April Date-Your-Mate Winners!

Big CONGRATULATIONS go out to Steve and Elizabeth Bates for winning April's Date-Your-Mate Giveaway!!! What did they do on their winning date? Went out for Brazilian food and shopping!

Steve and Elizabeth were college sweetheart, meeting at InterVarsity! They were friends for 2 years, dated for 4 years, engaged for 1 year and have been married for 13 years. Been making history together for 20 years!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

In their own words:

Q. Elizabeth, what do you love most about Steve?

Elizabeth: I love Steve for his gentleness, trustworthiness, loyalty, love for God, compassionate heart, total ability to tear up easily and unashamed about it, which by the way, is one very attractive thing I find in him (once we were watching Homeward Bound in a movie theater, a story about dogs and cats who talk? Well, I had my head on his shoulder and suddenly, I felt 'raindrops' on my head. I looked up, there were huge drops of tears rolling down his eyes...awwwww...such a gentle giant, my Stevie); and not forgetting his good looks and his absolute unconditional love towards Judah and Sophia. The way he loves on our kids melts my heart every time and makes me fall in love with him over and over again.

Q. Steve, what do you love most about Elizabeth?

Steve: I love Liz for her tender heart and her selfless servanthood toward others. She's an awesome mommy for my kids, creative, and organized, which keeps me balanced and on schedule. She is my beautiful wife and a woman of honor whom I trust completely.


Q. What is your favorite kind of date? What do you do when you go out?

Elizabeth: Before kids, it was the non-crunch times where Steve just hung around me while I shopped, followed by dinner and a movie. I loved that. After kids, honestly? When the babysitter comes, I'm absolutely ecstatic to venture anywhere and do anything away from the kids for a bit, with my Stevie! =)

Steve: Dinner and a movie.

Q. Share at least one piece of marriage advice or encouragement.

Elizabeth: The humility to walk over to each other after an argument (even though you really don't feel like it), reach out and touch, muster enough sincerity to say, "I'm sorry (for whatever part you were responsible for). Please forgive me and I love you. We can talk about it again, but for now, let's move on, okay?" To me, those words and that humble act in and of itself draws in a spirit of reconciliation and peace. Easier said than done, but I'm a strong believer in it for any married couple! =)

Steven: Dying to self and giving up pride. Learning how to listen and being humble as a husband.

What did they win?



An autographed copy of Real Life Marriage by Tim and Anne Evans! We've recommended this resource in past (read it here) and are thrilled that Tim and Anne graciously donated it to our giveaway!

The Evans Family

From their website: "Life is about story. Take a retired Chicago-suburban fire chief, a nurse, thirty-plus years of marriage, six adult children, four grandkids, one dog and what do you have? The story of a Real Life marriage and family."

Please avail yourself to this great resource!!

We have some great prizes coming up next month as well. So, get out there and DATE YOUR MATE!!!! Time spent with your spouse makes you a winner every time! And you get a chance to win a fun prize from Eden Rock as well! (For the details on the giveaway, click here.)

March Winners!

With their date of a movie and homemade cookies, Rex and Chuie Nishimura have won our Date-Your-Mate Giveaway for March!  Rex and Chuie have been married for almost 13 years and have three beautiful children whom they homeschool!  When asked how they balance marriage and parenting they said, "We compliment each other well. He likes to plan and research trips. I make sure we bring what we need on the trips."  It's fitting that they go to H-Rock, because rocks just happen to be their passion, as you'll see in their slideshow!  ENJOY!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

So, what did they win?  Two (count 'em, TWO) CD's from H-Rock's very own, Kenny Peavy!!!

If you've been to H-Rock, you already know and love Kenny's music!  Where can you get your hands (or ears) on Kenny's music besides Sunday mornings at H-Rock?  Introducing Kenny's new website:  http://www.kennypeavy.com/!  There you can see pictures, listen to the music, link to his Twitter and Facebook pages, and most importantly order a CD!  His CDs can also be purchased through the church's website.

Don't forget to visit all our Date-Your-Mate sponsors by clicking on their buttons on the sidebar!

We have some amazing prizes collecting in our prize vault!  So, get out there and date!  Even if you don't win, you win, because time with your Love is an investment in your marriage!

February Winners!!!

Robert and Kay Lee Fukui are our Eden Rock Date-Your-Mate winners for February with the entry of this adventurous date:

"Ok, our entry for this month's date was our vacation last week to Colorado for a ski vacation. We had a great time skiing and dog sledding. (see pictures on our Facebook) We ski'd during the day and hot tubbed at night! The afternoon after our dog sledding, we hung out at the spa and got massages, lunch, steam and jacuzzi. We got to get bundled up with hot chocolate and hang out in front of the fireplace! All in all, a romantic vacation if I do say so myself."

They win three CD's from Alpha Beth Ministries! 

ABM's mission is Reaching People--Building Homes! 

Pastors Gabe and Dorothy Abdelaziz

of Alpha Beth Ministries

(Daja's Daddy and Mommy!)

(click here to visit their website)

Robert and Kaylee met in June 2004 thanks to the internet! It was a Christian dating website. After chatting on the phone for a week, they met for dinner in Ventura at Eric Erickson's on the pier. Robert reminisces "I guess you could say the rest is history. Although I had to use all of my sales skills and charm to get her to commit to a second date." They got married May 13, 2006.


In their own words....

What do you love about your spouse?

Robert: I love the fact that she is very supportive and will stand up for me. I love that she is willing to listen even if I have nothing to say.

Kay Lee: My husband is the most supportive person that I know. I love how he takes the trash out with me not asking him. His honesty and committed heart is one of the many things that I feel in love with. He is a very hard worker.

Give your best piece of marriage advice:

Robert: Don't always feel the need to be right. You can be so wrong, even when you're right. Your relationship to your spouse is based on trust and support. If you're always worried about being right, your partner will not feel like your equal but your subordinate. Try looking at things through your spouses eyes every now and then. You never know, you might even like it.

Kay Lee: It is ok to say your sorry when it's not your fault. Most people want to be heard even though you might not agree with them. Serve your husband even when you don't feel like it. Brag to all who will listen what a great and wonderful husband that you have.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

CONGRATULATIONS MR. AND MRS. FUKUI!!!!!

And remember to Date-Your-Mate and then let us know that you did!  And you may be randomly selected to win a cool prize!!!!

January Date-Your-Mate Winners!

At our family picnic on January 10 (pictures will be posted soon!) we drew a winner for January Date-Your-Mate!  And the winners are.......

Jordan and Kristina Evans with their entry of a long bike ride in Griffith Park together!  Runners up are Kevin and Minoska Villegas who were drawn but graciously surrendered first prize because they won last month!  They win the CD of their choice from Alpha Beth Ministries.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans win His and Hers T-Shirts from Union28!  Click on the button on our sidebar to visit their site and see all their great stuff!  Tell the world that marriage is worth it!  And for a limited time Union28 is giving our cell group and blog readers 15% any order of two or more items!  Enter this coupon code at check out: U28datesRgood15.  Good only through February 12, so order soon!  Makes great Mother's and Father's Day gifts!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Jordan and Kristina met in high school.  They were in show choir together!  They just celebrated 16 years of wedded bliss! 


Q. What do you love about each other?

Kristian:  I love that Jordan is steadfast and loyal (beyond anyone I've ever met). We've grown up together (23yrs) and it seems like I've loved him forever. He's my hero and my very best friend!

Jordan:  I love everything about Kristina. Her personality, her adventurous nature, her looks! ;^


Q. What's the best thing about being married?
Kristina:  Sharing life. We've always said we're better together than apart.

Jordan: Being a team. We don’t always agree, but we are certainly ALWAYS on the same team. We work through things, share things, and thoroughly enjoy sharing our life experiences with each other.


Q.  Favorite dates, beside the obvious bike riding?

Kristina:  I don't know about Jordan, but I think I have two. 1) After we put the kids to bed, we grab some cheese, bread and wine. Put on our pajamas and snuggle on the couch for a chat or a good movie. It doesn't matter what kind of day I've had, spending time like this always makes it better! 2) Going out and trying a new taco shop. We're always on the hunt for a good taco! Bike riding is good, too!!! :)

Jordan: Kristy has nailed two of my all-time favorites. Running off to Paris for the weekend is fun too!

Ooooo, la la! 

CONGRATULATIONS TO JORDAN AND KRISTINA!!!!!

Our next drawing will be February 5th so start dating!  And encourage your married friends at HRC to Date-Their-Mates and enter our drawing, too!

January DATE YOUR MATE reminder!

We have some exciting prizes to announce for January Date Your Mate! We will draw the winner at the picnic on January 10. You do NOT need to be present to win, but you must have entered in person, via email or in a comment on the blog before that Sunday. 

The prize is.......*drumroll*........

HIS AND HER SHIRTS from Union 28! You can see some of their products on this post.

The fine print:

1. Turn in your date by the first cell group meeting of the month. That is when we will draw a winner!

2. You enter by telling us when, where and what you did on your date. No TMI, please! LOL!

3. You may enter in person at cell group, via an email to Raquel or Daja or via the blog (leave a comment with the particulars).

4. You do not need to be present to win!!!!

5. You do not need to be a regular cell group attendee to enter! If you read the blog, you may enter on the blog. We want to encourage all married couples to set aside time for just the two of you! Remember your marriage!

December Date-Your-Mate Winner!

At the last cell group meeting, we drew the winner for December Date-Your-Mate!

And the winner is............

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kevin and Minoska met in college. Kevin proposed to Minoska in April 1996 and they were married June 1, 1996. They have two children, Isabel and Benjamin.

Kevin and Minoska's winning date, going to Taco Bell, wins them a one of a kind calendar, from Jaqueline Kyoda! (Click on the link on our sidebar to learn more about her work!)

Have a happy and romantic December!

Ready? Set. Date!!!!

Good Afternoon, Happily Married People! (said in faith for some of you!)

As your cell leaders, we cannot stress enough how strongly we feel about married people dating! Life gets so busy with work, school, yard work, ministry commitments, extended family, and just LIFE! Dating your mate takes a conscious decision, careful planning, and sometimes throwing caution to the wind and being spontaneous!

To encourage you in your dating, we have decided to hold a monthly contest! Here's how it'll work:

1. You must have a date, just the two of you--NO CHILDREN, (with the exception of a nursing baby, of course)!

2. This date can be anything you want from traditional dinner and a movie to skydiving! We don't care as long as it's the two of you getting some one-on-one time! Even if all you have time for is a walk or a cup of coffee at the Corner Bakery, do it!

3. Enter on or before the first Friday of the month (which is when we have cell group). To enter, tell us the date of your date and what you did! It's that simple! You may enter in person at cell group, by email to Daja (mrsgombojav@yahoo.com) or Raquel sotorams@sbcglobal.net, or by leaving a comment on the blog with the information and your name.

4. A winner will be drawn at cell group. (Next drawing December 4)

Who is the winner of this little game? Why every one of us is a winner! Strong marriages benefit individuals, children, the Church, society, etc!

However, we do also have some cool prizes in our prize vault! :-) You'll be competing for all sorts of wonderful things--art, gift certificates, books, movies, music! Each month we'll offer a different prize.

This month's prize is a calendar called EDEN! (Isn't that a wonderful name?!) HRC member and artist, Jaqueline Kyoda has donated her one-of-a-kind calendar to our prize vault! Every month, looking at EDEN, you'll be reminded of the way marriage is supposed to be! (Below are a few images so you can see how beautiful this calendar is!) By the way, you can see more of Jaqueline's work on her website: http://www.jaquelinekyoda.com/

Ready? Set? DATE!!!

The Sotos
The Gombojavs