New Ward

We attended a stake meeting after our regular meetings today.  Several of the wards in the Ft. Lauderdale Stake have been struggling.  Ours has been one of them.  By the end of June, we will have lost over 35 people!  In fact, as the stake put it, there were a couple of wards whose numbers were under what is required for a ward.  So, the stake redid our boundaries.

Our ward was disbanded and our members were incorporated  into three different wards.  Our new ward is Plantation.  Almost all of the women who I had been doing things with are now in another ward, but there will be opportunities to meet and get to know new women.  We met our new bishop and he seems happy that we are in his ward.  Several of the women I met during "Savior of the World" are in the Plantation ward and they are excited that we will be in their ward, which makes me feel good.

So, suddenly, Mark and I have no calling.  We are going to take advantage of that by going to Disney World this weekend.  We were supposed to go this past weekend, but so much started happening at the temple site, that Mark felt he needed to be there.  That's fine.  That is why we are here. 

So, the adventure continues.

Savior of the World

This is the set from our production of "Savior of the World".  Isn't it awesome?  Gary Rogers, our Technical Director, who works as a stage manager for a large theater in Miami, was able to build what you can see on the stage from materials the Florida Grand Opera was getting rid of.  The stairs he was able to borrow from them.  So we got all the materials for our sets for free!  This and many more incredible blessings made this production possible.

We did three performances Easter weekend.  What a wonderful experience to be able to testify of the Savior's resurrection in this way!  So many people were touched by our production.  Everyone gave their all and it really showed!  There were a couple of songs that needed a bit more help so I ended up directing the cast in the back of the cultural hall with glo-sticks (they liked the green best!)  I felt like I was directing airline traffic because I had to direct so big, but the silliness I felt was worth it because it really helped everyone stay with the music.  Mark bought long cords so I could stand in the center of the cultural hall on a stool and direct with headphones on.  Some times I had to direct with my eyes closed so I could really concentrate on the music.

I was touched over and over again by this wonderful production.  When the Savior came out, it brought tears to my eyes almost every time.  I could imagine what it would have been like to have seen him again.  It has reminded me that nothing is more important than living the kind of life that will enable me to be with Jesus and Heavenly Father again with my family.  Sometimes it's difficult to focus on that when the world sends out its many siren songs intending to distract us.  And it is so easy to become distracted from what's really important.

We got so many comments from audience members about how much they enjoyed the production and how touched they were.  My visiting teaching companion said her husband cried like a baby.  I think many did weep tears.

Anyway it was a privilege to be a part of this.  And it was a blessing for Mark to be involved too, although it really took him out of his comfort zone.  He may never participate in this again, but this time he was among those who felt the hands of the Savior and looked into his face along with all of the other apostles.  I'm very grateful for that because I know he was deeply touched at times.

I love the camaraderie of working in a production like this.  It's been a blessing because we have gotten to know many in the stake.  What would have taken us years of living here has happened in a few short months.  It is amazing to me how a part of the ward and stake I feel after only living here since Christmas.  I love it!  And I am so grateful to the Lord for blessing us with this opportunity.

It looks now like we may do the first act at Christmas time.  Next year we will be getting ready for the big celebration of the temple open house and dedication, so it seems like the best time to do this program.  The final decision has yet to be made.

Enjoy the pictures from the production.

Angel rolling away the stone.

Mary Magdalene mourns at the tomb.

Mary Magdalene

Mary sees her resurrected Savior.

Many graves were opened.

The women rejoice!

Cleopus and the disciple have seen the Lord on the way to Emmaus.

The apostles feel the Savior's hands.

Philip also feels the Savior's hands.

I love President Bartholomew's expression (disciple)

Thomas believes.

The apostles gather around Jesus.  Peter tells them they will now go to Galilee to fish.

Children have ye any meat?

The apostles have received their mission calls.

Looking into heaven.  The Savior's ascension.

Cast and crew of "Savior of the World", Fort Lauderdale Stake.

Me at rehearsal.