I was in a TABERNACLE choir..... :)

 March 2, 2013

goes down in history as another of my 

GREATEST DAYS EVER!!!!

The chorale was invited in December, after our amazing performance

at the Assembly Hall, to perform in the Tabernacle on Temple Square

in our very own one hour performance.

 That gave us eight weeks to prepare.  And the pressure

was on, as we memorize all of our repertoire.  

Luckily we did a few songs that we had done other years

and so I was familiar with a few and just had to re-memorize them.

But there is still much pressure to get them down perfectly.

I never want to be the "weak link" in the chain or to

let the others around me down.  So I work extra, extra hard

and stress quite a bit before the big event.

In this photo above.... to the left... with the dark hair and beautiful 

face is my dear chorale friend... Melanie Newell.

 I am so happy with our jackets.  We look so much more professional

and happy and pretty in them than in those ugly black tops.

I know this picture is blurry but I am smiling...... 

There is something so uplifting and amazing when we perform like this in 

a venue of "significance".  We all work so hard on an individual basis 

and collectively to prepare.  We had two practices a week for three

weeks before the concert.  Our final rehearsal was the Thursday night

before the concert and we went down to the "sweet spot" in the

Maple Mountain HS to run the entire program.  We were on our feet

and giving it our all for about three hours.  I felt relaxed and confident

that I was very prepared and after that rehearsal, I felt that the chorale 

was prepared as a whole.  I felt like we had done all we could to prepare.

So then, the day of the concert.  Wow!  I was a nervous wreck!

It is especially hard for me not to be nervous when I have family

and/or friends coming to see me.  My Mom and Dad, Kathy, Alan,

Kylie, Sandy, Scott, Madi and Cortnie all were planning to attend.

So that makes me worry about whether or not they will like it or

if they will think I look like an idiot... or I will goof up and they will

notice. etc....  And to top it off I really didn't feel very well.

But .....  then we got together to rehearse in the basement of the 

tabernacle, which was a great opportunity in its self.  And as usual

Cory inspired and uplifted us and told us we could expect miracles

because we had worked so hard.  He told us to remember we

were giving the audience a gift tonight and to be open to give

our best.  Then we prayed and went on stage and all

the nervousness left and the Spirit came, the angels

joined us, and there was the peace, unity, and joy that

I always feel when we perform in a special place. 

Cory was flawless in his direction and our hearts and minds

and spirits were united and in tune and it was a

celestial experience for me.  I cannot imagine anything

that I will ever experience on earth being more like what

living in the Celestial Kingdom will be like than these

amazing spiritual chorale experiences I have had.

I was wringing wet with sweat and tired and swollen 

(your hands swell when you stand and sing that long

just like when you go for a long walk or run!)

and exhilarated beyond words....when it was all said and done!
or I should say...sang and done :)

We gathered in the basement while those who invited us thanked

and praised us and we hugged and grinned and basked in the glory

of it all together.  I love these people and love the talent and spirit

and dedication they bring to the chorale and to my life.

Best part of the night was seeing my family afterwards.

So glad Mom and Dad could come down.

Glad Kathy and Alan were willing to get them there.

Cortnie, Sandy, Scott, Madi and I talked and laughed

until they literally told us we had to leave the square!