Savior of the World

I auditioned for Savior of the World last week. I just felt like it was something I needed to do. It turned out to be a beautiful experience. I went to the walk-in audition at BYU on a whim. I went home from my piano class on Thursday, picked a song to audition with, made a cut in the music, got a bit dressed up, and went on my way. I was ever so slightly nervous but, I wasn't really expecting anything. If I made it, fantastic. I would spend the Christmas season performing on a stage telling the story of the life of Jesus Christ. If I didn't make it, I would have other opportunities to perform and another audition experience. I got called in with a group of about 15 people. We all sang for eachother. Some as soloists and some as families. Some sang simple hymns and others sang musical theatre pieces. Our "judge" (though I don't think it is fair to call her that because she wasn't judging anyone...simply listening and evoking emotion from the auditionees) would have most everyone sing twice and have them use the words from their song, no matter what it was, to bear testimony and think of the Savior. I have two favorite moments. First, a family of three stepped forward and sang sweetly and shyly the words "If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do, would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true? Would I follow his example? Would I live more righteously, if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?" It was lovely. I was overwhelmed with how true those simple words are. Then a girl about my age sang "Someone like you" beautifully. Gale asked her to sing it again thinking about that "someone" being the Savior and she asked her to express that feeling seeking and finding the Lord. She began to cry while singing. It was evident that she could not contain those feelings and could barely get through the song but it was far more powerful to hear it sung that way.

Realizations.

Vacation for two weeks at home was bliss. I realized how tired I was after finals and about 11 months of school straight. I loved being at BYU for the spring and summer and even found it hard to just relax and read a book without feeling like I had somewhere to be or something to run off and do. I made myself do it. I spent two days by the pool, guiltless, doing nothing but reading for hours in the sunshine. I missed that feeling...the summer with nothing to do but have fun. Still, I felt it was necessary to accomplish something so, I read a good book. Even in high school, I would sit by the pool and read my text books and do summer reading before classes started. I must always be doing at least two things at once. It was bliss to be home though, like I said. I lathered up the sunblock, which smelled delightful, some sunglasses, a glass of water, with a book in hand and my fluffy terrier-mutt at my side, I relaxed. Whenever my skin began to "glisten", I would just take a dip in the gently sparkling water of the pool, swim a few laps, and get back to reading. It was beautiful.
I did enjoy other things while in California. My first night there, I headed to the Oakland Temple with Mom and Dad, Aunt LuAnn, and the Murray family where Chris went through. I wished I could be there with everyone. I did baptisms and walked around the balcony imagining the beautiful things going on inside. The lights across the city below me, the stars above me, and the peace of being near the house of the Lord made me feel as if I was in heaven. What a lovely experience. I walked down from the balcony only to find the iron gates leading to the courtyard of the temple locked. I felt strange being locked there. I wanted to yell for a guard but didn't feel like disrupting the spirit of the temple. Luckily, the guard was only patrolling the upper level and came down to let me out. A couple from China who had just moved to Oakland was also there with me waiting to be let out. They were just there visiting. I asked them if they liked the temple and they told me it was beautiful. I wanted to share more with them about the temple. They weren't members and wondered what it was but, they left as soon as the guard came. I then waited for everyone inside and read the story of Alma and Amulek in prison where they did not save themselves from the torture they endured until they were filled with righteous indignation and the prison walls crumbled. That story really came to life for me then and I could visualize the scene. Everyone finally came out and it was like a little reunion of family and friends. I love those people.
Saturday, was chill. Mom and I slept in and I showed her some of my sweet dance moves. Trisha came over and we practiced "His Hands" for Chris' "farewell". Then, one of the highlights of the two weeks, nay, my life: I met my niece!!! She is so precious.