A Day Out With a 18 Month Old

Nathan had a full day program today with Mummy! And we had great fun!

In the morning, we left for church. (Nicole was down with a fever, so she stayed home with Weng & Nadine to rest) Nathan was shy and hesitant to be around people in the morning.

But during the service, he warmed up considerably, as he played in the nursery. He really loves Lego!

This is how he plays: 

1. Stack a brick

2. Look at you

3. Clap enthusiastically

4. Look at you and move your hands to clap

5. When you clap, he'll smile and squeal. And proceed to stack another brick

It was great joy watching him play, and affirming him.

After service, we went for lunch at Old Airport Road Hawker. Ohh! He really warmed up, cos there were lots of food! My cell group members took turns to feed him, brought him around to buy food, and walked around the market.

When we got home, we quickly changed to get ready for Danzel's party! Unfortunately, as Nicole was still running a temperature, only Nathan turned up for the party.

It was FUN FUN FUN!! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

* S.O.C - Standard Obstacle Course

What a great day! On our way home, he was humming some song. It didn't last long though. After two minutes, he knocked out. The boy must have been so tired after a full day of activities!

Check out a short clip I managed to get while he was climbing... (pardon the abrupt end!)

Nathan - Playing in Indoor Playground from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

Happy Teacher's Day

Mummy blogs...

Yes, it is September 1, and it's TEACHER'S DAY!

I remember as a student, this day meant NO SCHOOL!! Yeah! Above that, it was also a time for us to appreciate our teachers. My mum 'trained' us from young to appreciate our teachers with homemade gifts. This was what I gave my teachers:

Primary 1-3    Little baskets of flower arrangements

Primary 4-6    Home-made cards

Sadly, when I reached secondary school, I treated Sept 1 purely as a holiday. I was contented to just clap a little harder for the teachers I like in school during the annual teacher's day concert.

In fact, it was 'cool' not to do anything. I had a friend whose Dad owns a popular cookie company. Her parents would get for her nice cookie gift packages for all the teachers. But the recipients would be all of us! None of it went to the teachers!

Looking back, I'm really quite ashamed of how we neglected to affirm our teachers and thank them.

Now that Nicole is in school, and I've seen how all her teachers commit themselves to teaching her and being involved in her life, AND how they were so concerned when she fell off the slide, I was determined to show my appreciation for them.

First, we got all the teachers and staff our family's favorite Durian cake.  We gave them on Thursday, as we anticipated lots of various cakes/snacks/cookies/cupcakes would be given to them on Friday. They LOVED it!

Then we prepared envelopes to pack in gifts for them. A fortnight ago, Nicole & I went to Aldo Accessories (as strongly and wisely recommended by another mummy) and found a galore of bracelets, necklaces, wallets etc for the teachers.

So last night, Nicole spent the whole night drawing and decorating each of the envelope. I think it looks really colorful and the design is e-x-c-l-u-s-i-v-e!

Aside - you can see my limited Mandarin!

Today, when we were in school, we handed Ms Serene - her class teacher, the gift. She was very happy, and said she would assist to distribute the rest. I found out later that Nicole went around with Ms Serene and personally gave each of them the gift and they got her to open the gifts for them! What a great idea!

This afternoon, I received thank you sms-es from her teachers. They were really very happy with the gifts! It feels good to be a blessing! 

Well, my daughter did her bit to thank her teachers this year. She may not have understood it (for a while, she thought it was everyone's birthday!), but it's a good start!

So to all the teachers, especially to all my teachers--Happy Teacher's Day! Have a good break!

Nicole's Bible Stories

Nicole learned something new about Jesus on Sunday:

She learnt that Jesus lives in her heart!

Nic loves to read, so when she went home, she took out her favorite Bible Storybook.

She quickly got Mummy to sit down and read the book together with her.

As she looked at the pictures of Jesus in the Bible, she immediately looked at Mummy...with a very puzzled look...

pointing to the picture of Jesus, she exclaimed:

 

 Mummy....How did Jesus come out of my heart?!?

 

I am sorry, but I must be bias....I think she is the cutest little girl around!!!

Technorati Tags: parenting,bible stories

Money No Enough 2 & SOT Graduation

This weekend, all our SOT (School of Theology) students will be graduating! 

A lot of ET zone members will be graduating, including my regular readers like Shing and Kai Lin.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR GRADUANDS!

It has not been an easy 5 months, but I am glad that you guys stepped out in faith and signed up for SOT!

Believing that you guys will rise up even more in the weeks & years to come!

After the Sunday Graduation, we will also be having a private screening of Money NO Enough 2! 

I will be bringing my dad for the screening, as it has been ages since he last caught a movie. I know of many other parents who are coming as well :)

Heard that the movie is pretty 'moving', as it speaks about filial piety and honoring our parents - so I am looking forward to it!

If you are wondering what this local Singapore Production is about, you might want to click on the videos I posted below.

 

Technorati Tags: money no enough 2,bible school graduation

Praying for Revival at 7am

It has really been a tiring week for all of us...

But we believe that Revival involves Sacrifice!

Since we started on our Morning Prayer from Mon to Fri from 6 to 7am, it has really been fruitful!

Today is Day 8, and the hall is still packed! We have the same situation over in Jurong West. PTL!

I am really proud and encouraged by our members, who have been coming in their school uniforms and 'Shenton Way' Business Attire. Today, I even saw a father bringing his 2 kids to the prayer meeting.

God has also been giving me new strategies and ideas for the ministry. It has been stretching, as we carry them out...but we believe that with Prayer, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

The members who have been coming for more than 5 days, also got their "Starbucks' vou

chers today. So proud of them!

More of us need to come!

Technorati Tags: Prayer,revival

Beijing Olympics, Lip Sync & Fake Fireworks!

Is 'face' really that important!?!

I was not at home to watch the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics, but all I heard was good reviews.

I learnt that China made us proud, by putting up an outstanding opening ceremony and that the whole event was flawless!

However, as the games started, the world began to hear rumors about fakes and lip syncing!

Well, it turned out to be true!

Lin Miaoke, the 9 year old girl who sang Ode to the 'Motherland' was Lip syncing. The voice actually belonged to another girl who was yanked from the opening ceremony at the 11th hour.

The reason being, she just did not look good enough, as she had chubby cheeks and crooked teeth!

Above that, the live images of the fireworks during the opening ceremony, were not "live" at all. Some images were pre-recorded to give the impression of flawless perfection!

Frankly, I think the Chinese already out-did themselves with the content of the ceremony. The show would have been perfect already, without these little 'extras'.

It could have saved itself from this Public Relations Disaster, if it just kept things straight! The same thing about life, is that when the dust settles; people will always remember the controversies.

It will be interesting to see how history records these games!  

Technorati Tags: Beijing Olympics,Lip sync,fake fireworks

Nicole fell from the slide

Friday was quite an adventure!

I received an SMS from my wife that Nic fell from the slide at school!

The slide in question is around the same height as the one pictured above!

It seems that our little girl, did not sit down properly while at the top, and she fell, face first to the ground. The good thing was that she did not fall on her head!

Mummy went down and picked her up and brought her to Gleneagles Hospital for a check up.

Praise God, as the X-rays showed that she was alright and we had nothing to worry about.

She was a bit stunned and lost as she went through the whole ordeal, and she had bruises on her face, as a result of the fall.

The teachers at school remarked that Nicole was very brave, and she did not really cry much after the fall. You can see the bruises on her forehead, cheeks and lips, if you look closely at the photo.

If you are wondering how Nicole is, she has been well and kicking!  She also enjoyed the fuss over her on Sunday when she went to church. All the Uncles and Aunties gathered around her to fill up her love tank!

Here's our little Girl!

Posing for a shot, just before bedtime!

Technorati Tags: Nicole,falling from a slide

National Day and Nicole Performing

Just recently on August the 9th, Singapore celebrated it's National Day.

We had our annual parade at the Esplanade, but unfortunately it was a real 'downer'. This was because everyone had just seen the opening ceremony of the "Beijing Olympics" the night before.

I don't think we can make even a close comparison between the 2. One is like "Wow..", while the Singapore Parade is like "Why so few people?!?"

However, the highlight for our family, was watching Nicole perform at her annual national day performance.

It was a day of great anticipation, as both sets of grandparents were coming to watch it.

As we entered the school, we were greeted with many balloons lining the fence. Guess whose photo, we found hanging under 1 balloon!

There were also lots of games for the children to play as well. Check out Nic, as she plays, "Pin the tail on the flag!"

The highlight of the day, was of course when the children gathered, and they showcased their class performances! Here is our little girl doing "Singapura" - She has been singing this song, all week long!

Check her out in action in the video below:

Nicole - National Day Performance from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

Technorati Tags: children's performance,natioanl day

City Harvest Sermon - Ps. Kong Hee Preaches

Last weekend, it was great to have Ps. back from the Europe Conference and he preached a sermon about Servanthood.

This is one of the main themes for CHC in 2008, and all of us are looking to grow in this area in the coming months.

The theme also tied in nicely with our early morning prayer. For these 2 weeks, the church is waking up early to pray from 7am - 8am at Jurong West and at Heart of God church in Paya Lebar.

Today is day 3 and I am tired....

I was telling my mass class that to be at Paya Lebar at 7am, I have to wake up at 6am. - I have not woken up at 6am since Secondary School - talk about crucifying my flesh.

But the prayer meetings have been good!!!

And I am looking forward to the next one tomorrow, as I know that keeping myself disciplined is one of the keys to success!

Furthermore, according to the Sermon on Sunday:

1. Servanthood is Willing (Serving is an issue of the heart where surrender is needed)
2. Servanthood excels
3. Servanthood is swift
4. Servanthood is never convenient
5. Servanthood is honoring
6. Servanthood is work
7. Servanthood is caring for people (Hey! Even Barak Obama practices this) .

INCONVENIENCE (Point 4) is something we are discovering this week!

I am so glad that so many people are coming to the prayer meetings, that we have been having a packed hall in both Paya Lebar and Jurong. (Approximately. 4000 people have been gathering to pray)

Yesterday, we introduced another pray center at Church of Singapore in Marine Parade.

If you are thinking about joining us, come down this week! You won't be alone and best of all - YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

Technorati Tags: prayer,kong hee,city harvest church

Forest Adventure - A Real Adventure

Mummy Blogger writes...

I conquered my fears recently!

Or rather, I conquered one of my fears!

It's not the fear of height, cos I'm ok looking out of the windows when I'm in a high-rise building. It's not fear of adrenaline cos I love taking roller coaster rides. Maybe after reading, you can put a word to it!

Two weeks ago, the adults in our zone had a most EXCITING and I-DON'T-KNOW-WHY-I-AGREED-TO-THIS time! We went for Forest Adventure!

It's an aerial course through the trees comprising ladders, bridges, swings, nets, trapezes and slides where participants move unaccompanied, from tree to tree, 5 meters above ground.

Well, I put that in bold, cos selected activities were 8 meters above ground. (that's like 4 storeys high off a HDB flat!)

When we first decided on this activity, there's lots of overcoming I had to face personally! Well, I made up my mind, just do it! Can't be that bad. There's safety harness, lots of people tried it. No accidents, no deaths.

On the actual day, the leaders went down for a quick chat with the instructors. They showed us the route.

We had to get across the reservoir and back! Well, the way to do it was via the Flying Fox. Look at me when I was doing the trial and again for the real thing.

Flying Fox Trainer from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

 

Flying Fox from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

I would love to show you more photos, but due to to highly skilled photographers' techniques of taking many of us (actually me!) in the most unflattering posture, with strange never-seen-before bulges, I can only show you a glimpse of what we went through...

The highlight of the entire route was the 8m high Tarzan swing. This was very high and took heaps of faith to leap off the platform. As this was the 2nd last stop to the entire trail, many of us just took a deep breath, close our eyes and leapt off. No pictures for this stop cos some things are better left to sketches! (thanks to N116's Joy for her sketch! Read her review here!)

 

At the end, we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we had a

GREAT time! Really.

 

To all who went for Forest Adventure that day, thank you for being so brave, so game and so sporting to participate! I would not have been able to go through all of it and conquered my fears without you guys!

Technorati Tags: forest adventure,outdoor adventure

Singing about your favorite food

Just the other day, I was scrolling through my hp and I stumbled upon 1 of the videos, that I have completely forgotten about. It was actually recorded upside down, so I had to rotate it.

It's about Nicole singing about her favorite food.

Since young, she has never had a problem eating her food and thinking of ways to get more of it! (Read about her ice-cream entry, if you don't know what I am talking about)

Well, the little maestro has even created songs about her favorite food.

Here, she sings about French Fries, Keropok (Prawn Crackers) and Strawberry Panda!

As you watch the video, you will notice the joy and groove that she puts into every word - It really brings a smile to my face, as I watch it!

My Favorite Food from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

It kind of reminds me of what it says in the bible:

Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

PS 37:4

Hey! If we can sing and trust in the Lord with such simple faith, it will definitely bring a smile to our Father's heart.

It makes me wonder how anyone who loves God (as one loves food) can be sedated about their faith in Him!

Technorati Tags: Favorite food,singing

Hillsong Conference & Asia Conference

The Hillsong Conference has just concluded in Australia.

With a huge lineup of programs and speakers, it is one of the biggest events in the Southern Hemisphere.

City Harvest Church is also going to have our Asia Conference this coming November 19-23 2008.

With Speakers like Benny Hinn, A.R Bernard, Phil & Chris Pringle, Ulf Ekman and our very own Rev. Kong Hee, it promises to be an unforgettable conference.

Lots of people have already started applying leave to make sure that they are there for the event, so let's jump on the bandwagon...& I will see you at the conference.

For those of you who want to take a peek at what usually happens at a conference, take a look at the video below:

Technorati Tags: Hillsong conference,Asia conference,City Harvest Conference