Introducing the Newest Tsukioka Family Member!

No, I'm not pregnant. Not yet, anyway, but that's another blog entry for the future.

While I was in Kansas City (I'm back in Colorado Springs now, by the way. Got home on Tuesday morning, and still feel like I have jet lag...weird) Koichi endured the tragedy of the untimely death of our beloved clown fish, Juan. Juan was a part of our family for the past 2 years, and my husband had grown quite fond of him. Koichi was pretty depressed when Juan passed away. It was even worse since he was all alone with me in Kansas City. My family members were all sorry to hear of Juan's passing, and my sister-in-law, Jen, astutely pointed out that Koichi was sorely in need of a dog. Well, we followed her advice.

We weren't planning on getting a dog. It just kinda happened. It was canine destiny. On Tuesday after I returned to Colorado we went out to a fish store and were discussing what kind of new fish we would like to get. There were some nice fish, but we didn't get any that night. In passing, I said maybe we should get a dog. Koichi has always wanted a dog, and before the fish, he used to beg me to get one. My comment caused us to make an impromtu trip to the humane society on Wednesday afternoon. Perhaps we were feeling maternal and paternal, since we had just come from a visit to the hospital to see a friend and her newborn baby (who is absolutely the cutest newborn baby I have ever seen....in person). When we got the shelter we looked at all the animals, and ended up looking at the dogs, passing from one to the other. They were cute, but none really caught our eye. Until we happened on Skippyjon. He was in a pen with 3 other smallish dogs who were vying for our attention. Skippyjon was sitting calmly and quitely in the corner, not even barking though his pen-mates were yapping their heads off at us. He just looked at us with his beautiful brown eyes, and we could tell he was saying "Hey, don't go. I think I love you two." We moved on down the row, but we came back to look at Skippyjon at least 5 more times, and then decided to go ahead and meet him.



We had to fill out a form and wait 15 minutes before we were led by a shelter volunteer to a little room where she left us to go get Skippyjon. We'd recieved an information sheet on him and had found out that he had been brought to the shelter only the day before by his former owners who could no longer take care of him. He was curious and friendly when we met, and he didn't make a single sound. It was obvious he was nervous, because he was shaking like a leaf, but after a few minutes he calmed down a bit and came over to meet us. Koichi and I fell in love. Deep, deep love. Within 20 minutes we knew we wanted to make him part of our family.

So we filled out the adoption forms, paid the $98 fee, and made a mad dash to PetsMart and Wal-Mart for supplies while they held him for us. A couple hours and a hundred dollars later we had all we needed to get Skippyjon settled into our home for the first few days: a cage to crate train him in, food, dishes, a brush and shampoo. (Koichi wanted to take him straight to a groomer, but they won't see him until after he has his rabies shots updated. My husband is so Japanese sometimes, especially when it comes to keeping the house clean. But since the groomer couldn't take him, we decided to give him a bath ourselves.)

Koichi rode with Skippyjon in the back seat on the way home and we had a great time getting to know each other while we showed him the apartment and his little room in the crate. Then it was time to brush him and get as much loose hair off as we could before the bath. We still ended up having a tub full of hair, but we were happy to have a clean, minty-fresh pooch. And what a great pooch Skippyjon was! Through all the brushing and the bath, Skippyjon never made a peep. Not a single yip or bark. And he just stood there and let us handle him with no problem; no squirming or biting. We were really amazed.

We were also happy to find out the Skippyjon is a pretty smart dog. He already knows a few commands such as Sit, Stay and No. We're working on Down and Shake right now, as well as going potty in the right place. Found a couple of surprises this morning. Icky.

Oh, by the way, Skippyjon is a Schipperke mixed-breed. (That's pronounced SKIP-er-kee....it took me two days to be able to remember it.) And though he didn't actually come with the name, Skippyjon, he has already learned it, and at least turns his head to look at me when I say it, and usually comes when I call his name. His former name was a little bland for our tastes...Oliver. We didn't think he looked like an Oliver. We thought he looked more like a Skippyjon. He seems to think so too.

Friday morning we are going to the vet for his first well-visit, complements of the Pikes Peak Humane Society. Then it's off to PetsMart to get him his own collar and a training leash. We're so glad Skippyjon has become part of our family. He has a great personality, and though he's sometimes very energetic, he's very gentle and quiet. A great apartment dog.

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round....most of the time

So, circumstances come up and things change. Such is life.

This last week my mom went to the hospital to have a few tests done on her heart to search for blockage. Heart disease seems to run rampant in my family. One grandfather died from it, both of my parents have had heart attacks, one stroke and now my mom was finding out more bad news. Turns out that 3 of her valves had 4 blockages in them and the doctor recommended that she have immediate bypass surgery. (And by immediate, I mean the next day.) The next morning the surgery went well, but the doctor evidently found more to be concerned about and her triple bypass turned into a 5-way bypass heart surgery.

My husband and I decided that I needed to come home and be with my family during this time. So, due to rising airline costs and the thought that Kansas City isn't all that far from Colorado Springs, I decided to give the Greyhound bus a try and ride my way across the Midwest. Wow. That was an experience.

I left Colorado Springs on Thursday evening around 7:45 and took the bus to Denver. This 1.5 hour ride was pretty nice. The bus was pretty full, so I sat next to an unassuming woman who turned out to be headed to Denver to take care of her sick grandkids. The bus ride was pretty uneventful except for the incredibly beautiful sunset over the mountains in the west. God is an awesome artist.

In Denver I had to transfer buses to go east to Kansas City. When I got there, the line was already long and winding its way through the terminal. I got in line and waited for the doors to open when our coach arrived. At 10:15 it came, and as I slowly made my way to front, pushing luggage along the floor (which was sticky with some suspicious looking substance), I was beginning to wonder if everyone was going to make it on the bus. There seemed to be about 50 people in front of me, and by this time, there seemed to be about just as many in line behind me. Finally I made my way to the front of the line and the ticket taker (which I'm pretty sure was her official job title, by the way), stopped me. She and bus driver conferred over the number of passengers and decided that the bus was indeed filled to capacity. There I was at the front of the line and looked like I was going to be stuck there for quite some time!

But just as I was about to lose hope, another bus pulled in and I got first pick of the seats. Having sat near the rear of previous bus, and in too close proximity to the lavoratory and its odiforous aromas, I decided to take one of the front seats on this new bus. This bus was filled to the brim with all sorts of people. I ended up partnered with a nice teenager who was kind enough to help me get my bags out of the overhead compartment, and let me off the bus to use the bathroom during our 2 scheduled breaks. I thought sitting next to the window would be a good idea as I could lean against it and use my teddy bear as a pillow. Turns out that there is absolutely NO leg room next to the window, so I had to keep my knees bent the entire time which lead to very swollen ankles by the time I arrived in Kansas City. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Our first stop was in the Kansas town of Colby. Not too much happening in Colby at 3:00 am. However, the McDonald's was kind enough to be open and allow us to use its restrooms and get a little food. A few hours later we pulled into the bustling metropolis of Salina, Kansas. We pulled into a gas station/truck stop at 6:30, and our travel weary bus driver said that a replacement driver would be arriving shortly and the bus would pull out at 7:05. I quickly made use of the facilities and bought a Big Gulp for the road. Being terribly exhausted I fell asleep on the bus while awaiting its immanent departure. At 7:30 I woke up to find that not only was the bus not moving, it had not moved, and did not seem to be moving anytime soon. Several passengers were expressing concern for the arrival of the new bus driver, who by this time was a half hour late. Some went inside to look for him and to consult with the store attendants at the gas station/Salina bus stop. The gas station attendants didn't have a clue to the whereabouts of the new bus driver, and it turned out that the previous bus driver had taken off to get some much needed rest, but had not waited to make sure a new driver arrived. We were stranded. In Salina. Kansas.

Several passengers used their handy dandy cell phones to call the Greyhound bus line to express their dismay and to ask where the heck our driver was. The word finally got around that there had been a scheduling mix-up and a driver had not been scheduled to drive out of Salina for some unknown reason. Another driver was called, though he was in Kansas City and would have to drive the 3 hours out to get us, pick us up, and driver us back.

Several hours, and 3 magazine readings later, he finally showed up, ate some lunch, and sent out a call that the bus would be leaving at 11:00...about 10 minutes after we had expected to be arriving in Kansas City. A general roar of applause went up when the doors to the bus closed and the wheels started to turn east. I finally got in at 2:30 in the afternoon, a mere 19 hours after I left Colorado Springs. I tried not to think about the fact that I could have driven to Kansas City and back in that time, and just be appreciative to be there.

So, sometimes the wheels on the bus go round and round. And sometimes they take unplanned pit stops for 4 hours. You never can tell.

I sure am glad that I was able to come to Kansas City though and see my family. The last time I saw everyone was for Christmas, and that was a VERY short time together. My husband is so good to me and is staying at home by himself in Colorado Springs. I miss him, but it's good to see my mom and the rest of my family. She's doing well. The surgery went fine, and she's gaining a little more strength everyday. In fact, I'm supposed to go to the hospital and see her bright and early tomorrow morning, so I should get to bed.

Guilty

Just when it seems like things are going well for me spiritually, I screw up. Sin is so sneaky. And so persistent. Just when I think I've finally got a handle on a particular temptation, BOOM! It comes back at me again and this time it brings its big brother with it.

I used to imagine that sin was like this giant weed that we continually hack at. And when we finally do manage to cut it down we find all these little weeds growing underneath it. But as it turns out that big ol' weed that we sometimes do manage to cut down has deep roots sometimes, and we can't take it out by our power alone.

In Orthodoxy it's stated that Jesus didn't come to just save us from death. Praise God that He did! But, more than that, to save us from our sins. Not only at some future time when we're facing the judgment seat of God, but right here in the present, everyday life that we live. Christ came to overcome our daily sins so that we may become more like him. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, Christ said. Wow, that is so hard.

Please pray for me, a sinner.

I will give them a new heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will take the stony heart out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them; and they shall be my people, and I shall be their God.

Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all transgressions which you have committed against me and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God; so turn, and live.

A new heart will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you ...

I will put my Spirit within you and you shall live ...

(Ezekiel 11:19-20,18:30-32, 36:26-27, 37:14; cf. Psalm 51:10; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Isaiah 57:15-18; Joel 2:28-29)

A Little UnOrthodox

For 11 months now I've been going to an Orthodox church in Colorado Springs called Saints Constantine and Helen Holy Theophany Orthodox Church. Theophany is the churchy name for when Christ was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan river. Saint Constantine was the ruler of the Byzantine-Roman empire in the 4th century who ceased the persecutions against the Christian church and even made Christianity the national religion of his empire. Saint Helen was his mother who was a devout Christian herself.

The first time I encountered Orthodoxy I didn't quite know what to make of it. It was very different from my Southern Baptist background. It's always intimidating to step out of one's comfort zone, but I am now glad I did. Things that were once exotic and strange, if not a little bit scary, are now commonplace and comforting. All the bowing, kissing, prostrating, crossing, etc. has become part of my worship when I enter the temple and I can't imagine ever going back to the Protestant realm, though I still cherish the church I was brought up in and have a great deal of respect for it. But there's something about singing hymns and reading prayers that are quite literally a thousand years old. There's a connection to the Saints who gone on before us, who have fought the good fight and are now part of the Cloud of Witnesses that enthrones the Kingdom of Heaven. It's a wonderful, amazing thing to be able to connect myself with those members of the Family of God as I repeat words that have been spoken and sung for nearly two millennia. And I know that until Christ returns again that the body of the Holy Orthodox Church will continue to sing the same songs and repeat the same prayers, connecting Christians of the future to me as well. Cool!


The reason I'm a little UN Orthodox is because I'm not yet a full Orthodox Christian. I'm currently a catechumin in the church. A catechumin is a person who intends to become Orthodox but is still learning about the church and has yet to be baptized into the church. I've been reading and researching a lot, and of course going to church and becoming involved in the services as much as I can. But I'm longing to finally become Orthodox myself and I think it probably won't be much longer before I talk with the priest, Father Anthony, about being baptized into the church. Because I am a Christian already and was baptized (when I was 6) under the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I do not technically HAVE to be re-baptized. I can choose to accept Chrismation (anointing of the oil and the Holy Spirit) instead, but I think I will probably go ahead and be baptized. The baptismal service is incredibly beautiful and meaningful. This period in my life is similar to being engaged. I'm not yet married to the Orthodox church, but the intent to do so is there. It reminds me a little of my own engagement to Koichi. It was a beautiful, sweet time. But there finally comes a point when I start to think, Okay, let's get married already! I'm ready to get married to the Orthodox church.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets.

In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Busy, Busy Beavers

School is finally out and I can relax...or so I think. Actually, I have several projects lined up to occupy my time this summer. I have about 101 things to paint this summer including a bench, chair, bedside table, various mirrors, a window, plant stand and knick-knack holder. Then there's the quilting! I just got a bunch of beautiful silk fabric sent to me from Japan by my mother-in-law. I'm scared to cut it, but I'm going to have to get over that fear and make something beautiful with it. I've got fabric piling up everywhere. Time to get a move on!



The last few weeks of school I was already busy doing quilting and painting. My good friend and fellow 1st grade teacher, Diane, roped me into making a quilt for our school's Dean of Students (aka, vice-principal) as a gift for her first baby. Diane has made several quilts and I was honored that she asked me to help. We made the cutest quilt, though it ended up being about twice the size of a baby quilt. Each class made a picture and colored it for one of the quilt squares, and then signed it with their class' name. It turned out great.



Then Diane came up with another good idea for something to occupy my time. For several months Diane and I have secretly been giving out little treats and trinkets to the other staff members and teachers at the school. It's been a tough year for all of us, and Diane thought that a few random acts of kindness might help lift everyone's spirits and boost the morale in the school. As our final anonymous act, we wanted to do something nice for the staff. Diane found some unused terra cotta pots sitting in her classroom and she asked if I would help her paint them. I love painting, so off we went. Diane had in mind doing some polka dots and squiggly lines. I guess I think differently. I got to teach Diane how to do a little bit of One Stroke Painting, and now I think she's hooked. It was a lot of fun, though it took several days to complete the project. We painted about 60 pots, stuffed them with a cute little note and some flower seeds and snuck into all the classrooms and left them for the staff members to find on the Monday of the last week of school. I think they liked them. A few people who knew I could paint discovered that I was part of the sneaky team leaving gifts behind, so my cover was blown. But it was a lot of fun, and it spurred me take on the chairperson position for the Social Committee for next year. It sure did help to boost my morale to do something nice for someone else. Maybe everyone should give that a try sometime.