Webmaster’s Note: This is a guest post from Lourdy Grace Mamhot. Whose engagement story is as heart-felt as it is God-glorifying. I’ve known Lourdy for quite some time – mostly over the web. She’s an avid reader of God and You and often shares my blog entries – which I dearly appreciate.
“For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behind on its appointed day.” – Habakkuk 2: 3
I am blogging this as a newly engaged woman! More than the long awaited status change that I’ve been praying, waiting and trusting God for, I want to highlight JESUS in our story. It is not about us, it is about His love that overflows in us.
It’s about Jesus.
I am Lourdy Grace Mamhot, a blogger, a kids church teacher and also one of the team leaders in Kids Church from Victory Fort, a 10 days missionary to His mission fields, a sinner but saved and loved by Jesus.
I’ve been single for 28 years. In those 28 years, I’ve used my time and effort in knowing what His purpose in my life is. It’s a life-long process because each day God will mold you, direct you, protect you and just really be with you every step of the way.
It’s not always a walk in the park. It’s a life full of twists and turns, triumph and trials, happy moments and challenging times but still God’s joy is within me as I continue this journey with Him. And just like other single women, I’ve waited patiently on God’s timing.
God’s perfect, surprising and beautiful timing.
I hope, you will be encouraged and see God’s work in a love story He orchestrated from the beginning up to the end as you read this blog entry.
Now, I am 29 years old, and I am joyfully engaged to Melvin Piza, the man that God desires and chose for me to have and to hold for the rest of my life. A man who courageously loves, protects, accepts my imperfections. A man who respects, pursues and truly loves God first above all.
A man that is a faithfully serving God by heading the ushering ministry of Victory Ubelt, going to a 10 days mission trip to His mission fields, a sinner but saved and loved by Jesus and he loves Jesus.
Melvin and I met on September 2012 at Victory Pioneer wherein a “Nephils convergence” was held. I was part of the group since 2011 after my 10 days mission trip to the nation of Nepal.
“Nephils” is a group for all the 10 Days Nepal missionaries alumni who has been to Nepal for a 10 days mission trip. Melvin was a newbie to that group because he just came back from a mission trip from Nepal with his home church, Victory Ubelt.
But there was no spark or what they call it ‘ love at first sight.’ We had no common ground except JESUS, MISSIONS & NEPHILS.
Months have passed and then one Saturday afternoon of January 2013 at Victory Fort which is my home-church, I saw some of my friends from Victory Ubelt and that includes Melvin. We saw each other again then. To fast track the story, he greeted me on my birthday last February 2013. After that, there was a time that Melvin accompanied me to Victory Caloocan because I had a meeting with the 10 Days team there who was going to Thailand then.
In the course of our friendship, everything was really running smoothly.
I see him as a good friend just like how I see my other guy friends. You see, I am a type of girl who can protect and really guard my heart all by God’s grace because I always remind myself that – “ a man must boldly and courageously tell me his pure and clear intentions first, that’s why I am not considering anyone or I don’t want to build a ‘assuming thoughts’ in my mind — not unless he says it straight and courageously to me.
So for you single ladies who are reading this, remember: as long as a man does not have any clear intentions or haven’t told you anything straight in your face.. don’t assume. You can do it girl! God is with you
And then Melvin surprisingly laid down his intentions to me last April 18, 2013. He said: “I want to lay down my intentions for you’ I want to pursue you.” I was so surprised that night. And then I answered him with a ‘YES’ and let’s see where God will lead this relationship.
Since then, he pursued me and presented himself just the way he is.
The courtship was swift. God orchestrated everything. Everything just fell into its proper places. And when he asked me to be his girlfriend, I had peace, joy and a word from God to say “YES’!
By the way, Melvin has – No Girlfriend since Birth! – and as for me – No Boyfriend Since Birth! – it’s all God’s grace and power. God has set us apart to be with each other.
Cheezy as it may sound, truly God’s amazing purpose for each of us is really sweet. Waiting might feel so long for us but in God’s timetable, everything will just be in time. It will never be late
Last Saturday, May 17, 2014 was the moment I have been praying for! A surprise wedding proposal!
It brings chills and joy in my heart as I remember that moment! Truly God is a God of big surprises! But before he popped the question, I had no idea that it was a night of marriage proposal of Melvin to me.
I was just expecting to see the beautiful couple, Ptr Richard Dy and his wife, Ms Ava for a date with Melvin. The night was so beautiful! Really perfect! But instead, Ptr. Richard handed me a rose with a note together with Ms Ava — slowly, then one of my best friends came next holding another rose and then the next – all while hearing my favorite songs on the background!
All that time, I thought it’s an advanced 1st year anniversary surprise from Melvin, I was wrong. Throughout the whole time, I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what to feel.. in short I was totally surprised!
And I started to think and ask God “ Is this really is it??!” when I saw Ptr Mark and his wife Ms Weena Tusoy (Ptr. Mark is the Kids Church Pastor of Victory Fort) And there, I was telling myself: “Is this really it?!”
I was so shocked! I was so nervous! Really mixed emotions.
Then poof !he suddenly said his spiel. His marriage proposal message! It’s kinda long but when he is speaking, I can honestly say, I felt I was flying. Like my mind was blown away. And then he went down on his knees and then showed the ring! I was so shocked and surprised! my mind went blank and I guess I hanged a bit and then finally I said YES!
Thank you Lord! Thank you Lord for fulfilling my prayer in Your time.
I am 29 years old. And I am Lourdy Grace, I am joyfully engaged to Melvin, the man I love the most and will be forever thankful to God for because Melvin is God’s sweetest answered prayer for me.
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” – Proverbs 18:22
So for those who are still waiting and praying for that appointed time that He has set in your hearts, don’t give up. Don’t lose hope because God is at work 24/7 for a love story that is uniquely yours and a story that will highlight His love, His beautiful timing and truly His faithfulness. God knows and desires only the best for you.
Trust Him and only Him. Wherever you are, God has personally hand-picked the one He desires for you to be your help mate, your wife/ husband. He will be the one to make your paths cross and meet.
Just like what happened to me and Melvin. We don’t belong to the same home church because I am from Victory Fort and he is from Victory Ubelt but God brought us together because of our same love for One amazing God!
This is His amazing love story! So hold on tight … trust His plans, seek His heart and obey His word because for sure God is going to give you the desires of your heart according to His perfect will.
Thank you Lord! All glory to You Jesus. God bless everyone!
