I know I keep saying it to people, but this pageant really
does keep getting better and better.
Today began with the Blue Family Cast meeting together in
the marquee/theatre and running through some scenes. We needed to know when to
come in and when to exit. After a morning of doing that I thought things were
going pretty well – my aches weren’t disappearing but at least my calf muscles
were able to rest from all the dancing (sorry, the ‘moving with joy’ as we call
it here! The reason being that we can all move with joy – we might not all be
able to dance!). Then after lunch we learnt a new dance and ran through the two
we had already learned. Fortunately the new one wasn’t as taxing for me, but
the other two are a lot more energetic and boy am I feeling it now!This evening’s performance was the last performance for the Red Cast. Although some are staying (including our wonderful core cast), many are leaving tonight so it was an emotional time for them. I will miss them all, but found I didn’t feel too sad because I know I will see them again. The friendships we are building here are not temporary ones for the duration of our stay, but lasting ones. I am blessed to be part of both casts; the dynamics of each cast are very different, but equally wonderful to be a part of. I love my choir family, and will miss being with them this week. But I already love my BFC family. We are having such a great time learning the dances (despite my aching calf muscles!) and I look forward to spending this week continuing to learn and grow with them.
Before the pageant tonight, Alex (our artistic director) gave us some points to work on and made a few changes. Change is the rule here, and I feel that one reason for that is to stop us from becoming complacent. As soon as we start getting complacent, we risk losing the Spirit, and the pageant would not be what it has been. By Alex (and others heading up the pageant) making changes when they feel prompted to do so, we are kept focused and reminded that our goal is to share the truth we know, and to bring others closer to their Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For me, tonight’s performance was the most powerful one yet (I know I said that about last night’s, but honestly it just keeps getting better). I hope I’m not giving too much away when I say that as the choir we represent the ancestors – those who have gone before. My family and friends all know how hooked I got on family history a couple of years ago. I really have felt the spirit of Elijah (Malachi4:6). Tonight I felt close to my own ancestors as we sang together and watched what was going on below. I could imagine them watching us and I am so grateful that as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we know that they will have the opportunity to hear the gospel.
Several people afterwards told me how impressed they were with the performance, and how wonderful the choir was. As a teacher, I have seen the effect music can have on the children I work with, and it truly can lift us and teach us in ways that nothing else can.
I spoke with some ladies afterwards who had travelled by coach from Scotland – what a journey for them! One is a great-grandmother, and it was lovely to hear her experience of the pageant and how moved she was by it.
To borrow the words of the prophet Isaiah; this truly is “a
marvellous work and a wonder.”
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