NEWS FLASH!!!!! (Is that one word??)

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself. While Alina and I were exercising the other day she told me that our stake was one of several stakes in the area to be invited to sing at the Relief Society General Broadcast. You can imagine my ecstatic response. I've sang on temple square several times -- but to sing in the new conference center during my favorite church meeting of the year!!!

I was so excited that I forgot to use my common sense. Clearly, this wouldn't be something they'd announce in Sacrament Meeting and any and all could participate. I hit reality hard today at the temple dedication when I asked a friend of mine about it. She told me it was by invitation only and I hadn't been invited.

I waited until I was in my car before I started to cry. Don't judge me--it's been a long couple of weeks and I really needed a boost.

When I got home, I told Timothy how disappointed I was and he said I should call our stake music person and beg. It was a good suggestion, so I tried it, but she wasn't home. I changed out of my church clothes and went on with my day.

At 7:30 the phone rang and Timothy answered it. It was the husband of the lady I'd been talking to at the dedication about the choir. Follow that? Apparently, one of the choir members had had a baby and withdrawn from the choir. The stake Relief Society president asked my friend if she knew of anyone who would want to participate. My friend did know someone!! They called me on her suggestion and I don't think I've ever changed into my church clothes so fast. Timothy figured out where I was supposed to go while I changed, and I ran out the door not five minutes later.

It was every bit as wonderful as I thought it would be to sing with a group of women with such an incredible purpose and highly competent conductor. We laughed, we cried, we SANG, and the conductor even gave us an imaginary group hug. It was exactly like what it is supposed to be like when women get together. I know, I know, I often say how much I love Relief Society--but truly, I do. I can't begin to explain how much this opportunity means to me. Especially right now. Relief Society validates the importance of women. There is nothing more feminist and wonderful than that.

The only sad thing is that I was an hour late to the practice and missed SISTER ALLRED. She spoke briefly at the beginning of the meeting about the importance of music and putting our testimonies into the songs we sing. For those of you who don't know who she is--she's the first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency. If you have no idea what I'm talking about--feel free to click here.

Anyway--I'm pretty thrilled. We only have four practices and one of the songs is "As Sisters in Zion" which means I'll listen while everyone else sings and I cry. I don't think I ever sing that song without getting choked up. But who cares--sing or not I'll be in the choir in the Conference Center during the General Relief Society Meeting. WAHOO!!!