The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear

I was very fortunate this year to attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concert featuring Alfie Boe, Tom Brokaw, and the Candy Bomber, Gail Halvorsen. It was easily one of the most fantastic performances I've ever been to. Mix Alfie Boe's amazing tenor voice with Tom Brokaw's incredible story of the Candy Bomber, as well as Richard Elliot's crazy organ-playing talents, and you're in for a night filled with emotion. It was truly a memorable event. Watch a snippet of the night here.

 

 I was able to attend the concert twice, and one of them happened to be Sunday morning. We were told not to applaud because it was a live recording for 'Music and the Spoken Word.' Let me tell you, that was not an easy task. It took all I had not to applaud because the story of the Candy Bomber is so incredible (you HAVE to watch it when it comes out on video) and Alfie Boe is amazing. 

Alfie played Jean Valjean in the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables so he sang, "Bring Him Home." It brought me to tears each time. You can listen to it here. I promise you won't regret it.

I snuck a picture of the Boe's, Brokaw's, and Halvorsen's posing for a picture after the Sunday concert. :)

I feel beyond blessed to live so close to Temple Square and that I'm able to attend its incredible events. If you want to listen to more of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Christmas concerts, or any of their other music, check out their YouTube website here. It's pure awesomeness. :)

O Come, Emmanuel

Kindgom Builder

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren't married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and are therefore being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood army to earth. He wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the Gospel, and what better training can young woman have than that of serving a mission?" -Gordon B. Hinckley

I have never felt so much relief, happiness, excitement, and peace in my life. This feels so right. I know the Church of Jesus Christ is true. I can't wait to spread that truth, to be a servant of the Lord, and share to the world the wonderful light and joy the Gospel brings.

As President Hanks always says, "Kingdom Builders: It's not what we do, it's who we are."

More info here

There's No Place Like Home

image via google

• Family
• Dick's glazed donuts
• Savanna's cooking
• Naps with Karissa
• Familiar streets 
• Fall decor around the house
• My bed
• General Conference with the family
• Homemade tacos
• An unexpected but very delightful call from my cousin, Tiffany, just to see how I'm doing. 
• Seeing friends I haven't seen in forever (aka Merrisa, Laura, Dallas, James, etc.)
• Shopping at Dick's (donuts, round 2) and talking with someone I knew every 30 seconds. It doesn't get better than Dick's. 
• The temple on the hill
• Seeing the valley from the Boulevard
• The people of B-Town
• Sunsets
• Show Tunes Saturday
• The smell of my house
• Being home

Just a Thought

While browsing around on lds.org, I found this little article/video. I saw the world "neonatal" on the sidebar, and it immediately caught my attention (you see, I want to be a neonatal nurse someday). Reading/listening/watching the article made me think of humanitarian efforts and the Church welfare program in a whole new way. It really got me pondering and I realized that someday I could be doing the same things these nurses are doing for babies around the world. I can make a difference, serve, and save lives. I can restore hope and lift people's spirits with the love that is shared. I can give back to others after receiving so much myself from what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has offered me. I can change the world, even if in the smallest of ways. We all can make a difference. That is a powerful thing.