The Parents Come to the Hill!

My parents came to the hill on the last Friday of the pageant. I was excited to show my parents around the hill and spend some time with them in this wonderful place. We went up to the hill and then went to the visitors center before I needed to go get into costume.

The humidity loves my hair :)

After the hill, we walked to the visitors center. We walked in and I saw a missionary I recognized. It was Sister Sharp! She was in the YSA ward with me before she left on her mission. It was fun to see her.

I found my parents in the audience Friday night and took a picture with them. While the cast was our proselyting in the audience, it started to rain. Because of the lightening and thunder, we had to cancel the show. I was sad because of all of the people we had talked to in the audience who were leaving town the next day and could only come to the show that night. I knew they needed to see this show! The next day we found out that we got a lot of referrals (I can't remember the exact number) Friday night, so our efforts had not gone to waste. Here is another story about a group from Virginia who came to see the show for Youth Conference that night. Even though we were not able to perform, we were able to share our testimonies with the audience, and that is a blessing in itself.

Hill Cumorah Pageant

New experiences are my favorite. I love the anticipation of the unknown. I have been in that state of anticipation for about 6 or 7 months as I have waited for the Hill Cumorah pageant to begin. I was going to be a cast member for the pageant, and I was excited. I had a few ideas of what I could expect, but for the most part I had no idea what I would be doing for 17 days. All I knew was I would fly out for 17 days and my parents would show up for the last two shows and then we would head to the city for a few days before coming home. 

I left July 4th when everyone in America would be having BBQs and celebrate Independence Day. I arrived in Rochester the next morning after traveling for a total of about ten hours or more. I was exhausted to say the least, but my adventure at the hill hasn't even started yet. Little did I know, I would not get caught up on sleep for the next few weeks.

I had never traveled on my own before, but I loved it. I love flying and I don't mind hanging out at airports by myself. When I made it to Rochester, I met someone who was going to be in the pageant. It was nice to talk to someone after being alone for awhile. I like people. He told me he has done the pageant many times and told me everyone becomes a big family at pageant. 

When we got to the hill I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. Actually, I already was in awe just driving from the airport to the hill. So much GREEN! This southern Utah red rock girl was fascinated by all the trees. I love trees. And grass. And flowers. :)

Trail up to the hill.

Angel Moroni monument at the top of Hill Cumorah.

The first day consisted of hanging out at the hill, meeting new people, going to dinner, a devotional, and casting. I was given the part as a new world woman and a spoils of war slave woman. New world woman means I was a mother in the scene when Christ comes to the America's. Spoils of war slave woman means I was a Lamanite captured by the Nephites in the scene of the burning of Abinadi. They were both fun parts, even though most people wouldn't want the part of a slave.:) I was happy to be in the scene with Abinadi because he is one of my favorite people in the Book of Mormon. He had so much courage and faith in Jesus Christ. He knew if he was faithful to Christ, Christ would be faithful to him and bless him.

Spoils of War Slave Women. Yeah, we are awesome :)

The first day was exhausting. So was the second day and every other day. The first week consisted of breakfast around 7, going to the hill (bus ride from the dorms) at 8, devotional at 8:30, rehearsals from 9-12, lunch from 12-1, rehearsals from 1-5, dinner, devotional at 6:30 and then rehearsal or a run through of the show until about 10:30 or 11. Everyone had different rehearsal schedules, depending on their part and which scenes they were in. When we weren't in rehearsal, we were with our cast teams, which was basically a bunch of groups divided into age groups.

I had a great cast team and I loved spending time with them. I also spent a lot of time with two of my roommates, Tessa and A'Lyssa. They were in a different cast team. They are both from southern Utah and both went to Dixie State. A'Lyssa and I were at the preschool together when I did practicum there last fall. I have seen Tessa a few times at institute and when I went to a sacrament meeting in enterprise in April. It's crazy how our paths have crossed before but we ended up meeting and becoming friends in New York. They are both cute girls and fun to be with. Pretty sure I laughed constantly when I was around them. That's not hard to believe if you know me, but really, these girls are funny.

   

       Roommates! Tessa, me, A'Lyssa, Kelsey

My cast team leaders were pretty wonderful as well. They were Brother and Sister Jarman and Brother and Sister Sutterfield. They were both so fun and so caring. I could tell they cared about each of us and really helped our cast team become a family. I loved every amount of time we spent together as a cast team. From the fun games we played, to the spiritual experiences we shared with each other, I was inspired and uplifted by each of the members in our cast team. I love them all! There will always be a special place in my heart for these wonderful people and the wonderful memories I have of them.

S5!

After one week of rehearsals, the last week was pretty relaxed. Monday we had a free day. We could hang out at the dorms and play games and other activities they offered for us there. We ended up going to Denny's and then to Walmart with a few friends. 

Tessa and I at Denny's

Rosie and A'Lyssa at Denny's

Tuesday we went to Onanda lake/park with our cast teams. Tessa and I were really smart and didn't take our swim suits so we couldn't swim in the lake. We heard there was a short hike up to a waterfall, so we went with my cast team on the hike. It was beautiful. We went up to the waterfall and wanted to go back to get our cameras, so we went to get our cameras and took a few other friends with us. 

Onanda Park

Tessa, A'Lyssa and I

It's prettier in person, promise. So pretty :)

Cool tree and roots.

Jackson, Tessa, Monty, me, A'Lyssa

Wednesday we went to the church sites in the surrounding area. We went to the Grandin Building, where the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were printed. Some of us walked over to Alvin Smith's grave before we left the Grandin building. Alvin is Joseph Smith's older brother. He started building the frame home on the Smith farm and got sick and died 3 days later. Ever since I saw the movie about Joseph's life, I have had more love and respect for Alvin. It was cool to see his headstone. Then, we went to the Smith farm and to the Sacred Grove. I have dreamed about going to these sites, especially the Sacred Grove ever since I can remember. It was so wonderful to be there. I enjoyed the entire day, even if it did rain on us in the grove. I didn't mind it much, considering the fact that it hardly ever rains in St. George.

The E.B. Grandin printing shop

The log home on the Smith farm

Sacred Grove

Alvin Smith's grave

Thursday we did a service project with our cast team. We went to a local library and weeded the flower beds and other work they had us do outside.

Sister Jarman and I found this little area under a tree to weed. We had a nice chat in our little hut. She is a wonderful woman. I hope I can be like her someday.

Weeding our area by the sign

It started pouring, so we went inside and enjoyed the treats the library people provided for us. 

The cast team after most of the work was done.

We ended the day at Chill and Grill. A delicious burger and ice cream joint in Canadaigua.

Friday we went to a park near the hill with our cast team. It was beautiful. Basically, everywhere we went was beautiful. :) After that, we took down our cast team tent and then went to Zion's camp to have water activities with all of the YSA kids. Pretty sure we all knew it would turn into a water fight. It was fun. 

Cast team at the park

A'Lyssa and I after the water fight

I felt like the entire cast of 750 people became a family, and that was one of my favorite parts of pageant. I didn't meet everyone or become best friends with everyone, but we had something in common. We were all there because we love the Book of Mormon, and our Savior Jesus Christ. That is enough to bring people together. 

I loved the time I had in upstate New York. I fell in love with the area and the sacred ground that I was surrounded by for 17 days. I was sad to leave, but I was grateful for the many wonderful memories and missionary experiences I had at the hill. Hopefully one day I will be able to go back to that wonderful place.

Mandy, me, A'Lyssa, and Tessa ending pageant life with a trip to the top of the hill.

View from the top of the hill

The pretty awesome stage. And I. :)

The Hill Cumorah Pageant is a wonderful production about the Book of Mormon. It's purpose is to invite others to come unto Jesus Christ. I met wonderful people in the audience who have a variety of religious background but we all had something in common and that was our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives, and loves us. I also know the Book of Mormon is filled with words of many prophets and people who loved the Savior and wanted others to know Him. I know that through this book, we can come to know our Savior and feel of his love for us. If you want to learn more, click Here. :)

Quick Trip to SLC

     My mom and I went to Sandy to see the Fenstermakers and to go shopping for mission clothes. My mom has been ITCHING to go shopping ever since I decided to serve a mission. I don't necessarily enjoy shopping, and wasn't as excited about it as my mom was. So, since I will be gone for the next upcoming month and my mom won't have time to go shopping when I get back, we decided to go a few days after I got my call. Another reason I didn't mind going was because I wanted to see Brette while we were up there. Secretly, that's the main reason I wanted to go. :)
     We went shopping and then met Brette at City Creek to eat lunch and then spent some time at Temple Sqaure. That was probably my favorite part. I loved seeing all of the sister missionaries talking to people and answering questions. I was definitely that girl that would try to listen to the conversations the missionaries had with people. I loved hearing how they responded to certain questions. Yes, I am kind of a creeper... oops. Just an anxious, curious, future missionary. :)
     It was so wonderful to see Brette and the shopping wasn't so bad ;)

Mission Call!

     On June 20 I finally received a big white envelope in the mail. It had been three weeks since I sent my mission papers in, so I was hoping it would come on the 20th, and it did! I think that was the longest 3 weeks of my life. Although, I did learn a lot in those three weeks. I learned the Lord's timing is perfect. Absolutely perfect.

     I was going to have all of my family and friends over to open my call, but then on Thursday when it came, I thought I would just have my immediate family over when everyone got off work that night. I got the letter at about noon that day and we planned on opening it at 5:30. At about 2:00, my mom and dad weren't around and I decided to open it on my own. It was wonderful. I opened it and saw "Georgia Macon" and was overwhelmed with so many emotions. I instantly knew this was the right decision for me at this point in my life. 

     I did some research on the area of the mission and then left for an hour or so to run an errand. When I got back, my siblings and parents told me to go get the envelope. They had no idea I already opened it. I went to get the envelope and then told them I already knew and had them guess where I was going, and then read the letter to them. It was fun to be the only person to know where I was going for a few hours. :)

     I am thrilled to serve in the Georgia Macon Mission for 18 months starting on October 2, 2013. I am excited to share my testimony with people in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina.