New Picture

Here is a picture of the right side of the choir courtesy of :

Terri Brinkerhoff

Thank you for continuing to add to the blog and make it that much better of an experience!

Translation

I came across the translation to the Hawaiin chant that Merilee would share with us and thought the other ladies might like it. It is so neat.
Thanks,
Julie Morrill
Highland Stake

***
Come forward and appear you precious
flowers arising in the calmness of this
special day.
Each of you are taking up the challenge
of not simply climbing a high mountain,
but you have chosen to climb the
highest and most majestic mountain of all.
Dance forward you children of your
Heavenly Father, for is it not so that you,
our children, are so very precious. In fact,
you are the most precious adornment
worn around the neck of your ancestors.
Come forward, come forward for there
are many roads for you to choose.
Be sure to follow the voice of the good
shepherd, for he will always keep you,
protect you, and show you the way.

Sharing More!

I received a email requesting to share a journal entry from a sweet sister. I am grateful to share it with you all! If any of you would like to do the same I think it will only add to making this a great blog!! Love Brooke Allred

* * *
One of the songs that we are singing for the conference is “Come, O Thou King of Kings.” I’m sure I’ve sung that song MANY times, but I’m amazed at how little I’ve thought about what it is I’m singing. Sister Webb is helping us learn how to sing the songs so that the lyrics “make sense.” In other words, we pause at the commas, and don’t breathe where there is no comma or period, etc. Of course, this isn’t exactly new information, but because we were talking about making the song make sense, and because I was trying to think about what I was singing, I really had an interesting experience at the practice last night. Sister Webb, was telling us to make sure to put the comma (or pause) after the word “Come” – since we are basically extending an invitation.

Suddenly, I started realizing what I was saying. “Come, O thou King of kings. We’ve waited long for thee, with healing in thy wings to set thy people free. Come, thou desire of nations, come. Let Israel now be gathered home.”

I kind of started paraphrasing in my mind those words. It went something like this:

“Please come soon, Jesus. We’ve waited a long time for You to come. We know that when You do come, You will set us free from sin and sorrow and sickness, and everything bad. You are what people in every nation want and need. Please come and gather us together as Yours – and let us be home with You again.”

It had never occurred to me before how beautiful those words are! I loved singing them and thinking about what I was saying – that I was basically pleading with the Lord to make His appearance, His second coming, sooner rather than later!

One of the things that has changed as a result of my participation in the choir is the way I do my calling. I serve as the Primary Chorister in my ward. It is a calling that I have enjoyed very much – but much more so since I learned a few things from Sister Webb. Of course, I’m no Sister Webb – I’m sure I’m nowhere near as entertaining and fun as SHE is, but I have tried to teach the boys and girls a few of the things that she has taught me. One such thing is the importance of letting what they are feeling in their heart shine through their eyes and face! I think that these young children do this much more naturally than we adults do, but even THEY have needed reminding at times. Watching them sing, “I Love to See the Temple” with their completely blank little faces made me realize a little bit of what Sister Webb must have experienced that first week as she watched us singing, “Now Let Us Rejoice” in our monotone voices and “not-very-rejoicing” faces!

In just a few days we will have our Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. I am really looking forward to seeing those smiling faces! But even more importantly, I think that as the children sing the songs and feel the Spirit, and show the Spirit, they will share the Spirit. And that, I believe, is the purpose of this Primary program.
* * *
from the journal entry of
Sandra Broekhuijsen
Highland 4th Ward
Highland Stake

Thank you so much for sharing Sandra!

One Voice

I think that this is becoming better than I had intended and I am so glad to help and be a part of it. Here is the poem that was requested of Trish Willmore. Thanks for the comments and testimonies I too will never forget the spirit that I felt and for the lessons and additions to my ever growing testimony.

“ONE VOICE”
Not long ago, we all came together,
Each carrying our ‘own part’
In sadness, sorrow, a burden or trial
Needing a friend, or a change of heart

With a gentle nudge, from a director’s heart
Eyes lifted, and wept in joy
For spirits were touched, through the power of song
As ‘parts’ were shared, and became ONE VOICE!

A GIFT was given, dear Sister, for us!
From a Father in Heaven, who cares
May we share this good fruit, through service and deed
And remember this time that we shared.

ALOHA!
Trish Willmore