My wife conceived our third child in December 2001 where in Jenzon Faith, our second, just turned 7 month old. She gave birth four months after Jenzon celebrated his first birthday.
Having two kids with just a year interval has its advantages and disadvantages.
What are the advantages? It saves the budget. Clothing, kids accessories, feeding bottles, etc can be shared by both kids. They can even share the crib and stroller. For us parents, the advantage is that we rear both kids the same time. And it saves a lot of energy because after 5 to 10 years, we are done with their early childhood.
Jinou Fij, the name we gave our third after our ministry (Freedom In Jesus), grew up a good boy.
Disadvantages? In a way, rivalry was evident even in their infancy. Jenzon would make his effort to be cared for whenever he sees us carrying Jinou. They sometimes fight over toys and other kid thing. But as parent, it is my duty to balance everything for them to minimize envy, jealousy, and anger between the two.
It was a good learning experience to me. Doing all the possible ways not to create favoritism which in turn may affect their relationship. I had to bring or buy things for the two of them of the same kind or amount. Considering also that our eldest Jann Fayel was turning 5 years old then. A situation that makes life more exciting as a parent.
Our three kids; Jann Fayel, Jenzon Faith & Jinou Fij grew up knowing that my wife and I are servants of the Lord. By the grace of God, we raised them with a lot of prayer and the Word.
Happy reading +pastor & +parent!
Jann Fayel is really a gift from above!
My wife and I started to learn how to be a parent. Febe practiced the skills of a mother. She took the responsibility to bathed Jann daily and tried her best to feed the baby. I then sacrificed sleepless nights especially when our eldest is sick. Those days were amazing. The singles life is no more.
As Jann grew, she was not spared with different sicknesses. From amoebiasis to skin diseases, our daughter and wallet suffered a lot, with the high price of medicine. Yet the Lord never made us feel the need for He always answers just in the right time. He provides. He heals. He comforts.
In 1999, I had the chance to attend a month-long-seminar in Singapore, I went home with a Barney CD (not so popular in the Philippines during that time). Jann started to sing and dance, copying the character and kids. Febe used to bought books for Jann every time we visit the National Bookstore. This time around, Jann became so interested with pictures and words. She learned to read before reaching her first birthday.
More than her dancing, singing and ability to read, we raised Jann in prayer. Febe and I taught her the basics of prayer. We bought a Children's Picture Bible where Jann started reading too. She is always with us as we serve God and ministers to people. Jann grew up, literally, in the church.
We believe God can make her reach the top... and she did!
