Thoughts about My Calling as a Pianist

It's been 3 months since I became a pianist in Primary. I know many songs and where they are in the book now. I still cannot say that I play well, but started to really enjoy my calling.

My background is this: my mom has always taught the piano at home as far as I can remember. But I have probably taken lessons from her maybe 10 times. I was busy with other things and when I injured my finger at 8, I completely stopped. I always heard the sound of the piano at home, but playing the piano wasn't my thing.

Then after I got married at 25, I was invited to my friend's house. When I saw her piano by the door, I really missed having a piano at home. But it was not until 2 years later that I found a beautiful piano at a yard sale. How I missed the sound of the piano! Having a piano completed my HOME.

Once in a while, I asked Jacob, "Do you think I can become a Primary pianist, maybe 5 years down the road?" Jacob always said, "Yes. Keep practicing." Ha! 5 years? I got called in after 2 years. If you add up all the years I played the piano, it is not long. The first 4 weeks, it was a miserable struggle.

In the past 3 months, I played at baptism, Christmas program, Primary program, violin accompaniment, choir practice, and Primary for 1 hour every week. It still makes me nervous to play in public, but I finally started to enjoy it.

It was especially fun to play it for our family friend, the Nelson's 5-year-old girl playing the violin today. She is a very beautiful and talented girl and she is so small! I really enjoyed people's reactions :D I was very thankful for her grandparents to pick me as her pianist, because they did not know how well I was going to play. Her mother and my good friend, Jenny, did a wonderful job putting everything together for us. I was very thankful for the wonderful opportunity.


Here's an insert. I have been taking a BYU class on Doctrine and Covenants. I just thought the following was very interesting and "challenging."

D&C 101: 6 The Sins of the Saints in Zion: Note that the sins committed by the Saints in Zion do not include murder, adultery, fornication, stealing, lying, or cheating. But these people were trying to live the law of consecration, and jarrings, contentions, envyings, and strifes are serious infractions of that law. Remember that such sins were not found among Enoch's people nor among the Nephites after the Savior's appearance to them. These are the very sins that will keep us from establishing Zion.

Christmas Eve

Wow, it's only a Christmas Eve? It feels like we had more fun than we could take already. Jacob was working a TON this week changing tires, so it has been very nice to have him back. We all slept in this morning, made pancakes together, and headed out to Jacob's grandparents' house in Yakima. There we met Jacob's uncle, Ken, who was visiting from Finland. I wanted to take pictures of Jacob and his uncle together, but I didn't... They look a lot alike. I remember yelling at Ken at our wedding one time because I thought he was Jacob peeking my wedding dress. They are that alike. Emma and Lydia were painfully shy at first with Ken or Great-Grandpa, but over time, they became reasonable and eventually running in a circle around the kitchen... We didn't have enough time with them today, so we are planning to go back again tomorrow.

Then, we served dinner at the Women's Shelter in town. I felt uncomfortable so many of us just watching a few sheltered women eating, so I started talking to one of them. She got in car accident once, so she became disabled. She gets some SSI, but it isn't enough. She came to this shelter a week ago, and doesn't know when she can get out. Those sheltered women sleep on stretchers in a basement, and have to get out of there at 5:30 AM. Then they kill their time until 9 AM in a cafe. Then they spend their time in a library...without a choice. I have spent a Christmas and a New Year's Day in a women's shelter when I was going thought a divorce in Pullman, but it was a nice one. When we were done, I was ever thankful to have a house, friends and family to spend Christmas with, and all the nice presents under our tree.

At the Nelson's house, oh my goodness, I don't know if I can describe how wonderful they are. Well, let's start with food. Sister Nelson made Enchilada casserole and fruit salad. Brother Nelson made a Korean meat dish with rice. They had all kinds of chocolate treats I could imagine. Our children were enjoying their bananas and go-gurt while waiting for dinner. Then after the dinner, they put handmade head bands on Christine, Dallin, Emma, Garrett and Lydia. Brother Nelson read aloud a story of Jesus' birth while those children looked into Miguel and Brianne in a manger as twin baby Jesus. Brother Nelson read more stories such as "Little Boy's Blue Blanket" with tears in his voice. As he bore his testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and the Savior's life with more tears, I was deeply touched. Few things are more touching than men's sincere testimonies.

Then Sister Nelson started handing out presents from the "3 Wise Men." There were presents even for us individually. I don't know how they knew what we really wanted, but they knew. They were very thoughtful, wonderful gifts to us all. That time, our engaged friends, Julie and Tyler walked in. I have known Julie for years and seen her often, but had never heard her sing. Oh she can sing beautifully!! She can also make cute faces here and there when she is trying to remember the lyrics :) She is modeling, singing, and cutting hair. I hope she will reach her stardom someday soon.

As we were walking out the Nelson's house, saying good-bye to everybody, all I could think was "What a day! What a day!" I was holding back my tears, being so thankful to everything, everybody and every oppotunity to serve.

We were coming back to our house several times today, but we finally had time to let our puppies out and play. They were so excited to see us again! Then we opened more presents from my family in Japan. Some clothes were new and others were hand-me-downs from my niece, but they took such good care of clothes, so everything was as good as new. I don't know how we deserve all these blessings. Really. And I can't believe this is only a Christmas Eve.

師走

久々の更新です。クリスマスだから忙しいというわけではありません。今年は氷点下２０度（例年は低くてもマイナス３度）まで下がって、風も強いし、めちゃめちゃ寒いんです。色々イベントはあるのですが、寒すぎてどこに行きたいわけでもなく、一日中家の中で子供と犬と仲良く遊んでます。ラッシーはやっとセーターにくるめて四六時中３時間おきに外のトイレに連れて行くことがなくなり、夜はちゃんと寝てくれるので、だいぶ楽になりました。（家の中のトイレもトライしたのですが、慣れてないのでしてくれなかった！）やっぱり犬でも人間でも、赤ちゃんを連れてくるのは、春が一番です＾＾
　どうしてエマがぼけてしまったのか分かりませんが、これ一枚しかないので、とりあえず。教会のクリスマス会の後、サンタさんと写真撮影。毎年エマとリディアはサンタさんが怖くて泣いていたのですが、今年はエマは喜んでひざに座りに行き、最後まで降りてきませんでした。日本のサンタさんはプレゼントの袋を持っていますが、こっちのサンタさんは持っているのもいれば持っていないのもいます。持っていない場合は、クリスマスの日に欲しい物を告げる、と言う習慣があります。私の友達は「優しい旦那さん連れて来てや～！」とお願いしていました（笑）エマは「船がほしいのと、パパとママとリンリンが好き」と伝えてました。
　今日の午後のお昼寝。外は氷点下１０度、暖房をつけていてもまだいつもよりちょっと肌寒い気がします。
　これはエマが毛布をかけてあげたんだと思うのですが、（ピンクの足がかわいい　：D）
　これは！！犬のくせになんて寒がりなんでしょう。
　秋といえば夕焼け。もう冬ですけど、最近やっと夕焼けがきれいになってきました。見てるだけで心が温かくなります。１８０度夕焼けになったときは忙しかったので、撮れませんでした、すんません・・・。
　ラッシーは先週まですごく甘えたで眠たくなるとくんくん鳴いて、セーターの脇や袖に入って寝たがるんです。普通に抱っこしてても、首のところに入ってきます。もうほんとに赤ちゃん！でも、かわいい～。

Lassie is Coming!!!

The blurry black object is Molly, who is meeting Lassie for the first time :)




My girls!!

This is my most favorite picture of this month, if not this year. We invited Cadence over yesterday because she plays very nice with Emma and Lydia. She is the middle of Emma and Lydia by age, so she becomes a good mediator between them. In this picture, they were playing dress up in Emma's tent. I peeked in, and they readily smiled at the camera. How gorgeous they look!
Emma likes putting Lassie in the basket, and Lassie does not mind it at all.

Our Puppy and YMCA / ラッシーとYMCA

先週の金曜日はジェイコブの休みだったので、また私たちのワンちゃんを見に行きました。名前は「ラッシー」になりました。「小さな女の子」という意味です。（実は名犬ラッシーは訓練がしやすいのでメス犬だったってご存知でした？）この前は目がまだ開いてなかったので分からなかったのですが、ラッシー、目が青いんです。ほかの兄弟の目も黒かったり、茶色かったり、薄いグレーだったり、へぇ、同じ兄弟でもこんなに違うんだなぁって感じです。ジェイコブがラッシーが来るのを毎日とても楽しみにしていて、まるで３人目の赤ちゃんが生まれてくるかのようです。今回は私が産まなくていいので、ママのマヤちゃんありがとうって感じです＾＾ ラッシーは１２月１日あたりに帰ってくる予定。

もっとラッシーといたいよーという気持ちを後に、その足でYMCAのプールへ。ジェイコブがエマに約束してたので、ちゃんと守ってもらえて、エマはまた父親への信頼感が増したようです。ここ２週間ほど私だけでも、２人を連れて週に２回ほどプールに行っていたのですが、２人の成長ぶりにびっくり。その前まで２人とも私にしがみっつきぱなしで全然一人で泳ごうとしなかったのですが、エマを無理やり引き離したら、「は！私泳げる！」って一人でも大丈夫なことを発見したようです。そしてその２週間後、２歳近くも離れているのにリディアも負けずに一人で泳いでくれました。２人目って学習が早い。目を見張るものがあります。プールから出る直前には一人でプールからよじ登ってジャンピングまで披露してくれました。リディアはもう赤ちゃんではないのね～。

Last Friday on Jacob's day off, we went to see our "Lassie" again. We couldn't see last time because her eyes were closed but we found out that she had blue eyes. In humans, we cannot have blue eyed children, so this is kinda exciting to me :) Jacob cannot wait for Lassie to come home everyday. This reminds me of when we were about to have our girls. I'm glad I didn't have to do the work of bringing our girl's soul to this world　this time. Thanks, Mama Maya! She will come home around December 1st.

It was hard to leave Lassie, but we headed for YMCA. Emma was glad that Jacob kept his promise again. It's only YMCA but it is very important for Emma to be able to count on her Daddy :) I have been bringing our girls to YMCA twice a week lately by myself, and Emma finally became able to let go of me about a week ago. But this day, Lydia showed her independence by swimming by herself too. They are almost 2 years apart, but the second child learns so much quicker. It is fun to have difference experiences with each child. When we were about to get out, Lydia even climbed out by herself and jumped into Jacob's arms. She is not a baby anymore (O v O)

Stake Conference Adult Session

I was very excited about the Stake Conference this time because there seemed to be a lot of changes in society and politics. I was wondering what the Leaders were going to tell us to do, more specifically than at the General Conference.

To my surprise, the Satke Conference was about at the same tone, which makes me think that the basics are the most important and most overlooked, and if we procrastinate to follow the counsels until they sound urgent, we would be the foolish virgins.

I enjoyed one sister's talk: "I'm never too busy to help a friend." This sounded very appropriate in these days. People are just simply busy nowadays, but I really appreciate my friends, Jon, Carrie, Lindsey, Beverly, S. Nelson, S. Greene, S. Jakeman, and S. Nielsen to help me with genealogy, making apple cider and Jacob's schooling decisions. I was thankful to have these wonderful friends who were never too busy to help a friend. And I bet these friends will accomplish more things because the Lord will bless them abundantly.

Elder Coleman's talk was simple to understand, and powerful. I had never deeply questioned why "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" was published in 1995 and "The Living Christ" in 2000. Duh. Our Church First Presidency foresaw what was coming: Not only the ever rising divorce rate but the ever widening definition of marriage, acceptance of abortion, confusion of gender roles, and ignorance and ignoring of Christ our Savior in society, politics and public schools. How are people going to be saved? Good question.

Two weeks earlier, I was inspired to take a BYU online class that contained Doctrine and Covenants 89 and 112. By learning how to apply the Word of Wisdom to my life, I learned how to apply other things in my life too. It is impossible to understand D&C without the knowledge of history and the reason for the revelations. This is why sctipture study surpasses scripture reading. Taking this class made me realize I needed something on the side: Ensign, BYU class, church textbooks, etc. to understand scriptures.

Anyway, when Elder Coleman was talking about Stakes of Zion, thanks to the class, I was reminded of what kind of price was paid to build the Kirtland Temple and Stakes. And I loved hearing, "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth. (D&C 115:5-6)" We need to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father who provided the plan and Jesus Christ.

Ruby's foster mother, Sister Nelson, and I sat straight when Elder Coleman talked about Ruby who just got baptized. She was cut off from her family but she opened the door to her future family; maybe her sons will serve a mission to help others open their doors to their families; maybe she will do some temple works for her family before her; and she will have a huge family on the other side. And they will say, "Thank you for joining the Church." How powerful this sounded to me!

No one will teach our children about eternal family. This is our defense: family scripture study, family prayer, family home evening, date night :), church services and temple attendance.

ママがエマちゃん抱っこしてるの

Emma started drawing faces today. After a couple of practices, she drew Mama holding Emma. I thought this was classic :)

Super Chilling Halloween

Our Halloween night was very busy. Around 6 PM, we dressed up in Yukata and headed for church. We had yummy chilli - I was hoping for hot dogs to be less messy, but it was good chilli :) - and went through spooky rooms to collect candies and toys. Sometimes Emma was too skeptical to go in, so they had to turn on the light :) I wasn't so sure about Yukata for Halloween because it wasn't creative - we just wore something we had - but people in our ward were very nice. Even after Halloween, people came up to us and said they appreciated that we "shared our culture." Wow, what a big deal!!

Then we headed to the Wesley Methodist Church to meet my host family. They welcomed us with their Trunk or Treat in the parking lot. We only meet so many times a year, we had a lot to update. We were talking in the chill for good half an hour.

Then we went to Jacob's sister's house. They opened up their huge shop for no-gambling Poker, kids' games and mothers to sit and eat :) And in their backyard, oh my goodness, they made a graveyard and a coffin that automatically opens and shuts along with spooky chanting!!!! On top of that, as soon as we were about to head back to the shop, they ran out of gas, so it got completely dark except a few plastic neon lights that they had dropped on the path. I had never had such a chilling Halloween!!! That was good :D

Fish in the Canal

I guess there are river fish in the canal by our house. Jacob caught 14 of them in jars. More animals by our house. Great.

Sleeping Beauty at the Capitol Theater

After the Halloween party at Carrie's, four of us decided to enjoy our girls' night. I didn't know that these friends were interested in ballet, so I was super excited. We watched the Moscow Ballet performing "Sleeping Beauty" for 2 1/2 hours. Some parts were funny and others ecstatically beautiful. I don't know how the Princess could keep up her leg for 2 minutes and slowly twirl with the Suitors. I enjoyed the line dance, Waltz, and wedding guests: White Cat, Puss in Boots, Blue Birds, Red Riding Hood, and Wolf. We had great time in this magnificent theater in town.

I had to run to cross the street, so didn't have time to zoom in, but it is more beautiful that it appears here... :)

Our New Puppy

Aren't these puppies so cute? They are a litter of 2 red and 7 black Border Collies. Some of you might be thinking, "Another dog???" and I was too, but I was told during prayer, "it will be good for our girls." This time, we get to raise her from the puppyhood, and she is a sheep dog, so I think she will stay around the house well. We liked the red color but those red ones were both boys, so we chose one from the black females.

This is their mama, Maya. She was a very kind-looking mother. She is only 1 year old, but the owner told us that having babies calmed her down.Every puppy looked healthy and cute so it was hard to pick one. After a while, we picked this one because she had the most white fur in her forehead :) The owner knows Jacob, so he is giving her for free and we got our first pick. She will come home in the beginning of December.

It is my dream to have a red barn, just like from a picture book. This owner owned 2 large barns and 1,000 acres. Wow....

He gave us 4 fertile eggs, which means we could hatch those eggs!!! Unfortunately, we were not ready to have chicks this winter, so they ended up in the refregerator... :<