Heavenly priorities by the numbers

When we're able, the kids & I try over breakfast to learn about one country in the world God loves.  Over this winter vacation, we've had more time in the mornings, & today Evangelina chose to learn about Taiwan.  When we saw that only 5.82% of Taiwanese call themselves Christian (United States: 77.6%), she said, "Uncle Pastor Ray needs to go to Taiwan to tell people about Jesus."  

I told her, "Well, Uncle Pastor Ray is already going to Sri Lanka and India to tell people about Jesus."  We quickly looked up statistics (a la "Operation World," 7th edition) for Sri Lanka & India, and together we found that 8.38% in Sri Lanka and 5.84% in India identify themselves as Christian.

Evangelina's conclusion was clear: "Then Uncle Pastor Ray needs to go to Taiwan first, then India, and then Sri Lanka to tell people about Jesus."

It is more blessed (or was that stressed?) to give than to receive

For some reason the other day Evangelina and I were talking about giving blood.  I shared how important it was and how it could save people's lives, all the while Evangelina said she could never do such a thing. I told her that both Mommy and I tried to donate blood in the past but were unable for one reason or another.  Evangelina, even though surprised that we had been willing to donate blood, persisted in saying how she couldn't do it.  Then I said, "But what if Daddy is dying and he needs your blood?  Wouldn't you give it then?" With a whimper, she replied, "Jadon can give it."

Forsooth, thou dost knoweth me too well!

Me (on our way out to her dance class):  Evangelina, guess what?  I have a surprise for you, but let's hurry up and get into the car first!

E:  No Daddy, you're going to fart!

CUV (Children's Urbanized Version)

Earlier this evening I was reading the Bible to our 7-year-old where the Apostle Peter was miraculously freed from prison.  We got to the part where the disciples were astonished to find him standing at their doorway, and he motioned "to them with his hand to hold their peace" (Acts 12:17).

Innocently, our little girl asked, "Daddy, is this what Peter did?" while she hit her chest twice with her fist, then held out a sideways peace sign.

It really tickled me that she earnestly wondered if that's what Peter did.  I imagine she'll be able to ask him one day, & I wonder what he'll say?

Gnosis by osmosis

Recently we heard the following Taiwanese/Hokkien/Southern Min phrases spontaneously spoken by our children:

Jadon while taking a shower: "What does /soe sengku/ mean?"  (Take a shower/bath.)

Evangelina in the car: "Goa ka li kong... " (Let me tell you...)

Too cool to say it at school?

Last week on Jadon's second day of junior high (in a new district with yet another new start for him, Lord help him), I had the singular joy of reciprocated expression of love: as we parted at the gate I told him I love him, and he was willing to reply with the same, along with the ASL "I love you" handsign.

Contrast that with what happened within days with Evangelina as I brought her to school.  We were walking in from the parking lot and I began to quietly sing my love for her when I was rudely interrupted.  "Shhhh!  Daddy, don't say it so loud!"

"I love you M--"

(In hushed tones...) "--Shhh!  There are people here!"

Then, as Evangelina looks around and noticed that the people passed to a sufficient distance from us, my daughter relents with the command, "OK, now say it."

Food on the brain... and my leg

I had my legs crossed while helping Evangelina at the piano this morning when she looked over at my ankle & said, "Hey that looks like taro!"  I could only chuckle in my agreement.

The fear of the Lord is indeed the beginning of knowledge

Leave it to our daughter to bring a spiritual problem to bear upon her Science Camp

Ahhhh, such encouraging words!

Your teeth are crooked Dad..... but it's OK; you still look good.

another tooth lost, another milestone gained

Yanked out Mina's left upper lateral incisor tonight; didn't cry at all!

As she was rinsing out the blood in her mouth before the bathroom mirror, she remarked, "I look like a hockey [player] again!"

And she discussed the issue with Jadon, our knowing child observed, "The fake tooth fairy is going to come tonight!"

Forward thinking to the now

This morning while we were walking in from the school parking lot hand in hand, Evangelina quietly asked, "Daddy?"

"Yes."

"You know how when I grow up you won't be able to carry me?"

"Yes."

"Could---"

At this point I underatood where the conversation was going, so I burst out laughing, and said, "Of course I'll carry you Beautiful."

On several occasions I had brought up that I was saddened by fact that I wouldn't be able to carry Evangelina much longer.

Evangelese or Evangeleses?

For some reason Evangelina lately has been trying out the type of language my buddy Thomas Tsai & I like to throw back & forth -- a kind of pseudo-Southern rural talk that adds an "S" at the end of each word, or even in the middle of compound/polysyllabic words.  This makes even the most mundane sentence a jumbly bundle of laughs; for example, "I want to go to the movies" becomes "I's wants tos goes tos thes movieses."  I commented to her that she's getting good at speaking "Tsai-merican."  Not missing a beat, she replied, "Noes, it's 'Tsais-mericans.'"

Next life experience, please...

It had been a long day tagging along with Jadon for his piano events when we were finally able to have a more substantive meal, albeit in the car on the way home.

Evangelina, upon completing her In-n-Out cheeseburger, said from behind us, "Next burger please...."

Slightly incredulously, we ask her, "What?  You want another burger?"

"Yes, please," she replied.

In the front we start to chuckle, while from beside her Jadon laughingly interjects, "Mina, it's too late."  [It was past 8:30pm.]  "Don't you know you're not supposed to ask?  You've been alive for 7 years and you don't know you're not supoosed to ask?"

Marevelous images I hope never to forget

Yesterday when I got to Jadon's school I showed up during his recess, during which I saw he was playing happily with classmates on the basketball court.  As an adult not allowed to stay on the playground, I retreated to the central quad where we're allowed to eat lunch with our kids, & I wondered if he would notice I was there.  I watched from afar as several kids started filing toward the lunch area.  I got distracted & looked away for a moment, when I heard a "Dad!  Dad!" accompanied by a boy running toward me with a face of delight.

This morning, Evangelina was blowing kisses & doing the ASL "I love you face" (both hands, thumbs on ears while rocking side to side) from her seat as I was saying goodbye to her through the class window.

well, I guess it IS round...

This past weekend we spent some time in Marina del Rey for a meeting, & it was a challenge (as usual) to remind our children that these trips are generally outside of our own budgets, & rather are covered benefits from Daddy's work -- a gift for our family to enjoy each other in the comfort of nice amenities.  

The kids like playing in the lobbies of nice hotels, & the Marriott in MdR did have a pingpong table, a pool table, bean bag toss, & tic-tac-toe for people to play.  

What did Evangelina want to do?

"I want to play in the electric zero."

I didn't know what she was talking about until she brought me to the electric revolving door.

Times for Rhymes

I get a big kick out of our kids developing their own rhymes, whether they be in English or some other language.  Evangelina and I were goofing around in the car on the way to school.  I had said, "早上好，我愛你。 但是我需要放屁。"  /Good morning, I love you.  But I have to fart./

By the time we were walking down the inclined sidewalk toward the grassy area in front of the school, Evangelina countered with a rhyme of her own: "早上好，不要跑，因為你要吃葡萄。"  /Good morning, no running, because you're going to eat grapes./