Christen played with our neighbour's kid today. She's an Indian girl who lives right next door to us. She came over to our house and saw a milk bottle with colourful beads in it. So she asked Christen what it was for. Chris answered, " It's for praising the Lord."
It's our home-made maraccas, and we put it in a music box containing different instruments. When we have music and movement time after devotions everyday, we'll pull out the box and say, " It's time to worship God!" Guess that's how Christen associates it with praising the Lord.
When I told Alvin about it, he laughed and said, " I guess she's not going to fit in, is she?"
I guess not, but I guess it's more important to prepare my children for heaven rather than Harvard. I'm also beginning to understand how a Christian and biblical worldview can be developed in a child, step by step, word by word.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Istana - National Day Open House
We had such a fun time at the Istana on Sunday. It was such a hot afternoon, and we were wilting from the heat, but my longing for the carpet grass gave us the drive to walk the loooooong way in to where the fountain and carpet grass was, with big bags and 2 kids in tow, and with NO stroller.
When we finally got to the fountain and grass, I just about collapsed to the ground. The gals were drawn to the fountain like bees to honey, and were splashing around till they got all wet. Then Chris decided to jump in and have a real dip, and practise her swimming skills. This is her blowing bubbles in the fountain.
Thank you, Mr President, for opening up the Istana for us commoners! It was a real treat to swim in the royal fountain!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Eric Liddell - an Olympic Hero
On Friday, our playgroup's theme was on the Olympics. The kids learned about the origin of the Olympics, the motto, the significance of the rings and their colors and heard a story about Eric Liddell.
I've read about Eric Liddell and saw the Chariots of Fire, but researching and telling the kids about him have inspired me so greatly. He was an Olympic champion in 1924, and subsequently became a missionary to China. He was famous for his signature running posture, which was to throw his head back as if he's looking at heaven. He was also famous, or infamous for turning down his pet event, the 100m dash, at the Olympics because it was to be held on a Sunday. For Eric, it was a day of rest and worship. Today, that would have been easily rationalized away and Christians and non-Christians alike would say that it was a matter of the heart, and he could have run and treated another day his Sabbath and he could worship God anytime, not just on Sunday.
Eric stood his ground, much to the displeasure of the whole of Britain, but went on to win in the 400m event, breaking the world record as well. His life was completely poured out for Christ, serving as a missionary and at the concentration camp during WWII. He died at the camp just before WWII ended, away from his family.
As I read about him, and people's testimonials of him, the thought that kept coming to me was that this was a life that brought God so much glory and pleasure. He reflected Christ so well, and God must have been so proud of him.
On another note, I was shocked when Christen retold the story today - the story I told the kids last Friday in the open air where my voice was lost to the wind, and the kids were just loosely gathered on a mat. In her words, she said, " Eric Lidell persevered. He didn't want to run on Sunday because he said, " my God is the most important to me so I must go to church and Sunday school. But the people were angry with him but he still didn't run.
WOW! What truth can be deposited in the hearts of children if we just take time to do that.
Here's the link to a short clip of Chariots of Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPB7r0UpNIE
I've read about Eric Liddell and saw the Chariots of Fire, but researching and telling the kids about him have inspired me so greatly. He was an Olympic champion in 1924, and subsequently became a missionary to China. He was famous for his signature running posture, which was to throw his head back as if he's looking at heaven. He was also famous, or infamous for turning down his pet event, the 100m dash, at the Olympics because it was to be held on a Sunday. For Eric, it was a day of rest and worship. Today, that would have been easily rationalized away and Christians and non-Christians alike would say that it was a matter of the heart, and he could have run and treated another day his Sabbath and he could worship God anytime, not just on Sunday.
Eric stood his ground, much to the displeasure of the whole of Britain, but went on to win in the 400m event, breaking the world record as well. His life was completely poured out for Christ, serving as a missionary and at the concentration camp during WWII. He died at the camp just before WWII ended, away from his family.
As I read about him, and people's testimonials of him, the thought that kept coming to me was that this was a life that brought God so much glory and pleasure. He reflected Christ so well, and God must have been so proud of him.
On another note, I was shocked when Christen retold the story today - the story I told the kids last Friday in the open air where my voice was lost to the wind, and the kids were just loosely gathered on a mat. In her words, she said, " Eric Lidell persevered. He didn't want to run on Sunday because he said, " my God is the most important to me so I must go to church and Sunday school. But the people were angry with him but he still didn't run.
WOW! What truth can be deposited in the hearts of children if we just take time to do that.
Here's the link to a short clip of Chariots of Fire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPB7r0UpNIE
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Don't Live for the Dot
We've just come back from a 2 day seminar titled "Integrating Family and Church Life". I've never felt more educated and challenged in my 25 years of education.
These are some key learning and transformational points for me:
1) Don't live for the dot - the dot signifies this life on planet earth in reference to the vast universe God has created and to eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Don't spend time and effort trying to fill in the dot, that's just too insignificant. We are made in the image of God, so we're image-bearers of what God looks like. That means we're meant for greatness and to live 'epic lives', as Moses Tey, the speaker described it. We should live, and spend time and effort building for eternity.
2) At what age is one considered an adult? Is it at the legal age of 18 or 21? The answer to the question changes one's entire perspective on the teenage years, which are often known as the turbulent times. Before the industrial revolution and before formal school was introduced ( about 150 years ago), there was no such thing as teenage rebellion. At 12 years old, children were considered, and treated as adults. They possessed the maturity and wisdom needed to run a household and hold important responsibilities. In the Bible, Jesus was in the temple discussing theology with the rabbis at 12 yrs old. Daniel and his friends, Joseph, were about 13-14 years old when they were captured and taken into exile and sold into slavery. Yet, at this age, they were able to stand up for their faith and provide leadership that changed the course of history and save their nations.
This was really enlightening for me. I've gone through 'teenage rebellion' myself, and I've been very intimidated by teenagers nowadays. They dress and look much more 'grown up', get into relationships and have pre-marital sex once they reach adolescence. Yet, they are so childish in their ways and thinking, and for that matter, even adults can be so childish and immature. And that is because they are supposed to be adults, but are not trained in the educational system and by their families to be mature. This begs the question, " What is maturity?" Is it the ability to hold down a job, raise a family, be a decent person? My dear husband just answered this brilliantly. To him, maturity is bearing the image of Christ so well and clearly; it is truly living the life that shows and says, " it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me."
I don't have to expect teenage rebellion from my children. I can expect them to do great things for God in their youth instead.
3) 'Imitate me as I imitate Christ' - Paul said this, and it embodies what discipling means. I am discipling my children as they imitate me as I imitate Christ. To me, that means I have not, and will not be perfect in my parenting, but as I walk and journey with Christ, my children will see that it is a living relationship and we will grow together in our journey to know Him and make Him known.
These are some key learning and transformational points for me:
1) Don't live for the dot - the dot signifies this life on planet earth in reference to the vast universe God has created and to eternity. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." Don't spend time and effort trying to fill in the dot, that's just too insignificant. We are made in the image of God, so we're image-bearers of what God looks like. That means we're meant for greatness and to live 'epic lives', as Moses Tey, the speaker described it. We should live, and spend time and effort building for eternity.
2) At what age is one considered an adult? Is it at the legal age of 18 or 21? The answer to the question changes one's entire perspective on the teenage years, which are often known as the turbulent times. Before the industrial revolution and before formal school was introduced ( about 150 years ago), there was no such thing as teenage rebellion. At 12 years old, children were considered, and treated as adults. They possessed the maturity and wisdom needed to run a household and hold important responsibilities. In the Bible, Jesus was in the temple discussing theology with the rabbis at 12 yrs old. Daniel and his friends, Joseph, were about 13-14 years old when they were captured and taken into exile and sold into slavery. Yet, at this age, they were able to stand up for their faith and provide leadership that changed the course of history and save their nations.
This was really enlightening for me. I've gone through 'teenage rebellion' myself, and I've been very intimidated by teenagers nowadays. They dress and look much more 'grown up', get into relationships and have pre-marital sex once they reach adolescence. Yet, they are so childish in their ways and thinking, and for that matter, even adults can be so childish and immature. And that is because they are supposed to be adults, but are not trained in the educational system and by their families to be mature. This begs the question, " What is maturity?" Is it the ability to hold down a job, raise a family, be a decent person? My dear husband just answered this brilliantly. To him, maturity is bearing the image of Christ so well and clearly; it is truly living the life that shows and says, " it is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me."
I don't have to expect teenage rebellion from my children. I can expect them to do great things for God in their youth instead.
3) 'Imitate me as I imitate Christ' - Paul said this, and it embodies what discipling means. I am discipling my children as they imitate me as I imitate Christ. To me, that means I have not, and will not be perfect in my parenting, but as I walk and journey with Christ, my children will see that it is a living relationship and we will grow together in our journey to know Him and make Him known.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Siblings sleeping together
As I'm writing, my kids are still singing and laughing and talking. And they've been doing that for the past hour. AND it's past midnight.
It's not great that they're still up so late, but it's such precious bonding time between them I'm reluctant to end it. Christen was singing to Lauren. Then she taught her some new vocabulary words.
Here's one of the conversations that transpired ( i can hear them from my room):
Christen: Say 'eskimo', Lauren.
Lauren: Keepmo.
Christen (bursts out in laughter): No, 'eskimo'.
Lauren: Keepmo. Mummy.
Christen: Mommy is a keepmo!
Both of them burst out in laughter.
Think I need to go make them sleep now...
It's not great that they're still up so late, but it's such precious bonding time between them I'm reluctant to end it. Christen was singing to Lauren. Then she taught her some new vocabulary words.
Here's one of the conversations that transpired ( i can hear them from my room):
Christen: Say 'eskimo', Lauren.
Lauren: Keepmo.
Christen (bursts out in laughter): No, 'eskimo'.
Lauren: Keepmo. Mummy.
Christen: Mommy is a keepmo!
Both of them burst out in laughter.
Think I need to go make them sleep now...
Ballet Under the Stars
We were blessed with tickets to Ballet Under the Stars, and got to enjoy a stellar performance for free! The weather was perfect, and we had an awesome spot right in the front of the stage. Two pretty ladies behind us supplied the kids with cherries, and Christen went to the stage to sing Happy Birthday to Singapore Dance Theatre and got a nice red T-shirt which she calls her nightgown. :) Lauren was engaged throughout the whole performance and loved to watch the ballerinas.
On the way home, Christen said, " Thank you for taking me to Ballet Under the Stars. I really liked it."
A wonderful family night of music and dance under the stars. Am still savouring the memory.
On the way home, Christen said, " Thank you for taking me to Ballet Under the Stars. I really liked it."
A wonderful family night of music and dance under the stars. Am still savouring the memory.
Don't let your child be a Kangaroo
Just watched this really great video clip about what success really means for your child, and discovering and helping children develop their greatest potentials.
Go to this link to watch it: http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/
Go to this link to watch it: http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/
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