Choir President

 

Choir President

At the end of each high school year, elections were held in choir for the next year’s officers in choir.  It was an exciting time.  The elections took a couple of days in choir class.  People were nominated for the different positions and then we voted.  There were several offices, and I had no thought that I would be nominated or elected.  The election process started with treasurer, I think, and worked their way to vice president and then president.  I was surprised when I was nominated for treasurer.  After the nominations, the candidates were sent out of the room, the candidates were discussed and the vote took place.  When I came back in, I found I did not get treasurer.  That was okay.  I was just pleased to be nominated.  I was then nominated for the next office and sent out again.  I didn’t get that one, either.  I guess while we were out, people could say what they wanted for the different candidates.  I was nominated for every single office.  Really.  Every, single one.  When I came back in after the vice president vote, a cute girl that I sat by in choir, Renee (a cheerleader and popular girl) whispered that they were saving me for president, and that is why I wasn’t winning any of the other offices.  Really?  Me?  I was so surprised and so very pleased. 

Sure enough, I was next nominated for president.  Margo Jensen was also nominated.  The class period was just about over.  Mrs. Schmidt, the choir teacher, suggested that we hold the election for president the next day and that each of the candidates should give a short speech before we voted.  I walked out of there so happy and so pleased that my fellow choir students thought that much of me. 

I went home and prepared my speech.   I liked to give speeches and I thought I prepared a pretty good one.  I carefully chose my outfit for the next day: my favorite lavender empire-waist knit dress and my white clogs.  I practiced my speech.  I was ready.

The next day I gave my speech and, I thought, did it well.  Then Margo gave her speech.  It was really good.  Really good. It just seemed more mature than mine.  We were sent out while the choir members voted.  I was so nervous, I was shaking.  When called back in, it was announced that Margo was our new choir president.  I put a smile on my face, but I was so sad.  I was so disappointed.  Renee whispered to me that the vote had been very close.  They had actually taken the vote twice to be sure.  That was a bit comforting.  I have to admit that Margo did a great job as president the next year.  I still really enjoyed being in the choir.  But there is still a little ache in my heart that I didn’t win that election. 

 

I’m not sure of the value of this story.  It is a sad story.  But maybe it is good to know that not every story has a happy ending.  Life is full of disappointments.  But the good always follows the bad.  That’s an important life lesson to learn.  There are ups and downs.  We need to survive the downs, knowing the ups are next.

 

This is a picture of the choir.  I am on the front row and Renee is to my left.  Margo, the one who won Choir president is on the top row.  She signed “Marge.”

 

Easter Decor at Our Houses

 This last Christmas we gave our children and families sacred Easter decorations.  We all collect Christmas nativities.  Now we are collecting Easter tomb scenes to display in our homes at Eastertime.  Here are some pictures of our homes all decorated for Easter.

May you have a glorious Easter celebration!

He is Risen!

Practicing Medicine in My Hometown

 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book written by Ken's good friend, a retired doctor.  He told many experiences of being a small town doctor- one who does everything.  It reminded me a lot of my own father and his life as a doctor before hospitals and insurance companies ruled the business.  I loved his attitude of truly wanting to help and heal others.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

 

Fiction   Physical Book   2 1/2 stars.  Disappointing.

Moon Turned to Blood

 Earth recently experienced a Blood Moon.  We got up and viewed it in the middle of the night.  It was beautiful.  I have been fascinated with the beautiful pictures posted from all around the world. I have copied and pasted some of them here:

Pamper the Pink 2026

 I recently( March 4th) attended the Pamper the Pink luncheon.  It is an annual affair with invited guests being those who are battling and who have conquered breast cancer.

My friend, Karen Esplin heads this every year.  She has battled breast cancer twice.  She says it's her way to pay forward all of the kindness shown her during her battles.  Karen just lights up a room when she enters it.  She is an amazing human being.  She creates a spirit at this meeting every year that is powerful and fills everyone with determination and joy.  She is in the pink dress seated in the very middle of this picture.

This was our keynote speaker.  She has recently battled this insidious disease.

Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 Just as in ancient times, Christ has 12 apostles on this earth.  There are also three apostles that serve in the first presidency, making a total of 15 apostles on the earth.  Here is a picture of the current 15 apostles, including the latest addition: Elder Clark Gilbert.

Orphan Train

 

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Historical Fiction Physical Book
This well written book tells of a time in our American history that I knew nothing about. Orphans in New York City were put on a train destined for the Midwest where families adopted them. Many, maybe most, wanted them to be laborers and servants. That was the fate of Vivian. We meet Vivian when she is a 91 year old lady in need of help cleaning out her attic. Molly, a seventeen-year-old takes on the job as court-ordered community service.
As the two work together, Molly learns Vivian’s sad story. They develop an unexpected friendship as Molly’s present life parallels with Vivian’s. It is a sad story, but a powerful one. 5 stars from me.


View all my reviews

Jesus Will Come and Everything Will Be Fine

 My good friend, Marsha and her husband served two missions in Africa.  They met this fine, faithful family there and became good friends with them.  The father has a mantra that he repeats often.  Whenever there are challenges or difficulties he says, "Jesus will come and everything will be fine."  Now I find myself repeating it.  Isn't that a great mantra?

New Landscaping

 We did a major renovation to our yard's landscaping.  The hill in front was quite steep and dangerous to mow.  In the last five years, we have solicited bids to remove the grass and have it terraced three different times, but kept deciding it was too expensive.  This time we went forth with it.  We have been very pleased with the company we hired.  They have been prompt- coming when they said they would, have been efficient, fast, full of integrity, and have done a good job.  The owner of the company actually was a little boy in this ward when we moved here.  He is now a grown man with a family of his own.  We took pictures as the work progressed:

We also did the east side of the house.

The Finished Project!