Mike - Post #5 - Off to the Mall!

Off to the Mall

When I first came here, someone told me that window shopping at the mall is a national past time.  After spending an hour at the mall, I found this was so true.  One doesn’t have to just be interested in shopping to want to go to the mall, because there is plenty to look at.

Too bad I arrived at the end of summer – I’ve been told all the flowers in the ball can be found here in Singapore.

It was my “first” trip to the mall on my own where I learned just prepared one needs to be when they want to “drive” to the mall.  (I didn’t know a majority use either a taxi or take the bus).  There are two floors under the ENTIRE mall, but not knowing better, I chose to come over when there were no parking spaces.  So, after driving around for nearly thirty minutes, I gave up and decided to come back Sunday morning.

This time, I was better prepared – and learned a lot more about what is involved in parking underground.

First, because there are at least six different elevators and escalators which go to the parking, you have to know where you want to end up.  So, the signs list different major stores and you go from there.

In this case, I wanted to go to ‘Golden Village’ – the movie theatre.  One of the great things about the signs, is they tell you how many parking spaces are available in that area.

Lucky me, there are 45 spaces; but instead of having to drive up and down each row, I just have to look at the little Christmas lights – each car spot has a light above it.  Green, the space is open; Red – you’re out of luck.

Because there are many different ways of getting down to the parking garage, each column is painted to match the major area of the mall.  If you are heading to Tangs, you want Purple, if you are heading to the grocery store, you want Blue.  In my case, the movie theatre is Yellow. 

Because there are so many columns, each one has its own individual number, and every other column has little tab sheets for you to put in your purse, so as to remember wich one you want.

Trust me, you don’t want to forget where you park.  Even with a car key that has lock/unlock, it took me a good 15 minutes to find the car with the flashing lights. 

Since then…. I’ve learned to use the camera function on my cell phone.

Little Fishies :)

First Day of Homeschool and Little Fishies

We started our homeschool back. It was a pretty good day with very few "arguments". Micah even did a little bit with me.

After speech therapy and some errands, we came home. The swimming pool kept calling our name. (Yeah, that is what I said....it just begs us to come out!)

I have added some video to show you some of our fun times.

I'm not a millionaire. I don't have a fine car. My wardrobe is not fancy, at all! I'm not a supermodel.

But, I am rich.....and My God, my husband, and my boys are the reason for that! :)

Update on the Weekend so far.......

JC had an RA campout that turned out to be a "campout/camp-in". The boys played football, roasted marshmallows and had Bible Study. They decided to spend the night in the multi-purpose room at church because of the heat and the humidity. (I don't blame them a bit.)

JC told me he finally went to sleep at around 2 am and woke up at 6:40 am.....poor RA leaders! I pray they all got a good nap in today! So, JC collapsed in the recliner right after dinner, and Micah fell around 7:30 p.m. I pray they sleep most of the night! However, this quiet time is welcome for sure.

I do love my boys, but they sure can make some noise!

I also have finished some lesson plans for Micah. I have to finish JC's first few weeks of lessons. We start back homeschool full force Monday!

I also have been preparing for the middle school Bible fellowship class. We are studying about the fact that we have a choice to serve God. Our God loved us so much that He gave us the choice........He sacrificed His only Son.....and then left it up to us to decide if we would follow. What kind of father is that? A loving one who wants us to choose Him.....just like He chose us!

Praying for all the worship that will be going on tomorrow. The church, Every Nation, in Singapore should be gathering the worshipers right about now.....................   :)

First Day of School for so many.....

Many kids around here had their first day back to school. Since we homeschool, we had another eventful, yet laid back day. Micah had speech, and we had to get a thicker sleeping bag for JC to take to a church camping trip tomorrow night.

We decided just about 2 years ago that we would homeschool. It was something we discussed and prayed about at length.

See, I taught high school for six years and GED classes for a local community college for three years. My heart was in the classroom. However, I have seen over the years how education has turned towards "teaching the tests" and getting high test scores. Kids don't get to do the extra "fun" stuff we were able to do.

Also, my kids will get one on one attention. I don't think that could be achieved in the regular classroom. I also know that Micah will need some extra help. We will start a little bit of "preschool" with him this year.

Please pray that I will be able to keep JC up to where he needs to be, even with our move to Asia. That is another blessing of homeschooling.....we don't have to worry about moving during the middle of a semester and what to do about school. :)

Kicking and Screaming!

Micah had so much fun at church tonight that I had to drag him out kicking and screaming. I think everyone in the church knew we were leaving. haha!

What if we never wanted to leave the foot of Jesus? What if we were like Micah and didn't want to leave worship? What if we were dragged out kicking and screaming?

I know, though, that even though worship is awesome, God calls us to step outside the doors so that we can be His Hands and Feet.

Be His hands and feet!

Stepping out on the Water and Climbing new Heights

My children are daredevils in different ways. JC jumps in the pool with no worries.....and Micah climbs everything! Micah has not gotten the courage to jump too much in the pool or slide down the slide into the water.

See, I think my oldest, JC is a lot like Peter. He has no fear, most of the time. (He truly lives out his name....Joshua...not afraid when he went to "check out" the promised land.)

But he is also like Peter......he jumps before he thinks. Maybe that is why he had to wear a boot most of the summer?

See, I kind of like Peter, even though he gets a bad rap most of the time. I mean, that whole denying Jesus really put a damper on his reputation. But Jesus knew he had what it would take to begin the Church!

He saw it in Peter when He was walking on the water. Peter did not sit and make a list of pros and cons before walking out on the water to Jesus. He just walked out. Yes, he took his eyes off of Jesus. However, no one ever talks about the other disciples sitting in the boat thinking this was an impossible feat.

I want to walk out on the water, even if I sink a few seconds later. Can't you just hear Peter later on? "Well, I'm the only one who has walked on water!".

So, step out on the water......do not fear. He is with you!

I'm not sure who Micah, my youngest, reminds me of yet. He is sort of like Moses.....climbs..(remember, he climbed a mountain to hear from God).....and he is taking speech therapy. (Remember Moses' best excuse? "I don't talk right"....my southern translation.)

See what I mean about climbing?!

But we named him Micah. Our pastor used scripture from Micah just a few weeks after we decided what to name him. He still refers to Micah as his "minor prophet".

Here is the scripture most of us recognize from the book of Micah:
He has shown you, O man, what is good;
      And what does the LORD require of you
      But to do justly,
      To love mercy,
      And to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Micah is one that just gets to the point. He climbs cabinets at our house to get what he wants. He goes in the fridge to get me the milk he likes best. He pulls my arm and leads my to the bed when he is sleepy.

And he is very gentle, loving and sweet.....even at the "terrible two's" stage.

He walks (and often climbs) humbly with God. :)

So, who do you want to be like today? I think I want to be like the best example we have in the Word of God....and that is Jesus!

Let him use the good and the bad of your personality for His Glory!