If You Live in Omaha and Love Golf ...

If you live in Omaha, Nebraska (or nearby cities), you are invited to join us on a golf tournament on September 26th! This is part of our efforts to raise our support for our upcoming missions work in the Philippines. We plan to be in Manila on January 2011 until July 2013.

If you would like to know more about the event or the ministry that we are doing, please send an e-mail to happysammy [at] gmail [dot] com. Thank you!

Got a Question?

Everyone who knows me well can admit that I am very comfortable with online engagement. In fact, I love using it to make an impact on people (especially women) and tell them about how Jesus changed my life.

With this blog, Facebook, and Twitter, I am able to share my life, what God is continuing to do with my heart and learning what your thoughts are on issues affecting the world today. It provides avenues to know how you are doing and what is on your mind.

However, there is another social media website that I signed on several months ago and up this day, I have really mixed feelings about it. I initially signed up because I wanted to "mark" the "happysammy" user name.

I am talking about Formspring. It's a website that allows you to create an online profile where people can ask questions (anonynously, if they prefer).

Although I really love that I get to interact with good friends and get to ask them questions, I feel like the website enables narcissists -- which is something I personally feel we need less of in this world. I feel like having a profile on there shouts out to the world "I am interesting! Know more about me! I'm great and witty!"

But I don't like being judgmental as well. I see great potential in this. Can you imagine Steve Jobs or Seth Godin having a Formspring page that they answer personally?

In an attempt to embrace this (and yes, reluctantly at this point), I am "officially" announcing my Formspring page. Yes, your questions are absolutely welcome. But more important than that, please help me change how I view it. Give me a different perspective. I am open!

Our Best Man's Wedding

I have had the honor to witness beautiful weddings and I never get less excited in doing so. I love seeing couples step out in faith (trust me -- it takes a whole lot of faith to start a life with someone) and make a commitment to spend the rest of their lives together.

There is something more special, more wonderful seeing two great people I have grown to love as individuals meet, fall in love and join each other in marriage. There is something truly magnificent to see these two people honor God every step of the way.

The wedding of our best man Alex Compton and a friend who is like a sister to me, Michelle Astudillo, will be one of my favorites ever.

It is one of those weddings where I wish everyone I know was able to witness it because God showed Himself gloriously in every detail. (I hope to get a copy of the full wedding video when it comes out).

I can't do a full recap since there are just way too many memorable memorable moments! But today, I would like to share the highlights of our best man's wedding weekend.

• Jo Rubio, who is one of my best friends from high school and now a talented dress designer and event stylist, made the most gorgeous dress for me!
• After years of being apart, we are so happy to be finally reunited with the Castillos. It was just like old times but now there are kids who are actually joining along with the conversation. Love it!
• During preparations for the wedding day, I was able to spend time with another favorite family: the Panlilios. I was able to hang out in their suite and get ready. When it comes to practicing the gift of generous hospitality, I learn from them!
• The bride looked so stunning on her wedding day. I loved it that she stayed true to herself. She wore a simple dress sans elaborate jewelry. Her best accessory was an incredible glow that only comes from God and everyone saw it. She was radiant in every way.
• Alex's vows. WOW. I really hope I get to publish what he wrote in a future blog post!
• Pastor Joey Bonifacio spoke a powerful prayer of exhortation and prophecy over the couple. It ministered to me so much that I could not stop the tears and barely composed myself when I had to go up and take out the cord.
• Witnessing Michelle's first kiss. All of us have different stories on how we have reconciled with Jesus and a lot of us probably have made less than ideal choices when it comes to treating our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Michelle's covenant with God to keep herself pure from the get go is something I truly respect and would absolutely recommend to every girl out there. She honored God and God showed Himself gloriously through her. No money can ever buy the vision of someone who knew who she was in Christ.
• I also loved the fact that Alex was good steward of Michelle when God entrusted her to him. It says a lot about this man's love for God and how he will provide a loving leadership to their household.

If you want to get a glimpse of that glorious day, here is a video that highlights the wedding. (Video and photos are all by the talented Lito Sy).


Alex Campton and Michelle Astudillo Wedding 8-16-10 SDE from Lito Sy on Vimeo.

(I promise to post my own pictures soon! I am unable to do it today because of so much traveling.)

Good To Be Back

It's been over two weeks since my last blog post. Pretty unusual for me but I enjoyed the "forced" blogging break.

There was a bit of a problem with the current hosting of happysammy.com and I am still sorting it out. In the meantime, the original URL of http://listeningtohisvoice.blogspot.com will remain active and do expect new blog posts soon!

Hope you are feeling blessed and encouraged today!