LONG DAY, GOOD TIMES

We were working the clock today!  8:30 to 6:00 ....  an exhausting, exhilerating experience.

Tired voices from the cast, numb backsides from the pit.

Breaktime equals dinnertime!



Remember those words about Zion?  Here it was at it's finest.
      The sacrafice of those putting the meal together was so much appreciated.

                 Serving each other.....

              I walked around after finishing my plate.... and smiled.



                            I smiled at interactions among friends, asking about families.

I smiled as I watched concerned friends address the needs of anothers pain.

 
                                 I smiled as still others shared gardening secrets and frustrations.





                    I smiled yet again in seeing the sincere, smiling faces of interactions among friends.

    

I smiled as small secrets were shared among sweethearts.

Many long, hard hours, yes...                                     

                                                      .... but the moments that truly count intermixed within it all make it a good day.

OUR CONDUCTOR

We have one "groovy" conductor in our midst.



I am not referring to that classy looking feller of celestial height (Martin Salisbury, alias Brad Pitt) who shouts out for tickets on the train..... though he is pretty groovy!


















I'm speaking of Gayle Mansfield.....
        .... and thinking today that she needs some extra credit and attention for all she does.

Though you may have seen a few glimpses her within this record here and there, she now finds herself in a position front and center of cast and orchestra alike to help pull the pieces together. 

Talk about someone who knows the meaning of sacrifice well..... with so much on her plate right now, she still manages to find a smile and time to share with our stake to help make this production come together. 


For your humor, for your memorable phrases, for your arm (long may it wave!), for your time... thank you, Gayle!



Another piece in a very big puzzle that helps to make this picture clearer.  Only wishing I could take time to make each individual know how important they are, no matter how small or big their part in this production together.

ZION

Zion..... the reason we have been brought together in this production.... a tutoring of the order of what Zion is really all about.

Elayna Pedersen shared these thoughts and more this past week with our cast and crew.   I felt it was something all should hear.

Zion is the highest order of society one can live in.

Moses 7:18 tells us that those are called Zion that are of {one heart and one mind} - meaning that their desires and purposes are totally united. This follows the example of the Godhead, who are one, as Jesus tells us in the scriptures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to President Kimball, this society is founded on the doctrines of

love,

service,

work,

self-reliance,

and stewardship.

 

As the cast and crew have worked together towards a united goal, this has helped us become "one." We have grown in love for each other, looked for ways to lift and serve each other, worked hard, become self-reliant in our responsibilities in the production, and have been true to our stewardships, no matter how big or small they have been. This has created a {Zion experience} in the Stake Center for this group of people.

 

 

We feel such gratitude for those who have worked so hard in the Stake to help us, by sewing, painting, building, etc.; contributing to this group being able to experience Zion. We thank them so much for their sacrifices for our good.

 

We will know that we have truly made Zion in our group when we leave one another after all this is over and our hearts ache for one another and we long to see one another again.  This reflects the prophecy that we can read about in Moses 7:63:

"Then shalt thou…meet them there,

and we will receive them into our bosom,

and they shall see us; and we will fall upon their necks,

and they shall fall upon our necks,

and we will kiss each other."

 

This is the result of living in Zion.

 

For His purposes, the Lord has chosen those in this group to be tutored in what Zion is. Now, after this experience, every one of us will be able to say, "I know and understand Zion." 

 

 

 

 

Personally, I feel privileged to be a part of this Zion community.  Elayna mentioned feeling remorse for those of you have not had the chance to associate with this group on a weekly basis.  I second that emotion.

 

 However, I have a feeling as members of our stake come and watch and partake in our sacrifice by supporting our cast members in the coming weeks, they, too, will be able to grasp a little of this mutual feeling among us.....

FROM THE PIT

Just a few fun glimpses for you of life in a musical today from my seat in the pit.

        

Did you know that we have our very own Hyde Park City immigrant from River City, Iowa?  Fun facts to share!!

I couldn't help but catch these three cuties in my camera lens... my shadows...

or rather very patient children waiting for mom to be done.

Giggles among friends on one side.

Some of you turn and run when you find me lurking in the shadows. 

 I didn't notice this little, fuzzy poser in the background until later as I went through the photos afterward. 

Some pass the time away with some hair dressing while enjoying the scenes playing out on stage.

Break time comes.....  and some familes come for some gathering time.

This wrestling dad had his arms full it seems.

Smiles and laughs shared among others.

It seems the choreography of Miss Launa Nelson is a hit among many.  Little Abbey here was one of many whom I caught striking this pose!

    More conversations among friends....    

And I loved the puzzled faces of these two hard working women. 

Yes, it has been a nail biter of a day.

For some...... not so much for others!

TWO WORLDS COLLIDE

Tonight, two worlds collided.

But before that incident occurred, we began with a song.... More Holiness Give Me...

More holiness give me....

More joy in his service.....

More fit for the kingdom, more used would I be,

More blessed and holy, More, Savior, like thee.

I felt goosebumps as I observed from my corner in the back the multitude of faces, joining together in this prayerful plea.  These words summed up so well this journey together as neighbors and friends. 

President Salisbury stepped forward then, a few good words to share...  

"We have prayed you all here."                              I hope those involved realize the importance of that one line.  You are answering prayers.  You are uniting friends.  You are strengthening, being used for the building of the Kingdom.  Yes, something even as menial in this moral existence as a stake musical can be used to change lives when done under the Savior's supervision and design.                             

Pressing forward, in President Salisbury fashion: 

"Now go out today and

put on your best Iowa

 and your best la-di-da!"

Here is where the collision began.



Each has learned their part well, the singers and musicians alike. 
I watched from the pit as vocalists strutted their stuff.

From within the pit, musicians watched with amazement

and smiles the scenes they had not seen before.

From the outside looking in, the same awed  expressions filled the

faces of actors as they watched the warm ups and music

coming from the bottomless pit filled to the brim

with musicians and instruments galore.

A learning process..... with many a crash and burn. 

But we brushed ourselves off, and we'll get back on it again.  After all, we're striving together for MORE.....







I always enjoy seeing, too, those who seldom get the face time or the credit deserved as they work behind the scenes, making it better for the rest of those up front.  Thanks for all you do!! 

SHIPOOPIED OUT

Dance moves like you've never seen as they waltzed, paraded, kicked, and jived about tonight.

 I peeked in quick before heading off to music practice.  It was enough to give me happy shot for the day....





Can you say "Trickle, Trickle?"
I bet not as well as Mrs. Shinn!

Shipoopi-ing about the stage..... lots of huffing and puffing... and smiling..... and laughing.  Someone must be having a good time.

Even a few tricks from "Harold" and "Wynthrop" were added to the mix.

                                      I wasn't even dancing, and I was completely "Shipoopied" - Out!

TIP MY HAT

We're back.

And we're giving it 100%.

More energy than before.  Becoming bigger and better.  I got a thrill out of watching the freshness and excitement of everyone this evening.  Marching off the stage as an entire cast... I imagined the numbers of families and individuals in our stake that you represent.  What an army of Saints we are blessed to rub shoulders with!

 Whether capturing the characters in the act.....

.... or goofing around in between acts......

                   .... each moment is a joyful one.  The memories made, the friendships strengthened.



Keturah mentioned to me this evening the amazement she has for the transformation from coming back.   (She looks amazed, does she not?!)

All the efforts of individual practice (especially from Kent and Laura) did not go unnoticed.  It is becoming a high energy place as the performance date fast approaches.

Also mentioned were the spiritual and physical needs of the members of the cast.  I noticed names being mentioned amongst friends.... "be sure to add Janessa to your prayers"..... "Brian Dicky is here even after just getting his tonsils outs.... extra prayers for him".....

The sacrifices are incredible.... the united feeling is inspiring.

Within the music room, the hard work continues. 

As well as the bonds of encouragement and friendship. 

Cheers went up for a mission call celebration.  Excited for Carrie!

Yes, folks.... I tip my hat to each of you, named and un-named.

You inspire me to be better.... to become more.......

TIME FOR A BREAK

I thought today as I stepped in the doors.... 2 months.

Two months for some very busy people to put this all together.  One more to go.

Long nights, full days.  Perhaps a few of us are going a little crazy.

Many rehearsals, many tired voices......

So many behind the scenes people helping this to come together with their labors of love..... sounds, props, costumes.  I thought this picture captured well the busyness of our background help amidst the actors on stage.

In a sea of chairs, little Micah stifles his own yawns of exhaustion.

Amidst the faces of the orchestra, I saw a few of these anxious eyes behind the stands. 

It is time for a refreshing spring break to gear us all back up for the final days before the production.

WORKING IT OUT...

The first thing I saw this evening as I came in.  Couldn't help but take the picture..... I loved the studious faces, the teamwork, the simplicity without the regular crew running about.  They weren't the only ones working it out tonight.

I slipped in just as the orchestra began its nose dive

into the "strangest musical score known to man".... 

.... the faces tell it all.

A work in progress.  Might I add my kudos to those taking the time to share their talents within the musical realm for this amazing production.  Sometimes they are the unsung heroes of the show, only noticed when the sour note is let loose, otherwise left in the shadows.  Thanks for your hard work and efforts to create another level of beauty to the production.

All comments of intimidation aside (it seems Gayle has nearly scared off a musician or two!), you are one amazingly, talented, fantastic, joyous conductor!

                               

Speaking of beauty.... as the orchestra practice ended, I poked my head into the gym one last time for another few shots before going home.  Watching the scene unfold, I was amazed again, caught up in the beautiful interactions between a couple so very much in love.... all acting aside.

             This is as it should be.... working it out in this journey called Life.....

                                                                                                                   happy...

                                                                                                                      together ....

                                                                                                                           one step at a time......