The Launch

I have been asked to post some photos of the book launch held over a month ago. I have lots of them thanks to digicams and good friends. I'll post some now and post another batch later...

My boys (my husband Mang and our son Lian Ed) joined me on stage for the unveiling.

Unveiled!!!

"Saang chapter kaya tayo kasali?" my friends searched through the pages while in queue during the book signing.

I've never written my name so many times before!

My college friends in full force!

My friend Ate Richelle (standing) did a great job co-hosting the event with Dylan Thomas. Lani (bending) is the director of the True Love Waits Musicale. She's also a friend from my College Sunday School days.

A bouquet of red roses from my beloved hubby and a bouquet of white roses from our Itay, Dr. Jose Andres Sotto.

In Her Brother's Bedroom

The following is an email I got from a friend since college:

True Love Weds finds its way to my brother's bedroom.

I was surprised to see Grace's book sandwiched between my brother's bedsheets and pillow. He's 15, the youngest of four and a voracious reader. Despite that, I didn't expect him to take interest in the book (which was originally in my bedroom).

How did I react? Well, I didn't rejoice nor did I praise and thank God for it. But yes, I would want him to finish the book. I do not expect him to embrace it but at the minimum knowing that the book caught his attention is an achievement in itself.

The book has to compete with FHM, Archie Comics and the complete works of Shakespeare (yes, at 13, he read Romeo and Juliet and Merchant of Venice in the original and note it was NOT even required in his class)--with your prayers, Grace, he'll probably finish it somehow...

I'm praying...

They Said...

...with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that yu established your faithfulness... (Psalm 89:1b-2)

This was my Bible reading the day that my book True Love Weds: When the Waiting is Over was launched. Indeed, I can only make the Lord's faithfulness known and declare that His love stands firm forever. God is amazing! It is echoed by these people:

Roda, lawyer (SMS): I read your book in one sitting. Easy reading & it wasn't preachy or anything. Indeed a heart warming faith story as you call it :-)...I'm going to share it with my brothers. :-)

Moira, pre-school teacher (SMS): I believe many will be helped by your book, please keep doing what you do :-) I'd love to support TLW (True Love Waits movement). Maybe you can help me start it in our church? Wish your book came out much sooner.

Ramil, salesman (SMS at 2am!): Hi Mang & Grace. Just finished reading your book, your journey of faith & love story...Be it known that it's a delight to know both of you personally. Thanks.

Mary Jane, businesswoman (SMS): I learned much from your book, considering I'm already 37 now. I pray this would be a bestseller.

Kimy, college student (SMS): I finished reading the book...I love it sobra :-) Thank you for being transparent with your experiences. I was truly blessed :-)

Anne, seminary professor (SMS): I am reading your book. I bought an extra for my office library...and another one to donate to...a library in Zamboanga City...Your quite the poet it seems :-) Keep writing for Jesus. And hope we team up someday, too. :-) Nakaka-bless talaga. Will give to my young friends.

Ayeth, NGO worker (SMS): Thanks so much for the book...I have browsed some part of it & its nice. Congratulations for coming up with this kind of book.

Rods, youth worker (SMS): Grace, I read some parts of your book. Ok siya :-)

Marie, church worker (SMS): Truly God will use your book...I introduced it to our young people.

Joey, video specialist (SMS): Got two books...Pwede mag-suggest? Push for a book-signing sa Powerbooks or National.

Cheloy (Tag): I will definitely ask my friend to buy a copy of your book and send it here in Indonesia. Ill be praying for you.

Joydee, NGO worker (SMS): Thanks for the book. I am blessed.

Jonathan, architect (SMS): Tol! Iba pala ang feeling pag magbasa ng libro at kilala mo yung author. My friend, right now I am really affected by your book.

Amy, administration & finance manager: I went to National SM North. Your book is already out of stock!

Boris, VP for Marketing, CSM (SMS): Went to Power Books Megamall. Halos ubos na sya. Mabenta daw sabi ng staff.

What else can I say but PRAISE GOD for His faithfulness!!!

What a BLAST!

One thing that really made the launching of my book True Love Weds: When the Waiting is Over truly spectacular (naks!) is the MTV made by my good friends at BLAST DV. From the very start, I had no doubt at all that these creative geniuses could really deliver broadcast quality entertainment with a message no matter how pressed they were for time. They've been my friends for ages...okay, since college (but it sure feels like we've known each other forever)...and they've never failed to deliver the best when it comes to audio-visual presentations.

Special thanks to (in alphabetical order):

Dexter Andrada for conceptualizing and directing the whole thing (You made everyone's lives more toxic that week :-))

Joey Cortes for staying up all night on the eve of the launch to finish the video and still come to the actual event. Thanks, too, to your lovely new bride Xandra for letting you stay at the editing bay longer those days. I know how hard it is for a newlywed to work overtime. Thanks!

Arnie Manzano for staying up all night to put the final touches until 6 am on the day of the launch! You did a superb job! You made me look beautiful on screen!!

Misha Pallorina for being Dex's "dakilang alalay", for being everyone's encourager on the night of the shoot which lasted till 3 am, for setting up the booth and the equipment during the launch and for choosing to be with me on that day when you were supposed to be with Micah because it was his birthday :-) I'm so touched!

Third Angle and my sis, Didits Gaston, for being the subjects of this experiment. Thanks for creating the music which eventually became the "theme song" of True Love Weds.

And for those who are already curious about this video click on the link to your right-->

For your audio visual presentations, go to the experts:
BLAST DV
4153586
blast@netgazer.com.ph
2nd Floor Cortes Building
T. Morato cor Sct. Fernandez Sts.
Quezon City
(beside Chili's restaurant)

Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy (My Editor)

Joy,
indeed you are
for you brought immeasurable joy
when you hewn
the words on the tablet of my heart
when you broke
my will to give up
when you pounded
the rock of my pride to powder
when you squeezed out
the juice that’s left in my brain
when you drained
my memory of the past
to pour into a cistern
a book.

Joy,
you are a true friend
one who hurts truthfully
and loves passionately
a friend in life
a fiend in writing
a friend nonetheless.

Joy,
that’s what you are
never lose it
there are more cisterns
to fill.

Copyright 2005 Grace Gaston-Dousel

Single and Exasperated

In my restless moments as a single person, I seemed to hear the Lord whisper in my ears, “Be at peace. I know My plans for you and they are never meant to harm you.”

At times when I looked around and found everyone else except me paired up with someone, the Heavenly Father seemed to tell me, “Don’t be envious of what I have given to others. Instead, rejoice that I know what you need and that I will give it to you at the appropriate time.”

At times when sadness engulfed me and loneliness hit me hard, God would come and say, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

And when with a faint heart I would cry out to God for feeling so incomplete, He would say, “My child, Jesus has made you whole.”

Many times God’s ways were so elusive and difficult to accept. It was easier to sulk than to rejoice. It was easier to complain than to pray. It was easier to envy others than to trust God.
In exasperation, I once poured out my frustration to Jesus in a poem:

I Long For You
Why is it
That when I’m down and weak
I turn away from You?
In my greatest time of need,
I run away
Amidst my struggle
I could hear You saying
“Take my hand”
But I wouldn’t
I just wouldn’t.

Why don’t I long for You
O, Jesus
To meet my needs
To hold my hands?
Why do I search in the wrong places
For comfort and strength
When I can get it from Your embrace?
O, I long
To have a longing for You
O, teach me
To long for only You.

And at the end of my strength
When I have no more dreams
When I’ve given up hope
And have given in
To fear and despair
You would come and pick me up
You would hold me close to Your heart
And tell me “My child, I love you and I long for you.
Why don’t you long for Me, too?”

--An excerpt from my book, True Love Weds: When the Waiting is Over

Wings (My Husband's Poem)

Let these our hearts be given a chance to gaze about
...perhaps there might be a better half of wing to match
so that high above we soar
as high above we soar
as high as any wings can take
and even higher where the right pair of wings'd take...
if per chance Destiny pairs us
together our wings will take the two become one
together we flap in unison
then we soar beyond wings can take
to horizons far beyond
under the shadow of His wings
till death do us part...

Mang, my husband, wrote this poem with me in his mind at a time when we weren't even romantically involved. Apparently, without the other knowing it, Mang and I had been praying and asking God if He was leading us to each other. There's an interesting story behind this poem. Read about it in my book, True Love Weds: When the Waiting is Over, available at any Power Books, National Bookstore and Philippine Christian Bookstore branches.

What if I'm pregnant?

I nearly threw up in the car. We were on our way to Quezon City from my parents' home in Bulacan. I was nauseous and dizzy. My mind started spinning. Well, there could have been a host of reasons for that. It was early morning and we haven't had breakfast. I have a history of hypoglycemia so maybe my sugar level dropped. I have not had enough sleep lately. I'm probably experiencing fatigue. Or maybe my blood pressure is low. Or...maybe...I'm pregnant!

WHAT IF I'M PREGNANT...again???

Yes, we've been doing it for almost two years now. No regrets. We already have a son. And if I'm pregnant again...then I'll have to face up to the challenge of becoming a mother the second time and he'll have to own the responsibility of becoming a father again, too.

What if I'm pregnant? Then it'll be a reason to rejoice. It's wonderful to bear my husband's child. We have made a commitment that all our children (we dream of having three) will be born within the bounds of marriage. That way, they will be born out of a God-ordained union, in a loving family and within a secured environment.

Am I pregnant? I have yet to take the test. There's nothing to fear or worry.

Women Empowered!

It's Women's Month!!!

Let's Celebrate Women Power!!!

I'll be reading one of my articles featured in

Women on the Journey: Defining Moments

at Powerbooks Megamall on March 5, 2005, 4pm for

Empowered by Grace

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Full Cup

Join me at Full Cup Cafe on Friday (March 4, 2005) at 7pm.
Let's learn something about Jesus and a woman in His life.
Full Cup Cafe is at 690 Real St., Intramuros, Manila.
Kitakits!

Where You Can Find True Love...

For those who have been wondering where they can find

True Love

WEDS

When the Waiting is Over

You can check out

Powerbooks

National Bookstore

Philippine Chrisitian Bookstore Branches

GCF Ortigas Resource Center

(If copies are still unavailable inquire at the counter to keep them on their toes!)

You may also order directly from my publisher,

Church Strengthening Ministry

CSM Bldg., Pascor Drive, Sto Nino, Paranaque City

Tel Nos. (632) 512-1502 to 05; Fax 512-1499

Email: tlw@i-manila.com.ph

When you find a copy, BUY IT, READ IT & TELL ME what you think about it!