Golden Days

So, I cannot tell a single lie...there are perks to being the daughter of a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Being such, I got to go to President Monson's 85th Birthday bash!  Okay, so it was an actual concert that was actually broadcasted, and 20,000 people were there, but still!!  The cool thing about this time was that I got invited to be a flower presenter to the guest artists that would be performing there.  I was given 3 tickets for myself and 2 friends, and was told what to wear and how to behave and so on and so forth.  I even bought the most beautiful J-Lo blouse to wear because it had to be kinda fancy/nice.
Finally tonight came, and I spent way too much time doing my hair in a fancy-dancy bun, went to dinner with the fam, and headed straight to the adventure that awaited me!!

The security/host people gave us instructions and told us what to do, and then they informed me that even though they told me that I could wear a white or pastel top (mine was really pretty cream), I had to put on a member of the choir's black shirt because I would be the only one not wearing black.  Lovely. Oh well.  So I changed in to this fantastic gem of a shirt...

Sequins and all!!!

   Anyway, the concert was beautiful.  Adam and Becca (my two guests) and I got to sit on the very front row so we were able to see all of the general authorities and the first presidency really well the whole time.  It was so fun to see their reactions to things and to watch them.

As I watched President Monson, it was just confirmed to me once again that he is a prophet of God.  I have so much love for that dear, selfless man.  During the concert, a narrator said that when Pres. Monson was called as a young Bishop, he had a picture of the Savior hanging in his office.  During hard times and rough situations, he would turn to that picture and ask himself what the Savior would do.  Ever since we have been little, we have been told to ask ourselves, "what would Jesus do?"  We wore those little wrist bands that said, "WWJD," right?  I guess just the way it was said tonight made me realize how beautiful and sacred that concept really is.  We should all really genuinely ask ourselves that question way more often.  Becoming more like the Savior allows us to more fully know Him, and it is remembering Him.  I loved that little story about President Monson.

My favorite songs performed were probably the beautiful arrangement of You Raise Me Up, which started with an extraordinary intro of just french horns (G-dooze!!), and Bring Him Home.  The latter song was performed by soloist Dallyn Bayles, who I know and love from Savior of the World.  He sings that song with perfection.  His solo alone got him a standing ovation from 20,000 people including the prophet.  What a humbling experience that would be.  Well, he deserved it.

So, as you can tell, I had quite an enjoyable evening being surrounded by people I love and doing things that I love - laughing, singing, etc and so forth.   I was grateful to be a part of it, and had fun going on the stage to give the guest artist his flowers.  The whole time I was just praying that I wouldn't fall or do anything embarrassing.  It turned out just fine!  No biffs, faceplants, flower-drops, or anything!
I'm so grateful for our dear prophet and can still remember it so clearly when I met him at my grandma's funeral.  His kindness was poignant and actually quite visible in his sweet, glowing smile.  For a little girl who had just lost her grandma, he shook my hand with so much care and concern.  We are so blessed to have living prophets to lead and guide us!  "What a birthday" he said as the concert ended.  What a birthday, indeed!  I hope it was a good one!!  I love President Monson!!