Ching Ming Festival 26 Mar 2017

This year like the previous years that, only Daddy going for praying ceremony at Nirvana Memorial Park Kuching.He sent back some photos.

Brother Ambrose was wiping the tomb stones.

Bernadine was scrubbing the floors.

Sister Agatha was decorating the flowers vase.

After the cleaning, the tombstones areas looked clean and new.

Everyone was busy folding the paper offerings in front of the tombstones.

Paper Offerings which were ready for burn.

Double Birthdays Celebration 25 Mar 2017

Last Saturday early in the morning Daddy took the earliest flight and fly back to Kuching to attend together with Sister Agatha, Brother Andrew and Brother Ambrose for the Ching Ming Festival for praying ceremony my deceased father-in-law.

         

Daddy arrived early to prepare the necessary for the ceremony that would be on Sunday, 27 Mar 2017.

In the evening after dinner last Saturday, Daddy sent us the photos through WhatsApp. It was the double birthday celebration for Sister Agatha and Brother Ambrose. This is an early birthday celebration as both of them only difference by one day only.

So nice of Brother Andrew arranged for this for both of them.

Good Manners & Courtesy School ~ Good Manners Classroom

Serving Others #6 ~ Learn about and practice good manners and courtesy.

Just in time for back to school season, this activity is perfect for teaching the children some basics in manners, even though they learned it in school.

They do have a subject about all these called ‘Pendidikan Moral’ previously in Government school.

But now they also have a subject ‘Chapel’ in the Mecaje Academy Home-school.

The content of the subject is a mixture of Bible and Value Studies which are something similar to the ‘Pendidikan Moral’.

There are 4 ‘Classrooms’ in this Good Manners & Courtesy School:

1. Good Manners
2. Personal Hygiene
3. Telephone Manners
4. Table Manners

We kicked off with the most basic ~ Good Manners Classroom, wherever we go:

• In the Home
• At Mealtimes
• Having Guests in Home
• Being a Guest
• General Manners Out and About

Sometimes, kids being kids need to remind again and again, especially during interaction with the family members.

They would forgot and misbehaviour would happen and might hurting each other unintentionally.

As all of us are too familiar with each others, we just forgot about that.

We were playing role-play for some situations at home. Both Issac and Annabelle were merely succeed because they were laughing and playing @.@

We then reversed the roles and re-did on some situations, things were much better the second time around.

As for the manners at Mealtimes, we were discussing what are the Dos and Don’ts during having meals.

Put away hand phone or tablet during the meals time or conversation, close our mouths when eating and chewing and no talking during having food in the mouth, etc.

We touched a little bit on the silverware code  start with cutlery on the outside and work our way in. We would studied that more at the Table Manners session.

Other than that, how and what we should behave Having Guests in Home.

A polite smile, shake hands, introduce the guests to the people in our home, offer drinks and serve the guests, and so on.

What is the proper manner of Being a Guest at people house.

Offer to help out and assist when being a guest in someone’s house, clean up and tidy after ourselves, and the most important is to show our appreciation and ‘thank you’ to the host for their kindness to assist us.

Last and not least, how we behave ourselves during we Out and About in the public areas. Most of it, I would consider some common sense that what to do and what not to do.

                         

The kids were having fun and laughing during our sharing of ideas what suppose to do and what not suppose to do.

                         

LDS Primary Sharing Time ~ Nephi's Courage ^^

Today all the Primary children are practice singing the songs which we are going to learn and sing at the Sacrament Meeting Primary Presentation in the end of the year.

The photos and video clips were taken by Sister Jing Jing. All the children are so cute and having fun during Sister Vivian taught them.

Sister Jennifer was giving the message of this month.

Sister Vivian was teaching the children “Nephi’s Courage” with some actions game for the children, so that thy would learn and memorise the words easily ^^

The children learned the song so fast and fun!

A Sweet Surprise from Missionaries ^^

Today Daddy flied back to Kuching for the Ching Ming Festival, so only left Issac, Annabelle and Mummy in the home. As usual, we went to Citta Mall for children’s art class and Empire Shopping Gallery for Annabelle’s violin class.

Once we were in front of our house, we noticed there is something at our door step. It is a blue colour container with a green card on top of it. We just picked it up and went to our house.

I took a closer look on the card…

It was from the Elders – Elder Boud & Elder Tenner. I was so touched! It is really sweet from the Missionaries to take this extra efforts came to our house and dropped us a sweet surprise!

And, inside the container is the cinnamon rolls! The kids were excited too. I immediately WhatsApp this to Daddy. Daddy was so surprised and feel happy too!

Even though daddy is not here this weekend, this random act of kindness really fill and warm our hearts that Elders still thinking about us…

Princess…

Ask of God

Ever since I had chose and decided to do the things I supposed to do, I can feel the strange atmosphere around whenever we are together.

Finally today on the Sabbath, it turned out to be the odd or rather a kind of threatening conversation at least for me. I remained silence all the time.

I was tired of want to maintain and salvage this little of what I have… I would leave it to the Lord and prepare to accept whatever that would come to my plate. And, if it is not meant to be salvaged in the Lord’s eyes, and it is ok with me.

I kept wondering what did I miss out or not learned the previous lesson? That till today I still walk on almost the same path and consequences again? I admit that I am not perfect being.

I wondered why?

Thus, the beginning of last week, I was thinking a lot about Joseph Smith’s First Vision, as I first watched the video in the Primary Sharing time.

And, so co-incidentally, this topic is one of the lessons of the Faith In God Program which I prepared for both Issac and Annabelle.

It was all started with a little of faith, then grew up to something great. He was a 14 years old boy when he received his first vision. And, it was all started by the verse of the Bible:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall given him.”

James 1:5

I was thinking and pondered. How can I become like him asking in faith?

At first, I was reading the Joseph Smith – History 1:1-20. Then I was listening to the video clips for few times.

As I wanted to get to know more about that chapter, I was drawn to the Seminary guides which I can learn more of the whole event of the First Vision and the Restored Gospel itself.

After which, I have an impression, that I should study the Doctrine and Covenants. I am not sure is it comes from the Spirit… I do have a desire to know more about the Restored Gospel and how I can learn from young Joseph Smith.

I am in my age of early 40s, and still looking for how can I draw more to the Lord, and learn more how or what He wants me to do, even I am in the midst of my trials.

I can feel Him was there with me, guided me little by little how to go through everyday… It is a blessing and privilege to learn how to walk with His Spirit everyday in my life…

Faith in God Scavenger Hunt

The Faith in God Program had been emphasised by the District Primary Presidency since last year.

Ever since we have a new appointed District Primary President – Sister YoungHee Yang.

She is from Korea. Sister Yang used to serve in the Primary before she came here.

Last January, Sister Jennifer and I have a meeting with Sister Yang at our branch.

She shared with us some of her ideas on how to manage and doing the Faith in God Program with the children ages 8 through 11 years old.

This is one of the Faith in God activity materials that she shared with us – Faith in God Scavenger Hunt.

I did some modifications on the activity materials, as I inserted some colourful picture, so that it kind of make it fun to do.

This Scavenger Hunt is to use with the Faith in God booklet, the reason being is to let the children to know what was in it, and what they should be working on.

I have 1 set of ‘Faith in God for Boys’ for Issac and 1 set of ‘Faith in God for Girls’ for Annabelle.

Both of them were trying to work and find their answers throughout the booklet.

They have to read the whole booklet including ‘The First Presidency Message’ page, ‘My Baptismal Covenant’ page, ‘Faith in God Award Requirements’ page, ‘The Articles of Faith’ page and ‘My Gospel Standards’ page. Both of them sharing ideas and their findings.

The 2nd part of the lesson was to ask them to read through 3 sessions of activities which are ‘Learning and Living the Gospel’ page, ‘Serving Others’ page and ‘Developing Talents’ page, then write down 2 ideas that they would like to do in the Activity Days.

We were brainstorming the ideas about what they want to do this upcoming year.

This took up the entire hour, and we ended up with some great ideas for future activities.

Anyway, Issac is going to turn 12 this year, thus both of us have to work hard in completing the necessary requirements of this ‘Faith in God’ Program for him.

         

Choose the Right

I just feel that I need to write my thoughts and feelings down. I thought I am doing the right thing today.

The previous week had been a little bit trials on my path, anyhow I think it is usual and norm that each of everyone of us facing challenges in our life. I was not in a good mood, was feeling disappointments and upset.

Surprisingly I cannot feel the anger in me, may be I know that it needs two hands to clap instead of one. And, in this instance and matter, I too have my own weaknesses and admit my mistakes.

I was thinking what I supposed to do… I was praying for guidance. I was fasting for the help. And, it really did come in His mysterious way. And, I can feel His hand in the midst of the trails.

The guidance came. My prayers was fulfilled. I am thankful to the Lord that after this trials, I understand more on our church teaching about Agency – the freedom to choose. This is because I have been experience His tender mercies.

I was praying for the guidance needed. The guidance came through people, or a normal conversation or the matters happened around me. Heavenly Father really hear my prayers.

But it is really true that, eventually it is up to me to choose and make a decision for myself. Heavenly Father never force me to choose anything  which I would not want to.

What I had been gone through these few days, suddenly giving me a thought. I do not know and I am not sure whether is it comes from the Spirit, but it really enlightened me.

It taught me that sometimes, a little thing happened in our life like what I had been through now,  is a moment and opportunity that allow me to grow spiritual, and strengthen our faith in Him.

I recalled what I had been through few months back… During Issac, Annabelle and I were busy with our Faith In God program, there was one of the lesson which require us to study a recent general conference by our prophets.

At that point of time, while I was preparing the lesson for them. I was inspired to teach them on the talk of President Monson given on last April 2016, which is ‘Choices’.

President Monson gave us an example of the Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

“During Alice comes to a crossroads with two paths before her, each stretching onward but in opposite directions.

As she contemplates which way to turn, she is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, “Which path shall I follow?”

The cat answers, “That depends where you want to go. If you do not know where you want to go, it doesn’t matter which path you take.”

Unlike Alice, we know where we want to go, and it does matter which way we go, for the path we follow in this life leads to our destination in the next life.

May we choose to build up within ourselves a great and powerful faith which will be our most effective defence against the designs of the adversary—a real faith, the kind of faith which will sustain us and will bolster our desire to choose the right. Without such faith, we go nowhere. With it, we can accomplish our goals.

Although it is imperative that we choose wisely, there are times when we will make foolish choices. The gift of repentance, provided by our Savior, enables us to correct our course settings, that we might return to the path which will lead us to that celestial glory we seek.

May we maintain the courage to defy the consensus. May we ever choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong.

As we contemplate the decisions we make in our lives each day—whether to make this choice or that choice—if we choose Christ, we will have made the correct choice.”

Choices by President Thomas S. Monson,

April 2016 General Conference

Even though it was a short and simple talk, I love it so much! It is  so powerful that it is one of the General Conference talk which I would read and listen again and again. It inspired me every time I read and listen to it.

Then, it came to this year after I had been called as the Second Counsellor of the Primary Presidency. Teaching the Valiant children at the 2nd hour Sharing Time had became my duty.

Our theme this year is ‘Choose The Right’, February lesson was ‘When We Choose the Right, We Are Blessed’. Somehow, I just feel that everything was and are inter connected and inter related.

The lessons that I taught to the children kept echoing in my mind when I myself was contemplating and thinking what I supposed to do.

After I made what I thought is the right decision, I felt my burden was lifted up at that instance.

As I recalled the whole happenings, the Lord have already prepared the way before me, equipped and strengthen me on the things I would be facing.

I really thankful for the things Heavenly Father wants me to know. And I know He wants me to know He loves me. And He respects me in whatever I choose.

I love this Restored Gospel! I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I bear my witness that, Jesus is the Christ. Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth today. I sustained President Thomas S. Monson is our Living Prophet. And I say all these in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

#GSC30 Celebration

We were going to Summit USJ Mall to have our movie date. This is what we saw – the big instagram kiosk for visitors to take photograph. we just joined in the fun!

Mecaje Primary Blue Shirt Day

I received these photos from Teacher Melissa is Issac and Annabelle teacher whom teach them.

Today all the primary class children has been requested to wear colourful shirts, thus these are the children who wear blue colour shirts or T-shirts. All with their funny faces, actions and pose.

Relaxing Morning Walk @ Malacca Riverfront

We woke up early in the morning, after took our bath we checked out from the 7 Days Premium Malacca Hotel.

Daddy drove us to the riverfront area to hunt for our breakfast. We parked our car at the public car park next to the river and bridge.

Initially we would like to go for Loh Yong Moh Restaurant as it is very popular amongts the locals and tourists for the variety of dim sum, but it was too many people!

Then, we tried our luck at Jonker 88 but it was not opened yet. So, we just strolling along the river side, took some photos.

Finally we came to the Calanthe Art Cafe where they serve a signature coffee from each of Malaysia’s 13 states, and they do serve nice local and western breakfast. We had our breakfast here with nice juices.

         

         

After our breakfast, we walked around the Jonker Streets, then walked back to get our car and we went back to Kuala Lumpur. Thus, ended our weekend trip.