Apple and I got engaged last February 9. Just to explain, in Chinese tradition, there is something we call ‘Ting-hun’ which is how we celebrate a betrothal between a man and woman. It is a grand ceremony involving a reception, jewelries, exchanging of food, goods, and other respects between families. This is my story behind all that God has done leading up to our engagement ceremony.
I basically grew up in a family that is in the middle-class. I praise God for my dad who is a great provider. We never lacked any necessary thing – food, shelter, clothes, you name it. I praise God for my mom who is a great supporter and wife to my dad. The deal was for me to be ‘on my own’ after I graduate. Since I didn’t do too well at school because of my addiction to computer games, ‘on my own’ came in a little too early in my life.
I remember there was a point in my life when I ate Skyflakes (a brand of crackers) everyday for lunch and dinner while I was working in Ortigas area (I live in Las Pinas area by the way). It wasn’t because I enjoyed eating Skyflakes so much. It’s because I had no money and a bunch of Skyflakes would cost me only 18 pesos.
I commuted from Las Pinas to Ortigas every day. I would walk outside our village, ride 1 trycicle, then a jeepney, then a bus, then the MRT, then I would walk around a good 20 minutes to work. Going home was not much different – I would walk to the MRT, ride it, ride a bus, ride a jeepney then the trycicle then walk back home.
My shoes were with me for 3 long years – the soles grew thin to the point of my feet being able to feel pain if I stepped on a small rock. I couldn’t afford buying new ones. I was paid a salary of 6,000 pesos a month for working sometimes from 6am-12am.
I told myself that if I were to get married to a girl, I would look for a girl whose family had less money than we had – so that I wouldn’t have to provide for a Ting-hun and a huge wedding. I told myself that I wouldn’t be able to marry by my dream age of 25 but I’ll still try to work hard so I could.
I met Apple in a Singles retreat in our local church. Big 5 retreat. There were 1,130 attendees during that retreat. I was in that retreat for one purpose alone. I accompanied my friend – a baby Christian – to attend Module 1. I usually facilitate a Module 2 group, but that time I attended Module 1 with my friend. I wanted to give that time and money (I paid for my friend’s retreat fee) to God – to help my friend know more about who God is.
Apple was about to go back to her room on the last night of the retreat. I was getting to know people – introducing them to this blog (yes, I was already blogging in God and You during that time). Our eyes met, and as I did with everyone else, I also approached her and introduced this blog to her. We talked about philosophy, we talked about ourselves, we talked about God. It was a good night.
I started courting her but in the middle of it all, I just wasn’t her type of guy. And God decided it wasn’t the right time. I got busted.
I’m not going to hide it from you. It was awfully painful. And I couldn’t understand it then – but God had a wonderful plan going on.
During that time I was working in HP (based in Ortigas – again), and it was at that time that God led me to start an SEO business (which I practiced here in God and You blog).
It was at this time that I completely enjoyed being single – helping out in ministry, going on adventures scuba diving (for free since I had a scuba diving company for a client), and being able to buy real meals and new shoes!ย God is so good!
God brought me and Apple back in touch when I served in an event of our local church at Shang-rila hotel in front of the HP building where I worked at. I met her dad there as I ushered people in the event. We talked about their company website and SEO – and he asked me to talk with Apple about it.
I was heavy-hearted because honestly I didn’t want to do their website anymore but my friend (the baby-Christian whom I accompanied in the retreat) encouraged me that I should. He told me to keep my word.
So I did. I met up with Apple and I asked if we could talk. God opened the doors for us again. And the rest as they say…. Will be blogged for another time.
What I want to point out is, I never imagined these things would come to pass. Only by God’s grace. Looking back, everything that happened in my life with Apple – our love story – is written by the hand of the Lord. There were a lot of close-calls, a lot of impossibilities and miracles.
You see, before our Ting-hun happened, I had a client who has failed to pay up for more than 10 months. That was a considerable amount. Apple and I prayed that if God really wanted our Ting-hun to push through, the client would pay up.
God told us that it was time. At the exact moment, the client paid up – and I was able to use that money to provide for all the expenses of our Ting-hun.
Before, I never imagined that I would have my own Ting-hun. Today, that event has passed.
Looking back, everything I have lifted up to God – whether it’s money, time, effort, goals, dreams, etc. God has blessed me back – in grand ways that I could not even begin to imagine.
It is such a joy to share this story to you. A story that is impossible without God. A story that is truly God’s work. And as astounding as it seems – a story that Apple and I can call our own.
All glory, honor, praise and recognition be to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am excited for what is to come!
GOD and You is GODs gift to you!!!
Congratz again Sean and Apple!!! Praise GOD you’ve waited, am realy proud of you first and foremost hiding GODs word, for staying faithful when the going gets tough, to always seeking FIRST HIS Kingdom and righteousness not even for your benefits but always-always for the glory of our Heavenly Father, even if you failed many times or even becomes weak or unfaithful, He is forever faithful! forever forgiving! forever loving! and that is one reason why we chose you among other as we intervene with Christ for you and Apple! Most of all thank you for your obedience rather than your sacrifices it was worth the wait! Truly, your labor in the LORD is never in vain and BLESSED future more and more to come! Love you both!!! <3
To GOD be the glory! amen and Amen!
Congratulations! ๐ Your story is very much inspiring, and a blessing indeed, seeing how the Lord worked to both of you.โก awesome, really! ๐ God bless more! โก
Thanks Mae,
All in God’s time and for His glory! May yours be even greater!
Whoah! God is so good! Truly His grace is sufficient for us all! Thank you so much for sharing this, such an inspiration. May God bless you and Ms. Angelyn much awareness of His love and grace over you and your relationship! ๐ (And may more be blessed through your lives.)
Hi Buena,
Amen. Likewise I hope and pray that you would be used by God to bless others!
Wooooooooooo! Congrats again, Sean! ๐
Thanks Austin! ๐ all glory to God!
Accept my very sincere congratulations and prayer for you as in Acts 20:32.
Thanks for sharing your prayer for us Joseph! God bless you
One of my fave Love Story ๐ God is so faithful and I am so blessed how the Lord orchestrated it all.
Congrats, again <3
You guys are adorable :3
Thanks Aby ๐ all glory to God
May God bless you with an even greater love story ๐
So happy for you and Apple, Sean! =)
God bless your union! All for Him and His glory!
Thanks Najee ๐
Amen! All for Him and His glory. May your love story be even greater than ours.
Wow. Praise God. Congrats to you both! God bless!
Thanks Eya ๐
All glory to God!
Inspiring story, Sean. I’m blessed to see how God worked in your life, most especially in your love story with Apple. It inspires me to do the same: Wait and trust in God for love to blossom at the right time. ๐
Thanks Philip,
Amen bro – you will not regret waiting on the Lord. May your love story be even greater than ours!
Thanks for the encouragement, bro. I really appreciate it. Am waiting for God’s time, and the woman He has prepared for me. ๐
Praise God!what a wonderful story of your life.You are so blessed because you experience God’s miracle and love in a very superb way.Now, you are a blessing to us who are reading this blog.Continue to bless us and to nourish us by sharing your stories and God’s words..Best Wishes and keep touching the hearts of the multitude!
Congrats!
I’ve been reading your blog posts for almost a year and they helped me a lot. ๐ Ever since I read ‘How do you know if your the best guy in pursuing you girl’, I’ve been sharing your love story to others and it has greatly inspired them (mas lalo na ko hehe). Continue sharing your insights to us. God bless you bro. ๐
Hi Mark,
I’m honored and grateful for you bro. Thanks for helping me share this story. It’s really all by God’s grace. I’m glad to know that people are blessed and inspired. We’re not a perfect couple but we want to bless others with what we have and what God has done for us. May your love story be even greater than ours ๐
Wow so inspiring stay blessed! I have always learned a lot from your blog as I read it.