venue

Justin and I have exploring different venues throughout the bay area to as far as (omg) Foresthill or Nicasio.

I am really hoping we can find something by the end of this month and have the deposit put down... If we have to, we'll ask family and friends to go check it out (if we can't)

We understand why we couldn't have it at the original place. It's a private home and we didn't need a reason better than that... However we're just blah coz now we need to find some place 5 months before the wedding. Of course, if we can't find a place we might just postpone the wedding date??? I really hope not...

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

so we just found out the place we were hoping to hold the wedding and the banquet is not available.




omg omg omg.

Wknd

WOw it's already Wednesday and I feel like I haven't even had much time to reflect on this past wknd.

On Friday I slept over at mom's in SJ. I miss hanging out with her :) She made me breakfast and she was all showing off the fairy tale book to her housemates ;)
I then went to brunch with some Theta Tau girls to eat some more. THEN I got dropped back off at my mom's so we could have lunch at her school. Yes I was a PIG that day... In the afternoon I hung out with Trisha and she dropped me off at Justin's friend's wedding. It was a Mormon wedding. First time for me.. and I didn't know being able to go inside their church/temple was a big thing until talking to Liz on Sunday, and some other people and found out they were not allowed to go in when they went to a Mormon wedding. I saw some of Justin's gaming buddies that I haven't seen for a few years which was good. Then we dropped by Emeryville to visit Bonnie Li. OMG I haven't seen her for like 4, 5 years! But it seems like yesterday and she was so mommy-ish in feeding us two! We also talked about some wedding stuff that was fun.

Sunday we had lunch with Mike Chan and Liz in Sac before we had to go to Avenue Q.

I have to say, somewhere in there, I almost cried... I was really touched by the lyrics... and it was like they were talking about me. It was fitting for almost everyone in a quarterlife crisis. I soooo wanted to sing out loud, and Justin and I knew ALLLLLL the little laughs and dings in the songs that made us feel like we really fit in, and way more into it coz now that I think back, if I have never heard of the songs it would have probably been hard to understand some of them, especially Christmas Eve. lol.
I am so glad I got Justin and I tickets this was my Christmas gift to Justin =P that I really thought it was worth it. Money has been so hard to come by these days.. especially now I have a house and am getting married!!! It is pretty stressful when I think about how we need money for all the deposits for the services we need, etc. But Nadia reminded me that it's gonna get so much more stressful later I might as well try to enjoy it now.

Sometimes I wonder... if people know that their lives is a lie?
Could you be living out your whole life and not knowing
Thank you for showing me what I needed to see this morning.

Proverbs 6:
16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

wowwwwww...


sighssss.

Can you imagine a God loving you when you do so many things that are detestable to him???


Over and over we're forgiven... When will I learn my lesson?





Lord thank you for the cross.

It's different being engaged.

Justin and I have known each other for 7 years... and going out for almost 4, but this is still different.

It's like a different level of commitment. kinda like... before we wanted to stick together, but now it's more for sure that we will
dunno how to explain it.

anyway, it's funky saying "this is my fiance" hahahaha.

Justin would randomly text me and say "Hi Fiance" lol it's cute, and Meng is probably the one that should be least surprised, but he also says "o m g you're really getting married"

I can't believe it either!

I pray that I won't go insane!! allll the things we gotta do!

and haha. I was reading Maid of Horror stories yesterday. yikes.

how it happened

Justin has been mentioning that we should go up to the bay the wknd of 3/14.. to celebrate the Valentine's Day we didn't celebrate.
Then the wk before, Trisha had asked me if I could take the Friday off so I could be in the bay for longer and spend the day with her. It was a rare request so I told her I would think about it. I ended up taking the day off, and we left on Thursday after I got off work for the 6 hour drive.

Trisha planned for us to get a manicure, lunch, watch "He's just not that into you" and finally dinner. I also called Justin after the movie to tell him that I didn't want him to think that I am forcing him to propose (little did I know he was rehearsing for the proposal! So I obviously didn't know I was calling him to tell him this the day before he proposed). The whole day with Trisha was great. We talked alot... and it was very relaxing and pleasant to be able to just hang out and have girly time for the WHOLE day- something we never get to do...

Saturday finally came.
We started eating breakfast with my mom in the morning (and it was probably really hard for her to not say anything since she knew what was to come- I bet she was excited too), then we headed to Kimi's after that on our way to Davis to "drop off something". Actually, we did have something to drop off from last year when we brought back a souvenir from Taiwan. But Justin also left her house with something in his hand. I asked him what it was... and after hesitation, he told me to open it.

He wrote me a 999-word Fairy tale book! And Kimi was so amazing in putting it together with professional binding and everything from scratch. It was very impressive and I was excited. On the drive to Davis, he told me to read the first chapter. It was about me. I shed some tears coz it's so cute!

Our first destination was Little Prague- a little Czech restaurant we're both very fond of. Their eggs benedict is amazing. We read another chapter there.








Then we drove to MU on campus, and played 5 MUGA coins worth of PHOTOHUNT. It brings back so many memories...



From MU, we walked to my old house near Wildhorse golf course in Davis. It took us over an hour, but surprisingly it didn't seem long. The weather was perfect... the scenery brings back memories. We sang songs along the way, and talked about everything. Just like when we were best friends...


When we finally got there, Justin said we needed to go to my old house and sit on the driveway (coz that's what we used to do) He even put his arm around my neck justin like when he asked me out 7 years ago... Then he suggested that we go to the playground by the house, and talk there. When we got to the play ground, there was already a bible, a towel, a soap thingy, and a bucket of water. He started reading Ephesians 5 and John 13 where Jesus washed the disciples' feet, and talked about serving. We also read the scripture on husbands and wives.


Then he knelt down before me... and I told him it was embarrassing since it was out in public, and asked him if he was going to wash my feet!!!! He says yes and omggggg. it was pretty embarrassing =P The water was warm surprisingly, and I didn't even know how the stuff on the bench was there in the first place.

After he washed my feet, Vince and Mike picked us up to go to Konditorei- a dessert place we're also very fond of...


THEN we drove to Vacaville to shop INCLUDING RING SHOPPING. sneaky Justin


Finally. Our last destination was in the bay area. We stopped by this beautiful place by the water... when the sun was almost setting. We walked around for a bit... and sat down on a bench in front of a restaurant. Justin mentioned that the restaurant we were going to was 30 min away, so I didn't think anything of it. We read more chapters here... and all of a sudden, he said he needed to go to the bathroom.

I waited and waited, and took some pictures. Finally.... off to my left... I see someone in a suit of armors. I was so confused I started looking left and right for Justin... Then this knight started walking towards the front of me... still a bit of a distance away. I started calling Justin's name... just in case that it's him... lol.



I called his name more... then he finally answered me. I told him to come over but he said he couldn't. what do you mean you can't????? Then Vince and Mike walked out with this big frame with nothing in the middle... and placed it in front of me, between me and Justin.. then asked me to read the next chapter. "A Picture Perfect Fairy Tale Ending" was the title. My heart pounded sooooo fast... coz just yesterday I reminded him I wasn't rushing him! It was like a dream... Justin in that frame with the sunset and the ocean and the Golden gate bridge.... It was so beautiful my mind probably drew a blank.

He says loudly: "Vicky, if you will be my princess I will be your knight in shiny armor from now til forever"

OMGGGGGGG. I was thinking "who says that?????" but in a good way.... I was so speechless that the only thing that came out of my mouth was "Justin you're so cheeeessy" with an embarrass giggle. He said "I know" with more giggling... I then proceed to tell him that it was embarrassing because it was in front of a restaurant, etc. He then told me to turn around.... and when I did... I saw my friends inside the restarant crowded by the huge glass windows waving at me and taking pictures... OMGGGGGGGGG.



Finally, he got down on one knee and said "Victoria Chung, will you marry me?" and trust me, I thought I was dreaming... and even though we talk about getting married and what we want for our wedding, I never knew how I would respond exactly.... I stood there being surprised and stunned.. and finally he said "Answer me!" hahahaha. omg so I said "ok!" then "Of course I will!"

Then we kissed and took pictures inside the picture frame.. with the sunset and the water and the Golden Gate bridge behind us...

Then Justin had to change back to his normal clothing before we head into the restaurant... My favorite girls were there and I felt so blessed and lucky to have all my friends in my life! Nothing can replace them and I really appreciate them soooooo much!!!!!





You tell me if that's the picture perfect fairy tale ending...

Day 22

Last night Justin and I had a stressful conversation about the wedding...

Justin reminded me that any problem, either it's financial or something bigger.... when we lift it up to the Lord... He will provide. As scary as it sounds...

Day 21

Job 9-12

God, I pray that you will continue to bless Justin and I. I thank you for everything that you have given us- most importantly each other. I pray that we will be a couple that glorifies your name, and a couple who is not scared to do the brave thing. Please continue to guide us in our wedding planning, and may we remember you in every step.
God, thank you for family and friends. They never fail to be huge blessings in our lives. I pray that I would love them more, to express my appreciation more... I thank you for them...
God, I am excited to see what your plans are for us. Any way you choose I pray that we remain thankful and reminded that we are blessed. I am so excited for this journey up ahead......


I love love.
Makes my heart skip a beat, do crazy things, and cannot fall asleep at night!!!!

Thank you Justin for a perfect proposal and a picture perfect fairy tale ending! :)



Muah hahahaha, he's now stuck with me. FOREVER. well, not quite yet, but we're almost there.

OMG OMG OMG OMG
I'M ENGAGED!!!!!!!
I still need to get used to saying that... or calling justin my "fiance". i feel so awkward and weird when i say it!


So people have been asking when the Big Day will be.
When we talked about it before, we were leaning towards 9/12 this year. We have also thought about Labor Day wknd.

Hopefully we will be sending out Save the Dates in April/May?

Now that I am engaged, I can actually have a legit reason why I am looking at wedding stuff, instead of before, where I was really day dreaming... and planning before I was even engaged yet lol.

but I'm SOOOOO happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't sleep the night before!!!!

I will write about the proposal another time. It was for sure without a doubt PICTURE PERFECT FAIRY TALE ENDING

Day 14

Job 6-8:
These few passages are conversations between Job and his friends, except, each time a person talks, they talk for a long time! lol.
99.5KKLA has this series on Job. I have never read through the entire Job (I remember my mom used to tell me to read it, 6 years ago- sigh) And today Justin and I were in the car and caught some of the sermon. I was sad that the guy pretty much summarized the whole Job and I wanted to read it myself to know what happened. blah. lol. I know what happens, but not everything he mentioned. Anyway, one of the things he said was very normal but it caught my attention- God was listening to their conversations.

I guess I knew that God listens to our conversations... but I don't think I act like I know. Does that make sense??? I don't talk to people remembering that God is listening to what we are saying, or what I'm thinking, for that matter.



Anyway, Justin has been reading "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" to me everyday, before we pray together. We have finished Part 1!

I think I already mentioned this before, but READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today we find ourselves tearing together again, as he is reading the book aloud to me.
IT IS SO POWERFUL. IT BREAKS YOU DOWN. IT WILL CHANGE YOU. Jesus will change you.

I am taking this Friday off so Justin and I can drive up to the bay. I am excited for our little date this Saturday in Davis :) ahh the memories.

Day 13

Yesterday Justin and I prayed for our relationship. I read him Philippians 1 and he read me two chapters of "Fresh wind, Fresh fire" by Jim Cymbala. omgg. We were both tearing up as he was reading it. I love it when he read to me.

The book though, omg the book.. is amazing. Every chapter gets me...
if you have not read this book or heard of it. Please read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Justin and I are going to try to pray together everyday... Hopefully we can keep each other accountable. I have faith in our relationship and trust that God is taking care of us and will take care of us.

On Saturday we had a garage sale :) :)
By God's grace we made 160 dollars :D
I remember around 1pm, I wanted to wrap up because there wasn't anyone for about 2 hours.
By then we had only made 80 dollars. I was thinking in my head... God, at least 100 dollars?? We've been sitting here under the sun for so many hours....
Then a lady came, then another family.. then another.
You might think 160 dollars is nothing, but let me tell you.. I was literally giving away things. I was selling everything 1-2 dollars each. with the exception of a 20 dollar solid wood bed! So God doubled our income that day last minute....

ALSO. as we were wrapping up, we saw a TV in our next door neighbor's driveway, with a FREE TV sign. I ran inside to get our dolly and Justin carried it inside himself. :) What an amazing bf, huh. It's a 48 inch TV... and I now have it in my room. lol.

because, then Sunday we drove to Channel Islands (at Cal state channel islands- BEAUTIFUL school btw) to meet with my manager for another TV he's giving us. Another 48 inch. I now have that one in my family room. :D

Day 10

Yesterday I read Job 4 and it was Eliphaz the Temanite's reply to Job's cry in Job 3.
He's such an encouraging friend! Look at all the things he says to Job here:

v3: Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.
v4: Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
v5: But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.
v6: Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

he is so supportive... and sadly to say, he's more supportive than Job's wife here. He reminds Job of how much he has done for God, and don't be dismayed or discouraged.

I can't imagine how JOb was like to have his friend say something like that to him. I would be greatly honored.

Trisha reminded me that I shouldn't keep on thinking how Justin would change this or that, but how I can change. I don't even need to think I'm changing for him, but just how I could be better. Once I do that, I believe that everything will fall into place.

Job 5 Eliphaz goes on to remind Job God's wonder and his majesty, and ended with this:

27 We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself.


wow! That's really true.

Alot of the times I would know that God is good, and He is just. But do I really have that instilled in my mind... because or else, why do I seem to forget it and complain and complain and whine......

Recently many things have been happening. And God has been faithful. But have I been faithful to God?
God has blessed me with good friends who are there for me, but I need to keep them in the loop too sometimes =P Coz sometimes the conversation with Trisha goes like this "wait, did I tell you this and that and this?" and I always get reminded of how nice it is to talk to girl friends. Because if I don't tell them what's going on... how could they pray for me or be there for me. =P

Day 8

So far, I haven't broken my sacrifice :)
I haven't gone on Facebook since Lent has started. Yay for me :)

I have been doing devos everyday, and either blogging it or journaling it down. or both. I want to spend more time on praying from now on though.

Job 2, 3:

When I read Job, I feel very much ashamed but also very blessed at the same time. I feel ashamed because if I was in the same situation I don't know where I would be or the things I would be saying. Yet Job remains faithful. He is surely in a time of turmoil so in chapter 3 he finally spoke. But he still hasn't cursed God, etc.

I feel blessed because of all the things I still have. Not to say they matter much anymore, after Job 1. I also need to come to terms with the fact that God can bless me today but he can take things away from me tomorrow. He wouldn't even need to tell me why. Because He is the Lord. I shouldn't even complain if He did that. Afterall, he gave me everything.

It's kind of like work. Everything you create and work on when you are employed at one company, is THEIRS. When you leave the company, you really don't bring much home with you. You leave your badge, your work, your stuff on your desk, etc. So really, when you were employed there, you just took care of their things. So I don't have much to complain about if they told me they're going to take away my automatic stapler away, or move me to another cube... lol

Same thing.

I really need to keep that concept clear in my head... so I could be like Job when God decides to challenge me one day. I will be well prepared :)

I just waited 2 hours for my post op doctor's appt and was seen for 1 min.

literally this:
asked me to take off top
cuts bandages off
ensures me there's no cancer
compliments on own surgical work
asks to set 1 week appt


I still like this doctor though. My coworker always tells me. The busier the better.

not like the first surgeon I visited. Not a soul in the office.

Day 7

Job 1

So one of my favorite Christian songs is Blessed be your name

"You give and take away

You give and take away

My heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be your name"

and I feel like it really fits Job. At least Job 1.

I cannot imagine what I would do, or even the thoughts that would go through my head if Satan took everything away from me, with the Lord's permission. back to back!!! Not losing his animals and children over the course of xx years, but back to back...

in the passage, these things happened one after another, while the previous messanger is still speaking.

How well will I withstand this temptation to sin?
I mean, even now, some of the small daily struggles I am already whining my head off..
How do I react to still honor your mercy and grace?
because even if you took away everything away from me, it would still not amount to what you have done for me.
that is really really something I need to keep myself reminded at all times.

Another thing I have to realize is that some of the challenges we face are from God, and they're always filled with a purpose.... so I should always think carefully before I react to a situation


I am also praying to be more graceful and gentle. So much to learn.... ahh...

take a sneak peak at my small master bathroom :)