Bravo! Bravo!

Taliah has been taking guitar lessons from school once a week for the last couple of months. The first few weeks she was just getting the fingering and now has started playing tunes and songs. Well, still learning, I should say. But she is picking it up fairly quickly. We started her late and she was way behind the other kids in the class, but has caught up to them in the last 2 months. Here's a short vid of her practicing one of her songs....

ps - uncle Dennis and Ong would be proud of her!

pps - the conversion and compression of the video file made the sound quality horrible. Trust me, it sounds better live.

Bravo! Bravo!

Taliah has been taking guitar lessons from school once a week for the last couple of months. The first few weeks she was just getting the fingering and now has started playing tunes and songs. Well, still learning, I should say. But she is picking it up fairly quickly. We started her late and she was way behind the other kids in the class, but has caught up to them in the last 2 months. Here's a short vid of her practicing one of her songs....

ps - uncle Dennis and Ong would be proud of her!

pps - the conversion and compression of the video file made the sound quality horrible. Trust me, it sounds better live.

Clash!

The Pham girls really need to work on their color matching! On the left is Taliah at about 3 yrs old. She decided to dress herself one day. Notice the colors - pink, blue, orange and green!

And on the right is Dariah, also at age 3 - she also dressed herself. Notice the same colors - green, orange, pink and blue! And notice the gumboots - they both love gumboots (rubber boots).

Hahaha, I love it! Yep, the Pham girls need to take some fashion classes!

WARNING - WARNING
You might want to wear sunglasses to look at these fotos! ;-)

Clash!

The Pham girls really need to work on their color matching! On the left is Taliah at about 3 yrs old. She decided to dress herself one day. Notice the colors - pink, blue, orange and green!

And on the right is Dariah, also at age 3 - she also dressed herself. Notice the same colors - green, orange, pink and blue! And notice the gumboots - they both love gumboots (rubber boots).

Hahaha, I love it! Yep, the Pham girls need to take some fashion classes!

WARNING - WARNING
You might want to wear sunglasses to look at these fotos! ;-)

Bronze Serpent of Numbers 21

Just recently, I have been thinking about the passage in Numbers 21.4-9 where the children of Israel sinned against God by complaining - complained about Moses and God. God then disciplined them and struck them with a plague of serpents that bit the people. They then repent and ask for God's mercy and He tells Moses to make a 'fiery serpent' and put it on a pole. Moses obeys and makes a bronze serpent and mounts it on a pole. Any one who is bitten by a serpent only has to look at the bronze serpent on the pole and be healed and lived.

Have you ever thought about all the symbology that is associated with this serpent on the pole? Here is a list - no particular order, just some random musings...

1. Serpent - symbol of sin, evil, the curse.
2. Bronze - symbolizes judgment, fire - sin, evil judged.
3. Lifted up on a pole - Jesus lifted up on the Cross.
4. Wasn’t placed in the tabernacle - not associated w/ the Law (Ten Commandments in the Holy of Holies).
5. None can make their own bronze serpent but must accept the one made for them - can't make our own way to heaven but must accept God's way - Jesus.
6. Personal; none could be saved by having friend, family, or others look to bronze serpent for them - salvation is personal, no one can do it for you.
7. Those bitten had to look in faith; medically, nothing about a bronze serpent on a pole can heal, but it is simply looking by faith and accepting what God says - salvation is simply by faith, believing God at his Word.
8. Anyone can look - from the young child to the most elderly - salvation is for all.
9. The one thing that killed them became the one thing that saved them - Jesus became sin (the one things that kills us) and through Jesus we are saved.

What a rich illustration of what God did through Jesus at the Cross to secure our salvation! Jesus said in John 3.14-16...

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Bronze Serpent of Numbers 21

Just recently, I have been thinking about the passage in Numbers 21.4-9 where the children of Israel sinned against God by complaining - complained about Moses and God. God then disciplined them and struck them with a plague of serpents that bit the people. They then repent and ask for God's mercy and He tells Moses to make a 'fiery serpent' and put it on a pole. Moses obeys and makes a bronze serpent and mounts it on a pole. Any one who is bitten by a serpent only has to look at the bronze serpent on the pole and be healed and lived.

Have you ever thought about all the symbology that is associated with this serpent on the pole? Here is a list - no particular order, just some random musings...

1. Serpent - symbol of sin, evil, the curse.
2. Bronze - symbolizes judgment, fire - sin, evil judged.
3. Lifted up on a pole - Jesus lifted up on the Cross.
4. Wasn’t placed in the tabernacle - not associated w/ the Law (Ten Commandments in the Holy of Holies).
5. None can make their own bronze serpent but must accept the one made for them - can't make our own way to heaven but must accept God's way - Jesus.
6. Personal; none could be saved by having friend, family, or others look to bronze serpent for them - salvation is personal, no one can do it for you.
7. Those bitten had to look in faith; medically, nothing about a bronze serpent on a pole can heal, but it is simply looking by faith and accepting what God says - salvation is simply by faith, believing God at his Word.
8. Anyone can look - from the young child to the most elderly - salvation is for all.
9. The one thing that killed them became the one thing that saved them - Jesus became sin (the one things that kills us) and through Jesus we are saved.

What a rich illustration of what God did through Jesus at the Cross to secure our salvation! Jesus said in John 3.14-16...

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Phamily Road-Trip - pt.2

Here are a few more fotos from the road-trip. We took a little day trip to the Kauri Forest and then the Whangarei Falls...

(again, just click on the foto to see it full size)

Phamily Road-Trip - pt.2

Here are a few more fotos from the road-trip. We took a little day trip to the Kauri Forest and then the Whangarei Falls...

(again, just click on the foto to see it full size)

Phamily Road-Trip - July 2010

Here are a few pics from our road trip to Northern NZ a couple weeks ago. This was at a local beach in the Whangarei area. The kids had sooo much fun collecting seashells and just running up and down the beach. It was pretty cold (remember it's winter here) but they did go in the water - at least up to their thighs. (I think you can click on the foto below to see it full-size).

 

Phamily Road-Trip - July 2010

Here are a few pics from our road trip to Northern NZ a couple weeks ago. This was at a local beach in the Whangarei area. The kids had sooo much fun collecting seashells and just running up and down the beach. It was pretty cold (remember it's winter here) but they did go in the water - at least up to their thighs. (I think you can click on the foto below to see it full-size).

 

FAQ - World's Largest Gummi Bear

Here's the follow-up video to the World's Largest Gummi Bear (see previous post below). FAQ - you asked, they answered, sort of...

World's Largest Gummi Bear

Those who know me know that I love Gummi Bears. Well, this video makes my mouth water! And my blood sugar level spike just watching it! Seriously, this 5 lb Gummi Bear is equal to 1,400 (yes, 1,400) normal sized ones. And guess how many calories - 12,600!!!! That's like a week of calories for the average person!

FAQ - World's Largest Gummi Bear

Here's the follow-up video to the World's Largest Gummi Bear (see previous post below). FAQ - you asked, they answered, sort of...

World's Largest Gummi Bear

Those who know me know that I love Gummi Bears. Well, this video makes my mouth water! And my blood sugar level spike just watching it! Seriously, this 5 lb Gummi Bear is equal to 1,400 (yes, 1,400) normal sized ones. And guess how many calories - 12,600!!!! That's like a week of calories for the average person!

Fear

Why is it that we humans like to be scared, startled and frightened? I was playing hide-and-seek with the kids last night and they thought is was great fun for Daddy to hide in the dark somewhere and then pop out when they get close and yell 'ahhhhh'. Then they would all jump and scream and run and laugh and we would do it all over again! Literally for hours on end!

Or why is it that we like thrilling, suspenseful movies or books - where you are on the edge of your seat the whole time, your heart beating at 150 bpm with your hands covering your face. And the music that goes with those movies - you know the music which intensifies that suspense and fear and anticipation. And we love it! Just waiting in anticipation for that boogey-man or space alien to pop out of the woodwork so we can scream and laugh and pay $10-$15 to do it again next time!

We love the fear, the anticipation, the adrenaline. But why is it that we don't behave in the same way when it comes to God? Why don't we fear God more, respect Him more, be more in awe of Him? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1.7 - of course this is a slightly different 'fear' but nonetheless...). Or why doesn't the anticipation of Jesus' return keep us on the edge of our seats more? Or why doesn't the thought of heaven and being in God's presence for all eternity excite us more like it should?

Perhaps it is because we are too grown up? Maybe our faith should be like a child's? Oh well, I still enjoy a good suspenseful movie or book that keeps me on the edge of my seat. But I know I enjoy the 'real action' more. The one that has a happy ending. One which we already know...

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Rev 22.1-5

Fear

Why is it that we humans like to be scared, startled and frightened? I was playing hide-and-seek with the kids last night and they thought is was great fun for Daddy to hide in the dark somewhere and then pop out when they get close and yell 'ahhhhh'. Then they would all jump and scream and run and laugh and we would do it all over again! Literally for hours on end!

Or why is it that we like thrilling, suspenseful movies or books - where you are on the edge of your seat the whole time, your heart beating at 150 bpm with your hands covering your face. And the music that goes with those movies - you know the music which intensifies that suspense and fear and anticipation. And we love it! Just waiting in anticipation for that boogey-man or space alien to pop out of the woodwork so we can scream and laugh and pay $10-$15 to do it again next time!

We love the fear, the anticipation, the adrenaline. But why is it that we don't behave in the same way when it comes to God? Why don't we fear God more, respect Him more, be more in awe of Him? The Bible says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Prov 1.7 - of course this is a slightly different 'fear' but nonetheless...). Or why doesn't the anticipation of Jesus' return keep us on the edge of our seats more? Or why doesn't the thought of heaven and being in God's presence for all eternity excite us more like it should?

Perhaps it is because we are too grown up? Maybe our faith should be like a child's? Oh well, I still enjoy a good suspenseful movie or book that keeps me on the edge of my seat. But I know I enjoy the 'real action' more. The one that has a happy ending. One which we already know...

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Rev 22.1-5

oops

So apparently I missed a lesson in 'sewing 101'...it has been lovingly pointed out that Dariah's pattern is up-side down. I didn't notice it until I put them on her! So I will be paying closer attention next time I cut fabric! Thanks to those who looked that close (dad and J)!! :)

Cozy PJ's

I found some polar fleece material on sale shortly after getting here so I went ahead and got enough to make PJs for the kids. When my sewing machine finally arrived I got to work!

It was a really simple pattern and each pair only took me about 4 hours total...minus any interuptions, of which there are always many :)!

These jammies are so warm that the kids don't have to double up on the pjs any more. They still need under shirts because the neck lines are too big, but I wanted to leave them room to grow!

Thanks Linda for teaching me how to sew! I love doing it!

oops

So apparently I missed a lesson in 'sewing 101'...it has been lovingly pointed out that Dariah's pattern is up-side down. I didn't notice it until I put them on her! So I will be paying closer attention next time I cut fabric! Thanks to those who looked that close (dad and J)!! :)

Cozy PJ's

I found some polar fleece material on sale shortly after getting here so I went ahead and got enough to make PJs for the kids. When my sewing machine finally arrived I got to work!

It was a really simple pattern and each pair only took me about 4 hours total...minus any interuptions, of which there are always many :)!

These jammies are so warm that the kids don't have to double up on the pjs any more. They still need under shirts because the neck lines are too big, but I wanted to leave them room to grow!

Thanks Linda for teaching me how to sew! I love doing it!