Our favorite Minno Kids tv shows

Emma loves to use my phone to play and explore. So, I've decided to look for a Christian app that will help her grow intellectually and spiritually. 
I've found this Minno Kids app. It was previously called Jelly Telly. It's not free though, it's 7 USD/ month. So it's about 9 CAD/month.

We've been using it for more than a year already. This is one of the best investment I have for Emma. You can watch them on your laptop and in your phone. According to their website, they have 128 shows and 2397 episodes.

We love that they have variety of shows for the whole family. They have devotionals for the whole family and other shows from toddlers to big kids. They also have an option to download a show and watch it offline.

Some of our favorite shows are the following. (They're in random order)


1. Micah's super blog: Fruit of the spirit-devotional
This is about Micah, a 10 year old boy, making a blog about his life, his school and friends. This is a very catchy show that teaches the fruit of the Spirit.
Appropriate age: 6yrs- 10 yrs old. This is just my opinion. I think it's good for school aged children.

2. Micah's super blog: The Armor of God
This is the same child, Micah. But the topic here is about the Armor of God. Both this and the fruit of the Spirit has a catchy show. I also believe that this is appropriate for school aged children.

3. The Torchlighters
I love this show because it tells the story of the heroes of faith. It's a bit lengthy about 30- 40 minutes. It's appropriate for school aged children like 8 and above. I've watched all the shows here and I really appreciate that they produced show like this. Some of the bibliographies shown were Corrie Ten Boom, Jim Elliot and John Bunyan. It's available in both English and Spanish language.

4. Owlegories
This is about a group of owl students who are learning about nature and how it is connected to God. We love it because they are always learning 3 things that they will connect to God. They also have another show named "Night Owls and Early Birds." It's like a news show. 

5. Buck Denver asks "What's in the Bible?"
We love this show. I even used this for my students in sunday school. It's a story of the Scripture. It answers questions like "What's the Bible?", "What is Salvation" and "What is Pentateuch?" It's like a Bible survey from Old Testament to New Testament. It's about 28 minutes long with stories, discussions and songs. It's more appropriate for school aged kids.

6. Theo
This is another show that we love. This is about Theo teaching his little friends about God's word and how to live in light of it. Some of the episodes talk about The Good News, Forgiveness, and Redemption. It's good theology but easily understood by children and adults because of the simple explanation of it. 

7. From Aadvark to Zucchini
This show is one of the very first shows we've watched here. This is an alphabet show for children that teaches them to thank God for everything. They have songs, poems, dances and silliness. Emma loves it so much. This is appropriate for ages 2-5. 

8. Jesus stories
This is about Jesus' parables. They only have few episodes though. But we like it because they applied the parables to real life situations.

9. Sing through the Bible
Emma and I love to sing. It's basically songs about the Bible and the books of the Bible. Some are silly, some are catchy but they all sings about God's word. 

10. Auto-B-good
This show teaches about good values and traits. Some of the traits are being dependable, honest, and kindness. The main characters are cars. The stories are good for ages 4-10.

In addition to this lists, are some of the common or familiar Christian tv shows for kids like Veggietales, Storybook, and Hermie.

Go, check them out yourself. You can also try the app for free for 7 days. 

Top 10 favorite apps on my phone

I haven't been writing on my blog these days. I got a bit slumped. I googled on some great ideas to write on the blog. I found a lot. But I only want to stick to what I usually write in the blog like lists, to dos or anything random thoughts I'm having.

Anyway, since I like using my phone, I spend a lot of time with it. I would like to tell my top 10 favorite apps on my phone. 😊

Just a disclosure, my phone is Samsung A9. I had it in 2018. I found Samsung user friendly, so that's the reason I've been using it for years.

Here's my top 10 favorite apps on my phone. (They are in random order).

1. Instagram
This is self-explanatory. I love IG. I have my personal account and an extra account to just put random photos. I remembered in 2017, I took photos of the same place every week. I did it for a year. I put those photos on my other IG account.

Follow me on IG:
bimlu
bimlu_photos
newlifeyyc (our church IG)


2. Youversion Bible
I love the Youversion because it's like a Bible on the go. I also like it because you can also listen to the Scriptures while you're walking or commuting. They have many Bible versions that you could download. I am currently using NASB, NIV and CSB on my Youversion. I have 2 Bibles at home in KJV and NKJV. They also have some good devotional that I use. I've also noticed these days that you can add friends and see what they're doing on their app. It's like a mini social media too. :)

If you want to add me in youversion, my name there is Cherubim Grace Lu

3. Youtube
Well, I love listening to music. I also love to sing. When I often hear a new song, I usually find it in youtube and find the one with lyrics. That's the reason Emma knows a lot of songs too, because we love to sing songs and look it up on  YouTube. 

4. Accuweather
Well, this is very essential app, especially when you're living in Calgary. It's very accurate in telling the weather. You can even tell the hourly and daily weather. It's important to have that kind of option because our weather here in Calgary changes hourly and daily. :)
It will also tell the real temperature (with wind chill)

5. RBC Mobile
This is also another essential for me. This is my mobile account. I do most of my transactions online. I pay my bills and credit cards online. They also have a feature in the app that analyzes your spending activities and the money received and spent. Also, with this app, I don't need to go to the bank to deposit a check, just take a picture of it and it's going to deposit on your account. 

6. Sweatcoin
I just had it this year. My colleague told me about it. It's basically walking indoor and outdoors and the app will convert the distance you walk into "sweat coins". You have wallet to collect coins and you can also spend it to some items there. Although I've noticed that there's not much good offers for Canadian residents. But I love the idea that you can support and donate your sweatcoins to some charities and organizations around the world. That's what I've been doing these days. I've been donating my sweatcoins to other organizations. 

7. Minno Kids
This is formerly called JellyTelly. It's a Christian app. It's not free though, it's like $6 USD monthly. But I love that they have various of Christian cartoons and shows for kids. We've been subscribed here for about a year already.
I've done a more comprehensive review about this app, you can check it out here on this link:

https://bimmy27.blogspot.com/2020/05/our-favorite-minno-kids-tv-shows.html?m=1

8. Netflix
Who doesn't love Netflix? I bing watch TV shows, some documentaries and movies. I love also that you can make a separate account for kids. So Emma has her own account with only shows for children. 

9. Spotify
I love spotify too. I love music. I've been listening to music nonstop. I like Spotify because they have various of artists. I even listen to some OPM music here. They also have a lot of good podcasts. I've been listening to podcasts here. To know my favorite podcast, check this link:

https://bimmy27.blogspot.com/2020/03/what-ive-been-listening-lately.html?m=1

10. Google Rewards
Last but not the least, I also like Google rewards. I had this app for years already. They usually send some short surveys. When you answer those surveys, they will reward you in cents. The more you answer surveys, the more money you have. You can use those money in buying app in google account or even renting some movies in google.

In my reward history, I've done 416 surveys and earned $106.11. I've spent it renting movies, buying online books and paying upgrades in some of my apps. It's really cool because i don't need to pay using my money to do those things. 

So these are my top favorite apps on my phone. What about yours?

Emma's interview #2

Last week, I interviewed Emma and asked her some questions about Covid and lockdown. It was so nice to hear her ideas. We both have fun doing it. Now, I interviewed her again.

Here are some of the questions that I asked:

1. How's your day?
Emma: It's good.
Me: What makes it good?
Emma: ahh.. all the good good choices.

2. What makes you happy?
Emma: about my day
Me: Yeah what makes you happy about your day?
Emma: staying at home

3. If you could do anything right now, what would you do?
Emma: Watch
Me: What are you going to watch?
Emma: Puss in Boots
Me: oh oh, Puss in Boots again
Emma: forever

4. Are you a princess or a superhero?
Emma: both
Me: You choose one only, princess or superhero
Emma: Princess
Me: Who's princess are you?
Emma: I'm princess Emma

5. Ok Princess Emma, what makes you laugh the most?
Emma: making, talking, doing jokes
Me: Who's doing jokes? you? or somebody else
Emma: family

6. What are some of your favorite thing to do at home? (aside from watching TV)
Emma: I enjoy dressing up
Me: what else?
Emma: I also have interview
Me: Do you like our interviews?
Emma: Yes

7. If you open a store, and can sell anything, what would you sell?
Emma: Some of my crowns
Me: Do you have many crowns?
Emma: If I buy more.
Me: So, you're planning to buy more and you're gonna sell it. Am I right? Is that what you mean?
Emma: Yes

8. If you could plant and grow anything in the yard, what could it be?
Emma: I will plant sunflower.
Me: Is that your favorite flower?
Emma: Yes

9. Are you happy right now?
Emma: yes! I am
Me: Why are you happy right now?
Emma: Because this one is making me happy (I'm not sure if she meant the interview), staying at home

10. Do you love your mom and dad?
Emma: Yup
Me: Do you love your family?
Emma: Yes
Me: Who else do you love?
Emma: I love everybody in my world, even my friends.

Me: That's it for now Emma Grace. Thank you. Bye bye.
Emma: Bye bye mother.

Emma's thoughts on Covid

I got this idea from my friend. She asked her child some questions with regards to Covid. And she recorded her answers. It's so amazing to see and hear how they think. So here are some of the questions I asked Emma.

Introduction: 
Me: Okay Emma Grace, I'm just going to ask you some questions. You will just have to answer whatever is in your mind. There is no right or wrong answer. 

1. What do you think is the coronavirus?
Emma: I don't know

2. Who is the Prime Minister of Canada?
Emma: What is a prime minister?
Me: A prime minister is like a leader like a president of Canada
Emma: I don't know

3. What do you think, how many days are we in lockdown?
Emma: uhmm 15 days?

4. Do you want to go back to school again?
Emma: yes
Me: why?
Emma: Because I want to do more study.
Me: Who do you miss in school?
Emma: All my friends.
Me: How about your teachers?
Me: Yes
Me: Can you name some of your friends?
Emma: ummm, I forgot.
Me: You forgot their names?
Emma: Yes, because they're too many.

5. Who is the first person you're going to hug when lockdown ends?
Emma: All of my classmates

6. Where is the first place you want to go?
Emma: I'm going to church and school.

7. What do you think we can do to get rid of  the coronavirus?
Emma: Wash our hands. Put sanitizer. Wear masks.

8. Are you enjoying lockdown? 
Emma: Yes
Me: Why?
Emma: Because, we just stay at home.

9. What's your favorite thing about being stuck here at home?
Emma: My favorite thing of being stucked here at home is watching Puss in Boots.

10. If you had to wear any protective clothing to help limit the spread, what would it be?
Emma: Ahh mask.

Me: This is last, this is not part of the questions. Do you want to say something to your friends and family who are also in lockdown right now?
Emma: I miss them.

Thank you Emma Grace. bye bye.

Emma: You're welcome.



Below is the video of our interview:

Things I've learned when I became a mother

I remember the time I had a pregnancy test with Emma. It was August 2014. I was delayed for 2 weeks, then when I had my test, it turned out positive. I cried on that day but it was not because of joy. I honestly didn't want to be pregnant at that time. Mike and I had so many plans at that time. But God had a different plans for us.

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevail." Proverbs 19:21

After that day, I made a decision to put in my heart and my mind that I will be a mother. I got excited and scared at the same time. It's normal to be scared because it's my first time. But I trust that God will be with me always.

So, I gave birth to Emma on April 15, 2015. She was 6.9lbs. On that day, everything changed. My life has changed. Our life has changed.

Here are some of the things I've learned as a mom.

1. It's not easy to be a mother but it's worth it. It's not easy to stay late at night, to nurse the baby, to change unlimited dirty diapers, to soothe a crying a baby. But I realized that those little and big things that we did when they are still a baby doesn't stay forever. So, be patient. Do everything as if you're doing it for the Lord. Right now, I have longer sleep and I don't need to change dirty diapers anymore.

My mother-in-law and Emma

2. It's okay if you don't know everything. Ask for help if you need help. I'm so blessed to have my mother-in-law, mama Marivic, who helped me take care of Emma through all these years. Also, my auntie Beulah who came here when I gave birth to her. Also, i still ask help from my mom every now and then for some advices. It's okay to ask help if necessary. 

My auntie Beulah

3. You will be braver and stronger for your child. I'm not very adventurous but Emma is. So, there are days when I needed to be brave for her. There are days when I showed strength not because I am strong but because of necessity. And being a mom means doing extra effort to all the things you used to do.

My mom and Emma

 4. I never thought I would give love this much. When I had Emma, love was just instant. And I always love her. Loving your child also means that you discipline her, teach her the right manners, and teaching her spiritual things. 

5. Time is very short so spend it wisely. I always remember her when she was still small. Those where the times when I can still snuggle her up and when I just carry her in my arms. The time I just babywear her and we go to places. Right now, she's growing up so fast. I am so blessed to see her grow gracefully.

Emma on her first stampede, 2016

 6. Teach your child spiritual things as early as possible. They are very receptive. Sing a hymn or a song while you're cuddling her to sleep. Read a bible story to her. These spiritual truths will be inculcated in her heart on her early age. The Bible says "train up a child in a way he should go, so when he is old, he will not depart from it" Proverbs 22:6.

Emma and friends on Sunday school

7. I've grown more in my spiritual life when I had her. It's because I always commit her to the Lord. She is not mine. She is the Lord's. I also wanted to be a role model to her, so I should display a good example in my Christian life. I also have prayed more because of her. I remember my parents and their constant and consistent prayers to us growing up. I am trying to be that person to her too. 

Summer of 2017

8. There's going to be a rollercoaster of emotions while rearing a child. It's not always happy and joyous. There are sad days, crazy days and even mad days. The important thing is at the end of the day, you talked to your child and make her feel loved despite of everything that happened to her day.

December 2017

9. Give lots of hugs and kisses while you can. They grew up so fast. Soon, they will not enjoy it anymore. So I want to give a lot of hugs and kisses as much as possible.

September 2018, High River

10. Appreciate the moms in your life. Because they've been through like this or worst. When I became a mom, I appreciate my mom more. I realized the things she has done for us. I also appreciate my mother-in-law too. She told me stories of how she raised her sons.

Summer of 2015

 So, this mother's day, let me honor my two mothers: my mom, Fe and my other mom, Marivic. Thank you for your sacrifices to us. Thank you for raising us well and for showing us the love of God. Thank you for your life and ministry to us. I love you both. 

Let me greet my sister, Barbie and my cousins, aunties, churchmates and friends who are also mothers. Have a happy mother's day! May you continue to shine for Jesus. May you never get tired of doing good for your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 

My sister in I, 2019

Mother's day 2019

Happy mother's day everyone. God bless

8 year wedding anniversary: my thoughts and feelings

Today, Mike and I celebrated our 8th year wedding anniversary. We usually celebrate it with an out of town overnight, but since we can't go out and travel, we just stayed here at home. 

8 years. Wow! Time flies really fast. I've met Mike in a bible school on June 2003. We were seatmates in most of the courses. We were only classmate for a year. But we really became good friends. Good friends became best friends then soon lover. He was lanky, corny and sweet. But, I wasn't even interested at him during those days. 

2007

I graduated in 2008, worked in another province very far from my home place. He also graduated in 2009. We both lived separate lives although we still communicated. We officially entered into a relationship in 2011 when I've decided to move back to my hometown. He courted me for few months. He would go to my workplace once in a while. He would endure the 3 hr travel going there and going back to their place for another 3 hrs. And when he visits, he would bring something for me and for my housemates.

2011

We got married in 2012. After few weeks, he went back to Canada. After a year of separation, I was able to come here in Canada. It was not always a life of roses and chocolates. We had our share of joyful memories and sad memories. Sometimes we fight too. We are still both adjusting. For 8 years of marriage, here are some of my thoughts and feelings about it. 

1. Adjustments is always a part of life. When i moved here in Canada, we both adjusted. When I got pregnant with Emma, we both adjusted. When Emma was born, there's a lot of changes like routines, schedules and responsibilities. Sometimes these changes brought miscommunication and misunderstanding. I've learned to have a heart-to-heart talk to him and try to meet half-way. Sometimes, if it's necessary we both have to compromise.

 2. There are days when you don't feel loved or you don't feel that you love the other person. I think that's okay. Because love is not a feeling. It is a commitment that you choose to love that person inspite and despite of his weaknesses. 

3. Celebrate every occasions together. Thru our 8 years of togetherness, we celebrate our birthdays and anniversaries together. We celebrate Emma's birthdays, our anniversary here in Canada, and holidays together. Celebrate small and big occassions. It binds us stronger and helped us understand each other's preferences and dislikes.

4. Appreciate more. Say it more often. One thing I've learned is to be more appreciative of what /who Mike is. Sometimes, it's very easy to complain and nag. But it's still best to appreciate what he did, celebrate even the small things that he accomplished.

5. Do things together. We find things that we both enjoy. Mike and I love eating, watching movies, playing in an arcade, singing karaoke and even watching Christian concerts. We look forward to doing those things together. But we're not always together, I also give him time to do what he needs to do or do leisure things by himself.

6. Lastly, always and always put God first in everything especially in your relationships. There are times that my husband failed me or even hurt me. It's only thru God that I can find my comfort, peace and love.

So, that's it! Happy 8 years to us! Cheers to more years to us. ❤