True to our School of Tots non-deliberate philosophy, every 2 weeks of school is followed by a school break. To make it sound more officially approving, School of Tots is going on an overseas learning journey:)) This time, we are off to another hidden treasure in Kota Kinabalu:) See you all when we return with adventures from the wild!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Me and my Didi or Me and my Jie Jie?
Mornings with Sarah and Samuel are quite a joy to observe. Put them in the same cot and they often amuse themselves...chuckling, doing karate kicks, giving kisses to one another, pulling each other's hair. And the best thing is, they allow mommy to snooze while amusing themselves:) Stay tune to live footage in the very near future...
This last one is taken by Sarah the toddling photographer
Virus Attack!
Just realized that my email got infected with a virus cos I think virtually everyone on my email list got a 'cold drink' from me [whatever that is]. So, to all who received it...it was auto generated. Greatest apologies. To all who do read this entry, I send you God's blessings:)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Updates
Well, playing catch up with my blogging is a pretty usual phenomenon nowadays as School of Tots goes full gear and as Daddy returns to work. Here's what my camera captured...
Friday
School of Tots took a fun break with Jie Jie Faith and Jie Jie Hazel.
Saturday
Prof Tay who operated on me opened his own clinic with 2 other Christian doctors. So here we are at his opening ceremony.
Monday
Popped by Daphne's house to see how the new mom and baby is doing.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Do you know the Shepherd?
With Samuel finally asleep in his cot at the feet of my bed, and Sarah asleep in the other room, I picked up a book to read. But never was I prepared to be so overwhelmed as I was that afternoon when I read the first sermon John Macarthur preached to his church 40 yrs ago on Feb 9th, 1969. The sermon ended with this illustration...
"There was an actor in the drawing room who was asked to recite something for the audience. He stood up and being gracious to his audience said, "I'll recite anything you would like me to recite." No one suggested anything at first. But an old preacher who happened to be there, sitting in the back of the room, stood up and said, "I'd like to hear you recite the twenty-third Psalm."
Well, the actor was a little shocked at that, but he made himself available to recite anything that was requested, so he did what the man asked. He happened to know the Psalm, so he said he would recite it. He repeated the twenty third Psalm with complete eloquence - it was a masterful interpretation. His diction was beautiful. When he finished, the entire room of people erupted into spontaneous applause.
The actor, figuring he could get back at the old gentleman for suggesting he recite something from the Bible, said, "Now sir, I'd like to hear you recite it." The old man hadn't bargained for that. But because of his love for Christ he stood up and repeated the twenty-third Psalm. His voice cracked, it broke and it wasn't very beautiful. The interpretation wasn't really that good either. When he finished, there was no applause. But there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
The actor, sensing his own emotion, stood up and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I reached your eyes and ears, and he reached your heart. The difference is: "I know the Psalm; but he knows the Shepherd."
That final sentence meant and means so much to me...the Psalm and the Shepherd. Christ is my Shepherd and I will say it again and again. Throughout my life, Christ has taken a keen interest in everything that I do, whether I was aware or not. Everytime, when my circumstances seems wanting, He has provided abundantly and I lacked nothing. Everytime, when I'm faced with a treacherous path, He is there to lead, to guide and to comfort me with his rod and staff. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me...because Christ is my Shepherd. I still feel that there is so much I do not know about Him but I am excited that He has given me life to know Him intimately. What about you my dear friends, Do you Know the Shepherd? - for that is the Heart of His message
We sing songs about Christ;
But do we know & love the Christ whom we sing?
We spend much time with God's people;
But do we know & love the God who gives us life and time with His people?
We talk so much about Christ;
But do we know & love the Christ whom we talk about?
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Costume Party for the Little Tots
Had a great time of laugh with Chiao Chyi last night as we stuffed our tots into animal costumes that she ordered from the states. Sarah loves it, Hannah is not crazy about it and Samymy is suspicious but too helpless to protest. Hahahaha....I think I will laughing for a long time to come everytime I see these photos.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Our Domestic Helper: Rubi
Rubi is our domestic helper since Feb 2008. Rubi has been a great help to me in many ways. She is quick to observe where I need help and quickly fill in the gap with the household chores and with the children. Her desire to learn, coupled with her ability to read well has seen her grow in many ways, spiritually [she enjoys listening to Jim Berg] as well as pedagogically [especially when it comes to taking care of pre-schoolers]. We thank God for her willingness to learn, in every sense of the word. From one who had never handled children before her employment to our household, she has become a competent handler of children.
Well, this is not to say that she is perfect. Being young, impressionable and eager to please, there were rough edges that needed to be smoothed and there were definitely times when she needed to be cautioned. But in all her weaknesses as well as strength, Dan and I know that Rubi is God's answer to our prayers. We are excited as God leads us together as a family, that He would use everyone, including Rubi to accomplish His will on earth as it is revealed in Heaven. As I commit myself to pray for Rubi and trust her in His hands, I trust that God would do His perfecting work in her life.
The best way we as Christian employers can help our employees fulfill their role better is not to create a fear of man but rather a fear for God. While rules, regulations and curfews can change behaviour, only a new life in Christ can change the heart.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Our Budget Family Holiday March 2009
Everyone loves a holiday, so do we. Before Daddy embarks upon a new workload and before Shu Shu David flies off to India for his army exercise, School of Tots closes for a one week break and the family goes out to play [haha...School of Tots seem to close for a holiday break every other alternate week]. After doing some monetary calculations and weighing the preparations of flying overseas with 2 very active children, lugging milk powder and pampers, we decided to do a budget family holiday right here in Singapore.
First Day - Wed
With our 'Friends of the Zoo' card, we trotted down to the Rainforest Kidzworld for some great fun.
The 2 Daddys in action
The Rainforest show was fascinating for me because it was just amazing to see how animals which were meant to live in the wild could be tamed and trained and coordinated to move in and out - on cue.
We spent most of our time right here at Rainforest Kidzworld.
Thurs - Day Trip to Johor
No photos here cos I wanted to avoid looking like a Singaporean tourist...haha:) But the children were as good as gold on this trip. We thank God for giving us safety as we travelled.
Fri - Morning Breakfast at Ikea,
Since we were on a 'holiday', Mommy decided to dress them up a little instead of the normal play clothes :)
I love these Daddy and Daughter shots. Sarah loves Daddy very much and Daddy loves Sarah very much.
Little Sarah and the Sandcastle
It was an evening at the beach with Sarah's new sandcastle toy's that Jie Jie Mabel bought. We had a short time of building sandcastles before the swelling clouds threaten to fall on our sand party:)
Of course, we all think Sarah is a genius and built these sandcastles singlehandedly:) Well, actually, the structure was already here when we arrived. We were only glad that Little Sarah was not stomping away at this lovely structure.
Mommy love this shot cos that is her little Sarah obeying mommy and elongating her neck and looking at the camera when mommy said, "Look up Sarah"
Our lovely little Sarah
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
A Blessed Evening Walk at Kent Ridge
It was a totally unplanned walking trip that turned out to be a real blessing. It was just the 4 of us with helper Rubi going for a good work out at Kent Ridge. A simple call to Auntie Pat & Weining [who were just about to go for their evening exercise] coordinated the simple five-some walk to a seven-some walk.
Along the way, we saw white cockatoos and humongous spiders [which would make Jie Jie Suping really excited] and of course some beautiful sights of Singapore.
Samy before the walk
Samy after the walk
Samy during the walk
At dinner time, Samuel made friends with some jie jies and kor kor who were staying in the hall and mommy had the opportunity to tell them the story of miracle Samy and our Great God. Samy makes an excellent ice-breaker. To end the fruitful walk, we met a couple [a lecturer and his wife] who heard about how God shielded and delivered me and Samuel last year from my illness and pregancy through Auntie Pat. Our story was particularly significant to them as the wife was diagnosed with cancer too and many times, she felt hopeless. Even though it was the first time I saw her, there was a special bond. There was so much we shared in common - the suffering, the pain, the joy and the hope. As she saw with her own eyes, healthy Samuel and me, I can only thank God - because it is God who gives man hope, through manifesting His glory through man.
God's Glory is Man's Hope
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Catching Up in a Nutshell
I think I am a couple of weeks behind in my blogging...kinda lost count. Well, here is a whirlwind of updates of the more significant events as well as time spent with my family and School of Tots.
School of Tots with Kor Kor Kenneth
A special helper popped by School of Tots - my ex-student Kenneth Lai. He is the type of student that every teacher probably needs: a living organizer. He would remind me to collect this form, money or something that slipped my mind when I was his form teacher. Well, he dropped me an email one day after catching up with my life on my blog and volunteered his services for School of Tots. It is really nice to catch up with Kenneth and spend time with him. After so many years, he still makes a great teacher helper:)
Lunch Date with Gracie
Hmm...Gracie and me go a long way back. She was 12 when I became her tuition teacher. Now she is turning 21 and going off to Australia for her studies. Unknown to the both of us, that year forged great ties that would be never be untied. I thank God for that opportunity. Well, it was a healthy farewell lunch at Green Room. I was so glad to be able to meet up with her.
I am remembering you and praying for you, dear Gracie:)
Homecooked Thai Dinner with the Josh, Jan and Jan's Mom
A healthy and yummy Thai dinner at the Ngs. The happy faces pretty summed up how we were that day.
Lunch with Jan and her Mom
Well, it was my turn to bring mom and daughter and granddaughter out for some dim sum and seafood at Crystal Jade.
Sarah and Samuel at Ikea
Samuel finally had a paradigm shift and new perspective in life...cos he can finally sit on a high chair [haha]. It makes him feel less left out. That's me and my two bundles of joy at Ikea.
Evening walks at Stadium cove allow Sarah to see huge dogs, many children and flying kites.
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