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Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

14 July 2022 – 3:34 pm |

“Thanks” to today’s gadgets, more and more kids tend to say, “I don’t know what I’m good at. I don’t know what I like. I’m not interested in anything actually.” (But somehow they are interested …

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Levi: Growing Up Too Fast

10 December 2021 | Posted in: Parenting, Photography | No Comment

Can’t stop time from ticking.

Can’t stop our kids from growing.

And so, shouldn’t we prepare them for adulthood, pass on the faith, and treasure them, … while we still can?

Hope in the Lord

19 November 2021 | Posted in: Inspirational, Photography | No Comment

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Not easy to stay consistent. May God help us.

Anyer Beach: Family Trip

17 November 2021 | Posted in: Places to Visit | No Comment

Amidst my mom-in-law’s chemo sessions (colon cancer), we spent a few days together, enjoying each other’s company while remembering God’s goodness and faithfulness.

My Dad-in-law shared (in our family worship session) that the reason we give thanks to God is NOT because we gain something (are we not going to be grateful to God when we are sick?), but it is because we know the Lord.

Blessed.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 

XnZ Podcast: Episode 1 is out!

11 November 2021 | Posted in: XnZ Podcast | No Comment

OK, so here’s our newest project:
My eldest (Anya, 17yo) and I started a podcast together!

*excited!*

It’s called “XnZ Podcast” because it’ll where you’ll get insights into two different generations’ views on things.

I mean, usually the parents get to share their thoughts on their own social media platforms or seminars, and the teens get to rant and share their thoughts on their own platforms, BUT we hardly get to hear BOTH views at the same time, right?

So that’s why XnZ Podcast is born – to hear BOTH sides of the matter!

(Btw, we speak in Indonesian for now, but am thinking of doing it in English every now and then)



Come and listen!
We’ll be uploading new episodes every Thursday!

Click one of the links below to listen (and please do follow):
SPOTIFY
APPLE PODCAST
GOOGLE PODCASTS
ANCHOR.FM

(I’ve also created a direct link to Spotify on the right side of my blog page)

Hope it can be a blessing!

Car Rides: Encouraging Family Talks

26 October 2021 | Posted in: Inspirational, Parenting | No Comment

Over the years, more specifically since we have a car in Jakarta (and that’s 9.5 years ago since we last moved here! Too fast!), we have created this habit of “car talks” with the kids.

Basically it means, we chat in the car.

Sure we have music, but no watching “cartoons” or movies in the car, and we avoid playing games on phones.

Why?

Because we want everyone to interact and, … talk with each other (yes, this may mean arguing and bickering among the kids)

Oh, btw, definitely NO earphones to listen to “own music”.

i.e. whatever music is chosen to be played in the car, everyone listens to it.

Naturally, not everyone “likes” other people’s music choices, but the kids need to learn to tolerate others who are different from them, and that we can’t just shut away other people and “create our own world” simply because we have different preferences.

How about checking WhatsApp messages, watching TikTok clips, browsing Instagram posts, etc.? After all, we have 2 teens with own phones, right?

Yes, they do check their phones. I often need to reply to messages too while Wilson drives. But the point is, everyone knows that we are not to be engrossed with our phones, as if it’s the only thing that we are interested in. After checking and quick browsing, we put it away.

And we chat.

To us, it’s a great way to make ourselves “available” for the kids to ask and share with us about ANYTHING. We share life lessons with them, … values, news updates, even lame jokes, haha.

Anyway.

Earlier today, one of the kids asked, “If both the man and woman are mature, then there should be minimal problems in their marriage, right?”

(“Kalau dua-dua laki dan perempuan udah dewasa, mestinya ga ada terlalu banyak problem dalam pernikahan mereka kan?”)

Interesting question, I thought.

It’s nice that we have opportunities to discuss different kinds of topics together, while everyone is “stuck” in the car, hehe.

Sisters: Twinning

22 October 2021 | Posted in: Daily | No Comment

Accidentally twinning 😁



Anya: 17.5yo
Brie: 10.5yo

(And when they were 8.5yo and 1.5yo)

COVID-19 Days: Brie is Back to School

19 October 2021 | Posted in: Daily | No Comment

(Really) slowly returning back to normal.

For now, the youngest gets to physically go to school again, once a week, for 3 hours.



Glad that today we have the internet so learning can still continue despite staying at home most of the time.

To live during the “Black death” pandemic (1346-1353) would be unimaginable.

What Mother’s day means to me

11 May 2008 | Posted in: Parenting | No Comment

It’s always nice to have a lovely Mother’s Day from the moment you wake up to the time you go to bed.
But the reality is often a little bit different to what we’d prefer.
This morning …

When NO is a NO

26 March 2006 | Posted in: Inspirational, Parenting | 2 Comments

Most people who know Anya in person would say that she’s relatively good-natured and obedient. The type of kid who won’t cause much hassles to others.
And looking at my friends’ comments so far and my …

Parenting : Proper Environment, Proper Upbringing

10 August 2009 | Posted in: Inspirational, Parenting | 7 Comments

Do you realise that there are several factors that influence/shape our characters? (ie. the kinds of unique personalities that each of us has)
One of it is, our environment.
Some parents don’t regard it as important. But …

Marriage : Real Love Works!

1 March 2011 | Posted in: Advertorial, Marriage & Relationships | 8 Comments

Yep, that’s US close to TEN years ago!
It was when we were at the Registry of Marriage in 2001. I was twenty five, and Wilson was twenty six =)
It’s a little hard to believe at …

Sunday’s Food for Thought – Spouse’s strengths and weaknesses

28 October 2007 | Posted in: Inspirational, Marriage & Relationships | No Comment
Sunday’s Food for Thought – Spouse’s strengths and weaknesses

Many people enter marriage with idealistic thoughts of how a marriage ‘should be’.
That there’ll be hardly any arguments. That all exchanged words will always be romantic and sweet. That the home will always be neat …

Seminar: Secrets of Christian Courtship and Marriage

7 March 2019 | Posted in: Inspirational, Marriage & Relationships | No Comment

 
Today all five of us attended a full-day seminar on ‘courtship and marriage’ (Rahasia Pacaran & Pernikahan Kristen).

Here are a few points that I wish to share with you:
💑 It’s not about finding the right …

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