The ONG family Homeschool

Dealing with Death from a Christian Parenting Perspective

It has been an eventful week for the whole clan. My hubby's father succumbed to pancreatic cancer and went home to be with the Lord exactly one week ago on the 23rd of March. It was a "thief on the cross" type conversion. His whole life, he believed in himself and refused to consider Christ. But by the mercy of God giving him two months to consider his mortality (from the initial diagnosis of cancer and a following multiple stroke, thank God, he was still responsive and able to understand the Bible's plan of salvation) he repented of his sin and received the gift of salvation!

God's promise that salvation is of grace and not of works at all (not even baptism or doing good deeds). Like the Thief who was crucified on next to Jesus, my FIL could not do any good work to earn his salvation but receive God's grace and thereafter enjoy the blessings of heaven. So much to be thankful to God for. His mercy reaches to even people who rejected Him all their lives. If only they will humble themselves and repent of their sins.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)  ⁹The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(*he promise referring to God's impending judgment by fire upon the earth.)

My father in law was blessed to have been surrounded by his loved ones at his side when he took his final breath. His wife, his children, his grandchildren (my children). I do wonder who will be with me when I go?

Yes, my children and I were right there witnessing grandfather's passing. It was the first time I ever witnessed a death. And of course, it was my children's first time too.

I do know that many parents shield their children from this kind of things. Many, I believe, do not know how to approach the subject of death and dying. Thankfully, the bible has answers and we teach these to our children as a matter of conversation or when the topic arises during bible time or other teaching moments- not only when someone is very ill or facing death.

The Bible tells us of heaven and hell and judgment after death.

Hebrews 9:27 King James Version (KJV) ²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

The bible tells us that the dead in Christ are asleep, waiting for the day that Christ will return to catch the body to meet with the soul in the air. The bible tells us all who are in Christ will be then given a new resurrected body that is free from sin, disease, dysfunction, pain and death.

1 Thessalonians 4 King James Version (KJV) ¹³But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

 ¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.¹⁵For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Indeed, what a comfort!These words are a comfort even to children and as parents, we need to be diligent to teach this to our children to prepare them for times when they will encounter death. With God's word to anchor their understanding, there is no morbid fear of death. How blessed are children who are taught the Word of God!

My five children all grieved over the death of their grandfather differently and in varying degrees, given their ages, different characters, and level of understanding. The more "stoic" one wept silently, while the more tender hearted one bawled. My 7 yr old was unmoved at the death bed but at the final burial, he cried quite sadly. Maybe through the days of the funeral, he came to understand more.

My youngest almost 3 yrs old, provided the comic relief, commenting quite happily "Ye Ye Die already!!" We had to laugh even with the tears still fresh on our faces. As we gazed at Ye Ye's body in repose, I told her Ye ye was sleeping and we will say Goodnight to him. In the morning, she still prayed as usual for Ye Ye to get well. :)

But through it all, I'm thankful that my children could make the time to be there for something as important as this (and not at school or something, unlike their cousins who had to be in school) and that we their parents could be there to walk them through the process and comfort them, hugging them, praying with them. Indeed, they are a comfort to us too, especially for my hubby.

I'll end this post with the words of the great Hymn writer, Fanny Crosby: Safe in the Arms of Jesus

1. Safe in the arms of Jesus,
     Safe on His gentle breast,
   There by His love o'ershaded,
     Sweetly my soul doth rest.
   Hark! 'tis a song of heaven
     Borne in the sweetest voice,
   Echoed by saints in spirit,
     Making my heart rejoice.
   • Safe in the arms of Jesus,
       Safe on His gentle breast,
     There by His love o'ershaded,
         Sweetly my soul doth rest.
2. Safe in the arms of Jesus,
     Safe from corroding care,
   Safe from the world's temptations,
     Sin cannot harm me there.
   Free from the blight of sorrow,
     Free from my doubts and fears;
   Only a few more trials,
     Only a few more tears.
3. Jesus, my heart's dear Refuge,
     Jesus has died for me;
   Firm on the Rock of Ages
     Ever my trust shall be.
   Here let me wait with patience,
     Wait till the night is o'er,
   Wait till I see the morning
     Break on the golden shore.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/679#ixzz1qaDsxF51

 

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On a separate note, it was interesting to me that so many christians in Singapore choose cremation over burial. According to the casket people, only 3 in 100 choose burial.

Just some food for thought: on most (even all?) occasions when the bible mentions fire, is it to do with God's judgment or God's blessing? How were the bodies of the patriarchs like Abraham, Jacob, Joseph taken care of? Even Jesus after crucifixion? 

 Sadlly, even in this area, christians have succumbed to societal practices, not understanding the will of God. 

 

 

Letters from Readers: Homeschooling beyond PSLE, feelings of inadequacy, and are some children more disposed to the homeschooling setting than others?

Wow... I've all too quickly come to the last week of my second trimester! I shall miss you, second trimester.... First trimester is always about hormonal adjustments, third trimester is plain heavy, hot and achey. The backache already started a little last night after spending time in the kitchen cooking dinner, and that reminded me: third trimester is here.... horrors....

 Well, since the first 6 months have zipped by so quickly, I do earnestly pray that the last three will zoom by as quickly. :))

Funny thing, our Beijing chinese lao shi asked me the other day why I was sprouting so many pimples. I said must be all the chilli I've been eating. I bought a bag of chilli padi and have been eating it with my lunches. Then she said the Chinese have a saying that with boy pregnancies mothers like to eat sour and with girl pregnancies- spicy hot! haha... they were right (in this case.)

 

So anyway, lately, I've been getting several emails from folks who want to find out more about homeschooling, or they just want to talk to someone who is homeschooling. I'm publishing one such exchange (with permission from the asker) for other's benefit. This asker and her husband are praying for the Lord's will concerning their children who haven't gone to primary 1 yet. Maybe there are other folks out there who have similar questions and doubts. These answers from me are, of course, purely my opinion and are based on my experience thus far, so take it or leave it. :) But I do hope it will be helpful to you, dear reader.

 And thank you for writing me, J! :D

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 First, what are your thoughts on higher education? We were just thinking if we homeschool through primary school, what's going to happen after that? Unlike the US where there are plenty of options and more people homeschooling, I'm not sure about our local scene. Can we homeschool through secondary level? But that would be like 9 subjects, and I don't think we can handle that (horrifying thought!) Or what happens after that? Polytechnic probably? Is JC still an option? I do recognize that God makes every child different with different gifts, but I would like to know more about the options available.

 

Ans 1)  With homeschooling, the options for secondary school and beyond are wide open. Yes, JC is still in the cards for a homeschooler, poly too...... In fact, you don't have to think of how you are going to teach 9 subjects like the schools do. Your child doesn't need an O levels to enter university. (That's why the "through train" students in some schools skip O levels altogether and go straight to A levels in 6 years.)

You could use the homeschool curriculum certification and perhaps add an SAT or some other recognized certificate to apply for the institution of higher learning of your choice. For instance, there are ACE students in Singapore who have been admitted to certain faculties in NTU and the polys. And not just ACE of course. (I personally know such young ex-homeschoolers, btw.)

This is my take:
The beauty of homeschooling through the pre-college years is that you get to draw out the path together with your child, with God's guidance. Indeed, it is not a cookie cutter path that is predetermined by the school which just kinda pushes you on to the next level and the next, but it is a highly individualized, tailor-made education with an end goal in mind.

What I'm saying is that, for us as homeschooling parents who love our children and are so in tune with our children's talents, strengths and weaknesses, pray for God's will for the child's life work, and then chart out an education path to get them to that goal.

Like if you know your child is inclined to maths and engineering, you would want to help your child get all the prerequisite certification in order for him or her to enter in a course to get the relevant degree.

Sure, it sounds "if-fy". It is hard to know from the start what the child is inclined to do, or God's specific will. This is faith and trust and holding God's hand through the journey of growing the child God has given you. It is a way of choosing your child's education with God's will in the centre of it. Not just going with the tide of society and economic needs, or even what stream or class your child lands up in in Secondary School!!

Then there are also the arguments for homeschooling your child through the teen years. The teen years are the best years to really bring to fruition all the training you have been doing in the childhood years. Letting them go to be trained by peers and other folks who do not share your convictions is really such a waste of effort when you could be using the teen years to really dig deeper and bring out the best of character training.

For us, we are sharpening our arrows for the Masters use, where-ever that may be!

 

 

Second, do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy? I must confess I am not as patient as I ought to be :( And I find myself shouting at my children at times, and have to seek forgiveness. I get tired quite easily too, and at times wish that I could accomplish more. I suppose homeschooling parents would have to actively seek out opportunities for their children to make friends, or join some external activities or some field trips. Will that be overwhelming, on top of academia and the normal running of the house?

 

Ans 2) Do I struggle with feelings of inadequacy? lol, constantly! (just read a couple of posts down and you will see, I mention it ALL the time.) Yes, I loose my temper too often and yes, I do have to ask my children for forgiveness. Nobody steps into this parenting job with all the answers and with a perfect record. I take it as myself learning together with my children at the feet of Jesus. I am learning about my sinful self and how I do need my Saviour to cleanse me and help me parent, not in the flesh, but depending on the Holy Spirit.

Field Trips and seeking out friends... yes, we do that. Mostly it is the ready community of brethren at church that our children play with. And then, there is quite a sizeable and active community of homeschoolers in Singapore and there's so much going on with these folks. Parent initiated activities, learning groups, Science days, geography days, history days, Sport's Day, museum trips, Open houses, etc etc....

As homeschoolers, we have the flexibility to work our daily schedules around field trips. Call a holiday when it's a birthday or something. :) It's only overwhelming if you are trying to accomplish too much. But if you can let the school work rest for a day, catch up on another day, it is really meaningful for the children to learn outside of the desk and books.

 

Third, I have heard of stories where homeschooled children grow up, not appreciating the parents' decision to homeschool them :(  That would be very sad. Have you encountered this, or what do you think could have caused this to happen? I have heard someone said before that children with certain characters are not very suitable to be homeschooled. For instance, children who are very outgoing, sociable, and love to make friends may find it stifling to be at home mostly (unless the family has many children). Do you think this is true?

 

Ans 3) Yes, I have heard of these accounts as well. Why not ask how many children who are sent to school end up rebelling against, ostracizing and disrespecting their parents? :)
 
Bottom line is, homeschooling can be seen as merely a vehicle of transferring family culture to the next generation, the academic part being a "by-the-way" thing.  Parents can be successful or unsuccessful in doing that.

For us, it is the biblical injuction to train up our children in the way they should go: according to the Bible, this responsibility is given primarily to the parents. So that's why we do it with confidence.

Having said that, I do recognize that not all families are suitable to take the homeschooling path. I've come across many parents who think homeschooling is a great idea but who are at the same time fearful, and not confident, (and are content to stay that way). And then there are some kids who need to be exposed to social interaction situations so they know how to respond (like kids who are autistic.) Pulling a child out of school, when the child has become very happy with being surrounded by peers day in and day out, might be one of the difficulties parents may face, But by and large, I believe the success of homeschooling rises and falls on the parents, not the temperament of the child.

There is an excellent book about this subject matter by Michael Pearl, it's called Jumping Ship. (See right hand column of the blog, it's there.) His observation is that parental hypocracy is the biggest reason why Christian homeschooling families do not produce offspring who keep the faith.

To buy Jumping Ship (and lots of other excellent Christian parenting and homeschooling books) in Singapore, please go to beiandkai.com

Blessings!

Suwei

A Mother's Joy

So happy I just have to share. :)

Last night, one of the boys (boys being boys) was being mischievous, hid in the dark to scare both his sisters. He was very successful, too successful in fact because even after he was reprimanded and he apologized to baby (2 and a half yrs), she was still quite affected.

I tried to get her lie down to sleep but she came crying to me and to my pleasant surprise, she asked me to pray for her. How glad my heart was to know that my little girl has learned to turn to God in prayer when she is afraid!

I carried her out to the dark place and talked to her about the dark. Then we prayed, I asked God to protect her and help her to sleep. And she was assured enough to lie down by herself and fall asleep.

Next morning, when I recounted what happened the night before, my older girl revealed that there was another time that baby was afraid of the dark and so she taught her little sister to pray and prayed with her. :) I just knew it was one of the older siblings who was behind this! Of course, I thanked my older girl for teaching her lil sister good things!

I'm so glad that the children are at a stage whereby they can encourage each other to turn to God and walk with God. More of these blessings, Lord! :)

These crazy, hectic, happy days

Ecclesiastes 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

All too quickly we have reached the end of January. The time is really flying by because the days are so filled to the brim with activity. Activity or no, I do find time to zzzz in the middle of the day. lol

I found myself musing to my hubby one evening about our school time. You know, it's not that they each demand attention constantly. But five children each needing a little attention really makes it quite a non-stop kind of morning. I'm monitoring working done, answering questions, listening to someone reading, helping with P6 maths questions, speaking in Chinese, speaking in English, this (tying lil girl's hair into two pony tails), that (going to hang the laundry with my little helpers), everything else in between... It's really crazy at times, like when I have three or four children talking to me or some other at the same time. I had to scream "QUIET!!!!!!!!" if not I would have gone mad.

But you know, at the end of the day, I feel so accomplished that we have worked hard and done many things good. I always remember that God created work for Adam even before the fall in the garden of Eden because God knows that work makes Man happy and fulfilled. Notice how people who are not empoyed in a meaningful task from day to day become cranky, disheartened, grumpy, sick etc. etc. 

And I rejoice at the energy and ability to be up and about and doing things with the ones I love. I have ever spent weeks lying on the bed, sick, and that has taught me to cherish good health and the ability to serve my family. Really. So even if it gets crazily busy, I'm thankful.

Preparing for PSLE

Yes, no. 1 is preparing for PSLE. We are still at the revising the content stage for Science. Lo and behold, we come to the topic of human s-xual reproduction. Wow. I learned that in sec 3 for biology. Our kids need to know this at primary 6?

You know, I do regret that we have had to put our Christian curriculum on hold for more than six months now in order to prepare for the PSLE. But, there's nothing stopping me from injecting God's word and a biblical worldview into what my son is learning with his PSLE stuff.

It's not so hard talking about s-x with my 12 year old when armed with God's word. It's really not. :) I had the joy of telling him that God intended for s-x to be the most intense and beautiful feeling that is shared between a man and a woman, only to be experienced within the context of marriage, one man, one woman for life. It was Satan who corrupted it and debased what was intended to be holy and sanctified by God. 

It was so good to be the one to talk to my son that morning about this topic through testing him his PSLE science! :) (Hubby talks to him too.)

We are struggling with Chinese but we have not thrown in the towel. :)

Maths, he quite enjoys. I have prepared so many exam questions and past year papers... I have no idea if we will get through even three quarters of the stack. Urgh.

English, I am glad to say, we are going to officially start working on Composition writing this week. :D

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No. 2 is keeping up with the usual ACE and singapore math, Chinese quota.

No. 3 as well.

No. 4 is becoming a more proficient reader with the help of ACE.

No. 5 is enjoying picture books, iPad, and scribbling. And being distracting. :)

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Meeting up with blog friends from across the globe!

I posted this on the Facebook site recently:

Been so blessed by the friends I've made through this humble lil' blog! Really, I have been soooo blessed. If I were to count my blessings, I'm sure I couldn't stop. Thank You Lord for showering Your blessings to me and my family through these dear folks. ♥

 

 Chinese New Year brings so many of our people (Singaporeans) back from far flung corners of the world where they have chosen to reside... the number of people on this tiny little island swells in these festive months, what with their kids in tow....

My family and I had such a wonderful time meeting up with this dear blog friend and catching up with her lovely children. She speaks Mandarin to them even though they live in an English speaking country and both the parents are fluent English speakers. I was so impressed that the little one's vocubulary was so wide! It really spurred me to speak more to my children. (But my vocabulary is very very limited. :p )

I also received a bottle honey among other stuff all the way from NZ from another blog friend who is back for CNY.

I really felt to blessed.

January birthdays Part 2

My girl turns TEN!!! wow... where did the years fly???

So wonderful to see her grow and develop and especially being her mama to guide her into young womanhood. Sigh. <3

She is very different from her kor kor. (They are ALL different and unique, actually...) It affects the way we parent her and communicate with her. She has been such a blessing, especially her diligence and her caring for her little sister. And of course, just for being her, she is a blessing already. :)

Chinese New Year!!

The lil ones were so cute. They went digging around their toys to find all the animals of the Chinese zodiac. (Disclaimer: we do not believe our fates are governed by the stars but the kids know the zodiac as a matter of cultural knowledge.)

They managed to find just every animal but they had to substitute the Dragon with a Stagosaurus. LOL!!!

They are so cute.

Happy New Year and may it be a fruitful one in the Lord! :))

 

 

 

Date Night, Christmas Cookies and some lessons in letting go...

No. 1 (almost 12 yrs) is starting to exercise his culinary skills in the kitchen this holidays. He has expressed his interest in cooking since young (See this post when he was 9 yrs old!) and this year or so has been cooking his own simple meals like instant noodles and stuff. For one thing, he has grown tall enough to handle being at the stove safely. And he has grown strong enough to carry heavy pots and use a kitchen knife. In fact, he has replaced his papa as my jar opener guy. Handy!! :))

Date Night

Last week, after church camp, hubby and I decided to begin our new resolution to go out on a "date night", just the two of us. We just celebrated our 13th wedding aniversary and I realized that for 13 years, we only went out alone on our birthdays and our anniversary! And since those all fall between dec and march, that leaves 8 months of the year dateless.... Thankfully, we do communicate well (talk talk talk especially when the children have gone to sleep) so our marriage, by God's grace, has remained very strong. Nonetheless, we can always improve, hence, Date Night.

We are so glad that no. 1 is supportive of us going out without them. Because he would be left in charge so we really need his help. He even was happy to accept the job of cooking dinner! Last week, he did roast chicken. Indeed, an almost 12 yr old doing roast chicken. Hubby met an accuquaintance when we were out without the kids and he told her that the children were all at home eating kor kor's Roast Chicken. She thought everything was pre-prepared and all he has to do was turn on the oven.

Oh no. Kor kor did everything. He prepared the chicken which included chopping off the legs, head and erm.. bishop's nose. (No offense to any bishops reading this... haha) After that bit, he sat down and felt very accomplished already haha.. He chose what he wanted to put as the marinade. The next day, he peeled the potatoes and threw in garlic for good measure (because he loves garlic). And he wrapped all in the foil, turned on the oven, did the whole procedure by himself.

He was soooo proud of himself! And we (the entire family!) were all proud and happy too! He insisted that we try his chicken before we left for our date and it was good! Just like mama's. ;)

 

Here we are blissfully enjoying our date night while our 5 children (aged between almost 12 and 2 and half) were at home. (Grandparents are around but the kids are not allowed to disturb them.)

Also, I need to mention I am so blessed with the help of no. 2 (almost 10) for bathing her little sister! She's been doing it for a while now and mei mei loves to be bathed by her jie jie because they get to play bubbles. :)

Christmas Cookies

We tasked ourselves to bring Christmas Cookies to our church Christmas pot bless this year. And I had to wait till the very last minute to do the baking (Friday) and decorating (Saturday) to get them to church on Sunday morning!

And, you know the story of the best laid plans.... in my haphazard rush, I grabbed the cookie tray on the table, forgetting that I just took it out of the oven. I managed to burn all the fingers on my left hand except my pinky. It was so painful I almost cried. It was the first batch of cookies with much dough left in to go! I looked at no. 1 and told him, How this years' cookies turn out depends entirely on you now. And I left the kitchen to rest!

It turned out to be a good thing I left the kitchen because I am one of those overbearing mothers who jump at every wrong action that my children make. Well, I don't do that when it's strictly their project time and it's ok if it looks like it as done by a child. But when I want to do something that's meant to be a gift for others, I'm breathing down their necks (of course, I don't even allow the younger ones anywhere near, I only let them learn by watching) and jumping at every mistake their unpracticed hands make. Yes, I'm horribly uptight like that. :(

No. 1 started putting what he is learning in Science into his cookie decorating. This is the Circulatory System.

But I suppose all that had came to some good because no. 1 managed a fantastic job baking the cookies this year! All by himself!! He rolled the dough, cut it, transferred the cookies to the tray, placed them in the oven, timed it, took it out to cool.... while one batch was in the oven, he was working on another batch! Nothing burned! Though some cookies broke, most were excellently done. All because I wasn't around. LOL

No. 4 (6 yrs) Reindeer creation.

Of course, looking beyond yummy cookies, I am even more pleased at the character he displayed in this episode: perseverance, carefulness, independent and focused thinking, being methodical and systematic etc. etc. 

mama's reindeer (drawing inspiration from no.4)

Homeschooling (you mean baking cookies is part of homeschooling? yes, in my book ;) ) is really such an inexplicable endeavour- how it works, how it is successful. It succeeds despite the incompetence of the teacher (myself). If anyone out there thinks they need to be more "qualified" before they can teach their own children, then I think they will never homeschool. But if parents out there will think that even though they don't have the qualities and qualifications to homeschool but are willing to work at it and grow together with the children.... that is when the beauty of homeschooling will unfold year by year. For me, I believe it is God who is guiding me and growing my children. It is despite my feeble, inconsistent efforts, my children are blossoming in so many different areas of their lives. All glory needs to belong to God that no flesh should glory in His presence! 

 

Blessed Christmas to everyone. Christ was born so that we might have a second birth.

 

 

Cell Splitting is Tiring Business!

Word is getting out. Lord willing, next July, we will be holding our baby no. 6. I am reminded not to be presumptious but to say "Lord willing" it will happen.

James 4:14-15  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

Hubby and I are truy thankful for the five beautiful children He has bestowed us with. The pregnancies have not all been easy. I was hospitalized for dehydration for the 2nd and the 4th. With the 5th, I even contracted pneumonia in the first trimester. I don't know what this pregnancy will bring but I do know God is in charge, though sometimes He seems far away. 

So, I don't mean to brag, but I've gone through enough pregnancies to note this trend: there is no consistent trend wth pregnancies. lol! Every pregnancy is different. For example, when I was soooo sick with no. 4, it was so similar to no. 2 pregnancy, we were quite certain no. 4 would turn out to be a girl since 1 and 3 were boys. But nope, no. 4 turned out to be a boy (who made his mama really really sick!!)

You won't believe how thick my file at KK Hospital is. lol. And my gynae, Dr Han, (been with him for every birth!) has more than enough reference to plot my progress. Just remembering now... some of those were live birth forms that had to be signed by the doctor after delivering the baby. They are stained with blood and amniotic fluid. 

Eldest son (11yrs) went for a course on stop motion animation recently. He came home and told us he did a short "claymation" that was like cell-splitting. You know, from one ball to two to four to eight to sixteen... I don't know how far he got. He must have been inspired by a "how a baby is formed" video we watched recently..... and his new sibling inside of me. :)

His video got me thinking, cell splitting is tiring business! Even if I'm not doing any of the actual splitting. :p It's gotta take something from me, right? I mean with all that cell division happening somewhere in my inward parts.

So far this pregnancy has been relatively (comparing with five others) good. I'm not sick to the point I can't eat. In fact, I find myself eating and eating coz when the blood sugar drops, the nausea kicks in. I've only actually hurled twice so far. That's really really good.

Most predomiantly, this pregancy has been characterized by my lack of energy. I've been TIRED! I do the smallest of tasks and then I need to nap. Making trips out always ends in a fatigue that invades every muscle of my body with this heaviness that weighs me solidly down. It takes sheer will to fight it and move to get myself home and back in my bed to zzzzzz.

Bloated and gassy? CHECK.

Facial pimples? CHECK.

I'm yawning right now as I type.

I was thinking about the reactions so far from those who know I'm expecting our sixth. There's the usual, I can't even cope with my one/ two/ three, how do you do it??

Some ladies (my Christian friends) even want to make a visit to my place to see how on earth I do it. LOL! Like a field trip! LOL...I'm afraid, they will see our messy, tornado stuck house!

Well, I do not have six little kiddies lah. :) Thankfully, now my older children are older and are more able to do things. Eldest has been baking bread, learning to cook, etc. They help with all the laundry and dish washing and floor cleaning. Ok, granted sometimes, it is not up to standard, but that's all part of the practice and training.

I've said this before, the hardest time as a SAHM was when I had an infant, a 2 plus yr old and a 4 plus yr old. Looking back, that was the hardest time. Once they hit 5, they are a lot more "lucid" (haha) and are bigger, taller to help around the house more.

The key is: train them well.

That's why we resist employing a helper. Sure it's the more troublesome route but the children will miss so many learning opportunities otherwise. But then, that is also our homeschooler lifestyle. We place life skills quite as important as academics. I do imagine many kids out there have so much homework and other classes to attend that they have no time to do the dishes or the laundry.

There have been some not so nice comments. Well, they just don't know what a joy living in a large family really is! Each child is so unique and brings a different dimension into family life that's so enriching and meaningful for everyone.

Some reason that they would need to be financially able to support x no. of children before ever considering another. Well, for us it is purely a matter of faith. Not faith in faih, but faith in God. I am weak, but He is strong.

We have been primarily living on a single income for 11yrs now, and our family has been growing. But you know what? God is faithful! We have NEVER suffered lack.

The key is: Put God and His business first. He will take care of our business.

Matthew 6:30-34  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Malachi 3:10-11  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

We do not give to God's work in order to get rich or have "promotions" (that buzz word "promotions"). We give because we want to honour God and acknowledge Him to be our provider and we rest in Him and trust Him. It may certainly seem foolish in some people's eyes, but I shall not worry over tomorrow. God is more than able to take care of me and my family. :)

Okies. Time to zzzzzzzzzzzz

 

 

 

What a Godly Wife can learn from a Plaster.

 

On Saturday at church, we had a bridal shower for one of our dear young ladies (she has such a heart to please God, bless her!) who will soon be married to one of our godly young men.  So our pastor's wife set us married ladies on a task to come up with a verse or poem or something along the lines of imparting to the bride-to-be some lessons that we have learned on our marriage journey. We were to leave it to her as a keepsake.

I was thinking of a small gift that I could give her which could be some kind of object lesson of what qualities and characteristics a godly wife should posses. I came up with a plaster. lol! I gave her a whole box full tied up in a ribbon.

In thinking about all the design features of a plaster, I came up with the following list of what a godly wife can learn from a plaster. Here goes. Hope you enjoy it. :)

What a Godly Wife can learn from a Plaster.

 1. A Plaster Protects

Proverbs 31:11-12  The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 A Godly Wife protects her husband’s image and reputation by her behavior and actions.

The Example of Abigail:

1 Samuel 25:3  Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.

Here we note the example of Abigail who did all she could to appease King David's wrath against her foolish husband Nabal. Her wise actions saved her husband's life and won the praise of David.

On another note, a Godly Wife also protects the home from any ungodly influences, both preemptively and actively. She helps to meet her husband’s every need so that he will not be in want.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

1 Corinthians 7:4  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

(Do I sound like the spokesperson for a certain notorious woman's club? ;p )

2. A Plaster is Medicated and is Antiseptic.

 1 Peter 3:1  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation (**not just speech but behaviour and actions) of the wives;

 1 Corinthians 7:14-16  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

 

Though the above 2 sets of verses apply to a saved wife to an unsaved husband, we can learn that a Godly Wife can affect the spiritual health of her husband by her godly submission.  I would double underline the word submission if I could. Not preaching or nagging or emotional blackmailing. *note to self

 

 

3. A Plaster is Stretchy

 Proverbs 31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

This one verse doesn't explain it very well but if you look at the Proverbs 31 woman, she is an all rounder! She can assume many roles and take on many responsibilities and many different spheres. Consider: she is on top of managing the household's food, clothing- her children and servants have no lack. She does a home business. She can manage finances, buy and sell.. etc. etc. 

A Godly Wife is flexible and well rounded and can stretch to meet any situation. She has learned to work with her hands and keeps learning new skills to expand her repertoire to better serve her household.... Not the boss at the workplace or the company. That's bible.

 

4. A Plaster is Skin Coloured

 (Though I know these days, they have cute and loud coloured plasters for kids, little and big.)

Proverbs 31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

1 Peter 3:1-4  Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

A Godly Wife is discreet and blends into the background, not seeking glory of her own but the glory of her husband. In turn, his glory will be her glory and praise as well. How beautiful is that? :)

 

 5. A Plaster is Sticky

 

Ephesians 5:31-32  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

A Godly Wife is a faithful, covenant wife. She has thrown her lot in together with her husband, through thick or thin.

I'd like to throw in this little tidbit about what I learned about the difference between a contract and a covenant. A Contract is nullified when one party does not uphold their part of the deal. A Covenant still stands even when one party doesn't uphold their part of the deal. 

A Christian marriage is a covenant and not a contract. And God is a covenant keeping God.

 

6. A Plaster is pretty Tough and Durable

Proverbs 31:17  She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

A Godly Wife is spiritually, emotionally, and even physically tough to handle the rigors of the day and every trial that she may encounter. By the grace of God she will overcome and have the victory.

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There was another item I wanted to add in for the bridal shower but it's not a "common" use of plasters so I didn't. But after a good laugh with a dear sister, sister V, I decided to include this one.

7. A Plaster can come in handy to Plaster the Mouth

As in when the Godly Wife has moments of, erm, how shall I put it....  disagreement with her husband. :p This is possibly a sub-point under point no. 5.

James 3:5-6  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Psalms 39:1  I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

   

Proverbs 27:15  A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. 

Proverbs 17:28  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

LOL!

Thoughts About Civics and Moral Education...

**A quick disclaimer to say that first hand, i know that there ARE a lot and lot of good caring teachers in our schools who really care for the kids and devote a lot of time being there for them outside of the classroom. In pointing out certain systemic limitations, I do not in any way mean to discredit the wonderful work of these dedicated teachers. This post is meant as a comparison of school and home.

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The Ministry of Education (MOE) will shine a spotlight on developing character and instilling values in students, said Education Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.

The CCE curriculum will be co-created by schools and MOE.

It will incorporate existing programmes such as Civics and Moral Education (CME), National Education and Co-Curri- cular Activities (CCA).

Mr Heng said the education system needs to nurture citizens of good character so that "everyone has moral resolve to withstand an uncertain future".

Globally, he said that there are changes in traditional social structures of families, lifestyles and consumption of media.

Read the full article here.

Certainly, I do not dispute that the MOE is on the right track to focusing on the moral aspects of educating every young person who passes through the system. Looking at the moral landscape of our nation, I'd say better late than never! ;) Hope it's not too little too late! (Case in point, ask any typical teenager or child on the street what their views on homosexuality is, and the answers will more likely than not show how shaky the future of our society's family structures are.)

My friend recently told me that she decided to send her girl to a mission primary school believing that they will place emphasis on character education. I have taught in a mission school before. I can safely say that whatever the school does cannot compare with what I (and I dare say, most homeschoolers in general) do at home for my children, in terms of "CME" or Civics and Moral Education.

Consider the following points:

Schools and Homeschooling Parents have Different End Goals for Education

Schools function to help students achieve results in a given "terminal" exam. For example, Primary schools prepare students for the PSLE, for Secondary Schools- the 'O' or 'N' levels. This is their primary function. Their responsibility for the student ends when the student completes the exam. 

Homeschooling Parents on the other hand are not only looking for their offspring to pass some exam. They are preparing them for life as an adult: working life, marriage and family life, etc.  Homeschooling Parents look long term and have the whole person education of their child in mind. It extends far beyond educating their child in simply academics, but physical, social, emotional, and in many cases, spiritual aspects. 

This is the key reason why I believe that homeschooled children have a better "moral education". Because their teachers are their parents.

Homeschoolers practice Seamless and Non-segmented Teaching and Imparting of Values.

In schools, the system designates a (dismal to begin with) number of periods to TEACH or instruct CME education. Interesting as the anecdotes in the lessons may be, I always felt that the CME curriculum was artificial and contrived and mostly it came across as just a very good suggestion for the kids to choose to follow or not. 

Maths period is maths period, Geography period is Geography period. CME period is CME period. (Students will say, if your CME teacher is also your Maths teacher, then CME period is often also Maths period.)

As a homeschooling parent, whenever I apply for one of my children to homeschool, I am bound by MOE to produce a daily timetable for the Compulsory Education Unit to see what my child will be doing everyday. There is no CME period there. Why?

Because character and moral education permeates everything we do. I can't separate my "Teacher" mode from my "Parent" mode. 

A child hands up work done untidily, even if it was all correct answers, I will make the child erase and re-do. This is neatness and I believe that one can tell a lot about a person's character from the standard of work and the presentation of that work.

Proverbs 20:11  Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Exposure time

One hour a week of CME for a child at school. Ok, let's throw in a CME related school assembly, bringing the total to 2 hours a week. Oh yes, and there's the Co-Curricular component that is supposed to count for character education. Compare that to the exposure time the child has with his fellow morally clueless classsmates and peers- 6 hours a day or more. 

I'm being too harsh? Find me a parent who can say that their child has gone to school and picked up good habits and character traits. I can safely say that majority of parents interviewed will say their kids came home with vulgar language on their lips and p_rn in their minds (and phones).

A homeschooled child on the other hand is constantly interacting (not one way interaction, mind you) with an adult and constantly under her/ his watchful eye.

Down to the way a child talks to his or her sibling, or talks to me, I will address it if it is not correct. I have the authority to address it. And I have power to mete out the consequences of any bad behaviour at my disposal. This can't be said for the school teacher/ maid/ child care teacher/ tuition teacher..etc.

Day in, day out, all our waking hours, activities we do together, interactions with other people, eating meals, hanging the clothes, playing or working, practicing on our instruments, observing how others work, etc etc etc. How can I any more emphasize that character education is really a way of life.

Which brings me to the next very important point.

The Character of the Teacher.

 My ex- MOE teacher friend was telling me how colleagues were cheating on their spouses... love triangles happening in the staff room by parties who are, themselves, married. And mind you, this is in no way an isolated incident.

(On a not-so separate note, I do wish that MOE would do a study on how many high level MOE officers have suffered divorce or separation from their spouses. And find out the reasons why it happened. )

 The first thought that comes to mind is: ... and these are the people teaching the kids how to have happy and healthy relationships???

I hope I am not striking a "holier than thou" tone here, but come on... you can't give what you ain't got.

Also, I believe I can say that a teacher doesn't have children of their own and cannot intimately understand the issues of raising a moral being first hand. I started teaching before getting married and having children. In retrospect, I know I would make a much better teacher now that I have gone through the process of raising children from labour pains to pre-teenhood. (In the next couple of years or so, by God's grace, I can say "teenhood" J.) This is not to discredit teachers out there who aren't parents to say that they can't teach CME. It's just that it's different coming from a parent. :)

Hey wait a minute, I hear you say... there are some pretty lousy parents out there too. Totally agree. :( May God help us parents reading this to reflect seriously how we have been loving and training our children.

And school teachers come, and school teachers go. The parent is a parent to that child FOR LIFE.

So, if you buy my hypothesis that successful character education can only be imparted using a parent- child model in a maximum interaction setting (eg. the home), then looks like the MOE has to recruit very committed and big hearted teachers and "brain-wash" some of the existing ones to be willing to parent all the 240 or more students they teach.

My advice to parents who place the character outcomes of their children very high on the priority list: DIY. Homeschool.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Most Vital Link: Your Marriage

I know I probably have a rotting tooth. There's a gap that has the tendency to trap food and despite my efforts to keep it flossed from time to time, I know that it is probably is something big and bad happening in there. BUT I'm avoiding going to the dentist! Scardey cat. I'm living in denial. Well, since there's no pain, i don't need to go and have my tooth (maybe teeth? shudder..) removed. It's just going to bite me back one day.

This post is about how we need to maintain and nurture the most vital relationship in the family. No, not parent child relationship. Though I would suspect most people reading this blog would be most concerned about this, the precious children and how to best care for them.

No. Actually, the most vital lifeline relationship in the family, the one that is the be all and end all of all families:  the husband and wife relationship. I am happily married to my dear, loving husband. I feel often that God was so good and kind to have blessed me with a godly man like him, when I am so undeserving. 

Sadly, most marriage relationships are so often neglected and placed as the last priority. But when it fails, every other thread unravels. The marriage landscape is pretty ugly if you really stop to count the carnage. It's scary how marriages are failing. What went wrong?

Getting away from God's design is what went wrong. The Creator has specific design specifications for His creation Man and Woman to function and work. It can be seen in Genesis when God created Adam to be the one to have dominion over the earth and subdue it and He created Eve to be Adam's perfect helper.

I've been reading a really really great book Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl. What a blessing this book has been. It has been both sobering and enlightening. Hubby and I were laughing while reading pg 155, a segment taken out word for word from a home economics textbook from the 1950s. Some exerpts entitled How to be a Good Wife Today:

*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home, and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

*Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so that you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.

.

.

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Some Don'ts:

*Don't greet him with problems or complaints.

*Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor compared with what he might have gone through that day. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow, and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.

etc.

(at this point, hubby sticks out his foot for me to remove his imaginary shoe. :p)

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Did any of you baulk yet? I know I did.... but partly in realization of how far my own standards are short from even this 1950s textbook.

Wow. The man is to be treated like a King??? And the woman is there to SERVE him??? Well, look again to the design of God and you will see, it is the way that God intended for blissful marriage!

Genesis 2:20-23  And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.  And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

1 Corinthians 11:8-12  For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.  Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.  Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

Stay at home and serve him???

 Titus 2:3-5  The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The Word of God is blasphemed when wives do not perform their duties to their husbands! This is serious stuff. But really, is it soooo serious? You will know it is serious when God's blueprint is not followed and things get all kinds of ugly. That's when the sobering fact that God's word is to be feared really hits home. :(

These days, we live in an equal opportunity society whereby women can rise the ranks and can climb the career ladder, as high as any man can. No body wants to blame failed marriages on this. But consider the real cost to the family of having a working wife. The kind of working hours. Eating on the go. The house is like a hotel to eat sleep and bath only to rush out of the next morning. Can a woman honestly say she is carrying out the commandments of Titus 2 when she compares it to her daily lifestyle?

How much time and energy women these days devote to their careers and leave whatever is left to their children. And they wonder why their ungrateful husbands leave them for another woman! Too many women think that just because her man said "I do" somehow guarantees a marriage made in heaven. It doesn't. Marriage, like any other relationship, takes nurturing to build.

I haven't even talked about the children yet. The baby comes along. Your husband and wife relationship suddenly switch to survival mode. Dear, can you pick up a packet of diapers on the way home, we are out of them. Dear, the baby is sick, can you take leave to bring him to the doctor. Been there, done that. Life went on a while like that when the first and second babies came along in our lives. Hubby did his part to help me in raising the kids. That was my attitude. Until I one day realized that it was completely meaningless if I didn't have our relationship right. I wasn't treating him right! Even though I was a stay home mom!!! The children had become the third party. We made a decision to change.

You know, the kids are a lot happier when they know mommy and daddy love each other and they are not the thing that holds the tenuous ties family together. Such a big burden for children to bear! :( Remember my mantra. The Children are NOT the centre of the universe. Fight the temptation to make them that, tooth and nail.

SO how is your husband wife relationship doing? Can it be said to be healthy? Are you constantly in a meeting of minds, spirit and body? Or has the relationship really become more of a partnership, a co-operation to get things done: you do your part and I do mine?

Don't wait till you are in extreme pain before seeing the dentist. Do what you can before your tooth rots and stinks and eventually have to pull it out. 

 Created to be His Help Meet!! BUY IT!!!

Re-Posted: Ball and Chained to the House because of Baby? Not Me!

I wrote this in June 2009 when baby no. 5 was 2 months old. Some of my thoughts on how we ought to find ways to let the baby fit into the family schedule and not the other way around. Especially in Christian ministry.

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Babies need sleep, I certainly can understand.  It's terrible when the baby doesn't get enough sleep and gets all sorts of cranky from over-stimulation. However, I'm coming to know of more and more parents of babies (some are not so baby anymore, like a 3 year old I know), mostly first time parents, who sacrifice so much of their time out of the house for the sake of their child's sleep. For instance, they can't go out after 7 pm because baby has to sleep (in his cot). Heaven forbid that there be interruption of their child's all important time for physical growth and development! :OP 

Why am I writing this post? I'm thinking about last night. The Ong Family was at the airport last night sending off our dear Filipino missionary friends off. We all had a good time of fellowship and catching up with dear brethren, some we haven't been able to sit down and chat with in a while.

We were out the whole evening and got back at mid-night. Baby no. 5 (2mths old) naturally came with us! When we reached the airport at about 8:30pm, she was sleeping. So I put her into the stroller and there she stayed sleeping till we left the airport at 11:30pm. And she slept all the way home in the car seat and when we reached home, she fed a while and went back to sleep again.

Although we are not full-time in the ministry (as in, employed by the church), the Lord's work and His ministry are a very important aspect of our lives as individuals (hubby and I), and now, spilling into our family life.

As a "lifestyle choice", our children and babies go with us when we need to go. We have interesting photographs of our baby no. 3 sleeping in my cello case during our orchestra practice on Saturday years back. No. 4  was barely weeks old when I lugged him and no. 3 along to Bishan for no. 1 and 2's gymnastics class three years back. Our babies sleep anywhere! They have to! They grew up happy too! :) And I can also look back on my life, year after year, baby after baby, of happy memories of times serving God in the family as well as in church work with my dear brethren.

So, a lot of it, I attribute to a matter of training. Train the child to sleep anywhere, not only at home and in the cot. Then the child will be able to get rested even when the parent needs to go out. If the parent trains the child to fall asleep only in his cot, he's forever going to be worrying about making it home to the cot whenever sleep time comes.

And the other is, it comes down to priorities.. Is meeting all the (perceived) needs of the child more important than, say, serving God in His house? Using your talents for Him in various ministries of the church? Going door knocking to pass out tracts? Being in church on time on Sunday?

It is one of the "difficult to understand until you test it" truths from the Bible. Matthew 6:33 says But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

First serve God, mind His things and He will take care of our things. He has proven His Word true in our family! All praise and glory to God.

Too many parents work on the assumption of one. One child. The parent wants to do everything and make sure everything is perfect for their one child. Throw one more into the mix, all these "luxuries" have to go. Unless, perhaps, they get one more adult to serve the other child. Imagine then, with my family, throwing 2, 3, 4 more children in to the mix, how can we possibly only centre on the needs of the baby?

Other than sleep, the other thing I've noticed that keeps concerned parents at home is food. This is for those who have 6 month and above babies. The un-initiated (eg those with no children), may be thinking, what's the problem? Well, for some parents it is of utmost importance that their baby eats healthily. So, no salt, no preservatives diet. Us asians raise our babies on rice porridge with veges and fish or pork mince thrown in. To get this, it pretty much means you have to cook it at home. 

Okay, it's not hard to cook the porridge, pack it in a thermos and go out, right? The tricky bit is what happens when you go travelling?

It's pretty amazing that my family has traveled out of the country every year despite having a baby every other year for nine years. Every other year, with a toddler, we've flown somewhere (like Perth, Bangkok, Shanghai, even UK). Every year, we spend a week in Malaysia with our brethren for church family camp. (No. 3 was 1 mth old when he attended church camp.)

It certainly takes a bit more planning and effort. I've found a way to cook porridge "on the go"! My wonderful vacuum pot. My only regret is that I only found this pot from 4th baby onwards. But again, my babies turned out okay eating some "outside food", albeit very meshed. :)

It comes down to: if there's a will, there's a way. We love to be at church camps to be fellowshipping with the brethren and listening to the Word of God and growing as a family together. And the fact that we have a baby won't stop us from going. By the grace of God, we have always been blessed all round, in every aspect.  

After coming back from the airport last night, I've got the itch to fly off to somewhere again! ;) Come little baby, and fly with me.