Ho Ho Ho! Blessed Christmas One and All!

Christmas Advent for Sarah and Sammy

I was thinking about Christmas Advent and I finally got down to designing something for the kids. I hope to do one for the church next year - send a daily email every day from Dec 1st till Dec 24th with appropriate verses, poems, messages or even art pieces so that we can all truly appreciate and celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. 

We are a couple of days late - but thought it good for the kids to memorize Isaiah 9:6 this Christmas season. This was partly inspired by Bible Truth Music [introduced by Auntie CC], a bible based kids music company which puts lovely tunes to bible verse [albeit KJV, I would love it in ESV:)]. The song for our season is "For Unto Us A Child is Born". If you would like to listen to the song, you can go to the above link and hear the preview. Sarah loves the tempo of the song and she can play it over and over and over again in the car. Sammy, who loves to parrot Sarah naturally likes this song too. And I am so thrilled that they both love the song. So for at least 10 days, we will do a craft for each section of the verse and hang it on their tiny Christmas trees which I bought from our faithful craft store Daiso. 

[Feel free to download and print the above - a result of an afternoon of playing around with font and colors.]

Day 1 - FOR UNTO US. A simple 30 mins with the kids as we sang the song and read the 3 words "For Unto Us". I explained to the kids that God sent Jesus Christ for us - Sarah, Sammy, Daddy, Mommy, Auntie Rubi and everyone. 

Q: Who did God send Jesus for? 

A: For Unto Us

Q: Who does "us" refer to?

A: Sarah starts naming the family. Mommy adds, "Yes, and for everyone in the world"

Day One craft was a small globe that the kids helped to make using colored foam pieces. They got to cut out the land and stick it onto their blue globe. String the globe and that becomes their first christmas tree ornament. According to Sarah and Sammy, they have got Africa stuck on their globe. See if you can spot it.

Day 2 - A CHILD IS BORN. 

Q: Who is the child?

A: Baby Jesus!

Sarah adds: Jesus is our Father! [that is really the complex relationship that I still haven't figured how Sarah could repeat it all the time. Maybe she doesn't understand it, or maybe she does.

Day Two was a familiar craft of wrapping a baby figure with our never ending purple serviette and what took up the bulk of the fun and started a period of focussed distraction was the mini manual paper shredder from  - yup, Diaso again. 

Holiday Fun - Nov & Dec

Yup..we have been busy. The things we do for kids sometimes...haha. This post will continually be updated till 31st Dec.

Home Inspiration

In the midst of all the happenings and the routines of life, it has been quite therapeutic and fun [at times absorbing] working out the design of our new home. I am getting much of my inspiration from Scandinavian Design [mainly whites with natural lines of wood] and the occasional Retro find from unexpected places. And topping that up with splashes of turquoise. 

Things that would be cool in the house:)

 

 

In Remembrance of Our Gong Gong

Eulogy by Daniel on 11th November 9:30 am - Mr Seethor Fai, my ‘Gong Gong’

• THE LIFE

Gong Gong led a full hearty life. He enjoyed his food, his outings, his festive occasions, his family gatherings, his travels, his entertainment, his gadgets, his education and needless to say, his family members, everyone one of them, with a fathers heart. He demonstrated a (grand)father's love that was unconditional, that wasn't dependent on performance or what you did or did not do for him. He was genuinely concerned for every individual’s (children, grandchildren, in-laws) life and family, and was only concerned that life will be well for them. He didn’t want anyone left behind. He gave us a glimpse of the heart of our Heavenly Father. Matt 7:11 says ‘If you then, being evil (meaning of a sinful nature), know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!’ Gong Gong helps us to understand this verse better because he was a model Father/grandfather, who gave us a taste of what a blessed Father/Child relationship is like. Having understood such a relationship, we can then more easily entrust ourselves to God, who describes Himself as our Heavenly Father. Gong Gong must be in good hands now. This is a great comfort.

Most people think that having lived such a full and blessed life, it is ok to go, especially at age 81, but in all honesty, it really isnt as simple as that. It wasnt easy for him, it isnt easy for us. Do not underestimate death; it is rude, it is harsh, it is an intruder. 

• THE MEMORIES

Let us enjoy some memories of him, I'll share those which have left impressions on me and taught me some important lessons.

Gong Gong led a hard life; tough situation; he had no choice; he had overwork to provide for family; he came back late and hardly saw children. He sacrificed family time. It was painful, but he had no choice; He had to do it. He said as we were eating porridge at Goodwood Park on one occasion, ‘mei you ban fa, bu zuo bu xing’. Perhaps his Zest for life and his family in his later years comes from playing catch up (with all that he could not do before), and he didn't seem to get enough of it

One lesson I learnt from Gong Gong is that Life is real. Stakes are high, choices have to be made, the price has to be paid, consequences will be borne. We cannot cheat life with short term strategies; we have got to face them with humble submission. And Gong Gong did just that and We are so thankful that God allowed him so see fruits of his labors, and I believe more than compensated for the sacrifices he made. All of life is truly a blessing. Gong Gong lived a life of principle and conviction; Will I live a life of principle and conviction? What is my conviction? May God help us live lives of convictions worth living for.

The second lesson that I am reminded is that we stand on giant's shoulders; our opportunities are at the cost of someone else’s sacrifice. Our children's opportunities depend on our present building. I ask myself, what foundations am I building for my family?

Gong Gong treasured relationships and remembered details. He was not too proud to make the 1st move

He was willing to be vulnerable in his expressions of love as well as needs and desires. I believe he got his priorities right, especially remembering that he really was a traditional Cantonese man. He would always buy lanterns for the kids without fail; and every May day, he would treat his whole family to Macdonalds rain or shine, full or half attendance;  Advance festive email greetings and sharing of photographs.. sometimes with minimal acknowledgement.  Now we will miss those ‘childish’ emails and those special festivals.

I remember when my family was going through the crisis, we didn’t see much of him, but it wasn’t because he did not care. I am sure he was very concerned, and kept himself updated through my parents

- Periodically and systematically he would pass us a box of 'brand's essence, with a red packet written on it ‘God's blessings'. Even though at that time I did not have the mind to thank him, these well wishes still came. This was how he expressed his care from a distance, and this was how he professed his faith in God. He was a sensitive, sweet man, who knew his place, and was mindful of others, and expressed himself with simple but thoughtful gestures. 

It is a great privilege and blessing to experience this special relationship. The lesson I have learnt from his example is that we only have that many opportunities to love and enjoy relationships around us. Are we living in the present, and cherishing each opportunity, or are we presuming on the future?  We must also be willing to be humble and vulnerable like he was, if we cherish the relationships we have been blessed with. Gong Gong teaches us to receive God's blessings of relationships with gratefulness and humility

• THE DEATH

His journey to death has left an indelible mark on me. He knew his body was failing, but he didn't know it would be that fast. He repeated that he had no complains and no  regrets but he also acknowledged that ' no one wishes to die'. He suffered towards the end, but received suffering with dignity and humility. He accepted his lot. He treasured the comfort given to him through family, songs, scripture, and prayer. He enjoyed the ministry he received. He faced his mortality with silent courage and humility. He was neither triumphalistic, nor fatalistic. He assessed the situation and made decisions accordingly. 

But alas rationality, discipline and medicine could not prevent the inevitable. He was a great man, but great men need help, great men need love and great men still have to die. This I learnt for myself up close. He might have caught glimpses of the heavenly city and raved about its beauty in his last weeks. Yet he still loved his family and his present life. He affirmed his future hope and glory when questioned, yet he wasnt going to rush into heavenly glory. His experience teaches me the complexity of straddling between the physical world and the spiritual world. There is a sense of the reality of a future hope and glory, but we still approach it with trepidation because we haven’t been there before. I believe faith in God in this life and in death is simple but it is definitely not simplistic. We need to respect this fact, because I saw my GG grappling with it. That is also why the scripture takes great pains to comfort and assure believers of the reality of the risen Christ and the future hope. The strongest foundation for the Christian’s hope is the historical and certain reality of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Because only if He did, he is able to raise all those who put their trust in Him for the forgiveness of sin. I urge you all to affirm this fact for yourselves, so that we may know the reality of Gong Gong’s resurrection, and ours too.

I don’t know if i can do better than he did being placed in the same situation. In his death, we had the privilege to observe closely and learn from his experience. May the lord grant us grace as he did to Gong Gong when our time comes. I hope I’ll be ready.

May we not underestimate death. May we all have a strong and sustainable hope of future glory. May God grant us faith and spiritual eyes to discern the heavenly kingdom. 

• CONCLUDING WORDS

When this funeral is all over, the reality of his absence will hit us. Right now, he remains in my mind, as the jovial Gong Gong as captured on this picture, so full of life and mind. It is difficult to fathom this separation, which will always remain a mystery to me, one moment here, one moment gone...But we are thankful for the precious memories and graces of God that were showered on Him, and our family; he will continue to live on in our hearts. These temporal joys and memories lay the foundation and hope for a brighter future when we all meet again.

The scripture uses pictures of earthly bliss to communicate heavenly realities to us. That heavenly reality refers to being in the presence of God, all of us, together If scripture is true, then things will only get better.

Thank you Gong Gong for the precious memories of our friendship. Thank you Jesus for being man's only hope. Thank you for coming to share our grief 

Death through the eyes of Sarah

Late last week and this week took an unexpected turn as we saw Daniel's grandfather go for his medical checkup and was warded for dehydration and then swiftly moved to the ICU where he would spend his final days there. It wasn't easy for any of the children nor grandchildren and even his great grandchildren. 

Dear little Sarah was trying to reconcile the concept of death between Jesus and her great grandfather. Last Friday night, as we laid to rest, Sarah asked a string of questions after we told her why great grandpa was lying with tubes in his body. And that it is going to be soon when Jesus takes great grandpa to heaven.

Sarah: How?

Mommy: How what?

Sarah: How Jesus take Zeng Gong Gong to heaven? Jesus carry him? *cradle her arms*

Mommy: *nodded*

Sarah: What about his wheelchair?

Mommy: Zeng Gong Gong doesn't need his wheelchair in heaven. He will have a new body.

Sarah: New body?

Mommy: Zeng Gong Gong will have a new body and a new heart.

Sarah: How? *pause* Jesus open the skin and put a new heart?

Mommy: We don't know how the new body will be like but Zeng Gong Gong will not need his wheelchair. 

Sarah: How did Jesus come down from the cross?

Mommy: You mean his body?

Sarah: Who take Jesus body from the cross?

Mommy: The soldiers...

Sarah: How? They have to take out the nails first before taking Jesus..

Mommy: *I seriously haven't thought about this before* Hmmm...Yes, they would need to take out the nails first..

Sarah: Painful?

Mommy: No, because Jesus has died already.

Mommy: Do you love Jesus?

Sarah: Yes

Mommy: Do you believe that Jesus is God's Son?

Sarah: Yes. And Jesus is my Father!

Mommy: Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you?

Sarah: *became distracted* and started playing...

I slowly began to realize how difficult it was for dear Sarah. She was firstly confronted with this abstract concept of death...and then she is trying to understand the death of mortal man and immortal Christ who was made flesh. But I am heartened to see these realities of life and the truth of God's word making headway and inroads in the mind of Sarah. God grant me wisdom to teach and God gives her grace and light to believe.

Who Jesus is to Sarah and Samuel

Sarah and Samuel have been learning truths about Jesus consistently throughout their BSF time. I do admit, that sometimes I wonder how their little minds, could grappling with all those truths found in the Book of John and at the same time,  trying to decode letters and words. Cos their mommy is finding the  Book of John a very rich and profound book indeed.

Just a couple of months ago, Sarah was sitting in her carseat and she blurted out, "I Love Jesus." Daniel and I did a head turn. "Sure", we thought in our minds. Just like how she 'loved' 101 other things. Then she said it again, "I love Jesus". "Just like how you love Daddy and Mommy?" I probed. Sarah nodded and our car journey continued. Mommy pondered and kept Sarah's declaration in her heart. 

Just a couple of weeks ago, Sarah, sitting in her carseat again said, "Jesus is my Father." Hmmm...that made me stopped a little longer than the first declaration a couple months back. This was the same Sarah who was religious about names. What do I mean? When she was two, I would tell her, "You are my darling". Sarah's response took me aback. Because she started to cry angrily, "No...No, I am Sarah, I am not darling." Another time, I remembered telling her that Mommy's Chinese Name is Xiu'en, she cried angrily again and said, "No....You are Mommy Joann." So, as you can see, Sarah is a stickler for names.  Daddy Daniel is very precious to Sarah and it seems no one can take his place. So when she said and repeated that Jesus is my Father...it made me pause and ponder and keep this declaration in my heart. 

Sammy has been learning truths...perhaps without as much understand as his older sister. But it amuses me all the same...he came into the car last week, repeating, "Feed my lambs"...Hahah.

I am thankful for BSF where the children are taught faithfully God's truth. These truths have been so precious to me and they indeed hold my feet when the world beneath seems to crumble. 

Sarah and Spatial Intelligence

Sarah has always displayed an aptitude in certain areas and I have taken a mental note of these observations but never really know what to make out of it. For one, she was very advanced in her motor skills. She was sliding on her own just shortly after she turned 1.5 years and conquering the playground soon after. She could jump with 2 feet off her ground early too. And she was doing flips and turns on her own even before she went for ballet classes. To date, I must say, she is quite an accomplished hula hooper. 

Another thing that amazes me is when I drive the kids around - Sometimes, to the park, sometimes to Ahma and Ahgong's house or sometimes just around Singapore. She would be able to recognize the roads and directions to certain places and even remember the event that made us travel that route. During one time, I was in Bedok, she could point the direction in which Ikea was and said that if I turned right, I would head to Ikea. The other incident, that really astounded me was when I drove them to Punggol for the first time with them. She looked at the place and the landscape and said that if I headed in that direction, I would land up in Ikea. I was about to say "No" when I looked around and saw that she was spot on. Haha...it seems like her compass is calibrated with Ikea as "North" but she was absolutely right.

On a more 'universal' level, Sarah is very comfortable in locating Malaysia and Singapore on her Globe. She seems to know where it is - I am not sure what she uses to do it. Ever since I pointed out where Singapore is in relation to the UK and how the airplane travels between these 2 locations, she is able to trace the route almost everytime.

Another trait is her ability to discern between 2 D and 3 D and notice a difference in perspectives. Before she turned 3, I was reading "Topsy and Tim: Busy Builder". There was a particular page that asks children to count the hard hats, the wheelbarrows etc on the page. When we have exhausted counting everything that is countable on the page, I decided to ask her to count the ladders. There was only one ladder in sight and another one was hidden behind the house, except for a builder who was perched on it and laying tiles on the roof. Sarah was able to point to the builder and tell me that there is another ladder there. That, to me was an enlightened perspective for a 2 year old. 

There are many times recently, when she noticed the use of perspectives in pictures. For example, she would ask me why the plane looks small at some instance and larger at some instances. It was the use of distance in pictures that alerted her to discrepancies in her understanding of 2D diagrams. Initially, I felt it was too premature to explain to her the use of perspectives. But after I took time to explain to her, she could understanding that it was distance from the observer that rendered an object smaller or bigger.

At the prompting of Dan [who often gives me the kick that I need], I started to search out about spatial intelligence and these inclinations of Sarah's and more so to see how I can help her to harness it to her understanding and benefit. I often eschew books and titles of the likes "How to raise gifted children" and think that pushing a child in this direction would be to his/her detriment. But for Sarah who displays these observable traits, I cannot ignore it. I thought it only responsible for me to educate myself and introduce meaningful play and activities that would harness her gifts. Some googling landed me on this introductory journal article which I found useful in understanding Spatial Intelligence for a start. It also suggest briefly some activities that would help develop this intelligence in young children. Identifying and Supporting Spatial Intelligence in Young Children. This is a good stimulus for me to continue a little exploration in this area. 

Tangential thought: This naturally brought me to explore lego as well...and I am surprised at the extent of Lego. I am excited, because our big move would find ourselves near the 1st Legoland in asia. haha...that is a big clue to where we are moving:) I think if it is in operation, I will get hold of a annual pass and head there every week with the kids:)

Back to more reading. 

Life thus far...

2010 to date has been nothing short of a year of discovery and relearning... knots of misconceptions and untruth that have been tangled and tightened over the past 3 decades are being unknotted in the midst of the weaving of a new tapestry truth and facts and knowledge. This new tapestry is what Dan and I are convinced will equip us to be responsible and honest disciples of Christ - Christians who are fully aware of the world and culture which they are placed in - to engage believers and unbelievers alike; Christians who are not excluded from reality and the world by setting up a false sense of assurance and superiority through man made rules of piety and existing comfortably in their circle of church friends. I must say, to do this, the mind is kept in a constant state of organization, storing and computing and reflecting as well as purging [a mental activity which I have become ill equipped to do over the years of blind education both spiritual and academic]. The state of mental renovation does not seem like it is going to finish anytime soon . I can say it is a year of undoing and doing...but it is all for the better, I am assured.

Well, receiving a call from Thomson Women's Cancer Centre to remind me of my next appointment made me realize how time really flies and how we are approaching the end of 2010. The year perhaps will only get busier...but again, I believe it is for the better. Dan and I and our two kids and our helper are preparing and anticipating our 'big move'. 'Big' because it is kinda like a relocation of sorts, not really [for those who are let in on our plans]. It is not just the physical move that we are excited about but the move to liberalize our time, ironically by being more discipline in our choice of activities. The liberalization of our time to:

• Educate our children in rigorous exploration and learning of the real natural world
• Retreat into solitude for the reformation of our lives, our mind and our energies through personal bible and theological studies, and academic sharpening
• To hone and harness the raw gifts and talent that God has given to us 

And just like the masterplan we had drawn up for the kids, it holds true for us - Romans 12:1-2. To prepare ourselves and present ourselves acceptable and approved unto to God - so that He can use us wherever and whenever He deems fit.

Our big move is not done without trepidation for there are many stakes involved, especially when we know not what lies ahead of us - mainly my health. But we have committed ourselves to each other and to our decision in this area. At least for the next ten years, we are resolved to disciplining ourselves towards rebuilding our foundations - family, life, church.

So here in a nutshell, is where we are as a family...we covet your prayers...

A Narrative Interpretation of John 12:1-4

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she held the little bottle of fragrant ointment close to her chest. As the sun set slowly behind her, her steps trodded heavily but resolutely back home. She could still remember the first time when she first heard His teachings and Words as she sat with thousands on the hill. The authority, the power and the love of His words have made a deep and profound impression on her heart. She could still remember the indescribable joy on the faces of those who were inflicted but miraculously healed. And how could she ever forget how He specially made time for everyone - even the little restless children. 

Time was running out and she quickened her steps beneath her. As she walked through the door, her eyes scanned the house quickly - past the people gathered there that day for a thanksgiving dinner, - past the modest but large spread of food laid on the table and there seated in the middle was her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without a word, she walked towards her Lord and went down on her knees and opened the bottle of precious ointment. The beautiful fragrance immediately enrapt the room and it did seem as if everyone in the room, held their breath. Gently, she took her Lord's feet and with her long tresses, she wiped her Lord's feet with the drops of ointment, mingled with tears unknown to the crowd.

Nothing mattered to her. Not the murmuring and disapproving audience nor the cost of the ointment. All that mattered was that Jesus would leave her soon and journey towards a death on the cross. Indeed, a reality of truth and life [and death] renders all that is vanity, vanity. 

Good Friends begat Good Friends:)

To think that I first met Jeannette when we were in Sec One and through some interesting "coincidence", we were 'partners' in the queue for 4 years straight - despite the fact that I was kinda one head taller, one mouth louder, a 3 hands messier and our differences goes on. Haha. Well, I never thought the day would arrive when we would have kids of our own, and kids of the same age and better still, kids who could play happily with one another, although we always dreamt about the possibility of it in Secondary School. Now that it is really a reality, it stills amazes and amuses me. 

Lapbook: A Pair of Red Clogs

Finally, moved on to alphabet "C" and did "A Pair of Red Clogs". It was a pretty engaging session as we looked at Japan. According to Sarah, the map of Japan resembles a slide:) We located it on the globe as well as Hong Kong because Hannah and her parents and grandparents are there too. Did a little imaginative playact with the kids bathrobes and pretended that they were kimonos. Did a simple coloring of kimonos and spent the rest of the time painting the wooden clogs with acrylic paint. Still a whole host of things to introduce for this study - Crafts, origami, introduction to Japanese Art, woodblock painting ...most of the ideas were gleaned by many others who have done this lapbook. Managed to reserve a  Big Bird goes to Japan from the NLB. Looking forward to the rest of the lessons.

[clogs painted by Sarah Tan]

It was our 8th Wedding Anniversary and 16 years since we first dated.

It was Chiao Chyi who first reminded me that it was our wedding anniversary the next day. Hahah...I can't believe it slipped my mind. I must clarify, it seems like Dan and I have been doing everything together all the time that, well... it was another ordinary special day. Kids were happily with their grandparents and Darrell while Dan and I went for a simple pomfret fish steamboat, listened to a sermon together, and headed for a meeting before heading home to play with our kiddos. As it was, an ordinary special day:)

These 8 years, I think our marriage experienced the full weight of these words in our marriage vow - In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, as long as we both shall live, till death do us part. Believe it or not, I think I had the better end of the deal even when I was the one going through the operations and the treatment. I think it is far tougher to watch your loved one experience pain than than for one to experience it personally. 

I thank God for starting us early :) - contrary to views against early dating. And I pray that for the remaining years we have for Him, that we as a family would be able to understand, appreciate and rejoice in the gospel in its entirety and believe the gospel with our lives by allowing it to pervade every theology we hold and to preach the gospel boldly to whoever He leads us to. And in our parenting, that we can train and bring up our children so that they can in turn carry on the heritage of God's good news to their families, their friends and to their world. 

The Great List of Literary Links for Toddlers [that keeps on growing]

This is a growing compilation of useful  links I go to for helping Sarah and Samuel with literacy and their love for books. 

www.starfall.com
a site that is free and where Sarah and Samuel had endless hours of fun and where Sarah mastered navigating using my mac

http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/leadingtoreading.htm 
just found this site and it looks great and fun. Wish I found it earlier, but better late than never

http://almostlibrarianat.blogspot.com/
I first stumbled onto this site as I searched for other Nancy Tafuri books. A very alive site of great children's recommendations simply because the author of the blog believes in and loves books. What I find part useful are the links to each author's site at the bottom of each entry for the books. It opens up a whole new world of extension and depth for me and eventually for the kids. 

NLB: Recommend a Book

The National Library plays a very important role in Sarah and Sam's literary masterplan. The National Library is a National treasure to me because someone up there truly believes in the power of literary and is willing to put money where their mouth is. I have stopped buying books because our library is very well stocked and also because buying books is a costly exercise as well as a space reducing one:) I only buy activity books for the kids nowadays. So what about those books that are not stocked in the library? I use this is a link to recommend a book - which simply means that if they deem the book suitable, they would purchase it and make it available at our local libraries. To date, the NLB have brought in Trebellina [DVD], Lost and Found [DVD], Mudpies to Magnets and Seasons of a Mother's Heart by Sally Clarkson for me. More to come - A Day with  No Crayons will be a next recommendation for me. 

If I had all the time and money in the world

Haha...sounds like one of those dreamy and indulgent questions. Well, on the contrary, it was one of the questions in the work manifesto that I did in June Camp.

Q: If I had all the time and the money in the world, I would...

This question initially stumped me and it drew a blank. I asked Daniel why it drew a blank and he answered, because you have not discovered your purpose in life and what you are really meant to do. That got me really thinking hard. For the years of teaching I did and the awards I won, I really did not live life with a zest. Phew. That reality blew my mind. That 4 days of learning about Work and how it matters to God did a great deal in me searching out my purpose in life. And as I relooked that question after those few days, the question made so much sense to me. It simply means, if there were no restrictions, obligations or constrains in your life, what would you be found doing. Suddenly I felt that the list could not end. But I am relief and so thankful. I thank God for helping me recover my zest in life. So even if none on the list would ever happen, here it is.

A: If I had all the time and money in the world, I would: 

1) Return back to university [Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge if they would accept me on compassionate grounds:)] and get a good, solid liberal arts degree

2) Return back to university [Harvard, Oxford and Cambridge if they would accept me on persistent grounds:))] to get a theological degree

2) Get myself an internship with Jamie Oliver and learn how to whip up healthy luxurious meals for my family, an hopefully write a cookbook and receive royalties for the rest of my life. hahah

3) Master adobe photoshop and other useful design software. 

4) Go to the states and sign up for an upholstery course. Then return back to Singapore and refurbish those wonderful looking retro chairs. 

5) Employ a top notch carpenter to make all those wonderful sofas and wing chairs for every nook and corner of our house. 

6) Yes, I would oblige Daniel and follow him as he takes our family and sail around the world. 

Another liberating exercise, I must say.

Seminal Entry: Education with Sarah and Samuel

[As I write this entry, I am putting my discoveries and thoughts into words about what I am convinced education is and I would categorize this as a seminal entry]

I am asked this question quite a lot by neighbours, friends, aquaintances...especially when they see my kids running around during hours when most children should be in school. Daniel and I have discussed about this quite a bit, I have read much about it, reasoned it much in my mind and prayed and asked the Lord what my role is to my children.

One conclusion we came to as parents of Sarah and Samuel - is that we need to take up full responsibility for drawing up the masterplan for their education. I believe this is a responsibility that we can delegate to no one else but ourselves. But it is a humble calling because of its  grave and lifelong consequences. It took a while for me to come to this conclusion as I read around homeschooling, its methods, parents' review and all....It was confusing because for all the information it offers, it was still a microscopic treatment of education. Methods, books and authors will not make sense if there is no bird's eye view of where one is heading in life. And that is inextricably linked to how one would eventually be effective for the Lord wherever He deems to place that individual.

Ironically, living in our modern and fast paced society has created sloths out of us rather than efficient creatures. Though cleverly 'knighted' as multi-taskers, we have expediently move from one task to another, one item on our checklist to another, and one phase in life to another without pausing to think, reflect and question our very existence. Our pace of life has rendered our minds lazy and invalid. Age has dictated that our toddlers head to nursery and kindergarten. Local policies have dictated that our children study a particular subject over another. Economic shifts have shortlisted job options and paved careers for our teenagers. In essence, we have allowed the world to draw up the masterplan for our education. Our society has usurped the role of parents and children to think on their behalf. Consider it not strange why many a young adult eventually emerges out of their academic shell only to confront a working world which they are ill equipped to face and handle confidently. Because for the longest time [at least for the past 18 years], they knew not what education was and thus they never knew where they were heading with it. They have been toddling along from nursery, to kindergarten, to primary, to secondary, to JC if not poly and eventually to University local or overseas and would continue to do so until they confront the unforgiving working world. Looking back, I feel like smacking myself on the forehead for ignoring the desperate pleas of teenagers [me included] -  "I don't know what I am going to work as". But of course - they and their parents never knew what education was all about - except for securing a good job in the future. I have been there and I am still reeling from the effects of a mindless education.

To even begin drawing up this masterplan requires one to begin to make sense of this world and how Christians are to live in this world.  For that part, Daddy Daniel is best equipped to do so. I really thank God for Daniel because God has gifted him with a powerful mind and given him a heart to give of his mind to his family and his church. I literally sit at his feet on this. I must say, understanding and drawing up a masterplan on the contrary has given me liberty and freed me  - It has given me liberty to explore all options as well as freed me to try my kids out for different training of skills.

As we reviewed our own learning processes and skills and eventually looking at how one can be of use to the Lord, we realize the earlier we train our kids in the rudiments, the more painless it is for them to pick up a useful skill. I so often enjoy listening to a musician who is so enrapt in a free expression of his skill. The ease with which he handles the instrument to me is enviable. But very often, it belies the truth that this wonderful fruit that he and his listeners enjoy comes from many years of hard rigor and discipline. We so often only covet the fruit but eschew all forms of pruning that precludes that blossoming. The greatest gift I think I can do for Sarah and Samuel is to offer them opportunities to go through the rigor in areas which they are most inclined to when they are young so that they can thoroughly enjoy the blossoming of those hard work in their young adult years [for themselves, for their families and for God].

First stage of education
Reading & Writing
1) to train Sarah and Samuel to read and eventually to write. Even in this first stage, it involves many things, learning the alphabets, phonics, putting alphabets together and getting use to seeing these individual words come together in a sentence. That is quite a bit of skill that requires consistency and creativity. Where do we hope to bring them to in this? Not literacy for literacy sake. Surely, we train our children to read and write for a reason. Dan and I believe that this rigour is essential because it will free them to read and enjoy books and begin their young minds in a world of literary creativity and more importantly, we hope to engage them in meaningful discussions and conversations about their world. It will mark the start of an expansion of the mind and its renewing thereof.

For that reason, I am slowly but surely continuing Sarah and Samuel in their exploration of phonetic combinations and exposure to words. In this area, I willingly take up the role of their educator for various reasons [another entry at another time].

2) Exposure to languages
In drawing up of the masterplan, I cannot be ignorant of a wealth of historical evidence that points to the ease of language acquisition among children. And more so when Sarah indicates that she wants to learn, "Xie Xie", her euphemism for Mandarin. That sent me on an intense search a month ago for a suitable Mandarin class for Sarah. It would be great if I spoke Mandarin freely at home. Well, I don't. So, I searched for a class. I found one that met several simple pragmatic criteria  - proximity, timing and positive reviews. I am glad that she is enjoying it much.

And a firm NO , I am not sending Sarah to Mandarin Classes so that she could adapt easily to Primary School where they introduce Mandarin. That to me is a flawed goal for education and a case of enthusiasm gone wrong. On that note, there are no rewards for guessing my response to the surge in the enrollment in tuition centres that prepare primary one students for exams.

3) Music and Arts 
Music and the arts is a very interesting area of study as it reveals to us much about humanity and his tendencies, his advancement, his response to God or lack thereof. This a greatly neglected area in my life and I think I am only at the tip of an iceberg of discovery in this area. For the kids, its not just the exposure to instruments that I hope to give to them but to allow them to see where in history does music and art feature.

I recently explored this area actively, because of Sarah's inclination for the instrument. Samuel says he wants to play the violin. Haha. But even so, things were complex. Many classes for Sarah's age group are exposure in nature. Tickling of the ivories, rhythm and beat etc. I felt that Sarah was kinda beyond because she is naturally gifted in rhythm and beat from a young age and she enjoys composing her own songs and she often goes to the piano and hits the notes whilst singing. You can call it a mother's instinct and insistence, but I think Sarah has a gift in this area. And again, mommy is not well equipped in this area so she went alooking for a suitable trainer for Sarah. This first piano teacher we tried out scared her. Haha...I am still exploring options in this area.

4) God's Word
Currently, Sarah and Samuel are learning God's truth through BSF kids and Sunday School. I hope to consistently teach them some simple catechism and verses alongside our prayer time and lapbook time.

5) Physical
Sarah's physical dexterity has started me on a search for a suitable rhythmic gym class. Her hula hoop skills and her own version of cartwheels and jumps have impressed us. Eventually, in their teens, we hope to give them opportunities for sailing and piloting. When we ask who wants to learn how to pilot a plane, Sammy yells, "Me". Guess what Sarah says? "I want to be an air stewardess." Haha...


What does Homeschooling mean to me?
I believe Homeschooling is much misunderstood, in spite of the sincerest of efforts. It is really not a parent [or both parents] taking on the full load of a child's education or to eschew all forms of external schooling. This misinformed restriction will only result in unnecessary stressful obligations, strained relationships and naturally a burnout in no time. Holding this definition and claiming that all parents should homeschool their children would be to put to shame the graces that God has given and place unnecessary guilt on struggling and dysfunctional families.

I believe Home Education is when parents to take full responsibility in drawing up a masterplan and charting out their children's goal and destination of education and not subjecting their children to the society's goal of education. For that, I believe that all parents can and must be involved in Home Education. Parents need to engage their minds in this area. Where time and energies and resources permit, parents can take up this teaching personally. And when resources are limited, we need to feel free to engage the help of organizations that offer effective teaching in the relevant areas. Having said this, I am prepared to embrace any forms of external schooling and leverage on the existing scaffolding only if it fits into our masterplan for our kids. And in areas where it run contrary to our goals,  I would take on their training myself with gusto and a huge dose of grace!

Understanding this, I hope to bring Sarah and Samuel to this end [Romans 12:1-2]:

That through our parenthood and our God-given responsibility, we can with the mercies and grace of God, present our children as worthy instruments to Him [as a form of worship] through 

• Bodies prepared [equipped through physical or skill training]
• Minds that are renewed and transformed [through the teaching & training of God's word]
• Minds that can engage and discern [through teaching and training of the disciplines of this world and its philosophies]

Having said all this, we pray that God would give all of us life to fulfill our role in this area and that in His grace and mercy would bring our kids to a true and saving knowledge of Him. 

 - Writing this took a couple of hours 
but it has been a most liberating exercise - 

Sarah goes for Mandarin Speech & Drama Class

Sarah is into her 3rd session by this week and she loves every minute of it - the teaching, the art and craft, the song and dance, the shirt, the bag and the supper [old changkee fishball] that comes after that. 

During our very first session, she was disapproving of me sending her to class. She bathed and ate her dinner well but she reminded me, "Mommy, I don't want to go." Silently resolute, I was determined to bring her:) So we decided to take the mrt for the 'thrill' factor'. As we had to arrive at class at 7:15 for the first session, Sarah did a mighty sprint from our house towards the mrt. It was a long run but she did remarkably well - leaving me catching my breath most of the time. The train was crowded with many eager to return to their home cooked dinner. Within 10 mins, we have arrived at our destination. Sarah reminds me again as we approached the door of her Mandarin Centre, "Mommy, I don't want to go." 

As she stepped into the place and saw other young tots, the kitchen set and coloring materials, suddenly, she adapted like a fish released into the water and soon, she was playing alone, without mommy. 

For the next 1.5 hours, she was ushered from the teaching area, to the art and craft area and lastly to the dance studio. By the end of the session, Sarah was ready to go for her second session. 

I was glad that turned out real well...now Tues Evenings to her Mandarin Class is a fixture that Sarah looks forward to...and even Didi Sammy. 

I love this picture of my little girl going to class.

So Precious

I would never have guessed how a little 3 year old would have a heart so full of love, a body so full of life and legs so full of energy and how she would so fill my heart and life. I count myself very very blessed to be given Sarah to take charge of. So blessed... that the thought of Sarah in pain would tear me apart and the thought of Sarah not being with me would crush me entirely. Sigh...I speak here so uninhibitedly because I simply cannot say it any other way. So, I just pray and ask God for His grace and mercy that He would grant me and our family with many many years with Sarah. 

It has been ages

It seems like it has been a long time since I have blogged...so long...because there are so many lessons that I have learnt, so many thoughts that I had and so many beautiful moments that I remembered. Time seemed more prolonged because I am experiencing some problems with my flicker after creating one for Sarah's art pieces. Well, I hope to sort these out slowly....

Understanding Work and Exploring Education

Since the return from London, our family has been kept very busy. In thoughts, in resolution, in understanding how we as Christians are to live in the world which God placed us in. June Camp provided me a precious opportunity to work out my own personal manifesto of work. The process itself was revelatory. And at the end of the week, I was impassioned with what I needed to do with the life that God gave. And in doing so, work out my priorities in life as well as consider more concretely, what my secular education as well as spiritual education has "undone" me for.

Believe it or not, we were almost ready to uproot ourselves from our four wall flat to an open area where the children could explore and run freely. That is another story at another time. Well, although that eventually didn't work out [much to my disappointment] but it hasn't really squelch our resolve to live our life as we ought to. 

One of the more significant manifestations of the manifesto has been to relook at School of Tots. We had so much fun and the kids all learnt much. But, as I grew to understand my physical limitations all over again and my priorities and my focus, it seems like for the time being, School of Tots will take a long recess. And like all forms of recess, I think it is time to undertake some reform until we are all ready to take it up again and perhaps relaunch with new vision and goals to support our children's education for the long term as well as financially.

But in the meantime, Sarah and Sammy is walking along their journey of learning.

A note on learning the Alphabet - The kids have been learning their alphabet through various sources. For one, thanks to Auntie CC, Leapfrog Letter Factory has made learning phonetic sounds a painless and fun process. I think the kids mastered the sounds after a quick 2 weeks. This phonetic learning is reinforced very effectively with www.starfall.com. This is an interactive and free resource I stumbled upon searching for resources that teach kids how to learn to read. The kids enjoy their computer time with this site and I try to schedule computer times during the waiting times, such as in between baths and in between bedtimes. Besides phonics, sight words are also important. For that, I use Peter and Jane as well as suggestions from "The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading" and Meet the Sight Words DVD from the National Library Board. Sammy was able to read the words "my", "to" and "go" unassisted much to my astonishment. As for Sarah, she was able to figure out "pat", "fat", rat", "hat" and "mat". But of course, this was done with continuous practice. And for the past few nights, Sarah has been trying to read Peter and Jane 1A and 1B on her own. I do look forward to the day, when the kids can read independently because that would mark the start of their own learning.

Lapbook and the Letter B: Blueberries for Sal

In the meantime, I have started Sarah and Sammy on some lapbook and unit studies [in the loose sense of the word]. We call it Lapbook Time and they like the opening song cos they get to be whirled around, and I become dizzy after whirling them around. I decided to continue with the use of award winning children's literature, and we have moved on to "B" - Blueberries for Sal. The book is readily available in our National Library and there are plenty of free resources from the net. I will post some links soon. My most useful craft material are adhesive felt sheets from Daiso. So for this book, I concentrated on counting from 1-5, number recognition and the letter "B". Along the way, we looked at the life cycle of a bear [triggered off by hibernation] and we did a blue and letter B collage for the front cover of our lapbook. It's still pretty art and craft at this stage and I hope to move on to engaging the kids in some simple discussion. I am convinced that learning is not rote but understanding, questioning, clarification and engaging one's mind.  At the least, Sarah could engage me in a very simple discussion on hibernation.

The Letter C - Corduroy

The next book we looked at was "Corduroy". We looked at the letter C and it was good to continue with the bear theme. Only this time, we played "toy shop". Sarah was given 5 coins which she had to use to buy toys. Flashcards of numbers 1-5 were used to connect her sight and sounds of numbers. At the end of our 15 mins of play, I must say, she was pretty competent in numbers 1-5.

A Study of Africa
This week, inspired by the free concert of Watoto Children's choir at Trinity Christian Centre, we looked at a study of Africa. The continent of Africa is made up of many countries and Uganda, where the choir came from was one of them. It was an educational study because we learnt that there are many kinds of children that God created and He loves every child. Sarah and Sammy learnt how to make the flag of Uganda, they learnt how the map of Africa looks like and they stuck safari animal stickers onto their brown felt strips of dessert. The climax of the choir concert was a very enjoyable one. The children literally turned their praise and worship session into a song and dance concert. God's word "I will never leave you nor forsake you" was an anthem of hope and life for the kids, many whom were orphaned by HIV. At the end of the concert, sammy was moving to the beat and so was Hannah.

Here are some good books that were picked out at the NLB that I found particularly engaging because it made use of a narrative as well as shapes and alphabet to introduce the kids to a new foreign culture. 

Special Note: Lest any young mothers are getting stressed over my posts, take heart because these posts are not meant to do that. During my lapbook sessions which I have with Sarah and Sammy, it's always intersperse with Sammy running off and trying to dig out his cars or lego, Sarah saying she is tired or some other distractions. It is definitely challenging but those bursts of learning and sparks of ingenuity that they emit unexpectedly have kept me keeping on. 

On a lighter note, our usual Friday trip out was thwarted by the heavy rains in the morning last week. So, at the prompting of Sarah, we went  out to play with the puddles. A new dimension was added to their puddle fun - Toad Hunt. The croaks by the bullfrogs were unmistakable that morning. So, decked in their raincoats from Lyme Regis and wellingtons, they went on a Toad Hunt. And I think we all secretly pleased that we didn't see any jumping out into our faces, although we heard a few really loud toads.

More of London

Sarah still talks about London and how she wants all of her extended family to go with her. Well,perhaps we would head there again...It was truly a great trip and here are some reasons why we all love London.

Of course, we did the touristy things and visited the National Gallery, the Science Museum, Trafalgar Square, Bath, Stonehenge etc. But our holiday only begun when we travelled down South and we visited quaint little towns, devoid of tourists in the South. Mevagissey was special with all its unique bric-a-brac. 

Bosinver was our base as we explored the South. It was an award winning farm stay that had everything to make a family holiday relaxing for the parents and fun for the kids. A playroom that never closes, animal feeding and huge pasture and many climbing structures. www.bosinver.co.uk

We drove to Plymouth to visit the site where the Pilgrims set forth on the Mayflower towards America. It was a surprisingly beautiful and developed place that held much historical significance in the development of Christianity. 

A stopover at Jamie Oliver's Fifteen on Mother's Day was refreshing. The restaurant overlooked Newquay beach and it was a lovely and comfortable place to dine. 

We had a chance to visit Dan's Auntie at Mapperton and her garden was teeming with many wild bluebells.

Sarah playing dress up at the Museum.

The magical part of our trip has got to our stay at Lyme Regis. I have never heard of Lyme Regis before this trip and we only went there because a beautiful beach fronting apartment was available due to a last minute cancellation at half the price:) It turned out to be the coolest place on our itinerary - magical, I would say. It was inspirational to know that Jane Austen and Thomas Hardy travelled to Lyme Regis to get inspiration to write their novels. It was thrilling to hear names like Sir David Attenborough [ I was a documentary fan] because Lyme Regis is well known as a fossil site. For the kids, seeing the endless beach was a welcoming site for them and they hit the beach in their winter wear at least thrice a day. Everyone had a whale of a time, eating ice cream, rockpooling, visiting the award winning museum and our climax there has got to the the 2.5 hour fossil walk where we met unassuming geologist Paddy Howe. I didn't realize that he is quite a big name in paleontology till I googled him back in Singapore. The kids had a great time with teacher Paddy, especially Sarah. 

Orphanage at Ashley Down

As we moved to Webbington (our final stop in the South), we went in search of people who were instrumental in shaping the history of Christianity. We drove to Bristol and tracked down George Muller's Orphanage at Ashley Down. The building was already an integral part of the architecture there and it has been converted into a university. We were glad to see the building. We headed the next day to George Muller's House. Daniel wrote in to the person in charge and he was kind to take us around the house. 

Next day, we headed to the heart of Bristol to visit the world's oldest Wesley Chapel. These sights left us with much thought about the perservance of the saints and God who brought all these to past. 

Our trip ended with a drive to South Wales where we saw the ruins of Tintern Abbey. I never thought much of ruins but being confronted with Tintern Abbey, I was awestruck. The place was so serene and peaceful and the air was filled with floating dandelions. I have perhaps used the word beautiful many times in my description of UK..but it is indeed beautiful. I love the overexposed shots of Sarah blowing the dandelions:)

As we bid farewell to South London and headed back to London, we drove through Cheddar Gorge at Mendip Hills. It was a deliberate drive because Cheddar Gorge was legended to be the inspiration for the hymn "Rock of Ages". As we drove through the towering Gorge, Daniel blasted "Rock of Ages" in the car. I enjoyed that drive very much, especially since Rock of Ages is one of our favorite hymn. 

We left London with much to remember and reflect. Truly our God has been faithful in this great nation!