Music Makes My Heart Sing

Two Sundays ago, we had Stake Conference. Can I just tell you how much I love Stake Conference? For one thing, I get to listen to our awesome Stake leaders and their counsel, and secondly, the music is incredible. I was fortunate to sing in the stake choir this year under the direction of Michael Huff. He is the most amazing choir director on earth. Seriously. He's a musical genius. It was his last year conducting us because he moved to Logan to teach at USU (I can't wait to sing under his direction again when I'm there). Anyway, singing in the choir was unbelievable. The music we sang (most of it composed by Brother Huff) was beautiful. Each rehearsal consisted of two hours of a spiritual high. I learned so much, not just about choral singing, but of the Gospel and my Savior's love for me. Two Hymns/songs that really stuck to me were, "Let the Holy Spirit Guide," (such a short Hymn, but so powerful) and "I Know That My Savior Loves Me." The first accompanied President Hanks' talk, which was so inspiring. The second was sung with a small orchestra and it felt like Angels were singing along with us. I could really feel my Savior's love surround me. The Spirit was so tangible and my testimony burned like fire inside me. I love music. It's the source that brings the Spirit to me the quickest and I love it. I will never forget this experience.

Youth Conference

{The girls in my ward heading to the dance}

I absolutely love my stake. I could win an argument against anyone who says their stake is better than mine, because there is no way my stake can be topped. This year for youth conference we went as a stake to Snow College. It was insanely fun. We did a sweet ropes course, had a super fun dance where the boys actually asked the girls to dance (yes!). I think I danced all the slow dances but one. Way to go boys! We played awesome games, had a wicked water fight. And if you've heard rumors about a fire truck being there, you've heard correctly. That's right. When my Stake President said he was "King" of the water fight, the challenge was on, and he had some big competition. He obviously kept his reign as King when he borrowed the local fire station's fire truck and made good use of it. It was sa-weet. We of course had spiritual fun, and went and saw the Manti Pageant. It was awesome. My favorite part was when someone actually stood on top of the Manti temple pretending to be Angel Moroni. We also had a morningside on the last day. It was waaay too short of a youth conference. One more day and it would have been perfect. We officially concluded with a fireside on Sunday with a slide show, testimonies, and music. We also presented President Hanks with a little fireman jacket that everyone signed. He loved it. :) Like I said, I love my stake. I'm going to miss the incredible leaders and all the great fun we have. I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts.