Sunday, November 23, 2014

         This marathon morning started with the 5:30 a.m. alarm that gave me time to get ready for the 6:30 a.m. choir practice for stake conference.  As I walked across the parking lot to the church, the big yellow choir bus pulled in through the gates bringing lots of singers.  We practiced until the start time which was at 8:00 a.m. for the first session.  They divided the stake like we often do at home and had one group come at 8:00 and the next one at 10:30. 

         This 80-voice choir that has been practicing for weeks sounded great as the parts they have practiced over and over again became ingrained.  Their enthusiasm was wonderful and contagious, and they followed the spunky little director perfectly.  They sang five numbers during the meeting and then ended with “The First Noel” immediately following the closing prayer.  There was only about a 20-minute turnaround time before the same group was seated and ready to sing for the second session which ended at 12:40.  We didn’t hear a single complaint (although there may have been one J) about all the long hours, the long ride, and having to sing for two sessions. 

         The meeting was great with lots of enthusiastic speakers and great messages.  There were so many words and phrases that I could understand and it was a huge change from the first meetings attended here when my understanding was next to zero.  That felt good, too.

         Next week this choir will start working on Christmas music for a stake program, probably similar to the one held last year. 

Have a great new week.  Good Night.  Prayers and hugs for all of you!

The short wall (can't think of what it is called) that separates the floor of the chapel where the congregation sits from the rostrum, was covered end to end with sprays
 of flowers like this one.  A beautiful potted poinsettia was placed at either end and it all
looked very beautiful.  After the second meeting, they gave them out to some of the
speakers and dignitaries to take home, and the Stake President brought one to me
and thanked me for the music.  The flowers are placed in green floral sponge--I
don't know what it is called, but it means they can be watered so the flowers will
stay fresh for a few days.  They look beautiful in our apartment!

Just the back view that shows off the blue flowers and
the big pink one in the center--although it is actually very red!