children Archives - Truly Rich and Blessed

50 Days of Amazing Grace: Day 9 – A Mother’s Prayer by Rachel Aldous

April 16, 2012 by Tina 1 Comment

Today’s 50 Days of Amazing Grace post is another inspiring music video, which is too beautiful! 🙂 Check out how Rachel Aldous, the mom behind this song, was inspired to write it (taken from ):

This song came straight from my heart one night as I prayed over my sleeping daughter. As I stared at her beautiful frame I was just moved to tears by what an amazing gift from God she really is. She was born with neurofibromatosis and is considered legally blind. Some would have advised while she was still in the womb that I should have had an abortion because she isn’t “perfect”. That would have been a tragedy. As this song has been passed around it has been used in many different ways- pro-life rallies, baby dedications, Mother’s Day events, weddings, and as a simple lullaby sung over a sleeping baby. My hope is that this song would inspire all mothers to pray over their babies, no matter how old, and to see the value of human life.

And here’s the video (another tearjerker for me! *sighs*):

May we learn to always, always, always cherish the gift that children are — not just to their parents and families — but to the entire world. 🙂 Be amazed by God’s grace today and always! 🙂

P.S.
More info about the song:

This song available on the album “Transform Me” athttp://www.RachelAldous.com and online at the iTunes store, and Amazon.com

Lyrics by Rachel Aldous, music by John Mandeville

Produced by John Mandeville (check out his hit single “Glorify”)

Video compiled by Darren Thomas/Visual 7 Films

Downloadable sheet music and background track available at http://www.RachelAldous.com.

Wordless Wednesday

October 11, 2011 by Tina Leave a Comment

(Image from: http://www.twins-clothes.com/item481566.ctlg. Pardon the “Do Not Duplicate” text embossed on the picture. It is just TOO LOVELY not to share!)

Truly Rich Recommendations: Play Pilipinas 2011 Event

September 8, 2011 by Tina Leave a Comment

As a homeschooling mom who believes that children, especially young ones, learn best through play*, I highly recommend this event:

Here are a few details about it from their website www.playpilipinas.org. You may also check out their Facebook page .

The event will feature:

Exhibits from toy designers, manufacturers and distributors showcasing the latest in toys, playground equipment, books, fashion and lots of other innovations:
• TOY FAIR: A toy fair with over 50 booths, each featuring the latest tools and toys for active play. Organized by age bracket.
• BOOK AND MAGAZINE FAIR: A veritable showcase of the latest and best titles covering play and child development.
• CHILDREN’S NUTRITION FAIR: A taste of the kind of food that makes for fun, delicious and healthy eating for kids.
• CHILDREN’S FASHION FAIR: An exhibition of outfits fit for active play and other children’s activities.
• SCHOOL FAIR: A venue for schools or institutions to showcase their programs and the ways they integrate play into their curriculum/activities. • WORLD TOYS EXHIBIT: An exhibition showcasing toys and games from around the world.

*For more information, please check out the Play Pilipinas official website.

*For additional resources on why play is important for a child’s learning, please click on the following links:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=537
http://www.helium.com/items/134697-children-learning-through-play
http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/cancer/pedresource/pedres_docs/ChildrenLearnThruPlay.pdf
http://www.designedinstruction.com/prekorner/learning-through-play.html
http://casadelbambino.blogspot.com/2008/04/play-theories-classical-contemporary.html

Truly Rich Tip: How To Instill Gratitude In Your Children

September 1, 2011 by Tina Leave a Comment

“What do you say?” is a common phrase said by parents like myself whenever our children are given something. In our family, once our kids reach the age when they are able to learn baby signs, we teach them how to say/sign “thank you,” among other things.

When it comes to receiving gifts, especially on special occasions like birthdays and Christmas, parents would do well by teaching their kids how to be grateful for such presents. Of course, it would be best for children to learn about being thankful every day, not just on special days.

The importance of this is emphasized by Christine Carter, a sociologist, happiness expert, and director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Parents program, who says: “if we don’t teach kids gratitude and practice it with them, they grow up feeling entitled, and entitlement does not lead to happiness. On the contrary, it leads to feelings of disappointment and frustration. In contrast, gratitude makes us happy and satisfied with our lives.”

A study conducted by Dr. Robert A. Emmons of the University of California, Davis, affirms this. His research revealed that encouraging gratitude can increase happiness levels by approximately 25 percent, and may also cause persons to live “happier, more satisfied lives and enjoy increased levels of self-esteem, hope, empathy, and optimism.”

Instilling gratitude in one’s child begins with a decision, followed by concrete, consistent “lessons” which should be incorporated in your family’s daily activities.

(To read the rest of this post, please go to my article on Smart Parenting Philippines’ website here.)

Lady Gaga’s "Judas": Art or Lie?

May 19, 2011 by Tina Leave a Comment

What’s with the horns on the shoulders, Lady Gaga?

I struggled with even writing about Lady Gaga’s just released song, “Judas.” When so-called celebrities and shock artists do degrading and debase things, whether they do it because they believe it or just for publicity, I usually don’t join the discussion. I need to be a better steward of my time.

But when I read this post on my daughter, Emily’s, Facebook page, and when she texted me this morning about people’s responses and how angry she is about it, I thought it might be worthwhile addressing it.

Here is Emily’s post:

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Then the guards arrested Jesus and crucified him. He died so we can live and how do we repay him during this holy week? We purchase a song (Lady Gaga’s “Judas”) worshiping the very man who publicly cheated and defiled our Lord and Savior. It’s disturbing!

Most of the comments to her post were supportive and uplifting, but one comment said, it’s “just art.”

My text conversation with my daughter, Emily

Emily asked me how to respond. First, I to the song (since I’m not a huge Lady Gaga fan…). Then, after reading through the lyrics, I texted back to her, “It’s okay to be angry for righteousness and to war against the lies of this world. We need to do it in love and speak truth into their lives. People are blind sometimes. We need to gently show them the way.” I also said, “ You should tell this person that true art should reflect God’s glory. It should make you delight and should not be degrading. Lady Gaga’s song is not art, it is derogatory expression. It is not truth, it is a lie.”

What do you think of Lady Gaga’s “Judas”? Would you let your children buy it or listen to it?

Note: This post is originally from Mark Merrill’s blog. I am reposting it here because I am one of those parents who had no idea who Lady Gaga was before, and what her songs were about. Songs like “Pokerface” and “Alejandro” didn’t seem harmful to me, mostly because they were always blaring on the radio, especially here in the Philippines. But a recent e-mail that my dearest sister let me read about Gaga’s song “Alejandro,” and other similar stories about her have made me decide to NOT let our little kids hear her music as much as possible. Our kids are like sponges, and even subliminal messages behind what we think is harmless “art” can have an effect on them. Let’s pray for all parents, including ourselves, to be extra-careful about what we let our kids watch and listen to, and also say a prayer for artists like Gaga, who, if guided by the Lord, have the chance to have a great positive impact on the lives of so many people. I am certainly NOT a perfect person, and I am not being self-righteous here, so for those of you who may find this post “preachy,” please forgive me, but I am just expressing my own opinion. 🙂 Godbless us!)