Valentine's Sweethearts Ball

On Saturday, February 14th, M.E. celebrated the holiday of LOVE, Valentine's Day at the Fiesta Resort & Spa. Jenni & Mark Aguon did a fantastic job organizing the event and approximately 45 couples (even non-encountered) joined in the fun!

Steps facilitators.... Kanae & Russ Quinn, Clarie & Rex Kosack, Sonia & Jeff Camacho.
ME is all in the family... Nen & Dave Attao, Juanette & JJ Atalig, Linda & Jun Pangelinan, Eric & Tania David, Wilma & George David, Natashia & Peter Tomokane.

Angie & Tyce Mister
Tony & Linda Y and Vince & Hilma Castro enter in the marshmallow eating/talking game.

The Briones' & Yumul's participate in the "licking the sugar off the donut" game!
The longest married couple: Roger & Teresita Abe (26 yrs) and

The shortest married Couple: Peter & Natashia Tomokane (1 yr)

Peter threw the garter for the guys to catch.
Teresita threw the bouquet!
The last "game" was to read loud the note cards that we all wrote,

expressing our love to our spouses. However, we chose the note cards at random

and laughed hysterically at some of them.

The next event is the ME Weekend from 27-29 March 2009 at the Saipan Grand Hotel.

The cost is $50 per couple for the weekend (includes accommodation and all meals). ME is for every couple who wishes to strengthen communication and intimacy in their marriage.

For registration, please email Vicky & John Mafnas @vbmafnas@yahoo.com or call 285-8454.

A Successful World Marriage Day

The CNMI Chapter of the Worldwide Marriage Encounter Community recently celebrated WORLD MARRIAGE DAY on February 7, 2009 at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. As a historic ecumenical celebration with Father Ike Ayuyu, Father Ryan Jimenez, Pastor Greg Dickerman and Pastor Roger Abe, the CNMI Marriage Encounter Community and the public joined together as one to celebrate the sanctity of marriage and family.

The ceremony commenced with a song by Jenni Aguon, “The Greatest Gift of All”, followed by each of the priests and pastors reading scripture verses. Interspersed among the verses were testimonies from three couples: Rex & Clarie Kosack, Charles & Cathy Cepeda and Gonzalo & Linda Pangelinan who shared their stories about love and marriage. Next, followed the homily by Pastor Dickerman, the candle lighting and the renewing of vows.

Lastly, the large Muna clan witnessed Father Ryan bestow a special honor and blessing for Mr. & Mrs. Nicolas Muna, recognized as the Longest Married Couple in the CNMI. The Muna’s have been married for 66 years and are blessed with many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The memorable event was a prelude to Valentine’s Day and the next Marriage Encounter Weekend, slated for March 27-29, 2009 at the Saipan Grand Hotel. For registration, please contact John & Vicky Mafnas at 285-8454 or Email: vbmafnas@yahoo.com.

Valentine's Sweethearts Ball on Feb 14th!

Jenni & Mark Aguon are organizing this year's Valentine's Sweethearts Ball on February 14, 2009 at the Fiesta Resort's Hibiscus Hall from 6-10 pm. Tickets are $40 per couple and available for sale through Jenni at apakaaguon@yahoo.com and Carol Demapan at cdemapan@yahoo.com.

We look forward to a fun evening of reuniting with the ME Community as well as inviting new prospective couples to this special event.

World Marriage Day Proclamation Signing

On January 27th, Bishop Thomas Camacho and Lt. Governor Timothy Villagomez signed the World Marriage Day Proclamation for the CNMI. The Bishop has always been a strong advocate of Marriage Encounter and we are grateful for his strong support.

We look forward to the World Marriage Day Celebration next Saturday, February 7th from 4-6pm at the American Memorial Park Amphitheater. It's FREE and open to the public (all married couples).

See you there!

So-long, Frank & Joanne

Frank & Joanne are moving to Florida this week to be with their kids and grandchild. Although we'll miss them terribly, they've made the decision to choose God & family over work or anything else.

They were introduced to M.E. a few years ago when Joanne decided that in order to persuade Frank to attend, she would have to "trick" him into believing that he was going to Guam for the weekend. While he wasn't exactly pleased to learn that his weekend would actually be at the Riviera instead of Tumon, both of them were transformed by Sunday evening at the conclusion of the weekend encounter. Not only did they continue on with "Steps Along the Journey" and "Steeper Steps", they volunteered to be the Weekend Coordinators for Spring 2008 and the Co-Coordinators for Fall 2008.

The DL Guerrero's love and compassion toward the M.E. family is immeasurable. We will certainly miss seeing them, but know that it's no "goodbye" as they plan to return when their kids finish school. It's only "so-long" for now. Have a safe trip and God Bless!

Celebrate World Marriage Day on Feb 7th!

CNMI's World Marriage Day celebration will fall on Saturday, February 7th 2009 at the American Memorial Park amphitheatre. All married couples are invited to attend and we are also searching for the Longest Married Couple in the CNMI! The special couple will be honored at the celebration!

STEPS!

The Marriage Encounter Weekend is just the start of the Journey. The Steps program is the best way for couples to educate themselves on the concepts learned on the Weekend and to practice the ME tools for deeper communication.

Three Steps groups began recently for the Sonoda's/Castro's, Kosack's/Pangelinan's and Quinn's/Camacho's. I personally enjoy facilitating STEPS because it allows me to not only enhance my relationship with my husband, but it also generates wonderful, new friendships within each group. We are blessed to participate in the active Saipan community and look forward to the upcoming events: World Marriage Day on 2/8, Sweetheart's Ball on 2/14 and the next Weekend on 3/27-3/29!