It is such a privilege to see how God has helped Joash grow into a helpful and obedient boy. Not that he has no tantrum displays or crankiness, esp when he is hungry or sleepy, but he has responded very well to our instructions from the Word of God.
He is a wonderful brother to Jayna. Whenever she cries, he'll let us know so that we can do something about it. If we are busy and ask Joash to help talk to her instead, he'll go and try to entertain her and make her laugh. He even offers her his own toys! He'll always call out "
Mei mei,
Mei mei!" whenever he's home from school. Sometimes, he insists on saying goodbye to her before he sleeps! Many a time, he also requests for us to bring her near him so that he can hug her or
sayang her. He actually exclaims "So cute!" when he looks at his sister!
Joash is a helpful boy. He helps to throw trash, get things for us and keep things for us. He actually knows where the things belong. When my phone rings, he'll help me fetch it esp when I'm busy feeding his sister or otherwise occupied. He may need a few reminders but he is able to do mundane things by himself such as washing his hands and wearing/taking off his shoes.
For a few months in the past, Joash was very reluctant to greet people or say goodbye to them. However, after explaining to him how God wants us to love and respect others, he has been very obedient in doing so when prompted. He has learnt to say please and thank you too. In fact, there are times when he automatically says "Oops sorry!" when he accidentally steps on or bangs into us!
For half a year, Joash refused to eat anything except corn, carrot, potato and plain white rice when he's with us (he eats anything the school gives, surprisingly). We thought it was just a phase and decided to wait it out but we got worried when it didn't seemed to end. So last week, I spoke to him about how we had already thanked God for the food by saying our grace and we would be unappreciative of what God gives if we are to be choosy. Though he is still extremely partial towards his favorite foods, Joash is willing to at least finish half a bowl of the rest. While we're at it, he is able to say his own grace too when prompted.
Joash is also willing to hold our hands whenever we cross the roads/carpark or use the escalator. He may even remind us to hold his hands if we are not quick enough to do so! He has learnt not to put his left hand on the door of the lift while pressing the buttons though for his safety, we still keep a close watch in case he lapses into carelessness. He trusts us when we tell him something is too spicy for him to eat or something has caffeine and thus not suitable for him to drink. He will also blow at his food to cool it before eating when we tell him it is hot.
Although he refused to put on the bib when he eats for a period of time back then, he is now willing to do so and will remind us if we are too slow in putting it on him. With the bib in place, he is now completely left on his own to finish his own food, even soup and drink, without creating too much of a mess. He'll request to be cleaned if things get too messy and will tell us "Eee, yuck yuck!" He will even ask us to wipe his mouth or nose if they're dirty when before, he would scream and run away if we want to clean him.
As for bedtime, he is often such a darling. He knows that after being dressed in his pajamas, Joshua will pray with him so he occasionally asks him to do so. Unless something is bothering him, Joash will say goodbye in a sweet voice to his Daddy, much to my husband's pleasure, and will sing or play with his favorite toy bus on his bed till he falls asleep by himself in his room. We always smile to ourselves whenever we overhear him sing or notice the squeaking of the wheels indicating that he has yet to turn in.
Without us teaching him explicitly, Joash knows that we go to church on Sundays to praise God as he will shout "Hallelujah!" whenever the church comes into view while we're on the road. It is also extremely amusing as he tries to identify all the vehicles he sees on the way. I've been teaching him the difference between the MRT train and the LRT train and it looks like he is catching on rather quickly.
Joash is a splendid two-year old boy and I never cease to thank God for him! May he continue to be teachable and one day place his trust in his everlasting Father.
