Nearer My God, To Thee

Quick little tender mercy story. So tomorrow (at 11:25 MST, in case you'd like to pray for me :) ) I have a choir audition! AHHH! My first college choir audition. I might be freaking out. A lot. So I came back to my apartment to practice around 8, thinking all my roommates would be out at the orientation stuff still happening. (Don't worry, I was very active ALL day, so I didnt really miss out on anything!) Well turns out one of my suite mates had indeed come back. Well, I was distraught, and I couldnt remember which song I was going to be singing, and it was a rough hour or so. But then, I thought to pray! What a novel idea. INSTANTLY I remembered one song, and just 2 minutes later I remembered the other. Then I had the impression to go into the laundry room in the basement. I was thinking no one would be down there, hopefully, since they might all have been at the orientation thing. Well, as soon as I walked down the stairs, I saw a dark room open. I thought it weird that someone would have left their room open, so I peeked in, and there was just a teeny tiny room, leading to another room, with a piano. My goodness, did I know, at that moment, that Heavenly Father was looking out for me. I closed the two doors, and sang my heart out, more than I had in a long while. It was absolutely perfect. While this may be one of the hardest experiences I have ever endured thus far in my life, I know that my Father has a plan. What it is, I have no idea. But boy, does he have me working/stretching/reaching hard already, which is... needful :)

Praise to the Man pt 1

The past three days I spent in Kirtland, OH with around 280 14-18 year olds experiencing fantastic things.
DAY ONE.
First, we visited the Johnson farm in Hiram. We arrived at the Leesburg building at 4 am, drove a good 6 hours to Hiram, sang (FANTASTICALLY) an arrangement of Praise to the Man, which I had the honor of conducting, spent a good 4 hours in sweltering 95 degree, 90% humidity weather touring around the farm and going to classes taught by the anchors of our stake. (Taggs, Dicksons...) We then arrived at Lake Erie College and set our stuff in our dorms. Dinner and the last youth dance I'll ever attend followed that. On our way back from the dance, our stake leaders set up an extremely memorable reenactment of the tar and feathering of Joseph Smith. At the end, a single person began singing "We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet." Needless to say, it was extremely moving. Then, the worst night of sleep followed. If you can call it sleep. It was so incredibly hot, and sticky, it was pretty miserable. But I did fall into a sleep, which is more than some people can say. Anyways, the next day was so great that it didn't seem to matter
DAY TWO.
Woke up early, ate breakfast, and then rotated in our six buses around Kirtland. Our group had the opportunity to tour the temple first. It had a different feel about it; not necessarily bad, just different. After the introductory video, the curtains opened showing a magnificent view of the temple just a few yards away. It took my breath away. We walked around the temple and heard a lot about the architecture, decorations and uses of the designs in the temple. Then our leaders (Brother Dickson was my "Papa Pratt" :) had the insight to sit us down in the conveniently located park benches in the shade outside the temple and we discussed what we had heard and seen. I was grateful for their testimonies and their willingness to teach us the truth. Our tour guide was nice enough, but like many others said, there was something missing. The Spirit, obviously. We then went to the LDS Visitors Center where the Whitney Store was located. That was powerful. Our tour guide, the sweet Sister Olsen, was more than I could have asked for. She had the most sincere and unselfish spirit about her. She was so focused on bringing the Spirit, I can't imagine anyone in that room not feeling the Spirit for at least a second. She bore her testimony countless times as she talked about each room, and even invited us to share our testimonies of the Prophet Joseph. Good ol' Heather stepped in to save the day there :) (By the way, Amy, Kasee, Heather and I were all in the same group. How'd that happen?!) As we walked into the School of the Prophets, I was first startled at how small it was. I had heard that 25 to 30 men would come to hear Joseph preach, yet the room was so limited. The highlight of that room for me was the testimony of Thomas B. Marsh's vision of Christ. He said that he only saw Him for a moment, before the vision was closed, but he was overwhelmed with a powerful feeling of love that he felt just as strongly for an additional 6 months. After the tour, we went to the visitors center where we watched a beautiful video about Brother Joseph. One thing that I loved about the movie was that he seemed so real and so human. Sometimes we build him up so much in our heads, rightly so, but I also need to remember he was mortal, human, full of flaws; just like me. I also felt a sincere love for the Prophet who courageously brought forth the gospel again on the Earth. Later that evening, we had the opportunity to have a sacrament meeting in the temple. It was peaceful, yet powerful as well. I can't say that I had a vision appear to me, but just being in that room, I felt loved and felt the Spirit of the early saints and their faith. The choir sang a few songs, one being "In This Very Room" which was such a neat song to be singing in the temple where Christ appeared on the breastwork of the pulpit. I think I can say for all of the youth that it was certainly a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Dog Days Are Over

I am a graduate. Words cannot express the joy my heart feels in that I will not ever have to be a student at Heritage High School again. No more SAT's. No more AP junk. No more mystery meat in our salads at lunch. No more gross, nasty, inappropriate make-out sessions in front of MY locker that result in my tardiness to classes. No more crude language in the hallways. No more pink spik-ed hair kids. No more unnecessary homework assignments regarding why I chose to be in environmental explorations. No more early morning club meetings. No more!

On the other hand, no more choir. No more Mrs. Riley and her hilarious/crazy antics. No more mornings and afternoons spent in the choir room. No more Jazz- no more twelve. No more small, tight-knit family feelings with these people.

I know we all say that we will keep in touch; I really hope we do! But how many people actually do that? I hope that in ten years I can look back and say that I still good friends with some of these people- because they are such good people and are so amazing.

Graduation was such a blur of a day. It rained in the morning, so we had to move inside for the ceremony. It was small and cramped, but we all graduated, which was the point. So mission accomplished, I guess. I, of course being a W, waited for a good half and hour before my line stood up (class of 430... it took a while). My name was called, I walked across the stage, shook a few hands, posed for the camera, and then walked off. That was it. I had waited SO LONG for that moment, and it was gone in a flash. I was so happy though. It was a small fleeting moment, but so worth it!

Mom planned a fun little lunch and the Cummings, Wrides and Carpenters came over- it was good food, and really good company! Then Lisa Carpenter paid for Amy, Kasee and I to get mani/pedi's at Lansdowne resort. Then Amy and I spent the night at the hotel, eating delicious foods, spending time in the jacuzzi and chilling in the room. It was a blast of a night and the perfect way to celebrate!

I'm spending my summer working (unfortunately) and doing other stuff. Like Youth Conference, trip to Palmyra, Washington state, Cedar City and all that fun stuff!

Next stop: Brigham Young University. GO COUGARS!

Off and On

There isn't much to say this week, but I did make a new years resolution to blog every Sunday, so here I am!
Oh I did get into BYU! WOO! I'm pretty excited! But now its time to make the decision. Partially I think it depends on if I get into the music therapy program at Utah State, so we'll see what happens with that. I did my best, and I felt pretty good about my audition tape. So now it all rests in the hands of... whoever decides these things.
Oklahoma is in FULL swing. So full I am to stay after school EVERY day until April 1st. awesome. My guess? We'll have plenty of weekend rehearsals too. SCORE. But I'm having a ton of fun. Its a great show and so fun.
Right now, most of my thoughts are geared towards college decisions and it is stressing me out. BAH. I know I'll have a great experience wherever I go, but I just have no idea where I'm supposed to go. But I will continue to pray. It's so difficult because I love my friends here and it would be a BLAST to be with them in college. But I also feel like I might miss out on some other opportunities at college if I only hung out with them. But I love them:( raaaaah.


AND, sweet baby Sadie Beth Weaver was born on Feb 18th, 2011! Kate had a baby? Why yes she did. And she is so stinking adorable, too! Plus, she's got a fantastic middle name... ;)

My choir went up to New York last weekend and it was lots of fun! I had some good friends around me, which made it fun. We saw Lion King, Phantom and the Bartered Bride at Julliard. All of which were amazing. AMAZING. But i have to say my favorite part was when we sang at the Weschester Children's Hospital on Friday afternoon. It was such a happy and optimistic environment, and the children who came to see us sing were so sweet and wonderful. The other two headstart teachers and I did the eensie weensie spider and twinkle twinkle with all the kids, and I actually started to get a little emotional. There was one little girl in particular, Nikki, who was clapping and trying to do the hand motions the whole time, and I talked to her a little bit after. She was such a sweet little girl, blowing kisses and saying "Bye bye!" while attempting to walk away, but then would come right back to her mom. She was such a sweet little girl.
Well, the home teachers are coming soon. Carpsies and Quad B. two of my best friend's dads. it's a pretty sweet deal.

Right Now

Colleges, scholarships, auditions for music programs, Oklahoma! rehearsals, Choir trip to NY next weekend, Homework, AP tests, Dad being Obispo, not currently working because of OK rehearsals, temporarily shut down Facebook in order to save time for aforementioned commitments, sleep, not sleeping, etc. That is what is going on right now.

Pink Notes #4: In Memory Of

Mack, Macaroni, Mackadoodle, Wride's Prince Lad of Potomac.

This sweet dog has been in my life for almost 13 years. I basically grew up with him. We got him in 1998, and just this Saturday, January 22, 2011, he passed away. I've had my share of feeling sad and sorry, but I know that he is happier where he is now than he was his last few months. He certainly lived a full and, I like to think, a very happy life. So instead of a post of how sad I am that he will no longer be lying on the carpet in the morning when I leave for seminary, or that he will be sitting on the deck waiting for me to come home from school, I will instead share the sweet and tender memories I have of him.
-This dog loved his snow. I think that's why we got along so well :) When he was young and bouncy he would gallop and prance around in the snow, hence we called him a horse quite often. He loved it when we would throw a ball of snow up in the air and we would jump up and bite it.
-He absolutely hated stairs. And tile floors. And hardwood floors. And the fountain water bowls.
-He loved to drink out of the hose on hot summer days.
-He loved to be outside in the yard, sitting under the big tree out front or in back.
-He was such a good go-for-a-walk dog. When the neighborhood wasn't so developed, we would take him out for walks out in the forest, where we would cross the river, and "the pipe." We would let him off his leash and he would run and run and run.
-He loved the yard in Spain. He had lots of room to run around all day. Many days he wouldn't even come inside at night, he just wanted to be outside. I think those dang stupid magpie birds ruined that for him, eating his food and picking at his hair. Stupid birds.
-Adam and Peter's friends were over a lot during their high school days, and often they would spend the night. One morning, we awoke to Mack's white diamond shaped forehead colored with a purple marker. That poor dog.
-As a little girl, I would talk to him all the time. About my crazy friends (or those who I was fighting with over stupid things. :) ) or whatever. He was a wonderful listener.
-I remember one day when I was about 6 or 7 I decided I would run away from home. Obviously I didn't. But I did make it down the street before my dad and Mack came charging down the street after me.
-I remember coming home from school everyday in 8th grade, walking back from the bus stop, and hearing him bark, and get really excited. He was always so happy to see us come back from trips, too.
-I remember Daniel loooved to look at and pet Mack. Mack LOVED to be pet. Especially behind his ears and on his bum. Strange dog.
-In his later months and days, he would find ANYTHING on the floor, and lay on it. I would be looking for a pair of shoes, my purse, backpack, and of course there he was, laying on them. Sweet guy. He also liked to lay on his blankets. But as a puppy he never really liked his big dog pillow/bed thing.
-As a puppy he chewed lots of things, including shoes, dolls, linoleum floors, etc. Luckily, we were well equipped with lovely rugs to cover the gaping hole in the floor until the tile came. Which Mack did not appreciate.
-In our house in Spain, my room was on the main floor, just back through a small hallway. During thunderstorms, he would make his way back into my room. I think he just loved to be around people. He ended up sleeping in my room pretty frequently. Which I loved, too.
-He was born to herd, and herd is what he tried to do many a times. While on walks, with other dogs, with sledding, he would try and herd us. Crazy how instincts work, huh?
-Along with being a herding dog, boy did he love to bark. He was a very...vocal dog. :) I miss that sound now.
-He would drink lots and lots and lots of water every night while saying the dinner prayer. We conditioned him well, I suppose :)
-Dad loved Mack, and Mack loved him. Those crazy menfolk.

Mack was such a beautiful and strong and handsome dog, I can't imagine what he looks like now, in his glorified state:) As we said our last goodbyes to him, my dad said "Maybe Grandpa will take care of him now."

So Grandpa Rex and Grandma Carol, take care of Mack. We sure love him.

Thanks,Mack, for being such a wonderful dog.

Do You Believe in Magic?

What a week. What a week. So Monday was vocal auditions for the school musical, Oklahoma! It was quite exciting. Although I wasn't all that nervous, surprisingly, which was a fantastic surprise :)! SO Tuesday, we were supposed to have dance auditions, so of course the snow came and spoiled that for us. Wednesday we had a two hour delay and had dance auditions that evening. Thursday was callbacks, woot! And Friday I found out I got the part of Aunt Eller. She's the feisty old woman, who according the Grandma Wride, is the "backbone" of the show. In a way, Eller kind of reminds me of Grandma. So I'm really excited to show grandma what I can do:) She called me and told me that she was envious that I get to do this show, so I better do it well. I love that woman.

Just a small idea of what she's like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBf1Bkk8Gdk

So with rehearsals a plenty in my future, mom and I have decided that I need to make some cuts. Some things are additions that, while they are great and wonderful, I just don't have enough hours in the day to accomplish all that I need to and stay healthy and sane. Especially with college apps still in progress- that's kind of mandatory. But anywho, I just need to decide what it is that is going on hold.