Letter to My Children

Today is a national holiday – Nuzul al-Quran. We had a good sleep throughout and woke up at about 9 a.m. Issac wanted to go to the nearest Puchong Prima photo studio to take his U.S. visa photo. Then we went for our lunch at Kopitiam near our home.

We decided to go to Main Place USJ21 to have some ‘lepak’ time in Starbucks as now Starbucks has every day during Ramadan month has RM5 on a second handcrafted beverage with any handcrafted beverage purchased. We got ourselves a chocolate cream chip and a peach passion blossom cream Frappuccino.

We had a good time spending time together doing our interest. We went to Popular for a while and we had our early dinner at Ayam Penyet Best Station. I am glad we had a good time together this afternoon.

This reminds me of the letter that I wrote to my children in my Institute assignment: list five or more promises that will help me “rear [my] children in love and righteousness, provide for [my children’s] physical and spiritual needs, and teach [my children] to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizen wherever they live” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,”) After each of the promises, I need to write to my children why I think it is so important that I, as their parents, fulfill that promises. And need to refer specifically to the sixth and seventh paragraphs of the family proclamation for ideas. Here is what I wrote:

Dear Children,

I promise to pray with you every day. I know it is important that you have a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father. I know He is there, and He will hear and answer your prayer. You can pray to Him anytime and anywhere.

I promise to study the scripture with you. I know you will find peace and strength to resist temptations when you study scriptures daily because scriptures are the words of God. You will invite the Holy Ghost into your life.

I promise to teach you by example how to budget time and resources. Teach you about self-reliance and the importance of preparing for your future. It encourages you to independent learning to unlock your potential and grow to be passionate and capable contributors to the work of salvation.

I promise to spend individual time with you, letting you choose the activities and the subject of conversation, and eliminating distractions by putting away electronic devices. I promise to help you create happy memories by building our family traditions, meaningful vacations, and wholesome activities.

I promise to be there and listen to you if you approach me with a problem, see issues from your point of view, and resist the urge to give you a solution. Instead, ask questions for clarification and arrive at a solution together. I want you to know it is ok if you make a mistake, and making a mistake does not affect my love for you.

Love,

Mother

Tender Mercies by Annie Henrie Nader. Image via AltusFineArt.com

This is a painting of a mother with her two children, and an angel supporting her. It is a sacred moment of sacrifice, endurance, and great love. This painting is also a tribute to the many tender mercies in our lives – the sweetness found in motherhood, and also the angels who come to our rescue in the form of friends and family. By seeing these tender mercies we come to know God’s great love for His children.

One Piggy, Two Pesos USJ Taipan

Today all 3 of us were busy with church activities. In the morning, Annabelle got her online seminary, after which Issac and I fetched her to the Asia Jaya LRT station as she had a girls’ outing with her friends to meet at Pasar Seni.

Issac came with me to church for the Puchong Branch Primary Service Project to clean the Church. After which he stayed at the Church for his YSA Devotional. I just drove back home, did some household chores, and had a nap. I must be so tired that I slept from noon to almost 4 pm.

While Annabelle was on LRT, she called and said that the sister missionaries would like her to join to teach a lesson to the new investigators at The Carpenter’s Daughter Artisan Bakery & Café. Issac was back at home from his YSA activity. We just waited for Belle to come home and went out together.

Both Issac and I dropped Belle at the café at USJ 9, and then we just drove around and searched for our dinner. After we discussed and made a few comparisons, we decided to go to Two Pesos. Two Pesos is well-known as a hot pot specialist.

Issac chose the Tajine Seafood Pot 一品海鲜塔吉锅, originating from South Moroccan classic cuisine.

It uses the notion of heat circulation in a tower to retain the water content in food materials while extracting the inherent moisture and taste of components—a truly natural seafood relish.

I just chose the Sesame Chicken Pot 酒香麻油鸡锅. It is an authentic Taiwanese way to savor delicious chicken.

In a dedicated pot, stir-fry finely sliced ginger in premium sesame oil before adding aromatic rice wine and distinctive soup broth. The best method to enjoy nourishing chicken soup.

We were almost finished when Annabelle called to say that her appointment with the sisters missionary was finishing and she had yet to have her dinner. Then, I just picked her up at the café, and she ordered Milky Seafood Pot 牛奶海鮮锅 when she reached Two Pesos.

It is derived from their top chef's secret recipe, the smooth, rich, and nutritious French-style milky soup is designed with the most enjoyable soup that will not be found anywhere else.

Issac took out his book and did his reading while waiting for Annabelle to finish her dinner. Our dinner is so nice and we enjoy our ‘we time’ together as it is quite a comfortable dining environment for families.  We feel as if we had a great time after each of us had our activities during the day. It is a great evening, reminds us back to the time when we were at our old house at USJ1 and the time being together during there were only three of us.

Issac Finally Loves to Read 3 Aug 2016

It was a surprise and excitement! From very early years, I knew that it is good to read together with the children, when they were still young. This can create a good habit for them.

There is an old saying something like this, “ A child whom love to read good books will not become a bad person when they grow up.” I know this is true, just I myself do not have the patience and the persistence to grow this habit together with Issac and Annabelle when they were small.

Not until when Issac going to Primary 3 that time, he was not good at all especially in learning the Mandarin characters. I was holding my breath the whole time. I was battling tremendous self-doubt. I must be an awful mother.

Some folks advised me to take Issac to specialists, test his hearing, eyesight, cognitive abilities, look into reading labs for him.

Deep in my soul, those didn't feel right and I never took Issac to any of those things. I knew mainly is due to my attentions to his schooling and homework after what Daddy and I have been through.

And then the miracle happened just recently, may be a month back. Daddy and I were trying to make him interest in some comics books at least.

He was started with The Three Kingdom which we bought in the Popular Bookstore, I was searching for some reading books for him, and co-incidentally I found Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was quite excited and wanted to know more about the author’s works, as we had watched the movie before.

I love the way the author take the young children to his imaginative world. Roald Dahl is the famous the world no. 1 story teller! I bought The BFG, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Charlie and the Glass Elevator, Boy and Going Solo.

I told Issac that it is better that if he can finish reading the BFG before the movie is going on screen middle of August. Then he can tell me more about the story or the movie is much more nicer. He loves the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Right after this chit-chatting, reading clicked in his mind and he just began reading. Within a few days he was reading easily and completed on the BFG at his grade level. He found the story is adventurous and interesting.

Then something happened. I have no idea what. May be it was long boring at home besides playing their tablet games. May be it was just the right time, and the parts of their brains that can process the written word had a growth spurt. It doesn’t matter to me. Issac continued his Charlie and the Chocolate Factory adventure. I breathed a sigh of relief. The muscles in my stomach could finally relax. I could let my shoulders drop and I could unfurrow my brow. My boy, at long last, was reading.

Today he is still reading Roald Dahl’s books which I managed to grab during book fair at a cheaper price. At long last my kids are reading. I can stop holding my breath. I can breathe deeply and can actually dare to use both my lungs. It has been many years of waiting to exhale. The wonderful world of books has opened to him.

A book a week! Do you know what that means? He always have their noses in books! I breathe a silent prayer of thanks for my boy and for the patience it took for me to wait until he read. And, for my dear husband and I encourage each other in not giving up of our boy in reading. The Lord have answered our prayer! We are grateful for His grace and kindness in touching our boy’s heart and open up his mind into this good habit.

Annabelle 1st Beethoven Music World Concert 25 Jun 2016

Early this year, Annabelle told us that she wished to learn violin. She is so amaze with Lindsey Stirling whom is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, singer and composer. She is our church member too.

Annabelle was so excited when she watched Lindsey’s violin performance in You Tube, immediately Lindsey Stirling became her idol. She can looking for Lindsey Stirling’s music video on internet whenever I fetched them back from Mahkota Tuition Centre to home.

We started to look for a music school for her, and finally we choose the Beethoven Music World at Empire Shopping Gallery Subang Jaya. She attended the violin class after the art class at Citta Mall.

Annabelle started in beginner class. She started learned things like holding the bow properly, producing a good sound, playing in tune, proper left hand position, reading music and much more.

After which, Teacher Yaalliny let her learn note-reading so do as ear-training skills while learning to play Violin with the proper technique.

This is her Beethoven Music World’s first concert. She participated in the violin Ensemble (Medley Secret Love Song – Selamat Hari Raya). The concert time was from 11.30am to 2.00pm. The attire was black long pants/skirt with white shirt/blouse and black covered shoes.

We have to skip the art class for this concert, well her 1st concert! Even though it was just a simple and a group performance, it is good enough for a beginner like her.

Annabelle’s Essay

This evening when I went to Mahkota wanted to fetch both Issac and Annabelle, Teacher Yang so happily told me that Annabelle’s Chinese essay have been improve. She asked me to go and read her essay which just put on the notice board.

It is really quite a surprise for me to see this! I never thought that Annabelle can have the ideas of writing the essay so good. She is all the while so reluctant to speak in Mandarin and most of the time speaking and converse in English with us and her friends.

May be it is due to she have no choice and have to learn to speak in Mandarin when she is studying in SRJKC Chee Wen now.

Well, anyhow this is a good start for her and I am happy to see this ^^

Annabelle & Me…

This photo was taken when when Annabelle plucked a flower and gave to me, when we were walking around at a park.

Issac Primary 4 Report Card 20 Nov 2015

 

These are all the things that I want Issac to learn during his days of schooling, as we as the parents emphasised on the languages and all other knowledge that he need inquired for his future and self-reliance.

Overall we are happy for his results that better than earlier this year results shown.

Children Learn What They Live
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

~ Dorothy Law Nolte

Eternal Family @ Cebu City Philippines Temple 13 Nov 2015

Today is our important day. Today is the purpose why we come to Cebu Philippines.

We woke up early in the morning, took our bath and took a cab to the Cebu Temple which is located at Gorordo Avenue in Lahug.

We arrived there early and went to the cafeteria which is in the Patron’s House to have our breakfast.

We were not so get to use to the Philippines food served.

We were a bit surprise as Pilipino really love rice so much that, even their breakfast too served rice, of coarse comes with some side dishes such as fried egg, corn beef, anchovies with soy sauce, etc.

Their dishes generally taste a bit salty for us. But it is still ok that we can have it.

After our breakfast, we went to the Distribution Centre as we would wait for Elder and Sister Hadley there at 8.00am.

As with his help, he managed to make our programs as 9.00am our initiatory session, 11.00am endowment session and follow by 1.00pm our family sealing session.

It is really very thoughtful of both Elder and Sister Hadley helped us on the arrangement and confirmation on our sealing time and date.

Elder Hadley too, helped us to arrange helper to look after both Issac and Annabelle, before both of them can able to enter to the temple for family sealing session at 1.00pm.

During when we were at the Distribution Centre busy looking at the church materials which we might buying back home, I was surprised that I heard a familiar voice.

I thought that voice sounds like Brother Felix, and I turned back and saw Daddy was happily talking to someone whom back facing me, and looked like really Brother Felix. I walked up and he is!

Our family were so surprise that Brother Felix is here at Cebu with Sister Joyce too! After which Sister Joyce told me that, this is a surprise that both of them for our family.

They were trying very hard to keep it as a secret and show their ‘poker face’ whenever we were talking about our planning of the Cebu Temple trip for the past few months. She said, only Brother Rueben knew about it, because the couple asked Brother Reuben to check and confirm that we had booked our flight tickets on our temple trip.

Both Daddy and I are so touched with their loves to our family. We are the member of the church now is because both of Brother Felix and Sister Joyce Yong invited us to this Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

They witnessed our family growth from how we were a broken family up to now a reunite family in the teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our family is our testimony towards Christ’s love to us.

Brother Felix and Sister Joyce Yong too, witnessed our story as well. Their family are so special to us and we are like family friends. Their presence here at the Cebu Temple really a surprise to us!

Elder and Sister Hadley were happy seeing both of them too. We are truly happy for that moment that both of their presence made us feel great and wonderful!

We have our group photo before we went in to the Temple. The children would join us later at the sealing ceremony in the Temple.

From the very first session, I really can feel the spirit that I just cannot stop my tears from rolling down my face.

The very first moment when I was hearing the blessings during the initiatory session, my eyes were wet. It is really a beautiful and wonderful blessings from Heavenly Father given unto His children, just I cannot recall the beautiful phrases, wordings that was whispered to my ears.

After going through the endowment session, and eventually after we passed through the veils to the celestial room.

Both Alvin and I were so happy and after a while, we were leaded to the Sealing Room after which we would be sealing as a husband and wife. Brother Felix and Elder Hadley are our witness of our sealing ceremony.

My tears can’t help but keep on falling during the time sealing with Alvin. At that moment when I was looking to him face to face, my mind was recalling from the first day both of us divorced, signed the divorce petition and how we were here at the temple today.

It is really amazing, how the Lord love our family, how the things happened for a reason, how the whole picture that Lord had planned for our family, the puzzle falling into pieces and into their own place at the right time. It looks so crystal clear to me that, Heavenly Father really love us so much. Alvin’s eyes were wet too…

After our sealing as a husband and wife, the kind temple workers brought in our two lovely children, Issac and Annabelle were smartly dressed by the temple helpers. Issac was in white shirt and pant; Annabelle was in white dress with a white colour hair band on her long hair too, and she looked so pretty.

Four of us were at the centre of the altar, and we were sealed as a family eternally. We feel so happy and grateful for our day, and with our friends witnessed our big day. After, we were allowed to go out from the temple and took photos with our temple clothing. We had taken a few photos with the temple as background.

It is really a wonderful and amazing day for our family.

View Full Album

Playing Time…

Both Issac and Annabelle were playing at the Parents Room at Citta Mall while waiting for the art class start.

Always have some patterns to pose!

Annabelle Baptism Invitation

It is almost near Annabelle 8 years old birthday. Daddy is waiting for this moment to come, that she could be baptise by him.

Yesterday during at church, Daddy was busy asking Brother Reuben about all the things that we should be prepared for her baptism. All the people whom need to invite to be the speakers, decides on the opening and closing songs etc. Daddy asked mummy to do a invitation card on this event.

I just surfing on the internet and found a few samples which can be follow and come out with the baptism invitation which can post on the Facebook and invites friends through the Watsapp. I had choose a recent photo of Annabelle and put in in the invitation. Daddy too, quite of like it as well.

Our Victoria Station USJ Experience 23 Sep 2015

                   

Well, this is our first time went to the Victoria’s Station. I had been long wanting to go into this famous restaurant.

                                 

The interior is quite nice and different, may be I would say a little bit old already the interior design of it, but still amazed us how they can managed to squeeze a train into the shop house and that include a steam locomotive replica!

       

We found that the food is only so so only… But anyway, it was quite an experience to dine here.The children too, very happy too!

Our Small Family ^^

The photo taken during my birthday celebration dinner at the Black Market Main Place USJ21 yesterday ^^.

I Am Riding on a Tiger!

We were at One City Mall today and here is Issac was riding on a Tiger!

Issac with His Badminton Racket

Today is Saturday, normally it is the day for Issac return to school on his co-curriculum activities which the school required every students to participate.

Issac participated in the Badminton club, thus every Saturday I would send him to the school for his badminton weekly activity. He loves playing badminton!

Piggy & Annabelle ^^

We were at the Restaurant Tonkatsu by Ma Maison at Main Place USJ21 Mall. It was a newly opened Japanese Restaurant. This is our first time here.

Annabelle was so happy to see her zodiac sign here – piggy. She asked me to take a photo of her together with the picture!

Annabelle’s Secret Recipe ^o^

This is Annabelle’s secret recipe that she handed over to me! I was curious when she told me. I was thinking like what is the secret recipe about!

And, this is it!