One thing that I absolutely love is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I love starting out my Mondays in Institute. I am in the Eternal Family class which is now a keystone class for all Institute graduates. Its taught by one of my absolute favorite people, Bishop Rasmussen. It is truly an AMAZING class. Its about finding and developing yourself so that you can strengthen your spouse and your family and just the importance of family.
This week was nuts! It was the big week of the 20th anniversary spectacular!
I basically went to school, homework, work, and then rehearsals for the special inauguration show that the choir was apart of entitle The Impossible Dream. The whole campus has been working tirelessly for this event. Everything has been painted and changed and updated. We got fans in the arena and new grass. It looked great!
The Stoddard Center is now Red!
I promise you that the Lord was with us. How we put together an entire show in 3 weeks is beyond me! It was stressful and chaotic and most people were sick and frusterated but we did it!
Wednesday was our first performance. It went well! There were many numbers from various shows performed. Things from Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods, Your a Good Man Charlie Brown, just to name a few. It really was such a fun show! And a very cool thing to have the opportunity to sit on the stage for the whole show every night.
Thursdays show also went well!!
Friday I went down to breakfast earlier than normal to get some food and work on homework. As I walked down, I noticed a man in basketball shorts and a t-shirt just smiling talking to someone. As I sat down with my book and food in the dinning all, the man came in to look around. Way later in the day I realized that that was him! ELDER RASBAND! In all of his t-shirt glory! It was awesome!
Friday was the Inauguration ceremony at 2pm. The only problem was that it was SO hot in the arena! We had a few musical numbers and speakers including Elder Rasband. His theme was One By One. We serve One by One. We performed our unofficial school song, Shenandoah, and angels were truly with us. We never stay on key. But WE DID THIS TIME!
Here is a great link about the event!
https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-rasband-speaks-at-inauguration-of-southern-virginia-universitys-president?lang=eng
Friday night was our big performance of the show. It was filled with mostly alumni and Elder Rasband with the other members of the 70 that were there. It was a really cool experience. Everything went wrong. I turned way to early at the beginning of the show, someone forgot a key prop, a broom broke mid song, some notes were missed, yet there was such a special spirit in the room and everyone was calm and happy. It was fun to be sitting on stage seeing Elder Rasband on the front row with his wife just smiling.
Jake: Can you man bun me right now?
Sometimes I sit and think about all the amazing and crazy people I know. And how changing one decision, coming to SVU, would result in me not knowing these incredible people.
Saturday was also very special! We had a YSA face to face type devotional. We were able to submit questions and they picked quite a few for Elder Rasband (or whomever he felt needed to) to answer. The whole theme was that we are all awesome. We are all on the right path and we need to keep going. Remember that you are a child of a Heavenly Father who loves you and knows you! He told us to "Keep Truckin Brother!" Keep going! What important things to remember! Especially constantly remembering our divine heritage.
After the event the YSA Stake put together a wonderful event. They catered dinner for everyone, had games, root beer floats, and then a dance. It was delightful! Especially the root beer floats.
We had a combined Stake Conference Sunday morning. We met at the family building in Lexington and it was broadcast to 3 or 4 different stakes as well. The choir performed two numbers so I got to sit in the choir seats right on stage with Elder Rasband. I was very grateful to be a member of the choir in that moment. When Elder Rasband walked in and saw us he said, "One of my favorite choirs!"
We had many speakers which were all great. Elder Rasband spoke about the importance of the home and teaching children about the gospel. It was really special. He closed his remarks and the choir sang God Be With You Till We Meet Again. Elder Rasband turned around with tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and everyone else. He wanted to stay and meet all of us. He sincerely thanked us for performing.
It was so special to feel of his love all week. To hear his words three times in three days. That was one of the main things I took from the whole week. Love. Love for ourselves, love for others, love for prophets, love for Elder Rasband.
One of his closing remarks really hit me. He said, "Don't remember me, remember I helped bring you unto Christ this weekend." That was the key. God calls prophets and apostles. They are here on this earth to help guide his church in these latter days. As they speak and teach us, they are ultimately bringing us closer to Christ. How special. How amazing.
I love starting out my Mondays in Institute. I am in the Eternal Family class which is now a keystone class for all Institute graduates. Its taught by one of my absolute favorite people, Bishop Rasmussen. It is truly an AMAZING class. Its about finding and developing yourself so that you can strengthen your spouse and your family and just the importance of family.
This week was nuts! It was the big week of the 20th anniversary spectacular!
I basically went to school, homework, work, and then rehearsals for the special inauguration show that the choir was apart of entitle The Impossible Dream. The whole campus has been working tirelessly for this event. Everything has been painted and changed and updated. We got fans in the arena and new grass. It looked great!
The Stoddard Center is now Red!
I promise you that the Lord was with us. How we put together an entire show in 3 weeks is beyond me! It was stressful and chaotic and most people were sick and frusterated but we did it!
Wednesday was our first performance. It went well! There were many numbers from various shows performed. Things from Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods, Your a Good Man Charlie Brown, just to name a few. It really was such a fun show! And a very cool thing to have the opportunity to sit on the stage for the whole show every night.
Thursdays show also went well!!
Friday I went down to breakfast earlier than normal to get some food and work on homework. As I walked down, I noticed a man in basketball shorts and a t-shirt just smiling talking to someone. As I sat down with my book and food in the dinning all, the man came in to look around. Way later in the day I realized that that was him! ELDER RASBAND! In all of his t-shirt glory! It was awesome!
Friday was the Inauguration ceremony at 2pm. The only problem was that it was SO hot in the arena! We had a few musical numbers and speakers including Elder Rasband. His theme was One By One. We serve One by One. We performed our unofficial school song, Shenandoah, and angels were truly with us. We never stay on key. But WE DID THIS TIME!
Here is a great link about the event!
https://www.lds.org/church/news/elder-rasband-speaks-at-inauguration-of-southern-virginia-universitys-president?lang=eng
Friday night was our big performance of the show. It was filled with mostly alumni and Elder Rasband with the other members of the 70 that were there. It was a really cool experience. Everything went wrong. I turned way to early at the beginning of the show, someone forgot a key prop, a broom broke mid song, some notes were missed, yet there was such a special spirit in the room and everyone was calm and happy. It was fun to be sitting on stage seeing Elder Rasband on the front row with his wife just smiling.
Jake: Can you man bun me right now?
Sometimes I sit and think about all the amazing and crazy people I know. And how changing one decision, coming to SVU, would result in me not knowing these incredible people.
Saturday was also very special! We had a YSA face to face type devotional. We were able to submit questions and they picked quite a few for Elder Rasband (or whomever he felt needed to) to answer. The whole theme was that we are all awesome. We are all on the right path and we need to keep going. Remember that you are a child of a Heavenly Father who loves you and knows you! He told us to "Keep Truckin Brother!" Keep going! What important things to remember! Especially constantly remembering our divine heritage.
After the event the YSA Stake put together a wonderful event. They catered dinner for everyone, had games, root beer floats, and then a dance. It was delightful! Especially the root beer floats.
We had a combined Stake Conference Sunday morning. We met at the family building in Lexington and it was broadcast to 3 or 4 different stakes as well. The choir performed two numbers so I got to sit in the choir seats right on stage with Elder Rasband. I was very grateful to be a member of the choir in that moment. When Elder Rasband walked in and saw us he said, "One of my favorite choirs!"
We had many speakers which were all great. Elder Rasband spoke about the importance of the home and teaching children about the gospel. It was really special. He closed his remarks and the choir sang God Be With You Till We Meet Again. Elder Rasband turned around with tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and everyone else. He wanted to stay and meet all of us. He sincerely thanked us for performing.
It was so special to feel of his love all week. To hear his words three times in three days. That was one of the main things I took from the whole week. Love. Love for ourselves, love for others, love for prophets, love for Elder Rasband.
One of his closing remarks really hit me. He said, "Don't remember me, remember I helped bring you unto Christ this weekend." That was the key. God calls prophets and apostles. They are here on this earth to help guide his church in these latter days. As they speak and teach us, they are ultimately bringing us closer to Christ. How special. How amazing.
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