Savior of the World

I am participating in a church production of the musical, "Savior of the World." 

I have always loved plays, but particularly I have always loved musicals.  I love singing and acting and really just having fun - so I decided to try out for the play.  The website for the information about dates and times can be found here:  www.sotwdc.com.

It is the first time I've actually performed in a play, as I don't count the mini plays for young women, girl's camp and various school activities.  It has been a lot of hard work and I am excited to get my Saturday and Sunday evenings back!  But tonight as I was watching everything coming together, I turned my focus on the words of the play and not so much on where and when I was standing or singing.

Before practice begins we start by having a mini devotional where cast members talk about how they have felt playing the various parts.  In doing so, it made me reflect on how my testimony has grown throughout the play.  I play an angel and at one point I am part of the angry crowd in the denial scene.  While playing the angel (when not being scared of falling off the scaffolding), my mind has wandered to thoughts of where I was in heaven when this was going on.  I hope that I was there, with my other brothers and sisters, feeling the pain and also the immense joy through the life of the Savior. 

There is a song in the musical called, "Who'll Deliver Him."  This song is sung in the denial scene where I am part of the mean/angry crowd.  We mock and tease the Believers for what they believe and who they believe in.  On the drive home tonight, that scene played over and over in my mind.  I have been there, I have played the mean girl in life.  I like to think I have changed, but every so often when I am getting caught up in the gossip at work, or the stress of trying to fit in, I find the ease of becoming mean catches up with me.  I have spent time away from church, weak in my testimony, trying to figure out what I believed in.  Time and personal experiences have made me realize that in the church is where I not only need, but want to be!  I can become a better person, and that it is okay that I am not perfect as long as I am trying to be better. 

Tonight, I really felt the message and the spirit of what we want to express in this production.  I was moved to tears when the actor portraying the Savior spoke to the disciples and said, "Peace be unto you."  I felt that he was saying those words directly to me.  Every day, I ask for forgiveness for not being the best and also ask for the strength and courage to be better. 

This musical is normally played around Christmas time in Utah, and for my friends there I encourage you to go.  For my friends here on the East Coast, come to this show.  Come and listen to inspired words and music proclaiming the love our Savior has for us.  Because that of all things is something I know and believe with all of my heart, our Savior lives and loves us individually even with all our faults.   

New Fan!

Have you heard of the group Mumford & Sons?? 

 

Hello amazing!!!  :)

 

 

The feel of the music has a little bit of a bluesy country feel to it....

They kinda remind me of the group Neutral Milk Hotel. 

 

I'm in love!

A Thousand Years...

 

A Thousand Years

I have heard this song a few times on the radio and loved it.  It also plays in the last Twilight movie and the placement was perfect - way to go Music Director!! 

I was talking with my sister very, very early on a Saturday morning - she woke me up!!  We talked about where I was in my life and where she was and talked about why she was envious of my life and I spoke to her about what I loved about her life.  I was hoping that if I just wished enough our wishes would come true...

She then told me that as much as she loved the freedom of being single, she couldn't give up her family, especially her husband. 

I have talked about dating a lot lately with friends, family, co-workers - - At least that is what it seems like to me.  I have also posted about dating:  Emerging Adulthood, Letter, Smack down... 

But the one thing my sister said to me hit me to the core and I haven't forgotten it since.  It was simply that she recognized how hard it is to be dating right now and how of all the girls in my family, I was the strongest one to deal with this.  I was surprised - not for the recognition (although that was very much appreciated) but that she said I was the strongest sister. 

I never felt that way, EVER!  I cry, pout, torture myself by watching sappy love movies (dang that Nicholas Sparks!!), and carried on alone. 

Those few words have really given me a different perspective...  Thank you sis!

Current Obsession!

Maybe it is because it stars Katherine McPhee and I LOVED her in American Idol! 

Shuffle to the Left, now Shuffle to the Right!!!

Day 15 - Put your iPod on shuffle first 10 songs that play are:

1) Angel Standing By - Jewel

2) There is No Arizona - Jamie O'Neal

3) Defying Gravity - Glee Cast Version

4) Tied Together with a Smile - Taylor Swift

5) Angels, From the Realms of Glory - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

6) Warning Sign - Coldplay

7) Take Me Away - Barlow Girl

8) A Way of Life - The Last Samuri Soundtrack

9) Home - Beauty and the Beast Broadway Cast

10) Did I Shave My Legs For This? - Deana Carter
This is actually one of my most favorite songs on my iPod, so I am glad it showed up on this list! :)

Not too bad of a list I must say... :)

My list of songs...

Day 10 - songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad

This is a tough assignment! I have so many songs that I constantly listen to for all those situations, BUT I will try and list those that are usually at the top of my list.

Happy: I love the beach, the sun, being warm, this is one that no matter what will always put a smile on my face! I also can't help but tap my foot to the beat! "Soak Up the Sun" - Sheryl Crow

Sad: This is one that I have always enjoyed especially when I am sad after a relationship ends. This just is a song that gives me hope that there is a someone out there looking for me. I especially love the song when I hear Ella Fitzgerald singing it because she captures the emotion so well... "Someone to Watch Over Me" - Gershwin

Bored: When I am bored I sing anything broadway and dance! This is one that I like because you start off quiet and soft and by the end you are just belting it out with passion and heart! One of my favorites "Gimme Gimme" - Thoroughly Modern Millie

Hyped: This one was pretty easy! I love this song, I have been made fun of for this song, but it is a super easy song to jam out to when I am all HYPED up! :) "Crazy Horses" - The Osmonds

Mad: This might seem to some like a weird "mad" song but this one really is so I can jump/dance around and do some awesome Rocky punches in the air to a sweet beat! "I'm Blue" - Eiffel 65

I am who I am today!

Day 7 - Someone/something that has the biggest impact on you.

I know that I talk about this alot, but I just can't explain how much this has changed my life. My earliest memories are of listening to music, singing lessons, watching my oldest brothers sing, singing in church, watching musicals, etc.

Every where I have turned, I have had music right there with me. It is able to describe every mood I have ever been in with words that I feel sometimes reach into my very soul.

I remember one time last year when I was in a very dark place, I was struggling to face things from my past and I felt alone. Someone played this song and it touched me so deeply - "You Are Loved" by Josh Groban. I was moved beyond words, tears started falling down my cheeks and I could feel the love from everyone I knew. All of this from a song that was 3-4 minutes long!

I remember listening to classical pieces on the radio with my dad and we would both start conducting the orchestra. Or when I was younger, I would go out and feed the chickens and sing the song Belle sings after Gaston asks her to marry him. I would then run up the hill behind the house and start singing my own songs about life - I was such a dramatic girl! :)

I love when you enter a church and you can hear the organ playing. I don't know if it is because my father has always played the organ and taught me to play. I get chills when it is being played and the whole room is filled with the beautiful sound! My favorite place to listen to the organ is the Tabernacle, the pipe organ there is like none other! Ever since I was a child I have wanted to play that organ! If I ever find a genie that will be my first wish.

When I went to college and started to lose the hearing in my left ear, I thought my life was over (apparently my being dramatic didn't end when I was a child)! I cried for days, okay... weeks, and was angry!!! It wasn't until I was talking with my friend Trevor that I realized what an idiot I was being. He simply told me that I still had one good ear and to quit crying about it!

I love that music makes sense! It uses both your right and left side of your brain. I love that it is always surrounding us - grocery store, elevator, cell phone, on hold, movies, television, theme parks, video games... so many places!!

I believe that my love of music came from two very musically talented parents. My father who sings, plays the piano and organ. My mother who sings and showed us the fantastic world of musicals and broadway! Thanks to both of my parents who worked so hard to make sure I went to clogging, band, piano, voice, show choir, B-Bar-D, guitar. I am one very lucky girl! :)

But the talent doesn't stop there - my siblings have great voices, play piano, guitar, flute, clarinet, guitar, harp, write their own music, or have introduced me to artists/genres that I wouldn't otherwise know about. Seriously - how can one person be so lucky!?!?

Music has helped to shape me into the person I am today - it has had the greatest impact on my life. It has given me ways to express myself when words fail. It has always been there even when I don't even remember my own name! Music has and always will be a major part in my life!

Did she read my journal?

Have you heard of Adele - if not, we aren't friends anymore. She released a new CD and I seriously think that she read my journal!!

The songs feel as though she has reached into my soul to write the lyrics! I LOVE IT!!!

Here is a little sample of what you are missing out on -
Set Fire to the Rain!

She is unique and love the voice!!

"A, B, C, D...."

I have been playing and singing in the Dementia unit at work and there is something that always amazes me. I learned about this in college from one of my professors, but didn't really believe him until now.

When I am playing and singing some of the traditional songs, the residents can sing them word for word. And then two seconds later won't even remember their own name! Music helps the right brain and the left brain work together - which makes it harder for somethings to be forgotten.

I remember in highschool and college putting things I needed to remember to a song. There are songs for our A, B, C's and the States. We can go our entire life and most likely will not forget those as they are deeply ingrained in our brain.

I had a teacher in Jr. High that would play Jazz music during tests and quizzes as it helped students relax and "let the brain ooze the right juices."

I believe that music is a very powerful tool. We see that in movies - we wouldn't know there was a scary part coming if it wasn't for the music. We see that in commercials - we all know the T-Mobile chime. We see it in the stores - music now has a warning label if it is considered violent. We see it in our everyday lives - there is always a song that fits the mood we are currently in.

Alright - I am headed to bed! Planning my trip to Utah! So excited...

Tra la la!

In talking with a friend, we were discussing the various ways we relieve the stress we encounter in our everyday lives. I already knew the answer (I find that one quite easy). Music.

Whether I am playing, singing, listening, watching or thinking about it music is not only a huge stress reliever, it is a HUGE part of my life. I remember being a little girl and taking voice lessons and warming up to: "Ma, Me, Mi, Mo, Mu" and one of the first songs I sang was, "Sing, for the Lord is Listening!"

My family has always been musical, we have all been involved in some form of music in during our lifetime. The biggest inspiration was my brother Justin, I will never forget his performances and the excitement I felt when he was up on stage singing. To me, he was a star! My dream to be in a show choir like Stagelight started with Justin and then grew bigger as I watched Matt and Kari also enjoy participating in Stagelight.

My love of music is deep and when I thought that it was over, I felt broken. But, I still have one good ear that I don't think shows any sign in loss of hearing! It has only made my appreciation for still being able to hear something so precious to me deepen.

I am learning the guitar right now, something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I feel like I am doing alright, although I have some sore fingers!

I feel blessed that I can hear harmony in my head while singing, that it is such a natural thing for me to hear. I am grateful to be in a family that has allowed my love for music to grow and parents that paid LOTS of money so I could learn piano, singing and dance. I am especially grateful now when stress is in my life that I have been taught ways to let it out...

It's that time again! YES!

I love this time of year! I finally allow myself to listen to Christmas Music the day after Halloween, even though I could and sometimes do listen to it all year round! For those of you who are having a fit right now because I just said that - CHILL!

First off, can anyone NAME a Thanksgiving song?? Besides a couple of hymns! That is what I thought!

Christmas songs are about being together and being home. It celebrates what I consider to be the true "Spirit of the Season" which doesn't start after Thanksgiving, it is a part of Thanksgiving! We are giving thanks and singing praises to the person who has literally given us everything!!

So, I am giving you my standard rule for those who may ride in my car or hear my music playing... After October 31, I will listen to Christmas Music and usually sing right along, regardless if I am on-key or not. So... no apologies, just deal! As I stated before - this is my FAVORITE time of the year!

Here is a picture of my father playing the organ last year at Christmas! It is so much fun to have my dad either play the piano or organ and have my siblings join in on a couple traditional christmas songs or hymns... It is so nice that we almost forget he started playing before 6:00 AM!! :)
P.S. I will be heading to Utah in approximately 16 days!!! I can't wait to see friends, family and the mountains!