Elder Wortley gave me your little message.... I'm sorry I worry but you have been on my mind a lot lately.....
Well this was the last week we had and performances started on Friday. Our French Horn section learned a really pretty rendition of How Great Thou Art that we perfrom in the Women's Garden during our HymnFest
Oh hahaha.... weather has been super weird for this time of year. on sunday we had a tornado warning..... then a crazy rain storm, then a lightening storm then a thunderstorm last night.... we almost had to leave during sunset last night because the weather was getting ifffyyyy....
On Monday we were able to practice with the Nauvoo Community Band. It was so fun to be in that environment with a conductor and playing orchestrations rather than big band pieces....
My companion and I have been studying a lot in the John during the last week of Christ's life and it is probably due to her bringing a CD called "Lamb of God". It is an oratory of the Savior's life.... his last week. You should go listen to some of the songs.... My favorite is called "Lord, Is it I?" I cannot stop listening to it and it has given us some good material to study from as well. Sister Reid kinda reminds me of you, mom. She is eager to learn and study so much about everything. We have deep converstations about things we have learned. And both of us have gained a deeper insight about our purpose here and ways we can ahev the spirit.
On Tuesday, we had district mtg.... SO GOOD! the mission pres wife came and joined us as we studied about studying.... It was an open discussion where we would share scriptures or insights about what we learned.... I really enjoyed that and I would say that that is how I learn best.
Lately it has been getting more stressful because it is the last week before we actually start performing..... And 11 sisters in one house, there was bound to be someone who break..... I don't think I need to share details, but I learned how IMPORTANT it is to ALWAYS have the spirit in our home. If ever we act prideful, or selfish, or even whiny, the spirit cannot reside with us and departs. I don't think any of us could ever succeed here without the spirit. I know He has power that we can have access to, but we need to do things to keep Him with us always.
Wed was baptisms, not enough time for a session, but we planned for one this wed! Yay!! For me, I just love being in His house and feeling worthy to be there.
Thursday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!!!!!
Go 61!! woohoo!!!
We had the coolest opportunity to go to the Tukuafu's home. They are hawaiian friends of the Bragues and they offered to have us come over for Breakfast!
When we pulled up, we saw their house and was awestruck.... It is a circular house..... Imagine that.... I have never seen anything like it.
Sister Tukuafu makes instruments..... like carves wood and everything... She makes Harps, Dulcimers, and even a LYRE! like DAVID!
Then we all had the chance to play them!
They are wonderful people and I am so grateful to be able to have met them.
We then practiced some more and then went to go see our fellow Stage YPMS perform High Hopes and Riverboats. They are doing so well and it was great to be able to support them. Then Thurs afternoon, we changed into church clothes and we got to be missionary tourists! I went to the Family Living Center, Bakery, Blacksmith, then to Muholland and got a BEAUTIFUL pic of Christ and Joseph Smith and a little magnet wood thing that says "I am more Patient and Forgiving".
It was so great!
Then at sunset I got to see some familiar faces!!! Tell them again how much I loved seeing them!
Friday was the official day! On the bandwagon, and everyone was so happy to see us!
Then the HymnFest, and then Sunset. I will eventually get used to this schedule...... Hopefully.... ;)
I will admit that it is getting more difficult because we are no longer just practicing, but really performing!!
I am learning that to share the spirit, you NEED to actually ahve it. After sunset on friday we were invited to go to the trail of hope and watch the stage performers do vinettes (sp) of real pioneers who had come through.
It was very good adn I deeply felt the spirit.
I am always amazed that these pioneers consecrated (i love that word) their lives to go where the lord wanted them to go.
Sat was a rough day but I learned a lot and that is all I am gonna say.
But I have learned that the Lord wants us to mess up. Because by doing so we can grow closer to Him. There is always room to grow. He puts out His hand for us to take and then takes a step back waiting for us to take a step towards Him and then reach for His hand.
I love you guys!!
Sister Jex
PS cali still hasn't written me..... I got the emails saying she went to chicago to meet up with sean, but it has been 3 weeks now....
I am trying not to get my feelings hurt, but to be honest I thought I would have recieved something by now.
Just tell her I love her.