We Sang for the Prophet!

Last night April and I sang in Joseph Smith the Prophet with Rob Gardner, composer and conductor. Yesterday at 4 pm was the first time that we rehearsed with the orchestra and all the soloists. Jordan Bluth (who is my new favorite tenor) was one of them. All were wonderful! As we rehearsed, it was tricky to keep time with Rob and the orchestra because the sound reverberation in the tabernacle makes a delay. So if we kept time with Rob's conducting as he instructed, it felt as if we were always coming in early. But we got use to it and it came together in the performances.
Before we started, we were told at the end we would have to wait for the "special guests" to leave first, then we could. I thought that we might have an apostle come. Then we saw President Uchtdorf and his wife come in. Then people started standing and I saw President Monson and his wife coming in. One man started singing We Thank Thee Oh, God for a Prophet, and everyone joined in. My heart was full as I looked at the prophet and his smiling face. As I practiced the music at home and during the two rehearsals, it never occurred to me that we would be performing for him. I had a prayer in my heart that the music would be all that it could be, and it was! When we finished Rob was beaming and mouthed, "Perfect! Perfect!" From him that is high praise, indeed.
President Monson and the audience gave us a standing ovation. As he and President Uchtdorf left, they waved and blew us kisses the whole way out. President Uchtdorf pointed at April and smiled, waving right at her. She was the youngest member of the choir. She thought her braces may have given her away.
The music filled the hall and our hearts, as we bore testimony of the Savior and the prophet, Joseph Smith. We are singing again tonight. I hope it goes as well. It was most likely a once in a life time opportunity, that I hope to have again if we get to do He is Jesus Christ with Rob.

Angels in My Life

I am one of the most blessed individuals. I have friends everywhere I turn. I feel so grateful for all the people who surround me with love and acceptance. I've felt it so much the last few weeks. Not that it wasn't there before, because it always has been, but I wasn't paying attention.

So, to all you wonderful angels in and throughout my life, thank you. Thank you for your examples of Christian goodness, of a diligent work ethic, of hope and belief in the goodness of others and the future, of serving others (myself included), and of strength through adversity. Your examples bless my life, make me stronger, give me hope, and help me know my Savior better. Because you are like Him!

Go read Candace Salima's story on her blog. It is about how one of her former Laurels gave her husband a kidney. What courage, and love! What a great example and what an angel!

Singing with Rob Gardner

April and I are singing Joseph Smith the Prophet with composer Rob Gardner at the Salt Lake Tabernacle on April 25th, & 26th. We had rehearsal last night and it was amazing to sing in the tabernacle with a huge choir of people with incredible voices. One soprano sitting by me sings in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I felt very humbled surrounded by all the talent. The soloists are some of the best of the best. It will be two wonderful nights of bearing testimony of both the prophet and the Savior in song. There may still be tickets available at lds.org.