Merry Christmas Dear Friend

     I just have to share this with someone who will understand that I am not bragging or blowing my own horn, I truly believe that I am just a funeral singer, but the past week has been amazing!!!! Last Sunday was the Temple Worker's Devotional. Our Stake Choir sang two numbers and I was privileged to be asked to sing "O Holy Night" with Rene Hernandez on the organ and Sherilee Broadbent on the piano. The spirit was so strong. I was able to share my testimony to my fellow workers through music that I know my Savior lives and loves us. It was a wonderful gift to be able to give to these special people that I have come to love so much. I got asked again if I sang with the Tabernacle Choir. They just don't understand when I tell them that "no", I am just a funeral singer.

     On Friday afternoon I got an amazing Christmas present that I really needed. President and Sister Petersen decided that I needed to have more sleep so I would be ready for our Choir Christmas Devotional so they told Lon and I not to come into the temple before 7:00 AM on Saturday. Being on the AM Shift all week, I really was starting to wear down and those extra three hours were welcomed!!! I was able to come home at 12:30 and take a nap but poor Elder Thompson ended up there till almost 3:00. He was so tired. We had our dress rehearsal at 5:00 so he didn't get much of a rest.

      Sunday was the most spiritual Sabbath I can ever remember and I sang better than I can ever remember.  In fact, I'm not sure it was me at all. Sacrament Meeting started with Rene and Sherilee playing a piano duet. Then, our Bishop Figueroa and a friend did a viola and violin duet, WOW. Rene and Sherilee did a violin and piano duet and I got to play the organ, Sherilee on the piano, and Rene played "O Holy Night" on the violin. Luciana and I sang "The First Noel" with Rene playing Cannon D on the violin and Sherilee on the piano. It was fantastic because we had only practiced once because Luciana was at LOY (EFY) all week. The music was so amazing. Our Bishopric each spoke and the Christmas Spirit was so amazing. We didn't want the meeting to end. Then, I was in charge of our missionary Sunday meal. I had frozen the turkey carcass so I made home-made noodles. The Wall's weren't supposed to be here so we invited the full time missionaries and then the Wall's got home early with the Mendezes. So that pot of noodles ended up feeding 16 with a bowl left for Lon and I for dinner one day. Talk about loaves and fishes!

 

     Our Devotional started at 5:00. It was an old fashioned Christmas program with scriptures by the narrator followed by a song to tell the story of the birth of our Savior. Our choir never sounded better. Luciana and I again sang and it was perfect. I sang "O Holy Night" this time with Rene on the violin and Sherilee on the piano. It was the best I have ever sounded. It was powerful and the spirit was again so strong. It was a WOW moment for me. I also got to sing "And He Shall Feed His Sheep". After the program, President Petersen hugged me and whispered in my ear that he knows that I had been preparing for years to come here and testify of my Savior through music. I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father has given me this choice experience, not just to testify to others, but to feel the spirit so strong that my testimony has been strengthened also.

 

      I want you to know that I have a testimony of the power of the priesthood. When I was set apart, I was promised that my talents would be renewed and magnified. Wow has that ever come true. I love my Heavenly Father and I am so thankful for His Son and His redeeming sacrifice for me. Merry Christmas and I pray that your New Year will be filled with tender mercies and miracles for you and your family. May God bless you in all you do With all my love, Nancy