“We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." Pres. Thomas S. Monson
I love this quote! Sacrament meeting was surprisingly uplifting today. By surprising, I don't mean that it usually isn't. Well, other than the fact that I usually spend more time and pay more attention to wrestling with and shushing kids. Today, the kids weren't especially reverent, but for some reason, between their wiggles, and noise, I heard the words of the returned missionary who spoke in our ward today.
I didn't catch every word, but his topic was Gratitude. And basically that we should have joy in the journey. Heavenly Father wants us to be Happy in this life, and showing gratitude will help us to do that!
For those of you who don't know, my calling in my ward is choir director. We have late church, so that makes is really hard to find a time to have practice. No matter what time we try, people whine (including me). We finally started meeting at someone's home in the morning, and we're starting to get a better turn out.
Well, today, the choir sang in sacrament meeting. I was so pleased with the turnout. We sang "All Creatures of our God and King" arranged by Mack Wilburg. If you didn't know, Mack Wilburg is the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I LOVE him! His hymn arrangements are amazing, beautiful, and I love to sing and listen to them. Someday, maybe a few years down the road, I aspire to be able to sing with the Tab choir under his direction. What an honor it would be to work with him!! Another dream I have.....Yes, I like to dream BIG!!!
Anyway, our ward choir sounded amazing, and thankfully I kept myself together through the end of the song. After singing it dozens of times during practice, you'd think I'd be "immune" to the song. I was touched from the beginning, and the spirit was so strong throughout the number that I have no doubt that angels were singing along with us.
Whenever I start to grumble about my church calling, the time comes along to perform in church, and it renews my testimony of how important music is to our meetings, and in the gospel. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to spread the gospel through my own music, and touch someone's life for good.
I love this quote! Sacrament meeting was surprisingly uplifting today. By surprising, I don't mean that it usually isn't. Well, other than the fact that I usually spend more time and pay more attention to wrestling with and shushing kids. Today, the kids weren't especially reverent, but for some reason, between their wiggles, and noise, I heard the words of the returned missionary who spoke in our ward today.
I didn't catch every word, but his topic was Gratitude. And basically that we should have joy in the journey. Heavenly Father wants us to be Happy in this life, and showing gratitude will help us to do that!
For those of you who don't know, my calling in my ward is choir director. We have late church, so that makes is really hard to find a time to have practice. No matter what time we try, people whine (including me). We finally started meeting at someone's home in the morning, and we're starting to get a better turn out.
Well, today, the choir sang in sacrament meeting. I was so pleased with the turnout. We sang "All Creatures of our God and King" arranged by Mack Wilburg. If you didn't know, Mack Wilburg is the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I LOVE him! His hymn arrangements are amazing, beautiful, and I love to sing and listen to them. Someday, maybe a few years down the road, I aspire to be able to sing with the Tab choir under his direction. What an honor it would be to work with him!! Another dream I have.....Yes, I like to dream BIG!!!
Anyway, our ward choir sounded amazing, and thankfully I kept myself together through the end of the song. After singing it dozens of times during practice, you'd think I'd be "immune" to the song. I was touched from the beginning, and the spirit was so strong throughout the number that I have no doubt that angels were singing along with us.
Whenever I start to grumble about my church calling, the time comes along to perform in church, and it renews my testimony of how important music is to our meetings, and in the gospel. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to spread the gospel through my own music, and touch someone's life for good.
(BTW, I had my final recording/editing session on Saturday. That sound engineer is a genius! It's going to turn out really good! I can't wait for you to hear it!)
Today, I'm thankful to be able to serve in my church, and for the many people in my ward to support me by coming to sing.
17 comments:
I'm glad that you have a great ward choir. Ours is, uh, interesting.
Yikes, glad some people are good at music (aka you) so there is music for people like me to enjoy!!!
I find it hard to keep myself together through many songs. Especially if they are about Jesus Christ. Uplifting post. Thanks, m
that is a wonderful post Sher!!!!
I learned a couple of things about you today...you're making your OWN recording! That's awesome. I'm seriously impressed. And way-ta-go with your calling. I LOVE music. I'm a singer as well. And your thoughts go right along with my last couple of posts! Thanks for the reinforcement. Yak at ya later. (Oh, and fun to link with you on Goodreads!)
That's great sher. our ward choir is sweet, but then again, i go to a tongan ward, they are amazing.
I love that quote too! In fact, Chris and I have to speak in church next week, and I am using it in my talk!
Hey I was wondering if you can direct me toward a good church piano solo. I have to do one in January, and all my music is so old. I want something new and beautiful. Any suggestions? Also, do you have sheet music to any of YOUR music? I would really be interested in purchasing some.
The choir was amazing! I could feel the angels too.
During practice, I started to get quite emotional, because my thoughts kept turning to Kaye (remember, she died 1 year ago...) She would have loved that song. Especially the low alto part. It made me miss her, but I could feel her singing right along with us... you have a knack for picking wonderful music!
I love getting to know you better... you are SO talented!!!
Thank you for sharing this!! You are so inspiring!! I wish you could be here to join our ward choir, I think you and our director are two peas in a pod when it comes to your passion for music.
I led our choir last month in singing "This is the Christ," which gets me every time I sing it.
I love that you were able to get something out of sacrament meeting and lead a beautiful number. Mack Wilburg does some amazing stuff.
Mack Wilberg is awesome! Love him exsept when I'm the pianist. Glad you had a good day.
You do an awesome job in Primary too. We were sitting on the backrow just watching you play, it was amazing just watching you play, it looks so effortless.
hey - I tagged you.
I love playing for the ward choir. Music brings so much to the meetings. That is a fabulous quote. I like when I can actually listen and feel the spirit.
I love that quote. I know Camille from when we were younger we both moved to Utah at the same time. Thanks for your blog, and letting others read. I love your idea of posting what you are thankful for.
how beautiful, i loved that you shared this.
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