"...to have and to hold
from this day forward..."
In the unearthly hours of the saturday morning, 2nd of Dec, I pulled myself up from bed at 5.10am. Nope, it wasn't for work, and I wasn't complaining. It was time to prepare myself for the day ahead, a day of declaration of the union between Weixiong and Christina...having stood alongside, seeing them getting together till this day.
More than the fun of being part of the gate-crashing brothers gang for Weixiong, it was an honour for me, that I was part of it. The tiredness was worth it.
Hehe took this pic the night before while trying to tie a tie again.
Reached Christina's block early...so had the time to just take a sit at the playground and soak in the start to the morning. Mmm...thankful to God for the moment of quietness before the rush of the day set in.
With a call from Weixiong on his arrival, the whole thing kicked off.
I'm not really a fan of beetles...
but I must say, it makes for a cool, classy "marriage sedan"
Well, the gate-crashing was better than I expected...or at least less horrible than what I had pictured in mind heh. Still, it took us some time, with the things we had to eat, blow and melt. So finally, with the combined effort of the band of brothers....
The fruit of our labour
Our to-be-wed couple looking mighty fine
With the groom finally in, I was glad. My only regret was only not being able to catch a clear glimpse of Weixiong kneeling before Christina in her room...a pity man. With that, it came down to all the travelling around to the houses for the tea ceremonies and all, before the preparation at the church.
Had the church place to ourselves as Daniel and I reached earlier.
Pretty nice design and place they have.
Helloo people
They've got a nice setup man
Ironically, the union of the 2 of them also brought along the reunion of many church people. Just seeing the old faces again, brought back so much feelings and memories. And as much as I thought I would be ok, I wasn't really so, honestly. Especially seeing them again. I was fighting so many thoughts within me right there and then.
I wanted to talk to them though. But somehow, they were constantly surrounded by people, so I didn't in the end. We did exchange a smile when I saw them looking at me at one moment. Sighh...again..gotta remind myself to move on.
Well, I'm thankful for the little moments I had with Christina and Weixiong along the way....despite the busyness of the big day, and the chance to speak to them before I left. Yeah, really so many heartfelt things to want to say and catch up on...it was akin to coming to this stage of their life together with them...
Weixiong, thanks for being sensitive to God's leading to invite and lead a prayer to receive Christ during cell that fateful sunday. It has been something observing how you struggled with your physical weakness of bodily pain through all the years of schooling, army, and serving in church....just like a modern day Paul with his thorn in the flesh. Despite the pain, you gave what you could, often being the practical and strong one among us to stabilise and balance things. This area of your strength in practicality became something I learnt alot from, and admire. Your stability and strength in support, was often God's grace to me, when I felt inadequate and in need of help.
But more than that, it was your presence, messages, cards and words of encouragement that came alongside me during my times of struggle and loneliness. Your smses to me on sunday nights was a delightful comfort that I bring along in my booking in back to Tekong while on the ferry.
Christina, I still remember the day where we took some photos right at the beginning of a year, having just planned and formed the youth ministry, Poie'ma. You joked and played around with me while we were posing for the photos. That was the time I felt what having an older sister in Christ was like, and honestly till this day, is something that has not come to me too often along the way. It means alot. Seeing the things you go through, I wonder at times how I could cope being in your shoes. It seems that God gave you a strong character within, knowing what you will face along the way with your personal side...and an other half who would help support you.
You gave me a cross keychain on the day of my enlistment into the army...and only God knows how many nights I spent holding on to it to sleep, praying for His strength and grace, and comforted by the reminder that I'm not alone in it.
Thank you both, for not putting on a perfect front, for being real and honest. It reminds me of the reality that we all struggle with giving up. I'm sure somewhere among the reasons of why I hold on..this is part of it. Thank you for showing how to give and compromise, how to support and serve sacrificially.
Thank you most of all, for sharing your lives with me, and allowing me to be part of them. May your marriage be one that shines for Him, and may the love and respect for God and each other, only continue to grow stronger.
Somehow it seems to me, that both of you were already living the marriage vows in your days of courtship, before it was ever said, despite your weaknesses. And now my prayer and hope for you 2, would be to fulfill it in completion, by His grace and enablement....
More than the fun of being part of the gate-crashing brothers gang for Weixiong, it was an honour for me, that I was part of it. The tiredness was worth it.
Hehe took this pic the night before while trying to tie a tie again.The last time I wore one was....secondary school time??
Man....still lookin smart in a tie! :P
Man....still lookin smart in a tie! :P
Reached Christina's block early...so had the time to just take a sit at the playground and soak in the start to the morning. Mmm...thankful to God for the moment of quietness before the rush of the day set in.
With a call from Weixiong on his arrival, the whole thing kicked off.
I'm not really a fan of beetles...but I must say, it makes for a cool, classy "marriage sedan"
Well, the gate-crashing was better than I expected...or at least less horrible than what I had pictured in mind heh. Still, it took us some time, with the things we had to eat, blow and melt. So finally, with the combined effort of the band of brothers....
The fruit of our labour
Our to-be-wed couple looking mighty fineWith the groom finally in, I was glad. My only regret was only not being able to catch a clear glimpse of Weixiong kneeling before Christina in her room...a pity man. With that, it came down to all the travelling around to the houses for the tea ceremonies and all, before the preparation at the church.
Had the church place to ourselves as Daniel and I reached earlier.Pretty nice design and place they have.
Helloo people
They've got a nice setup manI wanted to talk to them though. But somehow, they were constantly surrounded by people, so I didn't in the end. We did exchange a smile when I saw them looking at me at one moment. Sighh...again..gotta remind myself to move on.
Well, I'm thankful for the little moments I had with Christina and Weixiong along the way....despite the busyness of the big day, and the chance to speak to them before I left. Yeah, really so many heartfelt things to want to say and catch up on...it was akin to coming to this stage of their life together with them...
Weixiong, thanks for being sensitive to God's leading to invite and lead a prayer to receive Christ during cell that fateful sunday. It has been something observing how you struggled with your physical weakness of bodily pain through all the years of schooling, army, and serving in church....just like a modern day Paul with his thorn in the flesh. Despite the pain, you gave what you could, often being the practical and strong one among us to stabilise and balance things. This area of your strength in practicality became something I learnt alot from, and admire. Your stability and strength in support, was often God's grace to me, when I felt inadequate and in need of help.
But more than that, it was your presence, messages, cards and words of encouragement that came alongside me during my times of struggle and loneliness. Your smses to me on sunday nights was a delightful comfort that I bring along in my booking in back to Tekong while on the ferry.
Christina, I still remember the day where we took some photos right at the beginning of a year, having just planned and formed the youth ministry, Poie'ma. You joked and played around with me while we were posing for the photos. That was the time I felt what having an older sister in Christ was like, and honestly till this day, is something that has not come to me too often along the way. It means alot. Seeing the things you go through, I wonder at times how I could cope being in your shoes. It seems that God gave you a strong character within, knowing what you will face along the way with your personal side...and an other half who would help support you.
You gave me a cross keychain on the day of my enlistment into the army...and only God knows how many nights I spent holding on to it to sleep, praying for His strength and grace, and comforted by the reminder that I'm not alone in it.
"...for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish..."
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish..."
Thank you both, for not putting on a perfect front, for being real and honest. It reminds me of the reality that we all struggle with giving up. I'm sure somewhere among the reasons of why I hold on..this is part of it. Thank you for showing how to give and compromise, how to support and serve sacrificially.
Thank you most of all, for sharing your lives with me, and allowing me to be part of them. May your marriage be one that shines for Him, and may the love and respect for God and each other, only continue to grow stronger.
Somehow it seems to me, that both of you were already living the marriage vows in your days of courtship, before it was ever said, despite your weaknesses. And now my prayer and hope for you 2, would be to fulfill it in completion, by His grace and enablement....
"...till death us do part,
according to God's holy law."
according to God's holy law."