Wednesday, March 31, 2010

From the Heart...


This post has been a long time in the making. My second semester here at BYU Idaho, one of my good friends in my ward told me about his choir that I should audition for. I had no idea what I was in for. So, at the last moment possible, I ran to the building on campus where the auditions were being held, and winged it. I auditioned. I didn't make it. I was upset about not making it, and felt that it was their loss. Needless to say, I was too prideful to see why I didn't make it. The next semester, I was personally asked by the choir president to audition. I turned him down with some useless excuse. More out of being burned from the semester before. Almost a year and a half passed by and I returned back to Rexburg to go back to school. I was asked once again to audition for the group. After so much time had passed and a little repentance, I found myself rushing once again to the building on campus where the auditions were being held. I made it.
The group is called From The Heart. It is a choir comprised of 24 singers, that for each semester creates an hour long musical program meant to be performed for firesides. The group is not affiliated with the school, and is completely run by students. Music selections are chosen especially for their power to testify of Christ.
I have never been in group that has brought more strength to my testimony than this choir. This experience and the people that I have had a chance to sing with have not just become a part of my testimony, but it now comprises a part of the foundation of my testimony. It has not only been a blessing to sing to hundreds of people over the course of this semester, but it has been a power that has lifted me from deep sorrows. It has given me purpose here, and helped me to see more clearly the love that my Savior Jesus Christ has for me. I cannot express my love for the amazing people that I have been able to stand with and sing. They are such a light in my life! I feel like there is this little flame that burns inside of me. It lights my path in this life, but sometimes it feels insufficient through trials and hardships. Since joining this group, I feel like I have added my little flame with the flames of those in the group, and now I have this huge fire within me burning from the amazing power that comes from the testimonies that radiate from those who have chosen to sing in this choir.
Although it took almost 2 years to get myself prepared, I find that this will probably be one of the greatest highlights of my college experience. I am eternally thankful that the Lord has put this blessing in my path, and that I chose this to become a part of my existence and experience.

Monday, March 15, 2010

My new baby...

It was a long and difficult labor. The decision to bring one into my life wasn't easy either. It was a long process dealing with decision after decision, trying to figure out when and were it would happen. I was scared, and so nervous how it would turn out. It was going to be my first one, and I had never really had to take care of one 24/7. Mind you I had many chances to be around them and get to know them, but I was taking my first big step to becoming a serious and mature and responsible human being.

And when I least expected it, it happened. It was time! There she was, sitting in the corner of the store with a big bright green tag on her calling out to me like a moth to the flame!I knew that she was the piano of my dreams! Her bright white keys practically grinning at me sealed the deal. Now, just to clarify, she is not an ACTUAL piano, but a digital piano. The sound of fully digital, but the keys are weighted and is 88 long. She is compact and beautiful, sleek and shiny. the perfect size and feel, I just had to have her.

So I am a proud new owner of a piano. I look at this as something that I will have for that rest of my life. I am excited to see this as a tool that I can use to magnify this little piano talent of mine.