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Genesis chapter 1 has always been a very special chapter among all the chapters in the Bible. For one, it is the first chapter of the Bible. But more than that, it answers one of life's most important questions: where did this universe come from? Many have developed various theories for how the worlds began. But as Christians, we need not be confused. The answer is in Genesis chapter 1. Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth The answer to our origin is God! God spoke, and the world came into existence. He is the only adequate explanation for how everything wonderful in this universe is able to exist. Although we cannot see God, but we can see the evidence of His existence through His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). Genesis chapter 1 even gives us more details of what happened during that creation week. Day 1: God created light Day 2: God created the sky Day 3: God separated the sea from dry land; He created plant life Day 4: God created the Sun, Moon and stars Day 5: God created the birds and sea creatures Day 6: God created land animals; God created man Day 7: God rested We often teach children the days of creation, as it is so important for them to learn how the world was made, and to learn of God's divine power. Furthermore, each day of creation is unique, exposing them to different elements that exist on this world, and it makes it easy for them to remember it. As God looked back at His creation, He saw that everything that He had made was very good (Genesis 1:31). And indeed it is very good! Thank you God for the wonderful universe that you have created for us. And as we begin the New Year, may we begin teaching our children about the One who made the world from the beginning. We are sharing with you our Creation Poster. You can freely print this and post this on the wall of your house or use it like a flash card. You can also use this to play memory game as it comes with black and white number pairs. This poster has been a great help for us in teaching our son to remember what and how God has made this wonderful world for us. We will also included some creation songs (free download) for you to teach to your child too (COMING SOON)! May this be of great use to you in bonding with your children and in building up their spiritual growth!

As the year is coming to a close, have we ever reflected on our 2021? Have we ticked our resolutions this year? How about our prayer life? Have we matured in our prayer life? Have we prayed without ceasing? Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against the lurking lion who is seeking every opportunity to devour us (1 Pet. 5:8). Having a strong prayer life can renew, strengthen, sustain and equip us whenever adversities, trials and struggles comes (Romans 12:12; Phil. 4:6-7). It can also be our avenue to express our innermost emotions, whether we are joyful or sad and even things in between. Indeed, there's no holding back in prayer! From all the things that had happened in our family, with covid that surely hit us, prayers have definitely strengthened our family. (Grateful to those who prayed for us!) And if we haven't reflected in our prayer life, now is the time to do so. I'm sharing with you the "My Daily Prayer" (2021 Version) and "Prayer Diary" (2022 Version) printables that are free for downloads. Hoping that this tool will help us get our prayer life lively again! Make our relationship with God even stronger as we communicate with Him through prayer!

Dab-a-dot or do-a-dot is one of the most popular home-schooling activities for the little ones nowadays. It has benefits both for mother and child. There are so many ways of using dab-a-dot in learning but I particularly use it to incorporate Bible learning. In my dab-a-dot version, I incorporated things, places, characters and animals that are mentioned in the Bible. It is also to help my child to be familiar with those things aside from the fun and physical development that he can get from doing it. Also, dab-a-dot is one of the things that occupies him during the worship hour (the very reason I made this). I know that worship hour can be daunting for many moms, as the kids can be so distracting. But thankfully, this helped me focus on the sermon, rather than struggle to keep my little one entertained. For toddlers, dab-a-dot helps them in their hand and eye coordination: directing the stamp to go where they aim on the paper. It also helps in their motor skills: by holding, moving and flipping dot markers. It helps develop their creative thinking by experimenting with colours and even teaches them colour identification. For mothers, it’s a no sweat clean up! Dab-a-dot is less messy than paint. They are usually water based so you can just wipe them off with antibacterial wipes whenever you are out, or you can wash them off with water. You also don’t need to worry if they smudge on your child’s clothes. Bleach is not necessary to remove them. You can just put your child’s clothes in the washing machine or hand wash it (really no sweat!). Dab-a-dot is also not as fragile as crayons. Children won’t easily bend it or break it. Above all, it’s pretty easy to bring along anywhere!!! Especially during worship. Feel free to use this with your little one during the sermon. All you need to do is print this and have a dab-a-dot marker. But for those countries who don’t have a dab-a-dot marker, you can freely use stickers (sample below) or letter stamps (sample below). These are the alternatives that you can use that are cheap and handy-dandy.

One of the good things I like about our home is the wall filled with Bible Timeline (originally called Beginners Timeline) that I put up after we moved into our own house. Though it totally covered a big portion of our wall, I did not have the slightest regret putting it there. Having the Bible timeline on our wall helps the entire family remember the events that took place during Bible times. Most specially, it really helped our son remember and know it. When my son was 14 months, he already mastered the timeline (though he could not talk yet) by pointing out to me the picture of the people/event that I was asking him. When he learned how to talk, it became easier for him to point out the visual and answer the question that I am asking. The Bible timeline visual has really helped him know more facts about the Bible. And it also helped us appreciate the people and events that happened in the past that helps our faith grow deeper. I got the Bible Timeline from the Bible Study Guide website. It was introduced to me by sis Anna Tee when I was still under her mentorship in Skudai church of Christ. The Bible timeline was created by Mary Baker. She is a mom of four children who began writing her own Bible study guide for her children to use. In 1981, the first Unit Teacher’s Guide was published. Now, her son Brian (who is very kind and accommodating person) manages the company and the production of the Bible study guide which also has the Beginner Timeline. Aside from the Beginner Timeline, they also have the Bible Study Guide available for ages 3-6 years old, Grades 1-6, Teens, Adults, and for the entire family. A Bible study guide for all ages!!! If you wish to purchase your own Bible Time Line as well as any other study guides that you might be interested in, you can check out their website: www.biblestudyguide.com or email them at info@biblestudyguide.com. Disclaimer: I am not paid to do this endorsement. Use the material at your own discretion. Please modify Joseph’s coat and make it colourful to be Biblically accurate.

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, Speak to us of Children. And he said: Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable. -Kahlil Gibran

There is a time to anticipate the baby's coming, a time to consult a doctor; A time to plan a diet and exercise, a time to gather a layette. There is a time to wonder at the ways of God, knowing that He guides our every step. There is a time to dream of what our children may become. A time to pray that God will teach us how to train the children He gives. A time to prepare ourselves that we might nurture this new soul. But soon there comes the time for birth, for Babies won't wait. There is a time for night feedings, for colic, for baby tears. There is a time for rocking and a time for walking the floor. A time for patience and self-sacrifice, a time to show our children that this new world is a world of love and goodness and dependability. There is a time to ponder what a child is--not a pet or a toy. But a person, an individual--a soul made in God's image. There is a time to consider our stewardship. We cannot possess another human being. Our children are not ours. We have chosen to care for them, to love them, to enjoy them, to nurture them, and to answer to God. We resolve to do our best for them. For babies don't wait. There is a time to hold them close and tell them the sweetest story ever told; A time to show them God in earth and sky and flower, to teach them to wonder and reverence. There is a time to leave the dishes, to swing in the park, to run a race, to draw a picture, to catch a butterfly, to give them happy comradeship. There is a time to point the way, to teach their infant lips to pray, to teach their hearts to love God's Word, to love God's day, for children don't wait. There is a time to sing instead of grumble, to smile instead of frown, to kiss away the tears and laugh at broken dishes. A time to share with them our best in attitudes--a love of life, a love of God, a love of family. There is a time to answer questions, all their questions, because there may be a time when they will not want our answers. There is a time to teach them so patiently to obey, to put their toys away. There is a time to teach them the beauty of duty, the habit of Bible Study, the Joy of worship at home, the peace of prayer, for children won't wait. There is a time to teach them independence, responsibility, self-reliance. To be firm but friendly, to discipline with love, for soon, so soon, there will be a time to let them go to try their wings, for children won't wait. There is a time to treasure every fleeting minute of their childhood. Just eighteen precious years to inspire and train them. We will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position, or business success, or professional reputation. An hour of concern today may save years of heartache tomorrow. The house will wait. The dishes will wait. The new room can wait. But children don't wait. There will be a time when there will be no slamming of doors. No toys on the stairs, no childhood quarrels, no fingerprints on the wallpaper. Then may we look back with joy and not regret. There will be a time to concentrate on service outside our home; On visiting the sick, the bereaved, the discouraged, the untaught, to give ourselves to the "least of these." There will be a time to look back and know that these years of love were not wasted. We pray there will be a time to see our children upright and honest souls, loving God and serving all. God, give us wisdom to see that today is the day with our children. That there is no unimportant moment in their lives. May we know that no other career is so precious, no other work so rewarding, no other task so urgent. May we not defer it nor neglect it, but by Thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and our time is now, FOR CHILDREN WON'T WAIT! -Helen Young Credits: http://seasonsoflearning.blogspot.com/p/children-wont-wait.html

What would you take for that soft little head Pressed close to your face at time for bed; For that white, dimpled hand in your own held tight, And the dear little eyelids kissed down for the night? What would you take? What would you take for that smile in the morn, Those bright, dancing eyes and the face they adorn; For the sweet little voice that you hear all day Laughing and cooing- yet nothing to say? What would you take? What would you take for those pink little feet Those chubby round cheeks, and that mouth so sweet; For the wee tiny fingers and little soft toes, The wrinkly little neck and that funny little nose? Now, what would you take? -Good Housekeeping Credits: Ravenell, Glenda, "Now That We Are Parents," p. 12