Prayer Sandwich

Learning and Living the Gospel #5 ~ Give an opening and a closing prayer in family home evening or at Primary. Share your feelings about how prayer protects us and helps us to stay close to Heavenly Father and the Savior.

For this activity, the children were learning about the prayer.

We had actually learned a little bit about prayer during we had our lesson on Joseph Smith’s First Vision.

We learned about how Heavenly Father answers our sincere prayer, just like what Joseph Smith’s prayer.

This lesson we talked about the Lord’s Prayer. I saw this message on February issue of Friends Magazine early this year, so I decided to teach or share this important lesson of how Jesus Christ teach us to pray.

I know it is the Lord’s hand that made me saw this message from the First Presidency, President Henry B. Erying. At the point of time I was preparing the lesson, He inspired me to come across the article.

When Jesus Christ lived on earth, His disciples noticed that He prayed often to His Heavenly Father. They asked Him to teach them how to pray. The prayer He gave is sometimes called the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus Prayed:

We don’t often use these exact words when we pray. But the words of this prayer are a perfect example of what we should ask Heavenly Father for.

After which, I give them the Prayer Sandwich which I found it in the previous Friend Magazine too, teach the kids what to say when they pray.

Well, they can begin their prayers by saying, “Dear Heavenly Father,” and end them by saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

What they say in the middle is our choices, just like choosing what goes in a sandwich. Choose the pieces they would like to in their sandwich. Write the things they would like to pray for next to them.

Then can say “I thank Thee” for blessings, talk about their worries, ask for blessings, or pray about questions.

Both of them started to write their prayers. I just laughed out loud when I saw Annabelle’s prayer! She loves the sandwich so much, that she wrote there:

“ Dear Heavenly Father, I thank thee that I can eat this sandwich for breakfast and bless it, so that I could be strong and healthy. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

I know it is not a good manner and appropriate to laugh at my daughter’s prayer, but I just cannot help it. But I do know Heavenly Father and Jesus must be smiling lovingly to this little girl of theirs.

Issac’s prayer really warmed my heart, “Dear Heavenly Father, I thank thee for this day that I have a good day because I have found two books today and I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

It is just a simple and purely give thanks prayers that he managed to find two books for himself… I love this boy of mine.

Then, we discuss about how prayer protects and helps us stay close to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Both of them wrote into the worksheet about what are the experiences they have on how prayers help them and protects them.

Annabelle shared and wrote about a time which she felt and knew that Jesus was protecting her while the shampoo got into her eyes during she was taking her bath. She prayed silently to Heavenly Father. After, she can feel that her eyes no more pain and she washed away the shampoo quickly.

Issac shared and wrote about how he prayed for the wisdom and knowledge before he took his exam. And, most of the time he can answer the questions,not scored 100% but at least he knows some of the unfamiliar topics.

I just wanted them to think when is the time, their prayers had been answered and helped to develop their own testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. So that, they would have the strong testimonies when they grow up.

I know that God the Father live. He hears and answers our prayers.

Dance Rehearsal

Here is the video taken by Mr. Heng on the students dance rehearsal for their year end concert performance!

Living the Word of Wisdom is My Choice

Learning & Living the Gospel #7 ~ Read D&C 89.Discuss how Heavenly Father blesses us when we faithfully live the Word of Wisdom. Help plan and conduct an activity to teach the Word of Wisdom to others.

We started our lesson by watch video embedded above about the Word of Wisdom. It is a video featured a man describes his commitment to follow God’s commandment to care for the body He has given us.

Later we talked about the story of Daniel in the Old Testament as an example of living the law of health.

The King of Babylon wanted to conduct an experiment on choice children of Israel to see what might happen if he nourished them for three years.

Daniel was able to abstain from the kings meat and wine and Daniel received wisdom and visions. He became a choice and beloved advisor to the king.

After which, we sat down and read Doctrine and Covenants 89 as a family. Each of us read a verse and identify those things we should and should not do to live the law of health.

We discussed the blessings as well. The Word of Wisdom is a law of physical and spiritual health. It is a natural law and will offer the same blessings to anyone who will follow it - Health, Wisdom, Strength and Protection.

In the end of the lesson, we kind of sharing ways we can improve living the Word of Wisdom.

Frankly, this is a good and kind of ‘reminder’ lesson to all of us about living the Word of Wisdom.

I love the man in the video saying, “The Lord wants us to take care of our bodies. There’s some things that we shouldn’t do, not drinking tea and coffee or alcohol and not smoking. But He’s also provided instruction for things that we should do, eating fruits and vegetables and grains and taking care of our bodies.”

Personal Thoughts:

I used to be a heavy coffee drinker. My records were 6 to 8 mugs a day. And Yes! it is a big mug and not a cup! I started this ‘coffee ritual’ since I was in the high school, burning mid night oils through the study time and exams.

I continued the ritual to my early working life being a designer, and most of the time preparing the proposal drawings, presentations to the clients. It had never stop and till one extend, I was drinking coffee just like water.

The most challenge things for me before became the member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was none other the Word of Wisdom. Friends and colleagues were so surprised that one day I would stop drinking coffee.

Whenever asked about why I don’t drink coffee or tea, I find it is a great opportunity to talk about my faith and the Word of Wisdom.

Most people like to focus on the restrictions mentioned in the Word of Wisdom. Specifically, not drinking coffee, tea, or alcohol, nor using tobacco products or other harmful drugs.

It is quite weird for them that none of their Christian friends can not drink or use these items. Instead, I share with them on the things which the Lord highlighted for us that we should do, such as partake the fruits and vegetables, grains and take care of our body.

Sometimes I would queried or wondered why the Lord asked us not to take or drink those items, but I know it is the wisdom in Him that asked us to do it.

I have been blessed to live the Word of Wisdom in faith and joyfully hope for the blessings promised as I live this mortal life.

Birthday Celebration @ Sekinchan

This year so co-incidentally my birthday is fall on the 2nd day of Hari Raya Puasa, that means it is a pubic holiday. I feel so blessed and joy because there are many good people surrounded me today.

We went for a short Sekinchan trip with our church friends. We were gathered at the Caltex Petrol Station along the LDP Expressway and we headed to Sekinchan.

It was almost 1 and half hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. Once we reached there, we drove to the fruit stall, or fruit farm 華仔芒果園 which is near to Brother Kok Cin’s house. We love mango from Sekinchan, they are so sweet, fleshy. We bought some back home.

After which, we visited Brother Kok Cin’s house. I think we must be surprise his mother with large group of us coming to her house! But she is really nice and chat with us, together with Brother Kok Cin’s sister as well.

On our way out from the village towards the other side of Sekinchan, we dropped by the Paddy Processing Gallery. It is a public holiday, thus there are so many tourists here, until we have to park our cars far and walked a distance to enter the Gallery.

Pay RM5, receive 1 small packet of rice as a token of appreciation, walk up the Paddy Museum to have better understanding of paddy plantation process. The entire gallery is mini, but the effort is good in getting general public to know further on all the hard work behind your daily staple.

Anyway, we did not go in as there are so many people on the ground! We just straight away went to the mini shop at the ground floor, as we can buy rice going back home. The rice here is cheaper and nice to eat too.

We took lots of photos in the Paddy Processing Gallery. Before we drove our car out, no one will leave Sekinchan without taking a photo with the wide paddy fields that cover more than thousands acres.

The field is green from middle of March till May (and middle of Sep till Nov), goes yellowish in mid of May till June (and mid of Nov till Dec).

Transplanting is in early of March and early of Sep. Jan-Feb (July to August) is resting time, hence not exactly suggested to go at this period.

While we were there, the field is mixed with yellowish with green and some of the field already harvested. It is kind of mixture of colours. The children even the adults are excited about taking photos!

We went for the seafood lunch after the photo session. There are many seafood restaurant around Sekinchan, due to too many tourists during the holiday season, we just walked-in to any restaurant which still have tables and seats.

We ordered few of the dishes, including steamed mantis prawns, fish head curry, stir-fried vegetables, deep fried squid, and a few more. Average in taste, but all of us were so hungry and finished the food on the table.

Alvin cleared one of the table, and we have a small birthday cake celebration for me! I am so happy for today!

After the meals, we went to the beach. Pantai Redang is another must-visit place in Sekinchan, not because of the soft white sand or clear blue sea (in fact, the seaside doesn’t reach any of that, it is dirty), but to track down scenes taken by the TVB drama we guest?

There were a lot people on the beach too, we felt like kids again playing with soap bubbles, enjoying light reflections from the film surfaces before they rupture.

We saw a kid who was really good in blowing slim, long soap bubbles. And, stalls were selling cold drinks or snacks at the beach.

Not far from the beach, there is a very iconic attraction in Sekinchan – a red painted temple with a very old rain tree aside with a lot of daggling red clothes hanging from the branches of the tree.

The local called it Wishing Tree. Get lucky red cloth from the temple, write down your wishes and name, throw it up to the wishing tree. Again, lots of photos have been taken.

It was almost 4.30pm that we decided to go back home. All of us were so tired and due to the whether is so hot. On our way back, we spotted a small beach at Klang area.

Pantai Remis, it is a beach near Kapar. We stopped the car, and walked down to have see the evening sun set if we can, unfortunately the clouds were too think and we can't see a clear sun set view.

Anyhow, I am really happy even though I am tired after the day trip whole day!

Holy Ghost

Learning & Living the Gospel #3 ~ Mark these verses about the Holy Ghost in your scriptures: John 14:16-17, 2 Nephi 32:5, and Moroni 10:5. Discuss ways the Holy Ghost helps you.

Our activity day night started with a Holy Ghost Obstacle Course.

I am planning to have a fun and hopefully spiritual night where both children learn about Holy Ghost.

We did a blindfold obstacle course where Annabelle guided Issac through a course set up towards his own beloved Potato doll.

I hid it underneath the dining table. It was a fun thing to see how was Annabelle directing Issac to the hided object.

I served as distracter to distract him with making a lot of noise during Annabelle given him instructions towards to his Potato.

It took quite sometime for Issac to get his Potato. And, our dog Princess joined the Obstacle Game too, with sniffed around Issac’s Potato!

Following the obstacle course, something to think about for our discussion:

How is the obstacle course experience like the listening to the Holy Ghost?

What evil influences, or “loud voices” can confuse or try to lead us down the wrong paths?

How can we recognize the Holy Ghost?

How does the Holy Ghost speak to us?

I actually asked both Issac and Annabelle to look for the scriptures of John 14:16-17, 2 Nephi 32:5, and Moroni 10:5, and wrote down in the worksheets which prepared for them.

This is because both of them using the Gospel Library App instead because they do not have the scriptures of their own.

Hmmm… may be it is time to get one set for Issac and one set for Annabelle.

After both wrote down the scriptures verses, we talked about ways how the Holy Ghost helps us.

It indeed is a help came from above during the time I was preparing the lesson, and the talk of Elder Gary E. Stevenson came along “How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?” which was the last April Conference.

What We Know about the Holy Ghost?

With the guidance from Elder Gary E. Stevenson’s talk, he shared with us 3 important key eternal truths about the Holy Ghost:

• Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead.
• Holy Ghost is a personage of Spirit, unlike God the Father and Jesus Christ, who have physical body.
• Other names given to Holy Ghost are Holy Spirit, Spirit of God, Spirit of the Lord, Holy Spirit of Promise, and Comforter.
• The gift of the Holy Ghost comes by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority.

How Does the Holy Ghost Help You?

• The Holy Ghost Guide us in our important decisions through receive distinct impressions and promptings, Show us what we should do.
• The Holy Ghost Warn us and Protect us in advance of physical and spiritual dangers.
• The Holy Ghost Comforts us in amid of unexpected events in all our lives causes sadness, pain and disappointment.
• The Holy Ghost Testifies and bears witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth.
• The Holy Ghost Teach us all things, and bring all things to our remembrance.

Then we have a question or scenario to discuss that goes along with each related phrase or scripture.

We talked about each scenario or scripture and gave time to the kids to think about:

In what ways and when the Holy Ghost have guide them? Warn them? And teach them?

I am having them to write it down in the worksheets.

By doing so, they can increase their testimony and share with others.

What can we do to increase the influence of the Holy Ghost in our lives?

Elder Gary E. Stevenson said, “For those of you who are preparing to be baptized and confirmed, those who recently have been, or even those who were a long time ago, it is vital to our physical and spiritual safety that we keep the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

“We begin to do so by striving to keep the commandments, having individual and family prayer, reading the scriptures, and seeking loving and forgiving relationships with family and loved ones.”

“We should keep our thoughts, actions, and language virtuous. We should worship our Heavenly Father in our homes, at church, and, whenever possible, in the holy temple.”

“Stay close to the Spirit, and the Spirit will stay close to you.”

I find out that throughout this lesson, give both children the opportunities to share what they have been gone through and feelings, with this will increase their faith and strengthen their testimonies of various gospel principles.

As I was preparing the lesson of the Holy Ghost, I can feel that I was surrounded by the related topics of the Holy Ghost, from talks, primary lessons, seminary lesson, to the scriptures which keep on pop up in front of my eyes whenever I was doing the search on Church website.

Indeed a blessing!

Articles of Faith 4

Articles of Faith #3 ~ “We believed that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gifts of the Holy Ghost.”

A Principle is a truth that guides us back to Heavenly Father.

An ordinance is a sacred act that someone with the priesthood performs. These four principles and ordinances are the first we mist live before we can grow in the Gospel.

Faith is hope for things that we cannot see but are true. We believe that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and we trust Him to help and guide us.

Repentance is when we change our hearts to be more like Heavenly Father. When we do something wrong, we feel sorry and promise ourselves and Heavenly Father that we will not do that wrong thing again. When we repent we can be forgiven because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Baptism is the first step in becoming a member of Jesus Christ’s Church. We can be baptized when we are 8 years old. At age 8, we are old enough to know the difference between right and wrong.

The Gift of the Holy Ghost is given to us by a priesthood holder after we are baptized. The Holy Ghost prompts us to choose the right, comfort us, and helps us understand eternal truths. The Holy Ghost is like a still, small voice that we feel in our minds and hearts.

The Amazing Balinese Culture!

Developing Talents #5 ~ Visit an art museum or attend a concert, play, or other cultural event. Share your experience with your family or activity day group.

Our family went for our Bali last year for our yearly family vacation. It was really an amazing trip and we were able to see, learn and experience a lot from the Balinese culture – from ancient and epic works of art, architecture such as temples and age-old rituals, to traditional recipes cuisine and local flea markets, we really love this tropical paradise!

On top of that, I was far way happier and felt the joyous when I came to know about learning and experience a cultural event or an art museum is one of the requirements of the Faith in God program under Developing Talents!

This was such a great opportunity for both Issac and Annabelle to learn others cultures and would get at least a little bit insight into the day-to-day life of Balinese through their arts, architecture, religion and beliefs.

For the Balinese people, dance is more than just an ancient tradition, but an integral part of religious and artistic expression that beings together the community. There are many different types of Balinese dances, and most involve the Balinese version of the Hindu Ramayana epic.

The Pura Uluwatu Kecak Dance is performed in the amphitheatre, where one hundred men [wearing only a loin-cloth each] form rows of circles around a coconut oil lamp in the centre.

First, they move their bodies rhythmically to the left and to the right, chanting the words cak ke-cak ke-cak ke-cak continuously, in slow rhythm. Gradually the rhythm speeds up and in turn, they each lift their hands, trembling, into the air. You won’t forget this experience in a hurry – it’s quite a spectacle!

Another cultural dance that we went is the Barong and Kris Dance. It was equally dramatic and breath taking performance. Barong and Kris Dance is also a traditional dance drama portraying the eternal battle between good and evil from the characters in Bali.

Barong, is a lion-like creature, is the king of all good spirits and is portraying as a fun-loving creature with a red head, covered in tick white fur, wearing gilded jewellery adorned with pieces of mirrors.

Rangda, is a widowed witch and the queen of all evil spirits and portraying as an old woman, with long and unkempt hair, pendulous breasts and claws, and her face is traditionally portrayed with fanged teeth and a long, protruding tongue. Both are equally revered and worshipped amongst the Balinese Hindus as one cannot exist without the other.

Compared with Kecak Dance, the Barong Dance Drama or story would be a bit more longer, and both kids were feeling sleepy in the end of the show. But the Barong costume are far more catch the eyes from the audiences!

After the show, both Issac and Annabelle were rushing up to the stage and wanted to touch the Barong fur, and took photos with the Barong.

One of the gamelan musicians invited us to the back stage where they kept all the costumes and masks used in the dance. We had a chance to put on them and have a few photos taken together.

The costumes and the masks are so uniquely done. Daddy was wearing the Rangda, Issac was wearing the monkey mask and Mummy was wearing a headpiece which is really tight!

Our family enjoyed the cultural dance including both kids. Bali is really another kind of wonders which open our eyes and mind on how great and strong will are their people upholds their culture and traditions!

Our Bali trip indeed was a memorable one and at the same time, able to fulfil one of the Faith in God requirements for both Issac and Annabelle. The Barong really gives Issac an inspiration and he tried to draw out the Barong, and it really looks real… ^^