Cirque du Soliel, OVO...

Thursday, August 29th, we had a grand date. We would go to Rupp Arena in Lexington to see a Cirque du Soliel performance entitled "OVO". As is our habit now, we went in on Hwy 421 so we could have our dinner at Firehouse Subs. Yum!!

Then on to the Kentucky League of Cities parking lot to see if there was a space for our car. We were surprised to find only a couple of cars in the lot and no one attending the lot. Once into OVO we realized this is a much smaller event and most people parked in lots across from or closer to Rupp Arena. While they spent $22, we spent $0. Yeah us! And, Thank You KLC!!

We had nice seats and a good view of the performance. With these shows, they only use half of Rupp Arena. The costumes are always over-the-top great. This show featured an egg (OVO) that traveled around at times in the performance. The creatures we all insect like creatures. The back end of Rupp Arena had a huge climbing wall built there. During the performance, the insects would climb the wall, peek out of doors in the wall, and jump from the top of the wall. 

The thing that was different with this Cirque du Soliel performance from others we have seen, was the use of only one act at a time on the stage. Normally there are two or three different acts going on at once making it difficult to know where to focus your attention. This particular show only had one act at a time on stage with the insects performing a running story between acts as they set the stage for the next act. There were also holes in the stage that would open and a creature would pop up to do their thing on stage. 

The first act was insects on these very flexible poles. When they finished, they would curl around the pole and let go till close to the bottom. Then they would grab the pole for a quick stop just before hitting the floor. 

The next act was a contortionist. I swear, the young lady had a bottom half to her body and a top half. They appeared to be joined by a swivel at the waist. It was often hard to tell which body was where. Very flexible person. 

In OVO, the olio act, was a specialty act performed downstage while the upstage set is changed. In this case the story running throughout the show was a romantic interest developing between the lady bug and the insect in blue carrying the egg (OVO). 

The act that followed was a girl performing on the hanging fabric. She started out appearing to come out of the fabric like coming out of a cocoon. Then she did all types of aerial tricks using that strand of fabric. 

This was followed by the two people working with two rings on ropes. 

We were fascinated by the tube-like character. Claude and I finally determined it was one person in the tube suit that was extremely limber. 

During the next olio act, the lady bug had help from some very tall insects with the blue bug. 

While this was happening, they set up the equipment for the flying trapeze artists. 

The next performance was two people on one trapeze.

Another controtionist performed. Again, I am always amazed at how the human body can bend when started at a very early age to learn these skills. Claude asked me if I thought they would have arthritis problems as they aged. I assured him that was very possible. 

During the olio act that followed, the blue insect climbed the wall and the lady bug opened a door. They had an animated conversation. I was amazed at the blue insect with those LONG feet climbing that wall. 

A man with a yo-yo like contraption then tossed these things in the air and caught them on the roped and twirled and juggled them around. 

The ever amazing girl who twirls from her hair on her head. 

Trampolines were brought out and placed at the bottom of the climbing wall. Then loads of grasshoppers jumped from the top of the climbing wall onto the trampolines and bounced back up to the top of the wall. It was fascinating to watch them climbing the wall, jumping and bouncing way up high. 

At the end, the egg (OVO) was moved from the side of the stage to the center of the stage. All the insects came out to take their stage bows. 

Claude and I had an excellent time. We do love a good Cirque du Soliel performance. 

How Music/Hymns Can Feed Our Testimonies and Teach Gospel Truths...

I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, August 25th. These are my notes from which I would speak. There were three speakers. I was the last speaker. This was a fun experience for me. I love the hymns and music. Our Church is preparing a new hymnbook for 2026. The purpose of this meeting was to help us understand the power of the music in our lives and help us prepare for a new hymnal. The four hymns sung by the congregation were all hymns that will be in the new hymnal. 

Sydney Bennett spoke about her experiences with music in her family and how music at church has been a strength for her life.

Rick Snow spoke and explained the story behind each of the three hymns we would sing this day from the new hymnal. 

Then I shared these thoughts. 

How Music/Hymns Can Feed Our Testimonies and Teach Gospel Truths

Sunday, August 25, 2024, 12-15 mins

My experiences with hymns in my lifetime.

·       My mother & father. “O My Father”. “That’s what I believe.” Sung at Mimi’s funeral.

·       Mrs. Herring helping me learn 3 hymns each week so I could play piano for Sunday School. Presbyterian. She found our hymns wonderful pieces of good music.

·       Family vacation to church history site. Small organ.

·       As a youth, always played for the stake youth choirs. Artis Hudnall was always the chorister and he was particularly fond of “Before Thee Lord”.

·       Papa singing “O Holy Night” each Christmas and at least once each year would sing “The Seer”

·       As a young mother in California called to serve on stake Relief Society board as pianist. Jane Atherton writes music and teaching me to play for our meetings.

·       In Denver, singing with the Singing Mothers in a concert for our stake. Janet Wright wrote an original piece of music based on Psalm 66:1-2 “Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honor of his name: make his praise glorious.”

·       Relief Society General Conference Session, Belle Spafford was released as General Relief Society President. She was the 9th General Relief Society president and served for 29 years. Barbara B. Smith was sustained as the 10th General Relief Society president. A talk was given, and the comment was made, about the importance of our LDS hymns. We were counseled as leaders in Relief Society to learn the hymns, memorize the words, and recall them at time of need. A hymn was sung after this talk that touched my heart and has always remained with me. How Firm a Foundation #85 verse 3

“Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.”

·       Bringing Papa to the church and playing the hymns so he could hear the music.

·       Claude singing the low note.

 Hymnals through the years in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

• 1835 A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter-day Saints
• In July 1830, three months after the formal organization of the Church, Joseph Smith received a revelation directed to his wife, Emma Smith. In it the Lord instructed Emma to “make a selection of sacred hymns … to be had in [His] church.”1 Once completed, the first official hymnal of the Church was published in 1835 as A Collection of Sacred Hymns, for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. It contained the lyrics for 90 hymns without accompanying musical notation.
• 1909 Deseret Sunday School Songs
• 1927 Latter-day Saint Hymns
• 1948 Hymns: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• 1985 (Current Edition). Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

October 1994 General Conference, “Worship through Music” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks

“When the Lord’s Apostles meet in modern times (1994), the singing of hymns is still part of their meetings. The weekly meetings of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Salt Lake Temple always begin with a hymn. Elder Russell M. Nelson plays the organ accompaniment. The First Presidency, who conduct these meetings, rotate the privilege of selecting the opening song. Most of us record the date each hymn is sung. According to my records, the opening song most frequently sung during the decade of my participation has been “I Need Thee Every Hour” (Hymns, 1985, no. 98). Picture the spiritual impact of a handful of the Lord’s servants singing that song before praying for his guidance in fulfilling their mighty responsibilities.”

        “Our hymns can work their miraculous effect even when the chorus of voices is few and even when hardly a sound can be heard. I felt this a few months ago as I participated in a musical performance that was unique in my church experience. I had been invited to speak at the Great Basin LDS Deaf Conference, hosted by the Salt Lake Valley (Deaf) Ward of the Salt Lake Park Stake. Over three hundred deaf brothers and sisters were in attendance. The members of the stake presidency and I were almost the only adults in the congregation who could hear and who attempted to sing audibly. The rest of that large assembly sang with their hands. Hardly a lip moved, and hardly a sound was heard except the organ and four faint voices from the stand. In the audience, all hands moved in unison with the leader as the audience signed “The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!” (Hymns, 1985, no. 2). As we sang together, the Spirit of the Lord descended upon us, and we were made ready for prayer. Our sacred music is a powerful preparation for prayer and gospel teaching.”

• Opening Hymn: Prepare for Prayer
• Sacrament Hymn: Prepare for Sacrament 
• Closing Hymn: Remind us of what we have learned and Prepares us for gospel teaching.

Sacred music can help us even when there is no formal performance. For example, when temptation comes, we can neutralize its effect by humming or repeating the words of a favorite hymn (see Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, Jan. 1974, pp. 25–28). 

Before the Savior and his Apostles left the upper room where they had the sublime experience of the Last Supper, they sang a hymn. After their hymn, the Savior led them to the Mount of Olives (see Matt. 26:30).

         As we worship through music, we should think about the messages of the words. Our hymns contain matchless doctrinal sermons, surpassed only by the scriptures in their truth and poetic impact.

In preparation for this talk, I read through almost all the hymns in our current hymnal. Let me share of few of the phrases that are particularly powerful to me in their gospel doctrine context. Pres. Henry B. Eyring gave a talk completely using scriptures.

HOPE & COMFORT:

(Redeemer of Israel #6, verse 5 at the bottom after the verses we usually sing)

        “Restore, my dear Savior, The light of thy face;

Thy soul-cheering comfort impart;

And let the sweet longing For thy holy place

Bring hope to my desolate heart.”

(Come, Ye Disconsolate #115)

“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.

“Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.”

STRENGTH:

(Come, Come, Ye Saints #30)“All is well! All is Well!”

PRAYER:

(Come unto Him #114)

“I wander through the still of night, When solitude is everywhere

Alone, beneath the starry light, And yet I know that God is there,

I kneel upon the grass and pray; An answer comes without a voice.

It takes my burden all away And make my aching heart rejoice.

(Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire #145, verses 7 & 8)

O thou by whom we come to God, The Life, the Truth, the Way!

The path of prayer thyself hast trod; Lord, teach us how to pray.”

FAITH:

(When Faith Endures #128)

“I give the Father willingly My trust, my prayers, humility.

His Spirit guides; his love assures That fear departs when faith endures.” 

CALLINGS:

(Be Thou Humble #130)

“Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee,

To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.”

(Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel #252)

“The Church has need of helping hands, And hearts that know and feel.

The work to do is here for you; Put your shoulder to the wheel.”

FASTING:

(Bless Our Fast, We Pray #138)

“Feed thou our souls, fill thou our hearts, And bless our fast, we pray,

That we may feel thy presence here And feast with thee today.”

SACRAMENT:

(Reverently and Meekly Now #185, Jesus speaks to Us)

“In the solemn faith of prayer Cast upon me all thy care,

And my Spirit’s grace shall be Like a fountain unto thee.

          At the throne I intercede; For thee ever do I plead.

I have loved thee as thy friend, With a love that cannot end.

Be obedient, I implore, Prayerful, watchful evermore,

And be constant unto me, That thy Savior I may be.

OUR WORDS:

(Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words #232)

“Oh, the kind words we give shall in memory live And sunshine forever impart.

Let us oft speak kind words to each other; Kind words are sweet tones of the heart.”

(Nay, Speak No Ill #233)

“Then speak no ill, but lenient be To other’s failings as your own.

If you’re the first a fault to see, Be not the first to make it known. …

Let’s speak of all the best we can.”

AGENCY:

(Know This, That Every Soul Is Free #240)

“Know this, that ev’ry soul is free To choose his life and what he’ll be;

For this eternal truth is giv’n: That God will force no man to heav’n.”

YOUTH:

True to the Faith #254, Youth)

“True to the faith that our parents have cherished,

True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,

To God’s command, Soul, heart, and hand, Faithful and true we will ever stand.”

MISSIONARY SERVICE:

(Hark, All Ye Nations! #264)

“Chosen by God to serve him below, To ev’ry land and people we’ll go,

Standing for truth with fervent accord, Teaching his holy word.

          Oh, how glorious from the throne above Shines the gospel light of truth and love!

Bright as the sun, this heavenly ray Lights ev’ry land today.” 

TEMPLES:

(Rise, Ye Saints, and Temples Enter #287)

“Learn the plan of exaltation; With His sacred laws comply.

Live to earn in binding cov’nant Blessings of our God most high.”

A word of council: Many of you read many books through the year. Novels, etc. May I suggest one of the books you read be the Hymnal. With the Gospel Library App, you can highlight phrases that touch your soul, tag them with a word to help you find them when needed. 

“We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer.” ~~ J. Reuben Clark, Jr., CR 10/36:111 

"Some of the greatest sermons that have ever been preached were preached by the singing of a song." ~~ Spencer W. Kimball 

With Songs of Praise #71 (Opening)

Chorus:        Then come before God’s presence! With singing worship him!

                    Express the heart too full to speak, In one exultant hymn.

 

Home, Travel, Friends & Family...

Monday, August 19th, a friend posted a recipe for Dr. Pepper Brownies on Facebook for me to see. I worked with Becky Day at CAPREIT in Rockville, Maryland. She remembered my love of Dr. Pepper and made sure I saw this recipe. I was very grateful. I haven't done any cooking since surgery. My right arm doesn't stir very well yet. However, I determined this was something I would try and we could take a few brownies on our visit to Jake this week. 

I pulled out all the ingredients and set them on the counter. I got my carefully saved recipe and looked at it. That is when I realized I had a real problem. The recipe had the ingredients: flour, sugar, eggs, chocolate chips, etc. but it had NO amounts by the ingredient. I saved the ladies website with the recipe. I went back to my laptop and looked up the website. Sure enough, there were no amounts by her list of ingredients to make these brownies from scratch. However, at the bottom, she had suggestions for using a packaged milk browning mix. I had one of those, so I used it and followed those directions.

I was so pleased that I could stir this mixture by hand. It shows the great improvement in my right arm. I cooked these brownies and found them lackluster. I did not save the recipe and deleted it from my laptop. They were very edible but I really expected a better flavor with that Dr. Pepper added for moisture. I did take Jake four of them.

I bought a blue elastic band to help with my home PT. I really felt that I should increase the difficulty of what I was doing at home. Tina suggested I drop the ones I was doing that were really easy and pick some of the ones I was doing at office PT that I could do at home. Therefore, I purchased a blue elastic band and set to work updating my home PT. I am still using the pulley I purchased before surgery and doing two exercises with it. I have five exercises I can do with the blue band. Three of these are ones I do with the weights at office PT. I have three exercises I do with a two-pound weight. I kept the four exercises I do with my dowel. I added three exercises using a washcloth to stretch my arm on the door facing and wall. I feel much better about this workout and feel it supports what they are doing at office PT. 

This day I felt prompted to send Evelyn Redfield a thank you message on Facebook. Evelyn is a dear friend from our time in Maryland. Her husband, Brian, was a counselor to Claude when he was bishop. I helped with the Young Women when Evelyn was Young Women president. At one activity, she had made and gave to each of the young women and to each of the sisters that served with her in the Young Women program, a little throw pillow with the word "Believe" embroidered on it. I have saved this pillow for all these years. As I heal from surgery, I have needed a little support under my arm when I sit so the full weight on my arm is not pulling on the shoulder. This little pillow has been perfect. I often think of Evelyn and her sweet mom, Audra. I simply felt Evelyn needed to know how much she is helping me even after all these years. I sent her a picture of the pillow and and explanation of its help to me,

It turns out that thank you arrived at a time when she really needed it. Her son, Chris, who I taught in early-morning seminary, died in a horrific car accident. The car rolled down a hill, turning over many times. Chris had a terrible death. Evelyn's husband has bad diabetes, has lost a foot and is in failing health. Chris lived in their basement and was a huge help to Evelyn in caring for Brian. She was lifted a bit by receiving this little thank you note. It is truly the little things that make the biggest difference. Grateful for this family and the part they have played in our lives.

I learned this day was National Potato Day. I posted this on our family Facebook page with these two pictures: "Can we hear a "Shout Out" for Joel Roper! Today is National Potato Day. We have our very own Potato in our family!"

Katelyn followed up with this cute picture of Joel in his Mr. Potatohead costume for Halloween.

Someone asked Joel what his name was. His quick reply, "Potato".

Claude and I would end our day with our big meal at McCalister's where I enjoyed Potato Soup!!

Tuesday, August 20th, Claude and I drove to Chelsea, Michigan. The plan was to have lunch with Jake on Wednesday. We opted to drive up Tuesday after Cincinnati/Dayton rush hours and spend the night. Then see Jake Wednesday.

I sent Jake a message when we were taking our break in Beaver Dam, Ohio, so he would know we were on the way. I sent him a message when we checked into the Comfort Inn telling him we arrived and gave him our room number. Then Claude and I decided we would go out for dinner. I sent Jake a message and asked if he was working or was he home and might want to have dinner with us. As it turns out, he was just returning from a 20-mile hike. He showered and then came to the hotel. We went to Coney Island and has a wonderful dinner together. He came back to the hotel and we visited until we were all starting to yawn. Then we agreed to pick him up at 11am the next day for lunch. What a nice treat to see him Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, August 21st, we sleot in a bit. Then we picked Jake up at 11am and decided to eat at the Mexican restaurant we all three really enjoy. We had a great visit there and then for a bit in the car outside his apartment. It was really good to see our son and catch up. He made a trip to Utah and shared all his stories and caught us up on the family he was able to visit. He hiked to the top of Ben Lomand in Ogden, Utah. We were so happy he was able to make this trip and have so many fun experiences. Getting his rental car and have to exchange it after it had problems were not the fun parts of his trip but he waded through those experiences well. His presentation on poetry went well at the Sunstone Conference. 

As we drove back to Kentucky after lunch, I realized how grateful I was for cloud cover when it happens. Makes working on my Kindle a lot more pleasant!

We received a text from Bailey when driving home. She needed our help on August 31st. It seems she will play with the University of Kentucky marching band that day and needed transportation. Happy to help!

We had an interesting rest stop. We stopped at Taco Bell on the north side of Dayton. This was really to gain a bit more time so we hopefully missed traffic jams in Dayton and Cincinnati. When one pauses, one notices interesting things. Across the street was a home with a big garage. I was very amused at the car parked in their driveway!

In the parking lot was my Buick Envision. It just happened to be parked next to a Buick LeSabre like I had previously owned. A little bit of irony there.

Claude was amused with the name on their urgent care facitility...Well Now!!

There were two flags enjoying the breeze, when it came. The top was the flag of the United States. The bottom is the flag of Ohio.

All of this reminded me to STOP and pay attention to all the life around us.

When we got home, we unpacked and settled in for the night. Jake brought us a gift from the Sunstone Conference with a specific request for it to go on the refrigerator. I actually had a plastic frame with a magnet on the back that was the correct size. I put the postcard he brought us in the frame and put it on the fridge, took a picture and sent it to Jake with a thank you. 

We had a really lovely two-day trip.

Thursday, August 22nd, I hunkered down for a really productive day. I cleaned our bathroom. This included the tub. Our tub is oversized and I have not been able to reach out or felt safe using my right arm to support me as I reached to scrub. This day, I was able to do all of that in a very careful manner. Yeah me!!

I also got the nearly final draft on a talk I would give on Sunday.

Friday, August 23rd, I went to office PT and had a great session. I came home to ice up my arm. I usually watch a program I have DVR'd. This day, I chose an Expedition Unknown where Josh Gates searches for and understanding of the Yeti. He did one of these several years ago and found a huge foot print they made a plaster cast of. I did not realize this was a four-part story. I wanted all four parts. Claude had his nap and then joined me. Goodness. 

This afternoon, Claude and I had a nice date. We drove to Lexington to scope out where things were when we take Bailey there on the 31st. University of Kentucky on football game day is a zoo to say the least. We found where we drop Bailey off and where we pick Bailey up. She must be signed in and out by a parent of guardian. I guess grandparents can be temporary guardians!

After getting a good picture of where everything was, we drove across town to Storming Crab to have our big meal of the day. This place has been on our radar since it opened and we have never made it there. Probably because right next door is Schlotzsky's and we LOVE to go there. We had a delicious meal. They have gator on their menu. I don't believe I have ever eaten gator. I wanted to try the crab cakes this first visit but I asked our server if there was any way I could have a little taste of gator in preparation for our next visit. She graciously brought me one little bite. I had part and Claude had part. In case you are wondering, it tastes like chicken!! Really!! Claude had an individual steamer pot and he was soooo happy. I took a few pictures and sent them to Andie and Michael and assured them they needed to try this place with us sometimes. They love steamer pots.

In the evening, we watched so. Ime more of Northern Exposure. What a nice day this was.

Saturday, August 24th, I woke up not feeling well at all. It felt like I was coming down with the flu. I did manage to get the finishing touches on my talk for Sunday. I also did one round of home PT and got out my ice pack. When I checked the television for something to watch while I sat still for a while, I realized Indiana Jones movies were running on that day. I started the one that was currently running at the very end. Claude was working in the kitchen. He finished and suggested we get our DVD's and watch them. The reality was I didn't feel like doing anything but curling up under my blanket. We watched four Indiana Jones movies to finish out day. And, I rested and drank lots of liquid.

Sunday, August 25th, I awoke feeling better. I believe I know what my problem is. The end of August and all of September are my worst times with allergies. I believe the pollen is getting to me. Nothing to do but weather the pollen season that is worst for me. 

I would speak in Sacrament Meeting this Sunday. Claude is over music in the ward. He likes to have a meeting that focuses on music each year. The Church is in the process of gathering and compiling hymns for a new hymnbook to come out in 2026. We have some of the new hymns released already that will be in the new book. We would use four of them for our congregational hymns. I sent an eMail with instructions as to how to get this music on your device and included copies of each of the hymns with the eMail and a Facebook post to the Elkhorn Creek Ward Facebook page. 

I had so much fun preparing for this talk. I thought of all the times I could remember the hymns touching my life. I read through almost all of the hymns in our current hymnbook and found phrases that taught gospel principles and had special meaning for me. I read a talk by then Elder Dallin H. Oaks from 1994 entitled "Worship Through Music". It was excellent. I pondered over these things and typed all my notes and thoughts into a word document. By Sunday, I was ready to speak. I will post that talk separately. The meeting was very good.

Monday, August 26th, we started our day with a biscuit run. I love these times. We pull to a parking spot and eat our biscuits while talking about things that are important to us. I am just sure we solve all the world's problems during these talks!! But I love this time with my hubby. 

I would hunker down again to accomplish things. I did get the September Relief Society birthday cards ready and updated the September Relief Society newsletter so it can be sent out easily. I was also able to have a really good talk with my friend, Velvett Bossio. She has skin cancer and will have surgery on it Wednesday. This is a big deal because it is right and  on her eye. Velvett is a breast cancer survivor. It was good to share our nose cancer experiences, get updates on all our health concerns and, hopefully, help strengthen her as she prepares for this surgery. My other talk was catching up with our eldest, Nissa. I don't talk with her enough. It is always good when I do. 

Today is Tuesday, August 27th, and I will have my Blog up-to-date. That will feels good. 

School Time is upon us. Today was Raelyn's 1st Day of 3rd Grade and Emelia's 1st Day of Kindergarten.

This year is Bailey's senior year. She had pictures taken and these are a few of them. She is holding her badges from what I am sure is her KUNA and other experiences as well as her French horn. 

As I realized our youngest grandmonster is a senior, I told Claude, "I don't think we have grandmonsters anymore, I think we have grandadults!"

One more really cute family picture. This is Joel and Drew working on the car. 

Life is good.