7 years and still counting

7th year and still counting...... 

It's amazing to see how 4 of us transformed and grew in the Lord as the time passed. I love this tradition of taking a photo every Christmas. It is a great way to celebrate friendship and to remain grateful for what God has done in our lives :)

Cheers to many many more happy Christmases to come!

贺先生过大礼

The Chinese Betrothal Ceremony

贺先生到陈家过大礼！给聘金、送聘礼、派喜饼。谢谢姑姑婶婶堂表弟妹们的鼎力相助！

Pals in Pekan Nanas

We finally made it Pekan Nanas, Jetaime's hometown!! After leaving Regina on Saturday and arriving here early morning Tuesday it felt great to unpack. Jetaime's mom made us a really tasty lunch, and we kept eating many plates of it. I taught Rob and Ryan how to say "好吃“ or "tastes good" in Chinese :)

Jetaime's Dad then brought us to a palm tree field much like his own and described the whole history of the area, the life cycle of the trees, and some of the struggles and joys of being a palm fruit farmer. It was fascinating.

After lunch Rob, who was once the 6th best in Canada at chess for his age, played against Jetaime's cousin Lance. Rob was jet-lagged but played with all his heart and they ended up in a total tie game. Ryan and I also learned Chinese Chess, it was really fun, but will definitely take a bit longer to get the hang of.

Then we went to the southernmost tip of mainland Asia, and after that to a neat little Chinese fishing village. We got to take a boat tour of the place, pet a baby shark, and finish it off with a wonderful seafood meal. Which would have cost $70-80 in Canada but only cost half as much here. I'm so thankful for Rob and Ryan and all the other friends who are joining us for our wedding in Malaysia, and also for my beautiful and super-organized wife Jetaime. The adventure continues. Tomorrow we will likely climb a hill, and pass out wedding cakes, pork, and other things to relatives as part of the Chinese Betrothal ceremony invitations!

I love watching our two cultures come together in honour, excitement and respect. Through our relationship and times like this I have realized many times that my way is not always the best way and there is such a beauty and unique vision of the world in the way other cultures do things. I have felt so welcomed by her family and can't wait for this Chinese marriage ceremony in her hometown.

- David Hepting

Last Day in Canada

Our last day in Canada (and our two year anniversary of dating!!)

I am so blessed by the friends around me. Everything was pretty rushed today as we got all packed up for a varied 4 month honeymoon, 3 more weddings, and worked out a lot of last minute details. But Lyn Luu came over with an amazing Korean lunch for all of us, Catherine Ong serenaded us on the piano as we packed, and Bong Yang helped us find our marriage certificate when we forgot it!

Jetaime is funnier, cuter, and sweeter everyday. We have a lot of miscommunications and we still hurt each other often, but she has so much patience and grace with me. It's so fun to laugh and get excited about stir-fry, soup, and being able to watch movies on the plane :) Life is filled with unexpected blessings. Half-way through the flight to Vancouver a certain Rob Gosselin came back to our section of the plane!! We didn't realize we were on the same flight and it was such a delightful reunion :)

We all had a meal at the airport and then made our way to the house of a friend of a friend who have graciously hosted us for the night and will take us to the airport in the morning. It was also interesting to be completely the minority in this part of Vancouver. I only noticed 2-4 other white people and a few hundred of Chinese ancestry. I'm glad to be part of such a diverse country.

Can't wait for the heat, tasty food, and unexpected joys of Malaysia!! 

- David Hepting

smile emoticon

Ready for the summer!

Happy 2 year anniversary to my favourite guy

Today we said goodbye to my dear brother Bong Yang, jumped in Lyndon's car to go to the airport and boarded on a plane from Regina to Vancouver. It's been almost a month in Canada and I really like this homeland of my husband. I love the beauty of nature and the friendliness in the community. We are now staying in a couple's place whom we barely know, but they have been so kind to host us for a night and offer to drive us to the airport tomorrow morning for our next flight to Shanghai and then head back to Malaysia

Look at David Hepting, he is all dressed up for the warm weather in South East Asia! I have to keep myself calm every time when people walk pass and stare at his shorts and his unique footwear: socks+sandals. Oh yes, he is weird but I still like him!

Banff with My Babe

We had a lovely day hiking through Banff National Park.

I really wanted the Malaysians to see some wildlife and so I prayed that we could see lots. God sure answered our prayers! On our first hike near the town of Banff we saw a herd of 33 elk/caribou/deer (I'm not that good at distinguishing them, but many of them had big antlers). I ran stealthily and got within 30 feet of the herd before they ran away. Then later, we hiked up tunnel mountain and at the top were three beautiful elk just hanging out about 8 feet away from us! We got some great photos and loved just watching them eat from the trees.

I love nature, and I am so glad Jetaime really enjoys it too. At a restaurant yesterday we read the quote "He is richest, who's joys are cheapest" and I think it was by Thoreau. There is so much beauty around us, and I'm so thankful for the beautiful day that we got to have.

- David Hepting

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!! (Regina time 11.59pm)

We made it safe to Regina after 10 hours on the road (shout out to David Hepting, our amazing driver!!!) Love our time in Banff! Hiking, eating, hiking again, eating again... haha, we went to a local church's Christmas candle light service too, my very first time.

Last night I went to bed without hanging a Christmas stocking next to my bed, I was curious how Santa Clauds would send me gifts... but I woke up with my husband sleeping next to me, and 2 friends sleeping in the same room ;)

Friends and relationships are some of the greatest gifts in our lives, and I am so thankful that my life is filled with such gifts!

Married, and with Malaysians

Day 2 of our honeymoon.

The couple, David and Jetaime, are alone at last on their honeymoon. Except for being joined by their amazing friends Catherine Ong and Bong Yang! They have a lovely meal at Melissa's Missteak House in Banff. Then check in, and go over to the Banff Hot Springs. Everyone ends up having a wonderful time talking, catching up, and enjoying the hot springs and/or surrounding area. Tonight they will watch a movie and then get an early sleep so they can be ready for lots of hiking tomorrow! Tune in next time... 

We are planning on posting fairly regularly during our honeymoon, so feel free to unfollow us during this period or forever if you would like to avoid these posts. We love you guys!! Marriage is great!

- David Hepting

Road trip!!!

我们一行四人驱车向西行，出发时是一望无际的平原地带，经过昨夜5小时＋今早4小时的车程，最后映入眼帘的是令人惊叹的落基山脉（Rocky Mountains）。

班夫国家公园为加拿大最古老的国家公园，每年接待上百万来自世界各地的游客，乃颇具盛名的旅游胜地。四面环山的景色，让我们大饱眼福，打从心底赞叹上帝的鬼斧神工！明天一早要去游山，希望有机会与生灵们碰面^_^ 

有幸嫁给一个冒险王，果然不愁精彩的生活。

－淑芬

The Day The Two Became One

Wow. I am blown away by all the friends and family who came yesterday to celebrate with us. Some came from so far away and we are just so honoured by all the support, love, and generosity. The whole evening was perfect and I wouldn't change a single thing if I could. The presence of God and love was so evident during the ceremony and worship. We'll be writing personal thank you notes too, but for now I just want to express my deep gratitude for everyone for believing in us, loving us, and helping us be greater than we could ever be on our own.

It was a long journey, and definitely difficult many times, but totally worth it. We are so happy to finally be together and never have to separate again!

Last night Steven and Camille gave us a night at the Hotel Sask. It was wonderful, awkward, and hilarious. I remember one of my professors saying this semester that "nobody is a virgin when they get married anymore", but we were and we're so thankful that we waited. Love is worth sacrifice and anticipation.

Today we head to Banff with Bong Yang and Catherine Ong. I'm excited to show them more of Canada's beauty than just Regina ;) . Then we head off to our three weddings in Malaysia. We are so blessed, so thankful, and so excited for all that our future has in store.

Merry Christmas and may the Force be with you!! 

- David Hepting