Wow!

For the past 6 days I’ve been heavily involved with the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concerts, and I just have to say “WOW!” It was an awesome experience! You can’t imagine the countless hours of preparation that goes into one of those concerts, from the elaborate stage decorations, to the dancers, soloists (Renee Fleming was absolutely Amazing!) and guest artists (Claire Bloom was also Incredible), all the songs the choir learns, some at the last minute because they are still being written, and all the people behind the scenes. There must be at least 100 support people behind the scenes driving carts around, talking into their walkie-talkies, stage managers telling you when to go on, camera and sound men, make-up artists, etc.

And the whole thing was absolutely astounding how wonderfully it came together. I’m extremly grateful that I could be involved in that experience. Friday night when I looked out I saw President Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson sitting in the front row–if that doesn’t make you want to do your best, I don’t know what does. And Sunday morning after the broadcast and mini concert, President Hinckley and President Faust came up to the stage and thanked the guest artists for coming (they waive their fees and donate their time) and invited them back anytime. It was Craig Jessop’s birthday, so he led the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to him, and wished us all a Merry Christmas. At the end, he said, “Now we’ll sing ‘God be with you till we meet again’ and hope that it happens,” and waved as he left the stage. ‘

When we left the stage and went to go put our bells away, there was a bunch of security because President Hinckley was just getting into a cart. President Faust was 5 feet from me, and said “Good job” right to me. Wow! It’s not every day, or, well, ever, that I’m standing by the prophet. It was a real thrill.

I’m especially thankful for Ryan. He (and a couple of babysitters) watched the kids for so many hours this week so I could be at rehearsal, and all those concerts. He really is wonderful! He didn’t even get to see the concert because we had a sick child over the weekend, and didn’t feel comfortable leaving him with a babysitter. So, even though it was a very tough, tiring, long week, it was extremely rewarding and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it.