Hi everyone, I have been meaning to write this post since Andrew and I got married. In this post, I'll share all the resources that I used to plan our wedding last June. Wedding planning can get overwhelming quickly so I hope this post can help someone in the midst of planning!
I would say earlier in the planning stages, I was way more ambition on tackling DIY projects. As we got closer to the wedding I gave up on the idea of DIY-ing everything and asked my bridesmaids for help on things I couldn't do on my own.
All the photos below were taken by our photographer, Ann.
The cute vow books were a gift from our photographer, Ann. I really liked the idea of sending traditional invitations in the mail and printed mine own at home! I purchased A7 blush envelopes, A7 white notecards, and 4 bar white note cards from Paper Source.
These were also a sweet gift from Sarah! She lettered it herself! 😍
We wanted our groomsmen to have matching blush ties. Andrew and I went to Macy's and found these very light pink ties for each of the groomsmen! I also thought it would be very cute to have personalized tie bars so we ordered them from StampedExpressionsCo (Etsy)! I also wanted to embroider the pocket squares with each person's initial, but I didn't know anything about embroidering at that time. When I made a trial version, it looked terrible so I just threw that idea out!
I ordered the cake topper at Rawkrft Etsy Shop when the shop just opened! I was super happy with it. We ordered a buttercream 3-tiered cake and a sheet cake from Shilla Bakery. I forget how much each sheet cake feeds, but here is an article you can read that may be helpful! For the cake decoration, my sister-in-law used the flowers we bought at Potomac Floral Wholesale and beautifully decorated the cake on our wedding day! The cake stand was provided by the venue.
I purchased the votive candle holders and the candles at Joann's and Michael's whenever there was a sale. I also purchased the multiple vase sets with Lata (who was getting married a month before me) and split the price! Though we could share the vases, we purchased our own set of floating candles. In total we paid $194 each for the candle holder set and the floating candles. For the table numbers, I used the Finetec gold watercolor with a calligraphy nib on watercolor paper to create them.
I asked my bridesmaid and close friends to come help make these eucalyptus centerpieces the day before our wedding! We gathered in my parent's basement and worked on these for 4+ hours. One of my bridesmaids, Susan, took the lead and taught us all how to make them.
This is not an extensive list of all the DIY projects I attempted (hopefully more posts to follow). Please let me know if you're interested in any particular project I attempted and I will go into further detail about them in future posts! Writing this post made me realize how grateful I am for all the friends and families who gave their time to help Andrew and me plan for our wedding day. It was a beautiful (and hot) June day. Thank you everyone for helping us and loving us so well!
1.Honestly, this year and season has been one of the hardest to have walked through. There were many mountains and valleys, but I am so thankful for Jesus – for his love and strength, who carried me through this year. In this “year of the unknown,” I have learned to lean into him deeper than before. And through this season, I have come to realize that I am nothing without God and I have nothing apart from Him. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit – his guidance and leading through each week and day. Though this year has been full of many uncertainties (it only makes sense and is clearer looking back) but I am thankful for this season because it has stretched and deepened my faith in trusting God for the plans He has for my life. He is surely good. There were many tears, many challenges, and many struggles but there were also many joys, victories, and good news!
2.I am so thankful for my family - my parents for continually supporting me though I am almost a year out of college. I am so thankful for the time I had with my sister this season (especially as I spend hours with her every day over the summer while teaching SAT class and preparing for Belize missions). I am thankful that I am able to continue to live at home and spend this season and time with my sister.
3.I am thankful for Hannah. She has been a very good friend to me throughout the years - but especially this year. It has been an encouragement to see her walk in faith despite the uncertainties and the unknowns of this season.
4.I am thankful for Aug, Sarah, and Caleb and the opportunity to lead the youth group. I cannot believe it’s already my fourth year teaching the youth group!
5.I am thankful for Cecilia, who studied with me every day and kept me accountable for two months while we took the Kaplan course together in order to study for the MCAT. I especially saw God’s hand throughout the whole process as I was able to win the Kaplan course at an auction for 1/3rd the price!
6.I am so thankful for all my photography clients. I truly enjoyed photographing each graduation session for my friends this past May and June.
7.I am thankful also for my lettering clients! I loved designing and working with Nana for her wedding day in September. It was such a joy to see all the work I had done on a computer come to life!
8.I am thankful for the Belize missions trip and team members. I had the opportunity to lead worship for the Belize Summer Bible Conference. It was an honor to be able to do so. I am also thankful for being able to go back to Belize to attend Dillon and Shannelle’s wedding. I am thankful that I was able to go snorkeling (though it was cloudy most of the time I was there, but snorkeling was so awesome)!
9.I am thankful for God who has provided – and has provided enough for me throughout this season. I am so thankful that God knows exactly what I need when I needed. I was a bit antsy in the earlier half of the year because I had no idea what I was going to do after I went on Belize missions. It was a difficult decision for me to make – to choose to go on missions, but now that I am looking back, God already knew and had a plan for me. And that is so mind boggling! Though I was so discouraged and disappointed that I could not apply for medical school this cycle, God knew that I needed a break and a time before starting school again. And I am also so thankful that God provided a job for me at Bethesda Vision Care. I really enjoy being around my coworkers and I am also soo soo grateful for this position at NIH (which I will start in a couple of months but not sure exactly when). I always wanted a job or internship at NIH and it was such a good surprise when I received the email since I interviewed earlier this year! I know starting at NIH will stretch me to grow and think, but I am so excited to see where God will lead in the months and weeks to come!
10.I am thankful for my class - Joy, Rebekah, and Ashia. I love how they are each so different, but I see how God made each person fearfully and wonderfully. Although we ran into some car issues on our way back, I really enjoyed when our class visited Mary in Richmond (btw they also pushed my car when it was in neutral, haha). I also really enjoyed going apple picking!
11.The older I get, I appreciate even more the community God has given me. I am so thankful for everyone’s support and love through all these years. I was especially reminded of this when my car battery died at church. There were so many people who were concerned and help me jumpstart my car (esp Joe who made sure that I got home safely)!
Over the summer, I read this devotional titled Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by Mark Batterson (the pastor of the National Community Church in Washington DC) with a few friends. The book, full of testimonies after testimonies of answered prayers, has encouraged me to keep praying and to pray even more specific prayers.
The book is full of testimonies after testimonies of answered prayers - amazing ways God has answered people's prayers. As I neared the end of the 40 day challenge, I was reminded of the Tuesday prayer meetings I attended with friends from youth group throughout middle and high school.
"Hey, are you going to prayer meeting?"
This was a weekly question we asked each other. "Are you going to be at prayer meeting?" And it was how we kept each other accountable. I don't think we understood the value of prayer in those times. I know I surely didn't. Some days, it felt like a sacrifice to attend prayer meeting when I felt like my time would be better spent studying instead of praying. But I remember I would leave each time - refreshed and encouraged, and with no regrets. It was time I treasured. To spend time in the presence of God and at the same time - with my friends. And though we could not see it at the time, I believe God was working in our midst. I didn't really understand. We would pray for our schools week after week - for God to come, reach people. But week after week, I could not see God moving. And finally, years later down the line, I believe that I am witnessing the answers to all the prayers we had sown even up to eight years ago. It has been awesome seeing friends and people I used to know in high school turn to God in prayer and in search to know Him. And as we continue into the future, I am excited for God to reveal the fullness of his glory.
This is a super short post, but I just wanted to share this to encourage you to keep praying! I know I often wonder if God actually hears my prayers or if it's actually doing anything, but God is listening! And God is moving and doing far greater things than we can imagine or comprehend. James 5:16b says "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." What and who are you going to pray for today?
Ever since studying the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead at our church's annual Spring Bible Conference, God has really placed this passage in my heart. I haven't written in a while so it feels a bit strange to be back at it again, but my hope is that you can leave this post having a deeper understanding of the passage and of the Father God's love.
But before I begin, let me share a bit about the first half of 2017.
This year - the "year of the unknown," as I like to call it, has been incredibly challenging, but also incredibly fun (sounds like a paradox, haha). After I graduated from the University of Maryland, little did I know that I would be caught in this "in-between" stage of my life. As uncomfortable as this season has been at times, I know I am exactly where God wants me to be. When I began college at the University of Maryland, I imagined myself to be going straight from college to medical school, but as we can see right now - God had other plans for me. Though my life has not really gone the way I imagined it to be, I have have found over and over again that there is so much joy and freedom in submitting to God's will for my life. God's plans are so much higher and better than my plans. Even when I don't know what I need, He knows what I need exactly when I need it.
Despite wrestling through the challenges of this season, I have had incredible amounts of fun, basking in the simple things in life - doing things I've always wanted to do but never really had the time to do in college (going strawberry picking, spending time with my best friend & youth group kids, enjoying spring, taking senior portraits, spending more time lettering, etc.)!
If you haven't seen it yet, here's my sister's very cute vlog of the time we went strawberry picking:
After attending the Grace Retreat this year, I realized that God has given me a voice. God has called me to speak - to use this voice to speak what's on His heart. But I realized that I have been believing the enemy's lies that it would better for me to stay quiet. I have not blogged (or spoken) in a while, but I hope to intentionally make time to write and share the revelations God has given me the past few years in the months to come.
And so, let's dive into the story of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Who is Lazarus? Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, were very dear friends of Jesus. Knowing and believing that Jesus could do something, the sisters, out of faith, sent a word that Lazarus was sick. A word was sent to Jesus - "Lord, the one you love is sick." And seeing how this sickness lead to death later on in the story, Lazarus' sickness was a very urgent matter. What was Jesus' reaction? Let's look at verses 4-6.
When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
As we can see in the passage, the premise of the story begins with love. However, Jesus did the contrary to what you would expect someone to do once they hear their loved one is sick. When Mary and Martha brought this news to Jesus, they expected Jesus to rush to their home so that Lazarus could be healed. Instead, Jesus stayed where He was two more days. Logically, it didn't make sense. How could Jesus so confidently say "This sickness will not end in death. No it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it" yet they saw Lazarus pass away before their eyes? Was Jesus lying? Was He not powerful enough to heal Lazarus (is that why He didn't come)? Was He too busy for them? What was going on? Didn't Jesus know how much pain and suffering they were in? Did Jesus still love them? As Mary and Martha brought their request to Jesus, we bring our needs and requests before God because we know that He can do something. But how do we respond when Jesus does not respond the way we expect Him to? What is our reaction when He delays? Do we question his goodness? Do we question his love? As I mentioned earlier, the premise of the story is love. Though we will each walk through our own mountains and valleys (however shape or form they may be), we must remember that Jesus loves us. And He loves us deeply.
After a few days passed, Jesus told his disciples - "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him." Jesus knew that Lazarus was very ill. I wonder how difficult it was for Jesus to know all the pain Mary and Martha were in, yet to wait. Whatever you are waiting on God for - a full-time job, marriage, a child, healing, etc. Jesus knows. He knows. Yet, at times, He chooses to wait. I think this is a difficult concept to grasp. And this is what we find Martha asking Jesus. "Jesus, why did you wait? I know that if you came sooner, you could have healed Lazarus."
"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" (John 11:21-26a).
Martha believed Jesus could and would resurrect Lazarus on the last day. When Jesus asked if she believed that He was the resurrection and the life, she said "Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." But when Jesus visits Lazarus' tomb and asks to take away the stone from the tomb, what is Martha's response?
"But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said ,"Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
Before rushing to the end of the story, I want to stop and ponder here for a moment. Just a few moments before, Jesus asks Martha if she believes that He is the resurrection and the life and she said "Yes, Lord." And I have no doubt that Martha really did believe Jesus could and would resurrect Lazarus on the last day. But Martha did not believe that He could raise Lazarus from the dead now. Though she had knowledge about the resurrection, she had yet to experience its power. And I believe that for this reasons, Jesus delayed his coming. Jesus wanted her to experience the fullness of his glory.
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"
And so, Lazarus came out of his tomb. As we can see here, death had no power over Jesus. And through His own death and resurrection, Jesus would defeat Satan once and for all on the cross. I believe that Jesus delayed his coming because He wanted to help connect Mary and Martha's faith - from simply knowing who Jesus was to fully experiencing him. I don't know what stage you are in life or what you are waiting on from God, but know this. God loves you so much. And because He loves you so much, He will do whatever is best for you. If needed, He will delay his coming because He wants you to experience the fullness of his power, love, and glory. Through this season of being in an "in-between" stage, I have come to know and understand that I am here because God wants me to experience the fullness of his power, love, and glory. And as I wait for the fullness of his glory to be revealed, I will continue to pray for all that God has promised to me because I know that He loves me deeply.
In order to fundraise for our youth summer Belize missions trip, our missions team decided to design and sell t-shirts. As a result, Rebekah and I collaborated and designed this year's t-shirt "Set Free."
The idea of the design was inspired from John 8:36 - "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." We believe that Jesus can and will set many people free from their bondage of sin. Jesus already defeated Satan on the cross. And as Jesus' disciples, we are fulfilling the Great Commission - to go out and make disciples of all nations.
The look book below was styled by Rebekah and this is her vision carried out. We really hope you enjoy the photos!
Two years ago, I started my journey in lettering/calligraphy. At first, it was a newfound hobby, but the more I delved into it, the more I began to love it. I had always been fascinated by pretty handwriting and fonts throughout my life, but I had no idea it would become the new trendy thing to do.
Though I love lettering, it does take a lot of time, energy, effort, and some $$ (which I don't think people realize, haha). I really struggled and thought about giving it up for a season or I don't know for how long because it takes a lot of my time. In the world's point of view, it doesn't seem as important as pursuing academics - grades, research, knowledge, etc.
As I headed into the youth winter retreat this past week, I was asking God to renew my passion and purpose for my life. As I was ready to give up on art, God gently reminded me of all the words that had been spoken over my life in middle and high school. Even though I did well in school in secondary education, as people prayed over me, it was never about my academics. Instead, they would ask me questions like - "do you paint?" and I would say "no, I don't paint, but I like to take pictures!" And it's funny how God works because now I love watercolor!
God reminded me that I was made in His image and therefore, I was made to create. It's been quite a journey navigating this part of my life as there isn't a clear-cut road. But I know this. There is a desire in me to design and create - to birth something beautiful and original, whether it's a space, painting, lettering, photography, etc. Creating is what makes me come alive and feel alive. It's certainly not easy to do in the midst of studying and everything else that happens in life, but when I reflect upon it, it's honestly what drives me to do everything else.
And so at the retreat, I invited God to join me on this journey of lettering. I'm not sure where He is taking me with photography, lettering, etc. but I hope that He will be glorified and that people who see my work will be encouraged and inspired to be who God created them to be.
We live in a world that is constantly shifting and changing. The world as we know of it today may not be the same tomorrow. I used to think that all things in life were concrete - that the roads and paths that I were to take in life were already set. But I am learning that as our world is constantly changing and shifting, I, too, am constantly changing, learning, and growing as well.
My heart longs to hold onto this world, but over the last few months, I have been reminded that this world is temporary. It's transient. It's fading away. We come into this world with nothing, and one day we will leave this world with nothing.
Even the greatest moments we experience and will experience in life are fleeting. But I believe these moments show us glimpses of the life that is to come. At times, I wish that I could stop time and just savor and hold onto a moment in time. But seasons come and seasons go. I can only hold seasons, people, opportunities, etc. with open hands, trusting in God's perfect plan for my life.
I came across this beautiful song titled "Seasons Change" by United Pursuit. The lyrics go "Though the seasons change // your love remains. // Your love remains." In life seasons change. Though my heart longs to hold onto these fleeting moments, I have been reminded to put my hope in Jesus. I've been reminded that God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. Though all things will one day fade away, God's love - his words will remain forever.
I've come to the realization that more than all my pursuits - more than all my accomplishments, that I was made to love and respond to God's love. My chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. What a privilege it is to daily come before God - King of Kings, to experience the deepest of all relationships! One day we will stand before God himself without any barriers and we will live with him forever. He will wipe away every tear. All the pain and suffering that we endure for his Kingdom will be worth it all when we see him face to face.
C.S. Lewis once wrote "The fact that our heart yearns for something Earth can't supply is proof that Heaven must be our home."
Yes, I want to experience the fullness of what God has for me in this life and fully enjoy each season, but let us not forget that we were made for another world.
