In Bikini For Swimming Lesson?

Last Tuesday, Caleb's class had their first school swimming lesson. As the children would proceed to the Clementi swimming complex immediately after Science lessons, they were instructed to change into their swimwear during their lunch break and return to the classroom for Science.

When Caleb's form teacher entered the classroom, he spotted a girl clad in her bikini. Probably surprised or feeling awkward, he asked her whether she would like to put on her T-shirt. And she replied that it was not necessary.

Fortunately, the girl is only in Primary 3 and not older. Otherwise, the form teacher would have felt embarrassed (or distracted) while he was teaching! And not forgetting that there are many boys in the class too. Their male hormones would be raging and jumping all over.

I think the school should specify the types of acceptable swimwear that students can wear for their swimming lessons as a swimwear which may be acceptable to one may be totally unacceptable or inappropriate to another. Besides, we, parents, should always teach and encourage our children (especially our daughters) to dress modestly and appropriately.

Celebration Mooncakes

Dear Friends

The Amway Celebration Mooncakes are here again! To order, please email or sms me your orders. Delivery (west area only) is FREE for orders of a minimum of 3 boxes of mooncakes. Please order early to avoid disappointment as Amway mooncakes are sold out fast every year! Payment : Cash on Delivery. ;D

Regards

Ariana Tan

Amway Distributor

Email : arianatan@yahoo.com

Mobile : 9720 7985 / 9172 8817

How To Attain Honour?

"A gracious (kind, polite) woman attains honour (respect)." Proverbs 11:16a

Being a homemaker, my children, Caleb and Naomi, are usually the ones who help me to see the unpleasant side of me most of the time. Yesterday, while I was preparing to bathe Naomi, I got quite annoyed with her when she refused to step into the shower room in the common bathroom. She told me that she had urinated on the floor in the shower room and had used water to gush the urine away.

As Naomi is still not tall enough to reach for the shower head, I suspected that she had used her mouth rinsing cup to collect some water and rinse the floor as I saw that the floor outside the shower room was wet. Getting a little impatient (as I had already mopped the floor earlier), I asked her to go inside the shower room first so that I could use the mat that she was stepping on to wipe away the water. She refused to move!

Getting more annoyed, I raised my voice at Naomi to get her to move. And she did. However, I could see from her facial expression that she was hurt and about to cry. She 'warned' me that she would tell Daddy that I had used harsh words on her. She was indeed very upset with me. And I was equally cross with her (still even after we had come out of the common bathroom).

As I was reading Proverbs 11 today, this particular, simple verse just stood out from the Bible. It was so relevant for me. I failed to realise from the episode the day before that what Naomi did was actually right and appropriate according to her age and level of understanding. I had reminded the children umpteen times (after the maid had left on 12 January) that they were not supposed to use the toilet bowl in the common bathroom as I did not want to wash so many toilet bowls (3 altogether) while waiting for our new maid to arrive after Chinese New Year. I had also instructed Naomi before that she was not allowed to turn on the shower head herself as she had not learnt how to adjust the temperature of the water yet. All these, she faithfully adhered to! So, when Naomi urinated on the shower room floor (maybe she was very urgent and could not get to the yard toilet on time), she just wanted to rinse the urine away so that I would not step on it. It was normal for (and common sense to) her to get water from the basin using her cup! Yet, I had allowed myself to lose my peace (and cool) by sweating over this small stuff (wet floor) with her!

I was too quick to catch her wrong than her right. I should listen to my senior pastor's advice that we, parents, should make a point to catch our children doing right than catch them doing wrong. Give them praise where and when it is due. How to attain honour (respect)? Be gracious (kind, polite and even forgiving)! This is true and relevant even outside home.

God's Beloved

15 Blessings Of The Righteous (Proverbs 10)

As I was reading Proverbs 10 (NASB) this morning, I discovered that there were 15 precious blessings that I, the righteousness of God, could claim from my loving Father.

(1)I am delivered from death. (v2)
(2)I will not hunger. (v3)
(3)Blessings are on my head. (v6)
(4)The memory of me is blessed/a blessing. (v7)
(5)My mouth is a fountain of life. (v11)
(6)My wages is life/brings life. (v16)
(7)My tongue is as choice silver. (v20)
(8)My lips feed/nourish many. (v21)
(9)My desire will be granted. (v24)
(10)I have an everlasting foundation (stand firm forever). (v25)
(11)My hope is gladness/joy. (v28)
(12)The way of the LORD is a stronghold/refuge to me. (v29)
(13)I will never be shaken/uprooted. (v30)
(14)My mouth flows with wisdom. (v31)
(15)My lips bring forth what is acceptable (know what is fitting). (v32)

I realised that 5 of these blessings (that's 1/3 of the list!) had to do with the mouth/tongue/lips, the one little part of the body which James said in James 3:8 that no one could tame! That really requires our LORD's superabounding grace! I believe that with my Father's undeserved, unmerited and unearned favour, I will be able to restrain this little member from speaking negative and hurtful words, especially so when Chinese New Year is just around the corner.

Last but not least, I wish that all the desires of your heart (health and wholeness, prosperity, success, etc.) will be granted in 2010! Blessed Lunar New Year!

God's Beloved

Small Group Mathematics Tuition For 2009

Available @ Tower 46 The Quintet!
December 2008 - November 2009

Dear Parents

We are pleased to announce that the head start Mathematics programme for the academic year 2009 will commence in December 2008. We conduct Mathematics tutorials for students from Primary 1 to Secondary 4. Our groups are kept small (maximum of 5 students) so that every student can benefit from the lessons in terms of adequate attention given to each student. Within a smaller group, each child is likely to participate more readily.

Our teachers, Mr & Mrs Go, graduated from the National University of Singapore and are former NIE-trained teachers. Mr Go has 12 years of teaching experience and was a Head of Department in a secondary school. Mrs Go has more than 10 years of teaching and tutoring experience (in government school, tuition centres and private tuition).

We believe that every child is unique and can achieve given the right guidance and support. We strive to work closely with our students’ parents in order to bring about a successful outcome for our students. We desire to provide quality tuition at affordable fees to the students residing in Yew Tee.

Please call or email us to enquire about the fess and the available timeslots for the various levels and register with us as soon as possible! Thank you and may God bless you!

Faithfulness & Integrity In Service
Mr & Mrs Daniel Go
9172 8817, danarical@yahoo.com.sg
9720 7985, ariantan@yahoo.com

Fees for 4 lessons (Payable by cash/cheque on the first lesson of every month)
Lower Primary - $120 per student
Upper Primary - $130 per student
Primary 6 - $140 per student

Lower Secondary - $150 per student
Secondary 3 - $160 per student
Secondary 4 - $170 per student

There will be no lessons in the 5th week.
Confirmed classes

Rates for clinic sessions (Strictly by appointment)
Lower Primary - $40 per hour
Upper Primary - $45 per hour

Lower Secondary - $55 per hour
Upper Secondary - $60 per hour

The Wonder of The Anointing Oil

On 16 May 2008, I shared that I met Betty, who had suggested that I left the cover of the piano open so that Caleb could practise for his exam on a more regular basis. He took his practical exam on 10 July, at 9.20am.

Before Caleb's exam, my pastor preached on the subject of the anointing oil over a few Sundays in June. I was very excited and I started applying the anointing oil (olive oil that had been prayed over by Pastor Prince) on Caleb's hands every night when he was sleeping. I prayed as I was applying the anointing oil. I even prayed over and anointed his piano!

The night before his piano exam, I faithfully anointed Caleb's eyes, ears and hands and prayed for God's favour to be upon him again while he was sleeping. I believed that when I anointed him with the anointing oil, those areas that were anointed were set apart for God's use and His glory. Though Caleb was a little nervous (to the extent that he had 'butterflies' in his tummy) before he went into the exam studio, I knew that the Lord had taken over control of his eyes (to see the notes correctly), ears (to hear correctly, aural) and hands (to play the pieces skilfully).

This afternoon, when Ms Connie Lim arrived at our home, she broke the joyful news that Caleb had passed the Grade 2 practical exam with a merit! She has not given me the full details yet. Ms Lim was glad and relieved that Caleb had done well for his maiden exam. All glory to God!

God's Beloved

Getting Caleb Motivated

Yesterday, I had the privilege of talking with Betty, one of the mothers, whose children were also studying at Gracefields Kindergarten. I was sharing with her that Caleb's piano examination was drawing near, in July, but he did not seem to be very motivated to practise the piano examination pieces every day. Betty shared with me that her daughter's paino teacher had suggested leaving the cover of the piano open so that Hannah could play it whenever she wanted or wished. And the result was, Hannah played the piano! Even though it was just five to ten minutes, at least, she played!

So, this morning, I deliberately left the cover of the piano open, awaiting for the magical moment to occur. Lo and behold, Caleb hopped onto the bench and started striking the keys! He played for about fifteen minutes on his own accord! And he continued to play in this manner as and when he walked past the piano during the course of the day. This method is so much better than getting him practise at a stipulated, definite time. Thanks, Betty! I really met the right person, at the right place and at the right time.

God's Beloved