Of Soccer Dreams and Faith Goals

Remember one of  my old blog posts about Troy's flat-foot? (Read about it here). Because of it, the ortho-pedia that we met a few years ago told us that Troy should not participate in any sport that involves a lot of running.

Last year when we visited Troy's school, he saw some older kids playing soccer. He told me afterwards that when he grows up, he also wants to play soccer like them. I said 'why not?'.  I know that medically it may seem difficult for Troy to truly be good at soccer because of his foot. But i also believe that God is greater than any medical limitation. For all I know, maybe God introduced us to Dr Kong so that we can start correcting Troy's foot problems early on!

Ever since Troy told me his dream to play soccer, i've added it to my list of faith goals. This concept was shared with me by one of my friends. Unlike the regular goals that we set for ourselves, faith goals are those that are impossible to achieve with our current resources. It is a goal that can only be achieved through faith in the Lord.

I know that Troy's heart's desires may still change. Maybe just six months from now he'd like to play basketball or baseball instead. But either way, i would like him to have the option to play the sport that he loves. This world may give us limitations but we pray to a God who is limitless! Wonderful, isn't it?

Now, what about you? What is your faith goal?

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see"

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Kiddie Essentials for Your Winter Holiday

We just came back from the fun and freezing Korean weather!  It was a wonderful vacation amidst the negative 16 celcius temperature.

A lot of people have been concerned for our family since we brought our two kids (4 years old and 1 year old) with us. If you know me well, you will understand that there is no way I am leaving my kids behind on a vacation. The only time I get to travel without them is during my business trips. Not exactly the most ideal scenario, i know. But until i learn to be better at parental detachment, they will just need to come along whether i am flying to a dessert or blizzard.

So anyway, here are a few travelling essentials for your kiddos when you plan to go on your own winter wonderland vacation.

1. Layering

TOP

1st Layer - Thermals
2nd Layer - Long-sleeves shirt
3rd Layer - Fleece Jacket
4th Layer - Bubble/Winter Jacket

BOTTOM

My 2 kids have varying tolerance for cold. My son takes after his father who loooves the cold weather while my daughter is just like me who easily gets cold. So for her, i added another layer of tights before her pants to ensure her legs don't get too cold. On colder days, i even added leg warmers.

1st Layer - Thermals

2nd Layer - Jeans

2. Windburn

First, you have to try your best to avoid windburn by moisturizing and covering your face as much as you can. This is especially difficult if youre kids are like mine who refuse to wear face masks. I moisturize their faces daily but after 2 days of cold weather, their cheeks were all dry and painful.

Skin that thas been [wind] burned sting when you put sunblock or moisturizers! One that worked truly well for us was Mustela's Stelatria. Unlike the other moisturizers that i've tried, my kids did not cry or complain from the pain whenever i applied Stelatria on their cheeks. I tried them on myself and can confirm that it's pain-free! This proves that Mustela is truly very ideal for sensitive skin and is free of harsh chemicals.

3. Dry Lips

For the kids' lips, i only used VMV's Boo Boo Balm. It proved effective and they didn't have chapped lips all throughout the trip!

vmvhypoallergenics.com

4. Gloves

For days when you know you will encounter snow, you need to use water-proof gloves. Those knitted gloves will only be good when your kids do not wish to touch snow. My kids cannot avoid playing with snow so these are true essentials!

http://shop.hellyhansen.com

5. Bonnet

Choose one that covers the ears. Makes all the difference, believe me.

Hope the above suggestions will help you in planning your own winter vacation. Preparation is key. If you go prepared then you can still enjoy amidst the freezing weather. Have fun!

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12 Years of Firsts

It was the year of the new millennium.  If you know what the centennial bug is, then it means you were old enough to experience the excitement and technological anxieties approaching year 2000.  Will our microwave oven and office computers still work after 1999?  Everyone thought the entry of new millennium was going to be a game changer. Well, it turned out that it was...at least for me.

Year 2000 was the year i met the man i was going to spend the rest of my life with.

Fast forward to year 2012.

Last week i was reviewing old episodes of FRIENDS (as i always do) and i came across an episode where Monica was having wedding jitters. Here are snippets of their conversation (edited version).

Monica: Doesn’t it ever just freak you out that-that you’re never gonna be with anybody new again?

Chandler: What?

Monica: It’s just that sometimes it bothers me that I’m never gonna have that feeling. Y’know when you meet someone for the first time and it’s new and exciting? Y’know that rush?

That got me thinking. Don't we also have similar thoughts once in a while? The thrill of going on that first date again, meeting someone new, getting anxious and excited at the same time.  It's not like we don't love the one we're with, it's just that sometimes we miss the rush.

But i like the conversation that followed after that.

Chandler: Look,  for me the rush is knowing that we are gonna be together for the rest of our lives.

Monica: y’know what? I’m gonna have a lot of new things with you. The first time we buy a house. Our first kid. Our first grandkid…

And it's true. Being married does not mean an end to the excitement.  Remember how you felt the first time you realized you're having a baby? How about the first time you brought your child to school? Or your first successful business venture?  Now that you're married, you simply have someone to celebrate all these milestones with for the rest of your life. Isn't that even more exciting?

First Boracay trip together, 2002

First time to ride a camel, Great Wall of China 2002

First badminton tournament, 2003

First time to meet a baby elephant, Thailand 2004



First Europe trip together, Paris 2005

First pregnancy, Las Vegas 2006

First cruise together, Alaska 2007

First night with a baby at home, 2008 

First trip with a baby, Japan 2009



First baby girl

 

To the man i will continue to celebrate all my firsts with,

Happy Anniversary, Love! 

It's wonderful to wake up beside you every day.

Always,

fan 

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My Faith Chronicles



Troy's footprints on Day 1

I have an observation.  

Once a woman decides to start a family, natural motherhood instincts worries kick in. Just when you thought you're over the worst parenting anxiety, the next one comes up.

Worry #1 - Will i get pregnant? How soon? Will we encounter difficulty conceiving?

Worry #2 - You're pregnant. Yay! Will the baby be okay? Will my baby be healthy and normal?

Worry #3 - Congratulations! You have given birth to a healthy baby! Will I be able to breastfeed? Is she getting enough nutrition? Will she sleep through the night? To vaccine or not to vaccine?

Worry #4 - You're chasing your happy toddler around and you're wondering...why isn't she talking yet??? is there something wrong?

Worry #5 - You now have an inquisitive pre-school. Then you start doing your research. What is the best school for my child? Will she ace the entrance exam?

Worry #6 - Primary School, here we go.  Will my gradeschool kid do well in school? 

Worry #7 - Welcome to teen parenting. You now start to think of the best way to remain 'friends' with your child. How will i ensure the she still confides in me? I hope she doesn't get into a relationship too soon.

Worry #7 - What a milestone! You now have a graduating child! Will she get into a good college? gosh, here we go again with those entrance exams!

Worry #8 - Whew! Done with college. Oh, i hope she gets a good paying job and finds the right lifetime partner.

Worry #9 - Best wishes to my child. I can't believe she's married!

Worry #10 - Will she get pregnant? How soon? Will they encounter difficulty conceiving?

...and the cycle goes on.

Well, i've got good new for us worriers out there.  

God is our creator. He did not only create us but he formed these little beings inside of us. He knew them even before we did.

Psalms 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

God loves our children more than we ever could. Hard to imagine? It's true.

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

And i leave you with my all-time favorite verse.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Have faith. Our children are safe in the loving arms of our Lord. God knows best.

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