Music and the Spoken Word!

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to travel down to Salt Lake to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word! It was such an amazing opportunity! We left the day before we were to sing (which was Saturday, March 17). We met in the Snow Building Fishbowl and, as we waited, Tyler, Amanda, and I talked about our "acceptance letters to Hogwarts". I was actually the only one that hadn't gotten mine yet . . . but Tyler and Amanda have the "inside scoop" and know I made it in! (It was one of the funniest conversations I had ever had) Alex came up to me and asked if I wanted to be his bus buddy, so I was!

On the ride down, we studied for our Music Lit. test (our final to be exact). What studying we did get done was helpful! But, I think because of our excitement, we didn't get very far!

Our study group!

When we got down to Salt Lake, we went straight to our hotel for a rehearsal. Our hotel was really nice! After our rehearsal, I got to go to Olive Garden for the first time!! It was SO GOOD!!! I was blown away by the bottomless salad, breadsticks, and soup (I had the Zuppa)! Then, I also ordered Chicken Alfredo! It was delicious! After I took one bite, I looked over at my friend Cassandra and said "Oh no, it's good! I'm going to want to come back!" And I do; I want to go back!!

The next morning, I got a very early start (4:45 am)! I was showered and ready to go by 6:00am--of which I was incredibly pleased with myself! We were to be in the horseshoe (the area underneath the tabernacle) at 7:00am for a small rehearsal. Man, singing that early in the morning is NOT a good idea! Ha, it was kind of hard for me to sing with a lot of energy at that time in the morning! But, the view as we walked out was fantastic! I got such an adrenaline rush as we walked into the tabernacle. Despite the fact that I had done it the week before, it felt like a new experience. I got to work with Brother Mack Wilberg and some of the members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir! Goodness, I felt incredibly star-struck! The broadcast went incredibly well!

After the broadcast, we had the blessed opportunity to go to a ward in Ogden. We were supposed to sing two songs in the ward: "Take Time to be Holy" (musical number) and "Faith in Every Footstep" (closing hymn). The last speaker stood up and asked us to sing another song on the spot. Fortunately, we had a few songs in our repertoire from the oratorio. We decided to sing "Love of God" which included audience participation. Brother Kempton stood up before we sang and said "Well, we're going to kind of turn this around on you; the song that we're singing includes audience participation." It was great! It was such a powerful sacrament meeting too! The speakers talked about reverence and how it isn't just being quiet, but that it's truly a matter of respect.

I left that sacrament meeting on a "spiritual high"! However, as soon as I sat down on the bus, I felt like I was going to fall asleep!! This wave of tired encompassed me, to the point that I thought I was going to fall asleep any second. Just as I was about to give into this tiredness, my friend Mike (who was sitting in front of me) asked me if I'd give him a massage. I was so tempted to say no, but I knew we were going to have a Priesthood and Relief Society lesson and I wanted to stay awake.

I told Mike that I had only given two massages before in my life, and so I wasn't sure how good I was going to be. As soon as I started, Mike said "Oh, well you're winning!!!" Through out the rest of the bus ride--to Paris, ID--Mike and Alex would do "bus surfing", which was quite entertaining to watch! They would stand in the isles and move with the bus! It was fantastic!

Our last stop on the trip was in Paris, Idaho. There, we were able to perform a Fireside in a beautiful tabernacle that was there! This town was so small, and yet so pretty! Some of the local members made dinner for us, and it was delicious! (*This is a side note, I'm so grateful for the people that made/gave us food on this trip! It was SO good!!) Here are some pictures from that fireside:

After our Fireside, we headed back to Rexburg! I can't tell you how tired I was! I still can't fathom how I was able to stay away for all of this trip . . . but I was! I got a fifteen to twenty minute nap, but it felt so good!! This was such a fantastic experience for me to be a part of! I got to meet some really awesome people, become better friends with my Collegiate family, and feel the spirit. I can't think of a better way to spend my weekend! Here's one last picture from the trip; this was on the bus ride home after our long day! Me and my bus buddy!

Alex Withers and I (the flash was really bright)!!