FACES

I love faces.  To me, they speak a thousand words without even having to utter one.

The sparkle of the eyes.

The details in the wrinkles of time.

The twists and turns of each expression.

I like to sit back, like Ol' Professor Hill here..... watching, admiring, learning.

The elements of surprise.....

                    ..... excitement, anticipation, earnestness.....

                                                      ..... uncertainty.......

                                       .... serene and hopeful......

.... sheer pleasure and excitement......

                                                                        Oh, the stories a FACE can share!

CHAOS ENSUES

While Keturah graced the beaches of Hawaii today, we had the pleasure of our production manager, Elayna Pedersen, to lead and direct.... with the aid of the television.

It began like this.... a great group discussion.  How can we do better?  What should we change?  What hurdles do we need to jump to make this the best performance in our capabilities?

I slipped out to play with the orchestra for a few hours.  Together we got lost in the magic of the music.... literally and figuratively speaking.  Occasionally I heard shouts in the halls, but thought nothing of it until I resurfaced to the gym at the conclusion of our practice.






CHAOS had ensued from where I left off before.

Running and screaming, hollering and bellering.

Just look at those pick-a-ladies making their way briskly across the stage! 

                                                                                           



"Marcellus" Eric Brooksby got his morning exercise it seems.  

This close and it was my cue to move or be moved upon!

 A run around the church to be back in time for his new lines.....
                                   "I can't breathe..... oh.... and you've got to go now, Harold!"

I'm chuckling again as I flip through the pictures and share them here with all of you.  It brought to mind a quote I heard not long ago....

     "Chaos amid chaos isn't funny,

but chaos in the midst of order is."

                           You had me laughing.  Thanks for sharing your ordered chaos today.

MINISTERING

I came early today.  I sat back and watched as the crew arrived, a few here, a few there.  Some were still sleepy eyed, others perky and ready to go.  I smiled at the greetings between friends. 

Keturah stood up and began the practice with a few words of wisdom.  She talked of ministering.  This production itself is a ministry..... between friends, from adult to child, cast member to backstage crew, musician to director, our entire crew to the members of our stake who will be watching.   I was touched by her words of remembering each other, ministering in words and deeds.  The words of Love One Another rang through the morning air.  I needed those words personally today for what would be coming not too long after.

The production began.... a full act rehearsal today.  What a treat!

Happy faces galore...... I loved the characters coming to life!

Our little "Sub-in Tommy".... making everyone laugh and smile.....

I turned and looked at those watching from behind me in various parts of the gym.  It seemed I wasn't the only one enjoying the "show" thoroughly.

Our pianists giggled with glee.

                       Our director was brimming with smiles, "belly laughing, and snorting" (as said per her own words, mind you).......   "The best scene practice yet!"

Further in the back I noticed President Randall checking in and admiring from afar.  If only one could know what was running through the tracks of his mind at that moment......

I even happened to find a few smiles in the orchestra today......

The costumes begin...... lots of measuring, pinning, and tucking going on here!

It was about this time that I received the news delivered in person from Bishop Holt as I sat and snapped pictures away.....

............Elder Britten Schenk from our stake had been hit by a bus in Brazil where he was serving.  I happen to be his mother's visiting teacher, neighbor, friend, fellow co-worker within the Primary.  With emotions brimming over, I finished my rounds.  My heart was elsewhere, prayers filling my heart and mind.  

 It was then that I recalled the words Keturah had shared not long before.... the work of ministering.  How much ministering this family will need!   I find it interesting the Lord's timing in all of this.   As we have been coming together through the fun of this production, those relationships have started to strengthen and reach out from what was there before.  Perhaps it was preparation for the now spiritual and physical bonding our stake will need to support the Schenk family through this difficult time.

One more picture before I left the building today.....

.... a perfect snap of ministry in action.  We are in this together, for better or for worse, in happiness and trials..... thank goodness we have each other!

THE STAGE

I knew something was up the moment I walked in today. 

You could smell it.... that fresh, new smell.... permeating the air. 

You could sense it in the excited faces passing by me in the hall. 

You could see it in the excited face of President Salisbury as he asked if I'd seen "it" yet.

I opened the door and there "it" was... the stage.   Coming to life before our eyes.  Our lovely director stood before us, sharing the tender mercies and miracles that had helped it to all come together.  It seems JayDee Barr and his crew of volunteers  put their heart and soul into something wonderful for us.

Having a real stage made dancing all the better!

Even Keturah jumped up to show off some moves while teaching a few stumbling salesmen.

                                                                 Her teaching was more than effective.....

A quick peek in on our budding orchestra.  Someday we'll get those concentrated faces to turn to smiles....... just wait and see......

MORE THAN AN ACT

The practice today was in sessions.

While some practiced their lines.....

.... others filled their time with reading.....

                                ..... discussing this and that.......
                                                                                              ..... listening to ? ......

We sat back and watched together the many faces of "Mayor Shinn".....

                       ..... while some ate and giggled together.....

                                                                          .... and others colored away.

  Each scene played out before us, a few jumping in to fill their parts....

   
                                           .... till at last we sang together and joined as one on stage.  We witnessed
                                                              an interaction that was staged from the beginning....

                                                                                                    .... the rest cued to watch with glee.....

                                                                                                                              .... and yet......

                                                                                                                    .... do you see what I see?

                                 These faces of pure joy, of encouragement, of hope...... these are more than an act.   These are the faces of friendships beginning to run deep.  One of the many tender mercies of the Lord as we sacrifice and share our time together.