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Write 31 Days Challenge 2018.
Day #1
Chinese Tuition
Yes, we use tuition in our homeschool. And we are truly grateful for these tutors. Lao Shi has been with us since David was 3!
She was his Montessori pre-school Chinese teacher who was brave enough to take up the challenge of teaching our children. She’s been a real blessing to our family and we are grateful that God sent her our way.
Day #2
Grocery Shopping
Every time I go grocery shopping, I am floored by God’s provision for our family. When He called Henson into fulltime ministry, we had 4 small children. Today, we have 7, 5 of which are teens who eat A LOT!
Many have asked and wondered how we survive as a large family in Singapore. It may seem trite and the right Christian answer to say, “God provides”. But it is the truth. God provides and He is faithful. I don’t know how He just does. And every time I grocery shop, I am reminded of His faithfulness and His provision. And we are truly humbled and grateful.
Day #3
Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons to me is non-negotiable. (Read Why Swimming is a Non-negotiable in Our Family) It is something that the children all had to learn. Ideally, they finish up all the tests as well but we have had 2 who did not due to varying reasons. By God’s grace, we were introduced to a friend’s swim instructor while playing at Bishan Swimming Pool some 13 years ago. Mr Teo has taught all 7 of our children at Bishan Swimming Pool since David was 7! His fees are very reasonable, just $15/class (but I am not sure if he has increased his rates for new students).
Day #4
Laundry
This is the state of our laundry on a daily basis if I do not remind (ahem!) the children to clear it before bedtime. We have a routine. They know it. They just need to be reminded. DAILY. :::roll eyes:::
One child is in charge of putting the dirty clothes into the washing machine (do NOT buy LG!) and taking it out to hang and air dry. Twice a day. And, no we do not own a dryer. Another child is responsible for sorting them into individual baskets. And then each child is responsible for folding and putting them away into their own wardrobe.
Not only am I grateful that we have clothes and nice ones at that to wear, but I am also grateful that our laundry is not unmanageable at all. Now if only they can remember to put away their laundry without reminders. One day, one day…
Day #5
Board Games
Board games are a great way to occupy the children. But no snakes and ladders or Monopoly, please! I believe the younger 3 children have never played either because Henson and I got bored after playing with the 1st 4!
For the introduction to the more exotic board games (read: games we never played before!), we have David to thank because he was the one who would buy (with his own money mostly) to play with the younger ones.
And the best part about having a large family is that the children can play the games without daddy or mummy!
Day #6
Ballet
I was given the privilege to start ballet classes when I was 7 or 8. I started with Mrs Lorraine Simon and then switched to Ms Sylvia McCully when I was about 13 or 14 years old because Mrs Simon only took children up to Grade 4. Ballet has taught me many things, like discipline for one and how strong my body was. And performing has given me my self-confidence. I am so grateful that my parents were willing to spend their hard earned money on ballet classes.
I am also grateful for ballet classes and Ms McCully because it was through performing that I met Henson back in 1989. Then, we were both performing for the opening ceremony of the Singapore Indoor Stadium. And the rest, as they say, is history. And now, by God’s grace, four out of five of our daughters is dancing with Ms McCully, and one of them is even teaching for her.
Day #7
Church Family
I guess one could say I was a late entrant into God’s Kingdom. Saved at the age of 25 while looking for a Church with my backslidden boyfriend to get married in, Wesley Methodist Church was the first Church I worshipped at. It was the start of an exciting and interesting journey that has caused me to change my mind about how marriage is to be done, my views on children and eventually my worldview.
Who would have known? God.
Today, our whole family worships at FGA Singapore with my family and I am grateful that we have a community to belong and contribute to. God made us for community and we need to plug into it. If you have not found one, you’re welcomed to join us.
…to be continued
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Write 31 Days 2017: 31 Days of Life in a Large Homeschooling Family