After a month of bed-rest, Ai was ready to get that baby out! We had a duffel with clothes for the new arrival all prepared and in the trunk of our car. We even had gone to the hospital to get our names in the system. Now, all we had to do was wait.
On Sunday, January 6, we went to church like normal, but Ai's contractions were more intense than usual so she left early. After I had finished my responsibilities for the day (including a two-hour nap), we decided to go to the hospital just to see if Ai was getting any further along. After nearly two hours in the hospital, and Ai going from "one" to "three-and-a-half," the nurses informed us that we were going to be admitted and the doctor contacted to come and take care of the delivery. We were so excited. The day had finally come: January 6, 2008!
At 2 o'clock in the morning we were sent home.
We were totally crushed. I went to school and then to work just like normal the next day. I was sitting in the middle of my first trumpet lesson of the evening when my cell phone rang. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't even have paid any attention to it, but I think you can understand why I answered. On the other end of the line I spoke to a woman who said she was my wife, but she was panting and speaking in broken sentences mingled with grunts and screams. I decided to do what she grunted and before my student had his horn off his face I was on I-15 heading from American Fork to Provo. My older brother was called to come and watch Caden while my best friend was kind enough to rush Ai and her mom to the hospital (on a side note, he was a nervous wreck thinking that he might have to deliver a baby on the side of the road. This is the same man who nearly passed out at the sight of a dissected worm).
This is all happening around 6:00 p.m. By 9:55 we had a beautiful baby girl. Well, she's beautiful now. When we first saw her she was all covered in blood and this pasty white stuff. Once the nurses cleaned her off it was a lot easier to be sincere in saying she was beautiful.
Born two and a half weeks early, Maya Blackhurst weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces and is 19 inches long. Here's her Japanese name: 真椰. She and her mom are doing great! Dad is wearing his little, pink hospital bracelet like it's a medal.
Try to beat that FHE!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
明けましておめでとうございます！
日本に「決意ある所に道あり」ということわざがあります。お正月といえば、新年の目標を作るという習慣がありますが、とてもいい慣行だと思います。今年達成したい目標を分かち合いたいと思います。
東京に住んでいたときに神権会で忘れられない経験がありました。レッスンをしてくれた兄弟が教義と聖約の聖句を読んでこう説明しました「聖霊に導かれたら従うほかありません。時々その導きは人をこらしめるために与えられるのです」と言ってレッスンを始めました。小さい紙とペンがクラス全員に配られその年に使った「教会の大官長の教え」を最初から最後まで読んだかどうかを書くように言われました。そして彼は机の下から３０冊ぐらいのテキストを出しました。その本が全部十分の一で作られて末日の主の預言者の言葉が書かれていると強く言いました。紙を集めて私たちが書いた答えを読み始めました。「いいえ」と書かれた紙がある度にテキストを1冊ずつゴミ箱に捨てました。２５人のメルキゼデク神権者の中から「はい」と書いたのはたった一人でした。その愛にあふれた兄弟が教えてくれたことは教会が出すテキストを読まないことは十分の一を無駄にし、預言者の言葉を無視するのと同じだということでした。
今年ジョセフ・スミスの教えをレッスンの前に読むよう頑張りたいと思います。
東京に住んでいたときに神権会で忘れられない経験がありました。レッスンをしてくれた兄弟が教義と聖約の聖句を読んでこう説明しました「聖霊に導かれたら従うほかありません。時々その導きは人をこらしめるために与えられるのです」と言ってレッスンを始めました。小さい紙とペンがクラス全員に配られその年に使った「教会の大官長の教え」を最初から最後まで読んだかどうかを書くように言われました。そして彼は机の下から３０冊ぐらいのテキストを出しました。その本が全部十分の一で作られて末日の主の預言者の言葉が書かれていると強く言いました。紙を集めて私たちが書いた答えを読み始めました。「いいえ」と書かれた紙がある度にテキストを1冊ずつゴミ箱に捨てました。２５人のメルキゼデク神権者の中から「はい」と書いたのはたった一人でした。その愛にあふれた兄弟が教えてくれたことは教会が出すテキストを読まないことは十分の一を無駄にし、預言者の言葉を無視するのと同じだということでした。
今年ジョセフ・スミスの教えをレッスンの前に読むよう頑張りたいと思います。
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
A New Year's Resolution
When I was a missionary, I went to an Elders Quorum meeting for one of the English speaking wards in Tokyo. The teacher started off by sharing a scripture from the D&C which says that sometimes we have to reprove people "when moved upon by the Holy Ghost." He then began to express his love for the quorum members and let us know that he really was worried about offending someone through the lesson, but, because he felt moved by the Holy Ghost, he would proceed as he had planned.
He brought with him a stack of about thirty copies of that year's Teachings of the Presidents of the Church manual. He passed around small pieces of paper to everyone and asked us all to write on it whether we had honestly read every lesson. While we filled out our answers, he explained the process by which the manuals get into the hands of the members. He emphasized the point that we get our books for free, or for a very small price, because of faithful tithe payers, and how special it is to be able to study the words of the Lord's anointed servants in the Latter-days.
We all folded our papers and passed them back up to the front of the room. The teacher began to read each answer. "No. No. No. No..." and so on. Out of a quorum of about twenty-five Melchizedek Priesthood holders, one answered "yes." With every "no" the teacher dropped a copy of the manual in a nearby garbage can. We all got his point, but he once again reminded us of the sacrifices that accompany paying tithing and of the importance of listening to the prophet's voice. Each lesson we didn't read from the manual was like throwing sacred tithing money in the garbage and like ignoring the words of the prophet.
This year it is my goal to read each lesson from the manual before it is taught in church. It will be extra special to make that small effort because we will be studying the teachings of Joseph Smith. I hope it is not inappropriate to extend that challenge to you, as well.
He brought with him a stack of about thirty copies of that year's Teachings of the Presidents of the Church manual. He passed around small pieces of paper to everyone and asked us all to write on it whether we had honestly read every lesson. While we filled out our answers, he explained the process by which the manuals get into the hands of the members. He emphasized the point that we get our books for free, or for a very small price, because of faithful tithe payers, and how special it is to be able to study the words of the Lord's anointed servants in the Latter-days.
We all folded our papers and passed them back up to the front of the room. The teacher began to read each answer. "No. No. No. No..." and so on. Out of a quorum of about twenty-five Melchizedek Priesthood holders, one answered "yes." With every "no" the teacher dropped a copy of the manual in a nearby garbage can. We all got his point, but he once again reminded us of the sacrifices that accompany paying tithing and of the importance of listening to the prophet's voice. Each lesson we didn't read from the manual was like throwing sacred tithing money in the garbage and like ignoring the words of the prophet.
This year it is my goal to read each lesson from the manual before it is taught in church. It will be extra special to make that small effort because we will be studying the teachings of Joseph Smith. I hope it is not inappropriate to extend that challenge to you, as well.
Monday, December 17, 2007
The CES Way
I just moved a step closer to a lifelong dream.
You know how when you were a kid you used to talk about what you wanted to be when you grew up? Everyday you'd hear about some new job and then make a formal announcement to your mom that THAT was what you were going to be. Those declarations would sound something like this,
"When I grow up, I want to be a fire fighter!"
"When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut!"
"When I grow up, I want to be a caterpillar!"
"When I grow up, I want to be the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal!"
Well, for me, I always wanted to be a Seminary teacher. Even before I was a Seminary student. I remember when I decided that that was what I wanted to do, I thought that I needed to be versed in all the LDS classics: hallmark General Conference addresses, books by prophets and members of the Twelve, the Missionary Gospel Library, etc., and, of course, the scriptures. I went on my mission, came home and started college, got married, and got in to the Seminary Teacher Training Program last January.
The way CES hires teachers is very rigorous. First, whether at an institute or at a BYU campus, you have to take a class that anyone is welcome to take called, Intro to Teaching Seminary. In this class you learn all about the objectives and basic teaching philosophies of the church, and it is a great class for anyone who wants to become a better gospel teacher in general.
In order to move on to the next step, you have to be selected. Once chosen, you take a class called, Methods of Teaching Seminary. This is where you learn pedagogy and how to deal with an actual classroom full of teenagers. On top of regular homework and reading assignments, for ten days straight you teach a real class where you are observed and evaluated by CES trainers and the students.
The step after the methods class is a full semester of student teaching. However, in order to move on to the student teaching portion, you have to be selected. This time, only a few are chosen. Those few go on to student teach for up to three semesters. After each semester there is a big 'ole CES cut, and then, finally, you are either hired or not. Only a very small number of people are hired each year. To make things even more difficult, if you aren't selected you can't go through the program and try again.
The last few weeks have been full of stress and anxiety. I just finished the Methods class and have been waiting to be contacted by CES to find out if I get to move on or if I'm done. My trainer told the class that if you get a phone call it will be good news; if you get a letter, you know it's the bad news. This morning at about 11:00, I got a phone call! Starting in January, I will be teaching two seminary classes at Lehi High School.
For those who are interested, yes, both Doc and I are moving on.
You know how when you were a kid you used to talk about what you wanted to be when you grew up? Everyday you'd hear about some new job and then make a formal announcement to your mom that THAT was what you were going to be. Those declarations would sound something like this,
"When I grow up, I want to be a fire fighter!"
"When I grow up, I want to be an astronaut!"
"When I grow up, I want to be a caterpillar!"
"When I grow up, I want to be the U.S. Ambassador to Portugal!"
Well, for me, I always wanted to be a Seminary teacher. Even before I was a Seminary student. I remember when I decided that that was what I wanted to do, I thought that I needed to be versed in all the LDS classics: hallmark General Conference addresses, books by prophets and members of the Twelve, the Missionary Gospel Library, etc., and, of course, the scriptures. I went on my mission, came home and started college, got married, and got in to the Seminary Teacher Training Program last January.
The way CES hires teachers is very rigorous. First, whether at an institute or at a BYU campus, you have to take a class that anyone is welcome to take called, Intro to Teaching Seminary. In this class you learn all about the objectives and basic teaching philosophies of the church, and it is a great class for anyone who wants to become a better gospel teacher in general.
In order to move on to the next step, you have to be selected. Once chosen, you take a class called, Methods of Teaching Seminary. This is where you learn pedagogy and how to deal with an actual classroom full of teenagers. On top of regular homework and reading assignments, for ten days straight you teach a real class where you are observed and evaluated by CES trainers and the students.
The step after the methods class is a full semester of student teaching. However, in order to move on to the student teaching portion, you have to be selected. This time, only a few are chosen. Those few go on to student teach for up to three semesters. After each semester there is a big 'ole CES cut, and then, finally, you are either hired or not. Only a very small number of people are hired each year. To make things even more difficult, if you aren't selected you can't go through the program and try again.
The last few weeks have been full of stress and anxiety. I just finished the Methods class and have been waiting to be contacted by CES to find out if I get to move on or if I'm done. My trainer told the class that if you get a phone call it will be good news; if you get a letter, you know it's the bad news. This morning at about 11:00, I got a phone call! Starting in January, I will be teaching two seminary classes at Lehi High School.
For those who are interested, yes, both Doc and I are moving on.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Long time, no blog
I hope that you'll forgive my brief hiatus from the blog world. I got really busy with work and school. You see, I've always wanted to become a Seminary teacher in the Church Education System. As part of a two-year training course at BYU, I spent two weeks being observed and evaluated by CES employees and students while I taught a Seminary class in Payson, Utah. Now, I'm just waiting around to hear from the CES teacher trainers whether I get to move forward to a full semester of student teaching, or if this is the end of my religious educator road. Hmm, a lifetime of hopes and dreams rest solely on my two-week performance. Talk about pressure.
Along with the whole Seminary thing, I've been busy trying to make sure that my GPA goes up, not the alternative. In any given day I can be studying Shakespeare, Hitchcock, the music of Bali, business Japanese, the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, and/or the church's position on whether or not a person can progress from one kingdom of glory to another. Not bad, eh?
I had some fun opportunities over the last few weeks to see some of my music heroes. Thanks to a generous gift from a loved one, Ai and I went and saw Billy Joel perform in Salt Lake City last month. He's a little less mobile than he was ten or twenty years ago, and he's got more salt than pepper in his beard, but has the same ability to create energy. It was so fun to see the man who made me want to be a musician.
The other music hero that I got to meet is a trumpet player from L.A. named Wayne Bergeron. He's played lead trumpet for just about every major movie since 1992. Don't believe me? Check out his website: www.waynebergeron.com and see for yourself. He put on a couple of great clinics at The Music School, where I teach trumpet. He was so nice and down-to-earth.
Well, Christmas seems to go by so fast with each passing year. It's hard being in school and not able to really focus on the season. At least I get to celebrate it with my boy again this year. He can even say "Santa" now!
I hope to spend some more time on my little cyber-journal over the course of the month. Stay posted!
Along with the whole Seminary thing, I've been busy trying to make sure that my GPA goes up, not the alternative. In any given day I can be studying Shakespeare, Hitchcock, the music of Bali, business Japanese, the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, and/or the church's position on whether or not a person can progress from one kingdom of glory to another. Not bad, eh?
I had some fun opportunities over the last few weeks to see some of my music heroes. Thanks to a generous gift from a loved one, Ai and I went and saw Billy Joel perform in Salt Lake City last month. He's a little less mobile than he was ten or twenty years ago, and he's got more salt than pepper in his beard, but has the same ability to create energy. It was so fun to see the man who made me want to be a musician.
The other music hero that I got to meet is a trumpet player from L.A. named Wayne Bergeron. He's played lead trumpet for just about every major movie since 1992. Don't believe me? Check out his website: www.waynebergeron.com and see for yourself. He put on a couple of great clinics at The Music School, where I teach trumpet. He was so nice and down-to-earth.
Well, Christmas seems to go by so fast with each passing year. It's hard being in school and not able to really focus on the season. At least I get to celebrate it with my boy again this year. He can even say "Santa" now!
I hope to spend some more time on my little cyber-journal over the course of the month. Stay posted!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Greatest Christmas Gift List Ever
As I'm sure you are, I am in the very difficult and frustrating process of decided what to get everybody on my Christmas gift list. I have been surprised at the kind of stuff that is for sale out there. I'm going to show you some of the things that I've come across.
First of all, what better way to show the Christmas spirit than with tattoo sleeves. You can spend all of the 25th of December impressing your friends, parents and grandparents with your "arm art."
This is a good one: a Psycho shower curtain. It's a shower curtain with a silhouette of someone holding a knife about to spill your blood down the drain. Season's greetings!
The next product is one that I wish I would have thought of first. Perhaps your loved one would like to put something weird in his or her mouth this Christmas. If that is the case, look no further. Get them a watermelon-flavored lollipop in the shape of Sigmund Freud's head. www.mcphee.com/items/11771.html
In my search for religious-centered gifts, I came across a work of art. It's a bowling set with wooden pins representing the 10 plagues of Egypt. Some of the plagues are a little hard to figure out, because, as any artist will tell you, it's not easy to represent plagues, especially lice and boils, in the bowling-pin medium. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this may be the best plague-themed bowling game on the market. www.jewishsource.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=311009
Well, I'd better get back to work. I hope that this was helpful to you in a very personal way.
First of all, what better way to show the Christmas spirit than with tattoo sleeves. You can spend all of the 25th of December impressing your friends, parents and grandparents with your "arm art."
This is a good one: a Psycho shower curtain. It's a shower curtain with a silhouette of someone holding a knife about to spill your blood down the drain. Season's greetings!
The next product is one that I wish I would have thought of first. Perhaps your loved one would like to put something weird in his or her mouth this Christmas. If that is the case, look no further. Get them a watermelon-flavored lollipop in the shape of Sigmund Freud's head. www.mcphee.com/
In my search for religious-centered gifts, I came across a work of art. It's a bowling set with wooden pins representing the 10 plagues of Egypt. Some of the plagues are a little hard to figure out, because, as any artist will tell you, it's not easy to represent plagues, especially lice and boils, in the bowling-pin medium. Nevertheless, in my opinion, this may be the best plague-themed bowling game on the market. www.jewishsource.com/
Well, I'd better get back to work. I hope that this was helpful to you in a very personal way.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong
I just had to put Satchmo on. Whenever you're having a bad day, let him remind you what what a wonderful world we're in.
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