Building Up Moms has its beginnings as Building An Ark In Singapore on the HomeschoolBlogger site. Of course it no longer exists.
This was what I wrote way back in 30th July 2006.
“Today, I join the blogging community!
So why did I succumb? I had always wanted to write down my journey as a mother firstly and then as a homeschooling mother. But I never could find the time nor energy for it. So it had until now, remained a nice dream.
Three weeks ago, a friend called me for some advice on how to handle a toddler while pregnant and then how to handle a toddler and a newborn baby as well as homeschooling on top of that. The next week, I went to a birthday party and had a mother there ask me how I manage the 5 children, keep house, cook and homeschool.
I think God was talking to me through these mothers!
So I thought to myself – Lord, You know there is a real need to share with young mothers how to do these things. Most of us were not taught by our own mothers, either because we didn’t need to learn those skills coz mum did everything for us or mum was herself a working mother. So I told myself that I should start this project – to help these mothers who truly want to learn. I would write down all these verbal advice so that :
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I save myself from repeating the same stories over and over again and,
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I have a document of sorts to trace my journey as wife, mother and teacher.
Now, I did not mention anything to my dh at that point in time.
This week, Aunty Doreen from Church asked me to share my experience as a mother to the other mothers in the Sunday School group for babies & toddlers! It would happen on the 4th Sunday of every month, starting this August! Well, I guess there was no running away from what God was saying to me.
This time, I told Henson about possibly starting a blog and using it to help and encourage new mothers. And he said, “I told you to do it the last time and you said you had no time!” Well, in my defence, he didn’t ask me to start a blog. 😀
What I remember him saying to me (which he will probably disagree with. But that’s ok, since I am the submissive wife :P) was to write an encouraging article for mothers every month. However, at that point in time, I was the one needing encouragement!
So here I am. I shall be attempting to update as often as possible, our journey down the less trodden path of mom staying home, trusting in the Lord for the number and spacing of our children, keeping house with no paid or live-in help (a rarity in Singapore) and of course, homeschooling.”
Building Up Moms was up and running on 21st January 2007. And I changed it from Building An Ark in Singapore to “Building Up Moms” because I remember the call I had from God to build up and encourage young (not in age!) and new mothers.
Please note that I am no expert in this area! Do not ever think I am an expert or that my way is the only or best way. But having mothered 5 children, I have over the years picked up some experience and advice from fellow large family moms that I want to gladly share with you. Especially the practical tips!
But be mindful that I do what I do not because I am better or more spiritual than anyone but it is my desire to share with you that all of us CAN do this hard job because we have the same Holy Spirit guiding and leading us.
Indeed, the more years I spend mothering, the more I realise that I can’t do it on my own strength and wisdom (what strength? what wisdom?) As my husband loves to say – truly, Jesus IS the answer!
So do not look to me for answers. Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!