Issac’s First Seminary Assignment

This year Issac turns to 14 years old. It is time for him to start the Seminary class. I just asked him start to study the scriptures and follow according to the Gospel Library App Home-Study Seminary Program.

This year the students will be studying Doctrine and Covenants. As we are not in United States and our students are few, thus we are following the Home-Study program.

The student will first complete reading assignments from the scripture, then they will complete the individual lessons. Once a week they will meet with a seminary teacher to submit their work and participate in a weekly lesson.

There are 32 units to be completed during this year and they will need to work on their seminary assignment each school days, even though they will not attend a seminary class each day.

Seminary is a really good daily religious education program for the youth to follow and grows their faith onto Jesus Christ and His teachings. Here are some of his assignments which he did at home.

Simple Lunch

After we attended the Church on Sunday and I requested a Blessing from Brother Kelvin, I drove to Skudai, Johor together with both Issac, Annabelle and Oscar the furry cat. It was almost 9.00pm. when we reached Skudai.

These few days the children and I just stayed at home as Alvin need to work during day time. Thus, I just try to clear his fridge as he will be moving out from this current house to his new company job site near Kulai.

This is what I did for the children – Yong Tau Foo, together with fish bone corn soup and fried egg for our lunch. It was kind of ugly when I fried those stuffed fishpaste and minced pork brinjals and bitter guords… I am glad that both children are always very supportive even my cooking is not so good. 

It is kind of blessed that I have both of them in my life. Sometimes I really feel both of them are the guardian angel that the Lord have given to me, and He knows that they will protect me and guide me to walk on the path, especially with my relationship with Alvin now.

Future Missionary Wristband

Issac received a Future Missionary Wristband from a young man in the Church whom will go for his mission soon. Normally it is the tradition that a young man that received his mission call letter, will extend his wristband to the following youths in the Branch to encourage them to go for a mission.

Since the day when we joined the Church, I encourage Issac to go to serve for a mission if he is grow up and reach 18 years old. As I had witnessed so much changes to the young men in the Church gained their own testimonies on the Savior when they came back from their mission. They were not only change spiritually but physically in terms of attitude as well.

That is my hope that both children would have a heart and desire to serve for a mission as they grow older and they put the Lord in the centre of their life.

Annabelle with Santa Claus ^^

Our branch having a Christmas party tonight at the Chapel. This is the photo of Annabelle with our Puchong Branch Santa Claus – Brother Kok Cin.

Well, this year I did something different I guess… I prepared some different gifts for each sisters that have helped me before and some to my ministering sisters. This is the handmade small journal book…

I always has the thoughts of encourage the sisters write down their testimonies or writing a journal about gratitude or what so ever that let them remember of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father even when they feel despair or down.

Christmas Scriptures Jar

Last month, Robinia and I were sharing some thoughts on how can we minister to the our ministering sisters. We were thinking of if we can make a scripture jar as Christmas presents.

The scripture we gathered and puttng in a decorated glass jar, then we can invite them to open the jar each Sunday, and ponder about a scripture each week.

And, I will try to handmade some small accessories for Sister Jing Jing children as Christmas gifts as well. We laminated it together and here are some of them.

And gift it out during Christmas presents to our ministering sisters.

The Journey to Bethlehem 2018

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints staged a pageant December 8, 2018 to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a good opportunity for Issac that this year Puchong Branch has the assignment of acting as the shepherds in the pageant. He is one of them.

We arrived there early as Issac need to change into his shepherd costume and rehearsal. The presentation began with several musical numbers. Visitors then were divided into smaller groups of about 20.

Guides holding a lantern accompanied the groups to different rooms focusing on different events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ.

The first room portrayed a scholar explaining that the children of Israel had waited and looked forward for thousands of years for the Savior to come.

Then, the group transitioned to the angel’s room. The angels explain that they were commissioned by God to visit the earth and announce the glad tidings of the birth of Christ.

The group moved to a room with shepherds keeping watch over their sheep at night. They described a visitation by an angel and bore testimony of the infant Savior that they went to see.

At the subsequent stop, the wise men describe the new star and their visit to Herod seeking the Christ.

After departing them, we come to Herod’s court, where we see an arrogant, worldly ruler who threatens to kill the Child.

Finally, we go to the humble stable where the Infant lies asleep in the hay watched over by Mary and Joseph.

There was a marketplace at the conclusion wherein participants received different breads, figs, dates and nuts reminiscent of that time. This contributed to feelings surrounding the event.     

Here are the members whom participate and make this event a successful one! Issac is one of the youngest! We are so proud of him that he is able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in this tiny little way!

Mecaje 2018 Year End Concert

This year the theme of the Mecaje Year End Concert is One Step Higher. One big surprise that he would wants to give to Alvin is he become the emcee of the night too.

This year Issac has involve in a lot in drama set, as one of the main characters in the drama. He has been practiced all the while in the school for this show.

She is involves in the dancing as well. Well, she is very happy with her own participation in the concert itself.

Surprisingly Annabelle has a price to get for this academic year too!

It is an enjoyable evening for the students, parents and the teachers. They have prepared for months just for tonight 2 hours presentation or concert. Bravo to the students and teachers!

Communication…

Alvin and I were texting on WhatsApp about Issac’s birthday present this year, that he already bought smart phones for both children. I was too surprised that he would spend this amount of monies for the children.

Alvin was very unhappy when I asked about the school fees for the children, may be I am not sensible enough to know when and what I should do next. I think this is the biggest problem that I have when I ‘communicate’ or ‘live together’ with him all these long…

[1:50 pm, 04/12/2018] C Alvin Yu: Yr payment this month i only can transfer 1500 and u help settle voilin n art class tq..

[1:51 pm, 04/12/2018] C Alvin Yu: Sorry for inconvenience this month.  And also no outstation trip this month also

[1:58 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Dear.. we are fine if there is no trip this month.. as long as we can be together I am sure the kids are happy enough already…

[2:00 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Because sometimes after you went back to JB, after 1 or 2 weeks  the kids would ask me that daddy will come back this week or next… they are really looking forward to be with you everytime they see you…

[2:01 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Both children also would understand if we don’t have year end trip as usual…

[2:02 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: They are really excited and prepare so much for the school concert to give you surprise this time you come back…

[2:05 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Even every night you see them didn’t talk much to you, but they really care and love you…

[2:07 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Both are really understanding children, if just stay at JB and just going around only this Christmas is ok with them…

[7:34 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Thanks dear..

[11:08 pm, 04/12/2018] ipeng: Good night dear from us! Just now Annabelle was given us the night prayer… you are in her prayer… that you healthy and good…

Frankly, I hate all these uneasy and unsecure feelings that I have whenever he is far away from home. It is like an open window to take the trust that I have for him… or vice versa…

One Bite Durian Puff Fans ^^

[3:32 pm, 03/12/2018] C Alvin Yu:

Remember this haha melaka trip... with durian puffur

[3:33 pm, 03/12/2018] ipeng: Haha.. I think 3 of you only la

[3:33 pm, 03/12/2018] ipeng: I am still on my way driving there

[3:36 pm, 03/12/2018] C Alvin Yu: Ya ya

Blessed Sabbath

Today started with a quite messy morning. It seems like my mind was still blank during I was driving the children to the Church for our normal Sabbath routine.

It was a fast and testimony Sunday. I had been released from my calling as the second counsellor of the Primary Presidency today. I was feeling as little bit of my burden have been lifted, for there was times that I was unable to concentrate on my calling. I still will help out in the Primary till end of this year.

Our lunch in the home was a quite one, as all of us were so hungry! Then I spent the whole afternoon prepare the dinner as Elders and Brother Kok Cin will come to our house at 6.00pm.

We have cooked a mushroom soup, baked potatoes, baked chicken wings, braised broccoli, and Aglio Olio Spaghetti. All the dishes was not big portion and it took me 3 hours to prepare all these. It was just in time when Elders called that they have arrived at the Puchong Prima LRT station, so that I can go out and fetch them.

Issac and Annabelle were helping to set up the table and eventually we have a great dinner together with Elder Teng, Elder Pack and Brother Kok Cin. We did video called Alvin before we have our dinner. Alvin invited Elder Pack to say the opening prayer.

During the dinner time, we shared how we got to know the gospel and the Church, how our family able to come back together because of the Lord and able to seal as eternal family in the temple.

Elders shared with us Light the World message as this is December, a special month of the year and the birth of Jesus Christ to this world. Towards the end of the visit, I requested a blessing of comfort from the Elders as I expressed out the desires in my heart to overcome challenges and bring the Spirit into our home again, and raised my children to be strong in the gospel.

I was astonished when I heard the words that Elder Pack spoke, it was a beautiful blessings that have given unto me, and I can feel Heavenly Father’s love to me and my family. When I thanked Elder Pack, he just smiled and said, “It was from Him.”

Initially I was quite hesitated to make a commitment to accept the invitation from the Elders come to our home for dinner, because previously it was Alvin whom is the better cook in the house. And now, I can only depend on myself and my cooking skills for the dinner of 5 – 6 persons.

I have survived today! And after all it is not too bad in the end. Everybody likes the meals except may be the baked chickens a bit too “tasty”. We almost finished all the dishes.

I feel glad and happy that I have made a right decision to accept the invitation from the Elders to come to our home, I can feel the Spirit in the home while they were here, especially during the blessings, I can feel as the words spoken was from the Lord Himself, the assurance that He given to me.

I love missionaries! They have bring light to our small little home! I can feel the peace, comfort and love within me now.

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. I know that Jesus came and atone for my sins so that I can go back to Heavenly Father one day. I know that I will go back one day together with my family . I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church on earth. I say all these in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Uneasy Thoughts

From the WhatsApp message that Alvin texted last night, I felt uneasy in my heart because it seems like there might be something that I do not know off. This kind of feeling make me uncomfortable.

This is not the first time that he did not pick up the video call at all, gives me a sense of he is hiding something behind me - I just feel as he has woman again in Johor Bahru.

It is not a good feeling and it hurts so much and again.

I thought that that feeling would not come as I had been through it much before, but the feeling of being betrayed and heartache are not immunized just because I had experienced before.

The pain was real before and the pain is real now.

What are the things that I am not doing last time and this time as well? Is all these my fault? I really do not know.

I really feel tired.

Conversation…

[2:10 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu:

Dear, in fact 2 days back o also mid writing message to u regards lord's love to our family just too busy halfway wrote n deleted no time to finish what inside my thoughts. Indeed god love us from day before u and kids converted, dos loves n guidance started while I first excepted thee since I convert SIB. That night when I raise my hand surrender to him I felt holy ghost had never left me n include guiding u n children. But over the years n in LDS, I except the teaching I respect n believe the church n prophets, but on certain matters I not cannot accept or reluctant to believe, is just I understand d plan of salvation, I value d time we in this mortal timeframe, but choices is individual. We sin every moment, we seek his forgiveness every day, we be honest with him n our love one every day. Dear I trust god will never punish or neglect his children soon as his children pray n have faith with him.. but do not use force to force ppl to believe Christ or thee, cause god never which that happens eventually ppl will leave him n this is what he not willing to c… he like more followers with faith n love him trust him.

[2:11 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu:

This is what I am at this juncture.

Dear prayer is important cause it shows always put god in us at d 1st place.  2nd is family.  Because without thy father in heaven we r nothing.

[2:15 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu:

Dear, I love u n this family.  But do in fact sometimes u try want me to bring out myself to talk to u, but u yourself seems not stabilize to listen what I m going to speak n lead me also quite not to say much...  to receive matters to discuss have to be peaceful n mine clear, by not over react or over judgement... this only ppl will speak truth n heart to heart talk with each others.

[2:20 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu:

U should know me well.  I m a focus person.  What I do or did n decision made with a plan but not in temporary (except guitar lesson, ha-ha but will still try to complete n learn yet give up, just need to stabilize myself 1st).  Dear u n kids are my beloved family n all happiness r from u all.  All burden stress all cause of u all I able to handle n put it down... cause I truly love u all.

[2:23 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu:

I have things in myself, do like to honestly spell to u all, but need a right time for u to listen n solution... I do not like to have unhappiness faces or mood moment during all discussion.  Because I felt as a family if cannot spell out within family members it will really burden me.. n I do not know who else to talk to.

[2:24 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu:

Maybe today u felt why I wrote in long messages.. is nothing but my feeling inside n maybe holy ghost would like me to express out at this moment but not other days..

Love u all dear.

[2:24 pm, 30/11/2018] ipeng: I am listening.. dear

[2:31 pm, 30/11/2018] ipeng: We love you too

[2:32 pm, 30/11/2018] ipeng: You can talk to us what is in your mind and heart.

[2:33 pm, 30/11/2018] ipeng: That is family are for

[2:36 pm, 30/11/2018] ipeng:

I just like can sense your mind is in troubled and there is something you are facing now.. I do not know what is that.. but it’s must be something that you are thinking about all the time..

[2:39 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu: Nice right laptop wall paper

[2:40 pm, 30/11/2018] C Alvin Yu: Always c u all n soften my heart every moment I going frust

[3:02 pm, 30/11/2018] ipeng: ^^

I know it is not easy for one to say what was in his heart out, even though I might feel a little bit not so comfortable and not easy, but I am grateful for his willingness to share for this family.