Our interviewee for July is Cynthia, who has grown up here at LAPCOC and is now a mother of two. Read on to find out more about her interest (and talent), as well as how it is going as a stay-at-home mum.
Michelle:
Tell me about yourself.
Cynthia:
I grew up in the congregation at LAP, and now I’m a stay-home mom to 2 kids. I really like and appreciate being able to stay home to guide my kids especially in their formative years. It is such a privilege to be able to do that. I’m also grateful that we get to worship as a family at LAP now, and that my kids are now growing up in this congregation too.
Michelle:
What is one surprising fun fact about yourself?
Cynthia:
I can cycle with both my kids on the same bike. And I generally don’t like cooking even though that’s part of my job description.
Michelle:
Wow! Is that riding on a tandem bike or is it a regular bike that you have managed to fit both your kids on?
Cynthia:
It is a regular bike with one child seat in front and one behind.
Michelle:
Kudos to you! That requires good balance and maneuvering skills to make sure both are safe 🙂 What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Cynthia:
Umm, I don’t really have free time these days. But if I did, it’ll probably be learning or trying out a craft-related activity.
Michelle:
I think arts & crafts is actually quite a popular interest - multiple people have expressed the same, including my own mum. Unfortunately, I am the kind who gets a C for Art. 😂 What do you enjoy about arts & crafts and what is something you had created in the past that you really liked?
Cynthia:
Haha I wasn’t really good at art as a school subject either. In K2, I placed 9th for a graduation drawing, and there were only 9 people in my class. I like making things or learning how to do so. My social media algorithm knows that, so my feed is filled with videos of tutorials for kids crafts, beading, macrame, embroidery, etc and ads for craft workshops too.
Many years ago, I crocheted some things that I was pretty happy with. Amongst them were an amigurumi bunny and a pokeball. In more recent times, the seat of my kids’ IKEA chair broke so I took it out and weaved a new seat in its place. And also, Amelia had a school assignment to create a 3D model of a toy and we made a sword together.
Michelle:
These are really nicely made! What was it like growing up in LAP? What were some of your fondest/ strongest memories?
Cynthia:
The earliest memories of LAP that I can recall are: running around the church building, playing catching with my sister, and sitting on the front porch of the building (before any renovations were done) on a very very rainy day, waiting for my parents to come back from somewhere. Oh, and of course the old swing set that came dangerously close to lifting off the ground and flipping over a few times.
The most impactful memories were of Aunty Poh Im bringing all the youth out for meals and other activities often, and Uncle Hong Leng’s foundation classes.
Even though the place has changed physically over the years and there are many new faces around and old faces missing, it still feels like home.
Michelle:
Thanks so much for sharing these lovely memories of the church back in the days. When did you decide to get baptized and how did you come to this decision?
Cynthia:
I was in Primary 6 that year. By then, I already knew what I had to do to be saved and it had been weighing down on me for a while. But I guess I just needed that final push. So that year, during the June Camp, Uncle Peter Kwan brought a few of us aside to talk to us specifically about this, and that was when I said I wanted to be baptized.
Michelle:
Indeed, the June Camp is a good time for reflection and to take stock of where we are at with regards to doing God's will. Given the numerous June camps you have been to, are there any particularly memorable ones? How have the June Camps you have been to evolved over time (or have they stayed largely similar)?
Cynthia:
I think we used to travel further, and there was one where we were awakened to go to the beach to see baby turtles hatching and making their way to the sea. And in another one, we were on a boat (I think) and there were fireflies all around. Those might have been from the same camp. I’m not sure, my memories are all jumbled up haha.
Michelle:
Ohhh seems that the activities were a bit more adventurous then! How have you been involved in the church and how has that changed over time?
Cynthia:
In the past, I think I was mostly involved in planning events like camps and Vacation Bible School (VBS). Now, it is mainly teaching, Sparkles, and other backend-type jobs. Nowadays, predictable roles that allow me to work or prepare individually and in my own time fit better into my life.
Michelle:
How do you juggle your involvement in church alongside other things like school, taking care of children etc? Would you have any advice for someone who might be struggling to do so?
Cynthia:
Honestly, I only commit to things that I think I can allocate sufficient time and effort for because I want to be able to do a good job. Ideally, it seems like we should say yes to everything and try to do it all. But it gets overwhelming and cannot be sustained in the long run. If you are struggling now, I would suggest cutting back on some commitments with the intention of coming back again refreshed. You can consider looking at roles that gel with your personality and lifestyle. For example, if you have young children who will be attending kids activities, you can help out in those activities since your kids will already be there, or if you are an introvert and like to work quietly behind-the-scenes you can come join us in contributing to Sparkles (the amount you are able to contribute is flexible, and many hands make the work lighter). If you are hesitant to start because you are worried about being able to cope, try starting with a small role to get a feel of it. All the people I’ve worked with so far have been very understanding and accommodating. After all, we are all working together for God.
Michelle:
Last question, do you have any final advice?
Cynthia:
If you are finding it difficult to step forward to take on work in the church, tell yourself to just say yes to the next person who approaches you and give it your best effort. The hardest step is the first one.
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