To learn or not to learn

Kyla started Kumon in Jan this year and we had seen great improvements in her Maths ( now at additions ) and English.  In case you are not familiar with the Kumon way of learning, it is to teach discipline for the kids.  The kids are given worksheets to complete every day.   If you feel that the kids will be stressed, I have to ensure that they are not.

In the beginning when it was only kyla doing her Kumon worksheets, she would grumble as she would prefer to play with the two younger siblings instead.   But since Ariel started last month, they would happily do the worksheets every night, right after dinner and fruits.   Ariel is turning 4 this month and it was after 5 months of pestering that we gave in to her demands and register her for Kumon too.  She loves to do the worksheets and sometimes asked to do more than the ones allocated.  And Elkan at only two years old would also asked, ” Mummy, where is my Kumon?”  He wants to join in too.  So I would passed him some old Kumon worksheets that the sisters had completed and he would happily doodle on them or just cutting them up.  If Paul is around, he would bring Elkan somewhere to keep him occupied else Elkan would demand that he is also given some Kumon worksheets to do. 

I had also gotten some chinese assessment books for Kyla to prepare for primary one and she enjoys doing them too.  She actually asked to go for the Chinese Enrichment classes that the school is organising. 

I know that some parents are of the opinion that we should not stress the kids with worksheets or homework at this very young age.  Personally, I feel that kids should be given the opportunity to stretch their learning capability to ensure that they are learning as much as they would like to, even at the very young age.  It would build up their confidence as they learn every day.  It would be better for the kids to be able to gain as much knowledge as they can or as they want rather than waiting for the kids to start formal school and realized that they cannot catch up with the school demands.  It may become stressful for both the kid and the parent then.   

And if finances permits, it will be good to get some enrichments classes for the kids.  If the kid like music, maybe piano lesson?  If the kids like drawing, maybe a drawing class? 

Both Kyla and Ariel tried drawing classes for a few months but stopped as their interests are not really there.  They are more keen in getting themselves dirty by playing with the water colours at home rather than structured drawing lesson.  And Kyla has been asking for piano lessons lately.  So may even sign her up for piano lessons if we can fit it in her learning schedule.

When God speaks

Two weeks ago, when things were so uncertain with hubby’s situation at work, God spoke.  God said that we should give to the church building fund.  So I asked God, “How much?  Is it $x?”  And God said that He does not want something that does not hurt.  Later on our way back, hubby confirmed that God spoke to him too about giving to the church building fund.  And so I asked, ” How much?”  And hubby said, “$y” 

That’s a lot of money, to me anyway.   Heart pain leh!  Especially when we do not know what’s going to happen to hubby then!

And last Sunday, God told me why the amt is $y.  Because it hurts!  And He said that I had placed my faith and trust in money and not in Him.  I felt that I can do anything if I have money.  But I was totally wrong.  It is only by placing my trust in God that I am complete.  God does not want the money, he wants my heart.  It is only when I gave him the amount that hurts so badly that I can surrender my heart to him as well. 

Hubby prepared the cheque and dropped into the offering bag last sunday.  And I had surrendered my heart to Jesus at the end of the service.  Thank you Jesus for being faithful and not giving up on us even when we had strayed so far away.

Life

Have not been updating this blog…..  Life has been going on as usual.  Went through a stressful period for the past two weeks as hubby was suspended from work for some office political reasons.  No need to expand further as the matter has come to a close on Wed. 

 From the whole experience, I must say it was a roller coaster of emotions for myself.  Hubby was calm and peaceful after spending time with God and was prepared for what God has planned for him.  I was not so.  One minute I was confident that God will provide and look after us.  Another moment, I was reduced to a bag of nerves and like a porcupine,  ready to leash out to people who dared to come too near.  I was worried, for him, for the family, for the uncertainty.  I know God is good, I know He will provide, I know faith is believing without seeing.  I know all the facts about faith but emotionally I just can’t rise up to the faith needed to achieve the peace that is so needed to retain my sanity. 

I am thankful that at last the matter has resolved and we are ready to move on. 

Thanks to all my friends who had journeyed with us and prayed with us.

Life goes on…