My part

Thank you so much for inviting us here tonight. Together, we are Gloria. When we are not Gloria, we are moms, teachers, lawyers, and friends from all along the Wasatch Front, ranging from Layton to Orem. We get together throughout the year to sing and enjoy each other's company. Honestly, we do as much laughing as we do singing. Our favorite music to sing is Christmas music, so thank you for allowing us to come and share with you something we love. We are Shauna, Amy, Shelli, Annalise, Jenni, Larna, Becky, and Kerstin.

Any, and all edits are welcomed!!!
Kerstin

Hello everyone,

I sent an email with the formations written out for your information.  I thought we could follow Becky's example and practice at home going from position to position in program order.  Have a great week of practicing!!!  Remember to have all songs memorized and bring your stools to next practice!

Amy

Born is the Light mp3

I won't have a chance for at least a week to get to the Finale scores/mp3 files for the new songs. In the meantime, you can download an mp3 of the accompaniment to "Born is the Light of the World" from this page. They're for soloists, and have more rubato than we are singing it with, but maybe they could help you practice a little bit!

Passing the Bar

I just found out that I passed the Utah Bar!! I've been checking the Utah Bar website periodically hoping our scores would be posted, and as late as this afternoon nothing was there. But this evening I got a text message from a friend telling me she had passed, so I checked again and sure enough, the results were there. With some trepidation I checked my applicant number multiple times and had my roommate verify that the word "pass" was indeed next to my applicant number. I should get a letter sometime this next week telling me my exact scores. Employers really only care that you pass, so the scores really aren't that important. But, I am thinking of taking the Idaho Bar in February, and if I did well on the multiple choice portion I can transfer the score and take only the essay portion.

I'm really relieved and feel very blessed. I felt more nervous the week before I took the bar than I can ever remember feeling about anything. I was having trouble sleeping and eating and just generally felt unsettled. The Sunday before the bar (it was on the last Tuesday and Wednesday in July) I had an interview with my bishop for Relief Society stuff, and at the end he asked me how I was doing. I told him how nervous I was about taking the bar, and he asked if I'd had a priesthood blessing. I answered that I'd been wanting one all week but didn't really know who I should ask because my home teachers have only come one time... My good bishop then offered to give me a blessing. He promised me I would pass, and he promised me that I would feel peace after I took the test. I felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I slept well that night for the first time in days, and I really did feel fine after I walked out of the test. I'm also sure that all the prayers my friends and family said on my behalf were very helpful. I haven't had so many people tell me they were praying for me since I was a missionary, and I'm sure it helped. I am so blessed!

Do you have a favorite Christmas Carol? The Christmas season is truly brought to life through it's music. Have you ever found yourself touched by the words you hear at Christmas time? Have you taken time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and how it relates to you in your life because you were blessed to hear an old, familiar carol play? I have always loved Christmas carols and have been blessed on occasion to receive carolers at my door. One special memory I have occurred for our family on Christmas Eve. We managed to make our way up a stormy canyon rode and arrived safely at our little cabin to celebrate Christmas. In the dark of night, with snow gently falling all around, it was very quiet. As we began unpacking, there was a knock at the door. We opened it to hear the familiar sound of carolers. I was totally surprised and wondered where these angels came from. Then I listened to their words and was so touched I began to cry. My heart swelled with emotion and felt such gratitude to my Heavenly Father for this blessing to literally welcome us to our cabin and set the tone for a very Merry Christmas. Caroling can gladden the heart at Christmas time, uplift our spirits, and bring joy to our souls.

vote for me

Hi, I don't know if any of you have seen any of " the Liken the Scriptures" movies, but they are having a contest and I entered it. The winner gets some free liken products. Go and listen to the contestants and vote for the best.

http://www.likenthescriptures.com/news.php?action=view_article&article_id=192

Becky's part

Becky's part

What would Christmas be without traditions?

"Family traditions are like spiritual and emotional cement in the foundation of a happy home. They create fond memories, and these memories bond us together as nothing else can. Traditions influence the way we live and the way we look at life." (Ensign, March 1986)

Some of our families' favorite traditions center on the joy of service. For years we have thoughtfully chosen a family in our neighborhood and surprised them on December 13th with the 12 days of Christmas. Each night through Christmas Eve we leave a fun something that we know they would enjoy on their door step. What joy we have received from hiding and listening to the squeals of delight from children.

Another tradition we have is putting surprises in each others' stockings on Christmas Eve. One of the first years I sang with this group, I woke Christmas morning to a fun surprise in my stocking - a dozen Almond Joys! I laughed and laughed. You will understand why after you hear our next song. These next couple of songs have become traditions for our group. They bring out the fun side of Christmas. So enjoy with us!

Since it's Peach Season, I thought I'd share a recipe that we came upon when we visited Nauvoo and stayed in a nearby town's 1850 Guest House bed and breakfast. It's yummy!

Peach Syrup

1/2 cup butter (or margarine?)
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp white corn syrup
peach pieces -- fresh or canned
(about 2 cups -- I like to give them a few jogs in the blender so that I have big chunks as well as some "puree")

1. Melt butter
2. Add sugar and corn syrup and bring to a light boil
3. Add peaches and simmer
4. Serve over homemade pancakes, waffles, or french toast
5. Enjoy!

Program Part

Here is a first draft of my part for the program. I'll spend more time cleaning it up later. I just wanted to get going on our parts so they will be ready for Thursday's practice. I would love any suggestions you have. I was a science major so I wouldn't have to write papers. For those of you with writing experience, feel free to fix things. Thanks! Shauna

This part will be right after singing "Beautiful Child" and before "Innkeeper's Carol."

Our Savior's birth took place in such humble circumstances. We now live in a modern world filled with items to make life more enjoyable. For me, one of those “enjoyable” items is the rocking chair my husband and I bought before we had our first baby. One day I was moving the chair and came across a note that said the chair was guaranteed for 1 million rocks. I value every one of those "one million rocks." I can't count the number of nights I spent sleeping in the chair, holding a nursing baby. Or the rocks I spent laboring through the night with our first baby.
This last song we will sing to you has special meaning to me. I spent several nights singing this song while rocking my baby. I didn't sing to every baby. Matthew is the only one I can remember. He would lay on my shoulder and look up to request the baby song. I would begin with the beautiful message that played out through song of the story of looking in on our Savior's birth. As I rocked my baby I would think of the wonder of that moment. What would it have been like to witness the birth of our Savior? Were we allowed to peek in and view our Savior as a mortal or did we have to wait for the account of those who were there?
As I rocked my baby I realized the wonder of life continued and was due to the beauty of that little baby I was singing about. Our Savior came to earth to provide joy to our lives. He gave us everything, our earth, life, and the ability to cleanse ourselves and come together again as families. As we close, we invite you to reflect on His gift.

Upcoming Practice Dates

Jenni had posted a comment requesting the practice dates to be put on the sidebar. I went ahead and put in what I think is upcoming, but Shelli, please review them and let us know if they are correct. I'm pretty sure we agreed that the November practice will be on the first Thursday, since we have a performance the next week.