We read Bible to Jono every night before he goes to bed. Recently I started reading a question and answered book about God to him as well. Last night was the first night and it emphasised that God made everything like the sea, animals, plants, people and insects. Cheeky Jono immediately said "Well, I killed the insects that God made mum, I killed the ants."

Tonight, we read that God is invisible, we can't see Him. However, He is everywhere and He knows everything. Very seriously Jono said, "Well, He's not in the wall, mummy." LOL I think he is trying to make sense that how come God is everywhere.

I think as Christian parents we have the responsibility to teach our kids about God and His salvation. The more you talk about it with them the more they will understand. We are planting the seed and God will make it grow. There is great joy seeing your children get saved and follow God. 

Another thing we talked about is salvation. We have mentioned about it many times but tonight Jono made it personal for him. I said we are all sinners meaning we all do wrong things. And he said, "me too?" and I said "yes, we all have sinned and only Lord Jesus can save us." I invite him to accept the Lord Jesus as his saviour and he said yes. Even though he's only 3, it's not too young to talk about the needs to be saved. God's words are powerful and He can work in my little boy's heart. So never ever underestimated how much a child can know about God. Of course only time can tell whether Jono truly believes what he heard about God and his decision about accepting Jesus Christ as his saviour. As parents, our prayer is that he will be a man of God when he grows up!

"Mum, I'm not touching it I just want to have a look at it." This is what Jono said to me when I caught him touching the air freshener. To be honest, I'm not shocked to hear that my 3 year old lied trying to cover up his own wrong doings. He simply did not admit that he did wrong but trying to justify it. Isn't this was what the first man Adam did? Since Adam and Eve, sin has entered into the world. The Bible says "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).

Let us stop covering up our wrong doings and accept God and His provision for us. We cannot enter into heaven because of our sins. But God gave us His Son - Lord Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. He has paid the penalty for sins when He died for us on the cross. What will you do with Christ? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16)

Early yesterday morning we farewelled Dane at the airport and began our life without him for the next 10-12 weeks. It was hard to say goodbye after 4 weeks of wonderful family time. We were worried that Jono would be upset like last time but he did not cry or appeared to be upset. We told him a few days before that daddy had to leave for his job training but we emphasised that he is coming back. Jono was able to say goodbye with no dramas. I guess he knew daddy will come back just like last time. However, sometimes during the day he was still looking for daddy and wanted him to read him books and pray with him. Fortunately, with the technology today we're able to make video calls on both our mobile phones and skype. This has certainly help to let Jono 'see' his daddy. Hopefully this 10-12 weeks will pass very quickly and we will be a family again!

Time really flies, another year had gone and now we are in the year 2010. I have enjoyed time with my family especially having my hubby by my side. We had great time during Christmas and New Year with family and friends. The kids absolutely loved their christmas presents. We only bought small items like books and matchbox car for Jono. He was just as happy and really appreciated them. However, his granparents and uncle and aunties bought him big toys otherwise. They bought him Wii, a golf set, DVD, 'Whack a Mole', and books. To be honest, we found that toys are so overrated in our society. Kids don't need the biggest, the lastest or the most expensive toys to make them happy. What they really want is our time and attention. Jono would be most happy when we read to him and play with him.

Esther's 1st Christmas was rewarded with books, toys, clothes and shoes. She was very excited to rip open those presents. She was more interested in the wrappers than the actual items themselves. I think she really could not careless what she gets for Christmas. I mean what would a 10 months old baby want? I felt that we are buying her presents just to make us happy, not her. Just like many other young kids, she is happy to just play with a piece of paper or a plastic cup. Kids are just so simple and innocent.

Our new year was spent in a Christian Camp. We really enjoyed our time there and have made some new friends. Jono was so spoilt with lot of kids to play with and Esther was giving smiles to everyone. I would say it's most excited when you meet like-minded people and gather around the Word of God. Apart from that, I also enjoyed not having to cook or worry about the house for a week.

God has been very gracious to us in 2009. He guided us through some huge changes and in all life circumstances. In this new year we will trust Him in everything we do and live our lives as we ought to. 

Merry Christmas to Everyone!

It's Esther 1st Christmas and she does not have a clue what all the fuss is about. In the past weeks, we have bought presents, put up the Christmas tree, send out Christmas card and bought Christmas food. The shopping centre is packed full of people everyday. Everyone is busy preparing for this festive season. However, Christmas celebration will become meaningless if it was not about the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He is the reason for the season. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11. God had given us the best gift - His Son to be our Saviour.

It is also about GIVE and RECEIVE. You see God gave us His Son Jesus. So that He could die for us on the cross to save us form our sins. What we have to do is to simply receive it with faith. We usually buy  Christmas gifts to our family and friends and we love to see them gladly receive it. Can you see God's Love for you? Have you received His gift of salvation?

We will be celebrating Christmas with our family. We thank God for giving us a wonderful year of 2009. He provide and guide us in everything we do. We can say in confidence that we are lack of nothing because God is our everything. Let us come and adore Him Christ the LORD!

Yes one of the most exciting trip had arrived. On 9th Dec we  (us and Dane's parents) flew from Brisbane to Sydney then transferred to Wagga. The trip was exciting because we were going to see Dane - my hubby, my children's father and my in-laws' son. It was an enjoyable flight except Esther was screaming during our flight from Brisbane to Sydney.

We arrived safely at Wagga Airport and checked in to our accommodation at about 2:00pm. At about 5pm we went and picked up Dane from his training base. I was waiting anxiously at the gate and was very nervous to see Dane again. We were surrounded by many other families and friends who were also waiting for their loved ones. Suddenly there was this man waving at me and I honestly could not recognise him at all. Yes,it's my handsome husband. He looked like he's 18 again. Well I supposed that was the result of him losing 9 kilos during his training.

Our 2 beautiful children

Getting ready to attend daddy's graduation

Immediately after picking up Dane, we went to a nice Italian restaurant for dinner. It was so strange to have him by my side and be able to hold him again. Jono was also excited to see daddy. He could not stop talking to him and telling him about everything. During our car trip I was sitting between Jono and Dane. Jono actually asked me to move so he could see Dane. Well his exact words was: "Mummy, can you move your body? I want to see daddy." LOL

My man in uniform.

The Drill

The next day we attended Dane's graduation and it was a truly emotional 50 minutes ceremony. We were all so proud of him to complete this tough training. To me, that was the day I had been waiting for. The day when I got to see him again and to witness him realising his dream. We were all so proud of his achievement. Just to prove that it's never too late or too old to pursue our dreams.

Next morning we left Wagga to Sydney. We spent the night and the next day in Sydney before we flew back to Brisbane. We enjoyed family time with Dane's family. We visited Sydney Opera House, Syndey Harbour Bridge and cruised on the ferries. It was so nice to have Dane back and do things together as a family.

Our fun Sydney Trip

Now, we are going to spend 4 weeks together before Dane leaves again on the 11th Jan. It will be another 10 weeks separation but we will try to make visits in between. I thanked God for His love and comforts, for his protection and provision that we helped us got through this 9.5 weeks of separation. God is good all the time!

Esther is such a happy girl that most people think she does not cry (well how I wish it's true). She would smile at anyone anytime. I love taking her photos as she is always smiling. Her smile is so sweet and innocent. How blessed I'm to be Esther's mum. When I feel sad or stressed I would just look at Esther and she would give me a nice big smile. It always make me feel so much better.
Philipians 4:4 says Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Thank you Lord for Smiley Esther!

SMILE!

Have you heard of the term 'Married Single Mum'? Do you know anyone who is or you are one as well. I found out that I'm one when I was searching other people's experience dealing with husband working away. And yes, I'm a MSM. My husband has been away for 8 weeks now and we are missing him dearly. I have the responsibility of looking after our children. It is not easy as I have my limitation and I do need someone to share the job.

I think the hardest thing is I had relied heavily on Dane before this and I was lost without him.  When he was still here I could call/sms him whenever I need him during the day and he is never too far away. When the days got tough I would just look at the clock and knew that Dane would be home at 5:30pm. He would be here and give me a break. He could lend me his shoulder and give me a hug. 8 weeks I haven't seen him and so do the kids. It took me a few weeks to get the routine right and settled down the kids and myself. No more waiting for Dane to come home so I can cook dinner or go out to do some shopping. There's no other person to bath/shower the kids, to change them, or put them to bed. I have to do it all by myself. Even though I'm staying with my in-laws but they are both working full-time and they are very busy. Ultimately I'm the parent so I do it all. Also I better get used to it too because once we're posted to Newcastle, Adelaide or Darwin I will have no family or friends (hopefully to make some new friends) around. However, God is my strength and He is with me. Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

 

Even though Dane is not physically with us but he is still one of us. He is still the head of this house and we love him.  I think I'm still learning to find the balance and not to make my children feel that they only need mummy. Wisdom I really need it so much. Know how to involve Dane to still be part of our lives is the thing I have to put effort in. I started to talk about daddy and what daddy would do if he was here. I tried to talk  to Jono about the things that we do together with daddy. We wrote letters to daddy and we took photos so we can send it to him. No doubt there's time when Jono wanted to be with daddy and he was very sad that he couldn't go to training with daddy. However, he has been very stable and settled in the last few weeks. At the same time, I have become more independent and learnt to do many things by myself. Even though I know I could do it all but having Dane to share the load would be better. After all marriage is a two people's business. We also have built our family together and it's never complete without him. around. I really missed him last night when it was all quiet and I had no one to share my thoughts/feelings with. By that time we had not talk for 2 days. Thankfully we had about 10 minutes tonight on the phone. It 's so comforting to be able to hear his voice again.

I thank you Lord for giving me strength and comfort when things are tough. Thank you for your daily protection and provision. I can do nothing without you. When there's no one else around I know I have you. You have promised that You will never leave us nor forsake us. I prayed that my life reflects you and that my children will see how mummy's God is a living God. Help me to be an example to them and show them what being strong and courageous mean. Let them learn about how mummy and daddy trust in God and live their lives according to the Bible's Truth. Thank you for everything and I know I'm a happy and blessed 'Married Single Mum'.

My 12 pink roses

On the afternoon of 9th Nov 2009, I got a nice surprise delivered at my door. 12 gorgeous pink roses from my hubby Dane. It really made my day and possibly weeks ahead.. It was so great to 'see' my hubby's love as he was going into bush for that week and we were not able to talk on the phone for whole 6 days.

He was never ever a romantic man, and I am not that type of girl that looks for that either. However, when I got the flowers I was absolutely stoked! Thanks HUBBY, I love you!

We will be able to meet again in less than a month!!!! How can I make it go faster?

My parenting days are getting more and more intellectually challenging. My cheeky boy Jono continues to ask WHY about anything and everything.

For example:

Me: Jono, come and have dinner.

J: Why? Why we have dinner for?

M: Because we get hungry and we need food to give us energy?

J: Why we get hungry for? Why we need energy?

M: We need energy to play and do work. (started to get impatience)

J: Why we play and work? Why mummy? Why?

M: That's what we do.

J: Why????? Why mummy?

M: Ok, eat your dinner. (Stop to explain any more because he is never satisfied with the answers) :P

J: WHy????????

Above is only a tiny glimpse of my "WHY days". I suppose he is going through a stage of learning about others and learning about himself. He is curious and he wanted to know why. He is forcing to me find out more about our world and myself so I can explain them to him. I remember one of my high school English teacher Encik Rahman who often told us we need to be smart so we can answer our children's questions or they would think we are stupid. I guess no parents want their children to think that their parents are dumb. :( However, it is imposibble to know about everything or to have answer for them. The key is to willing to learn and find out as much as we can. Make it a learning process for both parents and the children. I'm proud to know the difference between a seal and a sea lion is that sea lion has ears and seal does not! Amazing right? hahaha

There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child. ~ Frank A. Clark ~

I found this quote today and I totally agreed with it. Never before I felt that whatever I do I have to be able to explain to my 3 year old just because he wanted to know about everything. My personal beliefs and convictions have never been so carefully thought about so that I can simply and precisely explain them to my son. I reckon this is a great way to find out how much you really know about yourself and things you do and believe in. Parents are like an open book studied by their children who watch them intensely and closely as they learn about life. They in return will be a reflection of us as they learn from us everyday. So be careful what you instill in your children, you reap what you sow!