Emily's Exploits

Back in July before I came back to Utah, I was reading David A. Bednar's book, Act In Doctrine. I had just finished a segment about the character of Christ, and how the Savior "turned outward" in service, even when he was in intense pain and could have been preoccupied with his own mission (it's a great book and you should read it!). As I boarded the plane bound for Salt Lake City, I put the book in my bag, ready to pick it up again once I found a seat. I found the first available window seat next to a gentleman in his mid-thirties. We sat a seat apart from each other, and I got my book out again to continue reading about the character of Christ. But then the Spirit said to me, "If you want to try out this principle, you should 'turn outward' and talk to this man, rather than ignore him." Point taken. I closed my book and started talking to the man. This was not the first time I had tried to be friendly to someone on a flight with the intention...

Meet Janice Kapp Perry : Mormon music composer extraordinaire. She has written some of the most well-loved children's songs that I grew up with, including: I Love to See the Temple (this was, ironically, the very first song I ever sang in voice lessons with Erin Guinup) Love is Spoken Here A Child's Prayer I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I'm Trying to be Like Jesus We'll Bring the World His Truth As Sisters In Zion Listen to these and many more here. Sister Perry often speaks for church events and firesides. She gave a fireside for my stake 18 months ago, and she loved our stake leaders so much that she agreed to come back and do the same thing again.  So, Carli and I were asked to sing for our stake fireside. We met Sister Perry at her house to sing a new song she wrote: "I Will Say a Prayer" (listen on Spotify). She has sung with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and of course, written so many songs! It was an honor to me...

Ok so maybe I didn't do very well at 30-days-of-Thankful, because I only posted once every couple of days instead of everyday. But that's ok with me! I'll do it again next year :) November 26 Grateful for my friends, the Scotts, who drove me to the airport in WA, and back to Provo from the SLC airport. It was nice not to fly totally alone :) Successful vacation, and successful getting back into Provo. November 27 Grateful for my friend Jordan who is playing the English Horn with me for my jury and my upcoming recital! He and I practiced "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen" together, and Quia respexit from Bach's Magnificat [he plays the oboe for that piece]. I love both of those songs! And I love practicing with other people than just myself! I get super bored just singing all alone. November 28 Grateful for my voice teacher and mentor Dr. Vincent who has been so supportive of me and my goals. Even though I told him I probably won't pursue grad...

November 22 I'm thankful for my health. This week there have been two deaths (due to illness) in my family's circle of friends. One was a friend's baby who was born with so many problems, her little body just couldn't handle it. Another was a friend of my Dad's who has been battling cancer for a few years. We went to the hospital to visit her while she was declining. Both of these daughters of God died on Thanksgiving day. I suppose Thanksgiving will never be the same for those families. I am thankful for my knowledge that God's love is real. It is so real and profound that He has provided us a way to be with our families forever- through priesthood ordinances and the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Could heaven really be heaven without those we love? Could heaven really be heaven if our familial relationships could not be perpetuated? I do not believe so. Heaven isn't a place where the slate is wiped clean and we just exist as individuals. Our experiences...

November 18 On Sunday I was very thankful for Rhodes rolls. Yes. Those rolls you buy frozen at the store, let them rise, then bake them. I had 8 of them for dinner. I was recovering from being sick and nothing else sounded good! On another note, I was very grateful for church. The theme for this Sunday was "Let the Holy Spirit Guide," and we discussed and learned about different ways that the Holy Spirit guides our lives and helps us make decisions. This seems to be a favorite topic among young single Mormons to talk about because, well, let's face it, we all want to be able to make important decisions about marriage, dating, and schooling. I was not particularly thinking about marriage or dating, but about my future school aspirations. I've been coming to terms with the fact that I probably will not continue my performing as a professional, nor will I pursue music in my graduate studies. It's been a little hard, but I feel pretty peaceful. The world is mine a...

What a week. The past few days I've thought "man, I need to blog!" but it simply didn't happen. Now it's finally happening! I am relying on my journal entries to remind myself of what happened each day... November 12 Grateful for good companions from the mission. I had lunch with Sister Quist on campus- and it felt like old times. She and I were companions for Christmas 2 years ago! How time flies! I'm grateful that she was patient with me when we were companions and that she suggested we get together. Also- grateful for Hercules. I watched it with my friends that night, and realized all the parallels to the gospel. Especially the moment when Hercules is sincerely questioning his identity and he kneels in sincere prayer- I thought of how that resembles Joseph Smith when he knelt in the Sacred Grove. And both received miraculous answers... except Joseph Smith actually did see God and Jesus Christ, and Hercules is a myth. I also enjoy Hercules' sacrifi...

November 9th On November 9th I was very thankful for Kimberly, my old room mate (I'm seeing a trend... being grateful for room mates, past and present!) I trudged up to campus in the rain and hail, then further walked to the Morris center in the rain again. After taking my test, I looked out the window and what did I see? [Definitely not popcorn.] [picture compliments of Ty] Hey Provo, that was pretty crazy stuff you just did! It was a full blown snowstorm, and I didn't want to die, or fall while walking around. Kimberly picked me up from my test, and we went to the temple together! Then she took me back to campus! She is so kind and giving. I remember thinking when we were roommates just how great it was- she is a perfect example of giving and sharing, without begrudging anyone for what she gives them. November 10th Yesterday evening my cousin Jake came down to Provo so we could hang out together! I'm grateful that he calls me and wants to spend time with me, ev...