Standing next to a Model A Ford with Santa inside, you would never guess that an hour earlier Gary had experienced one of the more triumphant moments of his life. Friday night we
went with the other four senior missionaries to our Orange Third ward Christmas party. We had no more than sat down when Peggy Davis, the organizer of the enter -tainment, came to our table and asked if any of us could fill in as Shepherd in a live nativity scene. Well, Gary stuck his neck out, raised his hand and said that he would, even though he had only heard the piece of music once. So after practicing the number with the accompanist four times, he gathered on stage with the rest of 'almost-authentically-dressed' scene to sing "You Were Not There in Bethlehem" from Michael McLean's "The Forgotten Carols." For having just learned the piece tonight, he turned out to be one of the best singers and wowed the ward members! (Peggy was effusive with praise that he would volunteer for such a task.) After doing so well, Gary felt a confidence in his faith since he had prayed for divine assistance -- and received it! Gary also felt honored to share the stage with two young girls whose voices were perfectly angelic and near professional: Maddy and Katie Davis, originally from Springville.
After Gary's performance and the finishing of his Christmas dinner and dessert, we all left to go see some Christmas lights, including the one below in Orange. Full of thousands of lights, animations, a train, and a host and hostess Santa Claus and wife handing out candy canes and wishing Merry Christmas, this was easily the most spectacular home Christmas decorations we have ever seen!
Our days of the week were filled to the brim with duties too numerous to mention. Saturday was our 22nd anniversary, so we drove to the hills of east Orange and ended up having our anniversary dinner at Marie Callendar's, served by an LDS girl, whom we saw in church the next day! Earlier we did the riverwalk along the Santa Ana River -- 80 degrees!
We should also mention that Thursday night Gary auditioned for a tenor spot in the Orange County Mormon Chorus and Orchestra. Everything went well, including a comment of "very nice" from the composer of the new oratorio "Messiah in America" after Gary sang the high tenor line of "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercies." (Gary will find out by the end of the year whether he made it into the choir.)
Finally, Signe accompanied the ward choir in two numbers of our Christmas program: "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night." It was awesome! Then we attended a baptism in Anaheim Hills two hours later -- the same building where Signe's niece Michelle West attends church. We both feel that we have participated more in Christmas celebrations this year than at any time in our lives: and we feel very blessed and humbled by it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!
No comments:
Post a Comment