Parents Orientation 2013:Kids Time to Shine

It was a meaningful Saturday morning. We attended GAI's Parents' Orientation the whole morning until noon for the parents of Preschoolers and then for Grade 1-3. Earlier this week we were informed that both of them will be part of the intermission number and we were excited especially for our not so little Toti, who led the prayer  though he was a bit shy and hesitant to go in front. I had to join and encouraged him while he recited this personally written prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day. We thank for our teachers, classmates and parents. Bless today's activities and school year too that we may learn and live your way. This we pray, Amen.

Toti was also chosen to dance Psy's Gentleman, which hubby and I think, was the song for the day. It was also danced by Tato with his classmate and the other class as well. Toti did it twice because some of his classmate were not yet there when they presented it the first time. Uploading the videos is taking a while but will sure share it with you once its ready.Hubby took the video and this adorable photos as well:

Our precious cubs

What I loved about the orientation was the inspirational message by the School Director Pastor Toto Catuncan. He encouraged us parents to train up our children on the way that they should go, as Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) states:  

"Start children off on the way they should go, 
and even when they are old they will not turn from it."

He challenged parents to spent time with their children, amidst the busy schedule, children should be a priority for they are precious. Spending time with them means spending quality time, parents should be a friend and mentor as well.

He then reminded the children to obey their parents as stated in Colossians 3:20 (NIV)^:

^"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."

and in Ephesians 6:1 (NIV): 

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."

But came as an extra surprise was when he reminded parents to love one another, for husbands to love their wives and wives to do the same. Ephesians 5:33 states that:

"However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

He emphasized the value of having a complete home or at the very least he reminded that parents should maintain a good, loving relationship. There might be petty quarrels or big disagreements but at the end of the day, in God's grace and help, parents should settle their differences, not only for their children but for their own sanity as well. Pastor Toto's wife Sister Emily died last December 2012 and he related that he is thankful for the 22 years that God blessed them as a couple. And I also pray that hubby and I would be able to grow old together or at the very least maintain our sanity.

Speaking of hubby, I was glad he was there to join the kids in their first program for this school year. I was also proud that he was acknowledged and thanked by Pastor Toto as an alumni who have entrusted his children to GAI. We were assured and secured that GAI would be our partner in nurturing our kids and preparing them for the greater challenges of life. I do hope that the kids would be able to adjust with the new K-12 system and I know God will provide for the education of these children. 

In ending, I think we will be able to survive this school year and even beyond, keeping in mind that yes the school is there, but it is us parents that would remain and always be the first support system of our children. Their behavior about things, about life would be a reflection of how we are to them. So let's keep up to the challenge of parenting and raise our kids to the best we can <3

Bible passages are from www.biblegateway.com