Blue Cast Day 7: Count your blessings.

So I’m a little late catching up on yesterday’s blog…but I’ll get to the reason for that in a bit.

As I was reading in 2 Nephi 26 yesterday, verse 31 really seemed to jump out at me; ‘…the labourer in Zion shall labour for Zion…’ President Kerr has told us several times that here at pageant we are creating our own little Zion, our own place for the pure in heart. It is so true, I love it being a part of this, a place where we all look out for each other and genuinely care about each other. And we are here for Zion – none of us are being paid to get onstage every night, or to sing in the choir, or to paint the stage. We are here because we want to be; because it feels right to be here.

We were given the day off yesterday, so after enjoying the feeling of not having to set an alarm, I met up with a couple of friends and we did some family history work. I love that family history is just like piecing together a puzzle; it is such a good feeling to discover your own ancestors and know that they are a part of your family.

As we were working on family history I started to get stomach ache. I carried on for a bit before going to lay down, and figured I could make it through the show, especially since my sister and her husband were coming to see it. I got ready and made it to the chapel for our evening devotional which was great. After our district meetings it was time for pre-pageant activities. Not feeling up to much, I went to the theatre to see my sister who had arrived before making my way back to the chapel. I was walking along the corridor when I went completely dizzy and felt sick and the next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor with a head wound! I guess I just wanted to be dramatic because somehow I woke up on the opposite side of the corridor, despite clutching onto the wall of the side I was on. No idea how I managed that!

The medics here are fantastic. They cleared the corridor in no time, checked me over before moving me and managed to help me move out of the way as quickly and safely as they could. Once I was cleaned up a bit they arranged for me to be taken to hospital. I felt awful because each of the three dances I am in I have a partner for, and I didn’t want to let anyone down, but they were very reassuring that they would get the message to the relevant people. Sarah (my sister) also insisted on going with me to the hospital. She was great to have around although I feel bad that she missed it. I’m hoping she’ll be able to come back to see it before we finish on Saturday as it is an amazing experience. I got more than a few odd looks dressed as I was in Victorian-style clothing but they seemed to understand once my sister explained (I think most people in Chorley/Preston have heard of the LDS British Pageant by now!)

The aftermath - once the bleeding had stopped!

I don’t know if there was a reason for me to pass out and whack my head (the doctor put it down to lack of food – I hadn’t eaten dinner because I wasn’t feeling great and so didn’t feel hungry – but it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve missed a meal because I felt ill and I’ve never fainted quite so dramatically before!), but as strange as it sounds, I have a lot to be thankful for. My sister (who works in a hospital) was around to go with me and help me out, I didn’t gash my eyes or break my nose when I passed out, there are numerous wonderful Priesthood holders here able to give Priesthood blessings when needed, and I have great roommates (one of whom stayed up until gone midnight to make sure I was okay). Sarah and her husband even stayed over in Chorley so they could check on me today and bring me things like dry shampoo since I’m not allowed to get the front of my head wet for 5 days as they glued the cut closed.

So all in all, I am really counting my blessings J