preschool teacher and he’s a financially struggling (I assumed) missionary worker. So I kept on laughing. I can’t stop giggling that I forgot that he was actually waiting for an answer in English AND using the mic.
Incredible. He was just unbelievably incredible. He didn’t want to settle for a secret yes, but he wants a loud and resounding “Yes”! To finally end his agony and to his relief, I said yes. Why? At first, it was only because I love and trust this man and my faith was on God choosing him to be the one for me. That's it! The wedding? Um, I was thinking sleeping on it for a while. Hehe! So there it goes. The 17 months of preparation. But the truth is the preparation REALLY happened in 6-5 months only.
It started with a dream. Pastor Raymz would ask us about our finances but the highlight was that he would also ask us one more interesting question. This question lead a way for us in having our faith stretched by a colossal God - a God who shows His provision even in a wedding right in our own eyes :) “What’s your faith?”
Having faith. How much does it really cost? It costs stepping on water. This preparation is definitely that - a step on water. It can also be literally and simply called Trust Fall :) We started canvassing suppliers without any dough on hand nor any fat savings account on some prestigious bank. We just want to know the rates so that we can start praying about them with specific amounts. Prayer points were distributed to close friends (Thank you so much to all who prayed with us! You were all part of making that happen.). :)
And then slowly the down payments got paid. How? Support came from mostly people who were Alex' ministry partners, those who were touched, inspired, blessed by the idea that a young pastor is getting married by faith OR relatives/family members just excited and glad to see a cousin, a niece, a nephew, a son, a brother and so on get married AND many others who just simply want to bless and be part of a miracle this wedding is, had been and will always be. Water into wine it is for us, me and Alex, as what God had confirmed weeks before the wedding that this is gonna be the first of the many miracles He's gonna show both of us in our journey together. It's just the beginning of a lot more miracles He can generously give.
That’s the amazing part. Seeing how God brought all the support in. Support came in many forms - encouragement, presence, labor, a pat on the back, a suggestion, an offer, a discount, a privilege, a package (Praise God for BigChiz! :) ), and of course finances. All these came like a wave on the wedding day. A day before the wedding we still need 70K :) Sleep evaded us just dreaming about God’s provision. The faith He has faithfully authored taught us to take a deep breath and let go of the worries and the pesos that needed to be paid on that day. That was the day God taught us to let go and smile and just simply think of 2 words - HAVE FAITH.
He was the one who held us on that day. I was very sure it was high time for us to tie the knot, so I tried to remind myself – If it's His will, it's DEFINITELY His bill. Finances will definitely NOT be hard. Everything WILL be smooth no matter what. Then that was it! There was no turning back. Full-speed ahead, mate!
Well, in your life, if ever you encounter the question whether He will provide, THINK of my wedding. In His time, in His way, when we do what we know He’d always want us to do - there’s no doubt “HE WILL SURELY PROVIDE”. It stops being a cliché. Simply think of our wedding. Simply.
Today is our 2nd monthsary. :) (written on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 8:25pm)
View more of Alex & Ira's photos here.
