Brotherly kindred spirit

 The Joy of Childhood.

Ezra Bong & Barnabas Bong on 15 July 2012.
In the background - Annabelle Bong & Mother (Yap Nya Pin)

Me and my world

Rebekah Bong on 15 July 2012.

I wonder what is in her mind.

I ache too

Even though I have 5 children, it does not by any means that I am spared from the difficulties of raising up my children. They are human beings too and prone to sickness and problems.

My wife Google chat saying that my fourth child is sick. He complained about stomach ache and his temperature is high. My heart feels for him. His ache is my ache. Wish I could be there to be with him. A prayer goes to the Father, "Your healing touch O God to my child".

I ache too.

Rebekah Bong Wei Li

 Birthday Girl, Rebekah Bong 13 January 2012, a year old. Tomboyish looking until wifey had to put the head ribbon on her.

The siblings celebrating her 1st birthday. Someone on FB commented that 4 of them belong to me while one belongs to wifey. I mean the look.

I'm encouraged

Our church did a drama on the birth and crucifixion of Christ for Christmas 2011. It was a good act and I felt that many hearts are touched that night. I know that I was again touched by the suffering that Christ had to go through to redeem me. But I was very surprised that one of my daughters was touched by the Lord too.

Clarissa came and told me that she cried when she watched the drama. She said that she feels sad when she say Jesus on the cross. She also said that she cried a few times when she prays to Jesus. She asked me why it happened to her. Told her that God is touching her.

Indeed it was a surprised to me that my Clarissa felt the touch of God. She is only 7 years old and a little bit mischievous. But God always works in mysterious ways and not to our presumptions. I'm encouraged that God works in my children's lives even at a young age.

Lord, continue to be with Clarissa and all the other children. Let them know you in a deeper way. And please touch all my children always. Oh ya, my wife and me too. Thank you. Amen

Donating blood

Brought Belle to the hospital on Wed 28 Dec 2011. I wanted to donate blood and she wants to observe how it's done. After registering for the Kelas Peneman, we went to the blood bank department. Only one donor was there and it didn't take long for my turn to donate my blood. Showed Belle my Donate Blood Book and told her that I've donated 18 times and hoping to donate more in the future.

She watched the nurse inserted the need into my vein and how the blood flowed down into the bag. Thank God that she did not fainted or scream during the whole process.

Oh ya, the nurses at the Kelas Peneman registration counter and the blood bank thought that I am a Malay. They had to look at my name twice to confirm. Hahaha...the same experience every time I went to the hospital.

Proud parents

One of the best way to honor our parents is to make them proud of us. It can be in the form of our godly character, obedience and even achievements. And this Christmas, I am one of those parents who are proud of their children.

Annabelle, Clarissa and Barnabas participated in the church Christmas Service presentations. They did a sign language presentation which came out well. Furthermore, Annabelle joined the tambourine group and presented a tambourine dance (Shouts For Joy song). It was a proud moment to see my girl dance gracefully on the stage. Now I know how it felt to be a proud parent.

And I'm sure my brother Daniel and Engso Jacklyn would also be proud of their 3 daughters who performed a number of presentations on this Christmas Service. I'm waiting for the days when all my children will up there on the stage to present their dance, drama or presentations to the Lord. I'll be a proud father again then.

Many children is a blessing

Wifey is pregnant again. This will be our No 6. How do I feel? Don't really know how to describe it. I'm thankful to God for trusting me to handle so many "gifts". I believe that God will provide the means for my wife and I to raise them up. And I also believe that He is able to provide for our needs. He has done that thus far. We are not starving but we are also not able to live a luxurious life.

However, there are times when I'm not so sure that I'm doing okay with taking care of the 5 that He has given me. There are times when I feel so inadequate and hopeless. And I also feel for my wife who has to look after them. So I'm not so sure what it will be like to have 6 children in one house. I can only take each day as it comes, drawing strength from Him to enable me to be who He wants me to be. I pray that I will be a good father who would be successful in raising up godly children.

Quiet

Because my two girls are not at home. No more fighting, shouting, running around, complaining, whining. Well, too quiet also is not good. Miss them. Anyway, I should enjoy the peace and quiet while I can. They will be back this evening and the house will be noisy again.

So far, Ezra has compensated abit with his screaming when he plays with his brother Barnabas. And Barnabas keeps on talking and talking when he is near me. He's the talkative type, the total opposite of his father. But he takes good care of his brother too. Willing to play with his brother even though they are about 3 years apart. It's a wonderful feeling to see them play together, shouting, screaming, laughing and getting excited in their game.

Cameron Highland holiday

Not me but my two daughters, Annabelle and Clarissa. They followed their auntie and grandma. Well, since they are big enough to enjoy a holiday, we just let them go without us. Anyway, we can't go because of work and work and not convenient. *Sigh. Sounds so pathetic.

I do hope they are enjoying themselves there. Yes, I do miss them.

Teaching them from small

When I was small, I would be delighted to find a coin on the road. Even the smallest coin at that time has value and I can buy at least 3 pieces of sweets. Even if the coins are dirty I would picked it up and clean it. The dirt on the coin does not diminish its value. I would put it in my piggy and once the amount is big, I'll buy something nice for myself. Of course that is a very rare occurrence. But to find coins is indeed a joyful experience.

Now, things are different. The value of coins have drop tremendously. I can hardly buy anything with the 5 cents coin. And even if I saw one on the road, I don't think I'll pick it up especially if it is dirty.

But I get irritated when I see coins all over my house. My children have their own pocket money and sometimes they play with their coins. I don't mind them playing with coins but I get irritated when they do not keep their coins after finish playing with it. They just leave the coins all over the house. Many times I had to scold and teach them to appreciate their coins. Yes, it may not be gold coins but if accumulated the value of their coins can buy them their toys. I think I must warn them that if I see any coins all over the house, they can't ask for any gifts for one year.

Caning - it is effective

Proverbs 20:30, "Blows and wounds cleanse away evil and beatings purge the inmost being."

Barnabas has been loved without much disciplining done by his mother. And it shows in the way he shows his tantrums. He likes to throw away things when he shows his tantrums. And when scolded he will cry. I guess I too did not discipline him much unlike his two sisters.

Last Sunday, he did it again, showing tantrum by throwing down his toothbrush. I took the cane and cane him hard on the buttock, twice. I can't remember when was the last time I caned him that hard. It must have been a long time ago. Of course he cried because of the pain. Asked him to pick up his toothbrush, which he did. And then ordered him to go back to the bathroom to bath.

After a while, I went to the bathroom to check on the children. Amazingly, there he was together with the two sisters, bathing, no more crying. And he can even talk to me, telling me about... something lah... which I forget ade, with a smile on his face. I was really surprised that the caning brought him closer to me. And I has not yet seen him show his tantrums again for the past two days. Indeed the word of God is true, beating cleanse away the evil in my son's heart and purges the inmost being.

No more singing

When Michelle was on confinement, I had the privileges of sending the two girls to their kindergarten. Barnabas would at times tagged along. And to make full use of the time on the road which is about 5 minutes drive, I would teach them Christian songs. They enjoyed it and would sing with me throughout the drive. Barnabas would just listen and reluctant to join his sisters. It was fun to hear the two girls sing. Makes the journey brighter and makes me fresh mentally.

No baby yet

It seems that this 4th baby is taking his own sweet time to meet his family members. His mommy has been expecting him to come out for more than a week but still no sign at all. Maybe he is afraid to meet his daddy after listening to the daddy from inside the womb. The voices of the sisters and brother screaming, shouting and crying does not help either. But don't worry lah baby. We will all love you very very much. We will all take care of you. Your sisters and brother have promised to look after and care for you. So don't worry and come out and meet your family lah. Daddy hope to be able to be there when you come out. See you soon.

What would you do?

If you are pregnant and the scan shows that the baby is having cleft lips? What would you do when you are told by the doctor that the baby might also be deaf and dumb and some other difficulties? What would you do?

My wife friend's colleague is now in her 21 weeks pregnancy, same as wifey. The friend's colleague is considering to abort the baby. WAITTTTTTT.... DON'TTTT DO THAT.

Would you ABORT the baby?

What would a Christian do? Let me rephrase that. What would I (as a believer in Jesus Christ)do about it? I guess that is what the Holy Spirit has been asking me since I heard the news. What would I do? Deep down I know what I must do. Adopt the baby. What? Am I crazy? Well, the last time I check I am not in any mental ward hospital...so I think I am still okay. But why adopt the baby?

Let it be known to all that our lives are given by God. That each and every lives are precious to God. And if it is precious in God's sight, it must be precious to us too. And being a believer in Jesus Christ necessitates me to show God's love to everyone (in varying degrees at varying times). And in this circumstances, to show to the baby that God loves him even though the parents may not want him alive.

Now, I am not condemning the parents. They may in their ignorance and in their own religious beliefs think that they are doing what is best for the baby. I would not want to dwell or argue on that. What they can do is to let me adopt the baby instead should abortion is their decision.

5 years old

Happy Birthday Annabelle. You are now 5 years old already.

Daddy loves you very much. Don't ever forget that. Be a good sister to Clarissa and Barnabas. And always trust in Jesus Christ.

Exercise your eyes

Told Clarissa that she needs to exercise her eyes. Since she has to wear the spectacle, she has to take time to exercise her eyes. Taught her a few eye exercises and she seems willing to try out. The only problem is that I have to make sure that she exercise her eyes and make time to exercise our eyes together. Should would not do it on her own.

Nipping it at the bud

Annabelle lied about her homework yesterday. She asked the maid to do a little bit of her homework. Then she accidentally mentioned it to her mummy. When confronted, she denied it. Even though she was threatened to be thrown away from the car, she still denied it. She cried and cried of course, out of fear from being thrown away but yet she still does not want to admit.

After much persuasion and threats and love, she finally admitted that she asked the maid to help her. Haizzzz... Lying....at that tender young age. Must nip it at the bud. Discipline with love.

Handy Manny Daddy

Bought a DIY bookshelf to put all the children's books. Annabelle saw it and was very excited to open and assemble it. She asked her Mummy to open it for her but her Mommy and Daddy was at the table having lunch.

Belle, "Mummy, fasterlah open the box".
Mummy, "Waitlah, mummy's eating"
Mummy, "You open the box lah"
Belle, "But Mummy, I'm not the handy manny like on TV"
Mummy, "Then you ask handy manny Daddy to do lah"
Belle, "Yah...can ask handy manny daddy to open the box"

Mummy, "Who's the handy manny daddy?"
Belle, "Handy manny daddy is my Daddy lah".

Hahaha...at least she can think of me as her handy manny.

My sheep Annabelle

Annabelle acted in her first Christmas presentation. Well, as expected she is given the role of a sheep. At first she does not want the role as she wants to be Mary, carrying baby Jesus. However, after much persuading and telling her that she will look cute being a sheep, she agreed and here is the result of it.