Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

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?

Moms.

98. 78. 53. 45.

Generation “World War II” – Generation X.

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.

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 

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!

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.

Accidentally twinning

…

Anya: 17.5yo
Brie: 10.5yo

(And when they were 8.5yo and 1.5yo)

(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.