“Can we reset, please?”

“Can we reset, please?”

It was a very frustrating afternoon. Nathan was eating his lunch exceptionally slow. He was fidgeting and distracted. It started with gentle reminders, then warnings, then threats, then screaming. He was obviously sad. I was obviously angry. We were both unhappy and I told him to just leave the table and go take a shower and go take a nap. I had quite enough.

I really dislike this kind of moments. I am always happy to have him come home so we can spend some time together, to learn, to explore or just to have conversations. Why must Nathan make it so difficult for both of us and totally spoil a peaceful afternoon together. It is just FOOD! 1 hr to finish a small bowl of noodle did not make any sense. All these thoughts were running through my mind as I cleared the dining table and oh my gosh, he even dropped noodle on the floor!

As Nathan left the table and walked down the short corridor to the bathroom, he suddenly stopped. He turned around and called out to me, “Mama, can we reset, please?” It was the softest puppy eyes you can imagine. I asked him what he meant. “I don’t like the feeling that you are not liking me and I am also not liking you. Can we reset?” Nathan said.

It broke me that moment. I stopped what I was doing, walked to Nathan and gave him a hug and said “yes”. We prayed together for God to forgive us. Nathan asked God to forgive him for being disobedient and making mama angry and “causing her to sin”. I prayed for God to help me to have more patience too.

As we concluded the prayer with a loud “Amen”, we looked at each other and gave each other a big big smile. It was so powerful. The atmosphere in the house changed. From anger, sadness, hatred to peace, love and joy.

The whole process did not take more than 5 min but it took someone a decision to want to make right, to want to RESET.

Meaning of Reset in the dictionary: (1) to set again or anew; (2) to change the reading of often to zero.

I am so glad Nathan decided to stop, to turn around, to come up to me, to speak up, so we can stop the breeding of negativity, bringing it to zero, and giving new life and new beginning to the relationship.

I recalled Pastor Trisha’s sharing on relationships at one of the AG convergence.

“A relationship-centered person fights for relationships. He or she will be willing to have courageous conversations to fight for the relationship to be restored in God’s love and wisdom.”

If you are in the midst of pain and sorrow because of a relationship so dear to you that is broken, will you take the first step- to stop, turn around, go to the person and say “Can we reset, please?”

-Mama Esther

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We published a book!

Why is Good Friday Good?

We published a book! Still find it surreal although it has been 2 months since the launch? Almost 800 books had gone out and we are so thankful to God for sending each of you supportive and encouraging ones. :)

This book is the brainchild of Mama Esther, who one day wondered aloud (this is perfectly normal behaviour in the Foong household, by the way): “Why are there so many children’s books about Christmas, but hardly any about Good Friday?” And once Nathan chimed in with his childlike exuberance: “And why do we call Good Friday, Good Friday?” we knew that we had stumbled onto a marvellous idea.

Why are there so many children’s books about Christmas, but hardly any about Good Friday?

And thus the wheels were set into motion for a children’s book about Good Friday that parents could read with and to their kids, and one that even adults would find imaginative and endearing.

So it was decided that Papa Elvin, the resident English major (more than 10 years on, I still have no idea why I majored in English and what good it would ever do for me) would write the story and Nathan, our 7-year old budding artist, would illustrate.

Papa Elvin and Nathan

While writing the story was a relatively simple affair, drawing and colouring the illustrations was a true labour of love from little Nathan. For a good 3 months, Mama Esther patiently coached Nathan as he drew page after page of beautiful pictures, based on his own understanding of what each passage meant to him.

The result is not just a series of incredible drawings, but an unique and wonderful look into a little boy’s mind and his personal interpretation of the Good Friday story. He surprised us many times with his fresh perspective of Biblical events, and his drawings reflect his simple but earnest desire to convey the message in a way that not only he, but other children can easily understand.

Of course, this being a family affair, Meimei Phoebe got to be involved too! We decided that she would help by drawing some of the motifs for the first page of the book - a letter template that people buying the book could use to pen their thoughts and wishes for the ones that they wanted to gift the book to!

The final product is the culmination of many hours of hard work and sleepless nights (not the kids, they got their 8 hours every night, please don’t arrest us). And it is our hope that as you flip through the pages of this book, you would not just enjoy the story or admire the illustrations - but you would feel and perceive our heart’s desire for you to experience the everlasting love of a Saviour who willingly gave His life for you, just to tell you that you mean everything to Him.

Thank you in advance for your support! If you like the book, please feel free to get a few more copies to bless your friends and loved ones with. Our goal is to get as many copies of the book out to as many people as possible - join us in making this dream an incredible reality!

With Love and Gratitude from all of us! :)