Letters from Home – Page 158 – A blog by Angela Ross

The Miracles of Song and the Courage of Youth

This is my dad and his family as they sent him off on a mission. I’m not sure what’s going on behind those stoic faces. Dread? Sadness? Bewilderment? Not ready for the camera?

My dad joined the Church when he was 17 years old. His family was not religious, but he had a few friends who were instrumental in his conversion. There was the neighbor who gave the family a Book of Mormon which sat on a shelf for years until my dad read it clandestinely in his room while throwing a basketball against the wall to avoid suspicion. There were some darling girls who invited him to early morning seminary, which he attended faithfully, learning the Old Testament. And then there was the Oakland Temple Pageant. His friends took him there and when the choir of 500 youth voices sang The Spirit of God, his heart was deeply touched. He had found the source of peace in a time of real upheaval. It was the late 1960’s in the Bay Area.

My dad’s story of hearing all of those young men and young women singing is best heard in person, and I am sure I am leaving out details. However, I believe that it was one of the sacred events that changed the course of his life.

It’s my dad’s story, but it’s also a part of my story. If those kids hadn’t shared their love of the gospel…if they hadn’t sung their hearts out… if he hadn’t had the Book of Mormon in his home… if he hadn’t been courageous and decided to be baptized, he wouldn’t have met my mom and I wouldn’t be here.

I believe in the miracles of music and the courage of youth.

As I sing in this choir with 300 kids ages 12-18, I am having a powerful experience.There are songs that I still cannot sing the whole way through without stopping for tears.

I hope someone in the audience will be touched by this music. I know that music can change lives.

*Butler Middle School is actually on 2700 E.

Concert black

Timothy had his first band concert this week. Bravo! He and his band did an excellent job. I am so proud of Timothy, but not enough to let him keep my black music stand in his room where he practices. This week I carefully reclaimed my stand and left my old silver one in its place. Someday you’ll get a nice black stand, Timothy. But we’ve got to pay for that trombone first.

This next week I’ll probably see our older kids wearing concert black every day. Recently, the orchestra director for Les Miserables had a moment of panic when he realized that they had only two pianists for the show when they really needed three. Paige was recruited to play. When the kids practice their songs on the piano, I sing along. One minute I’m Eponine and the next I’m Enjolras. Ha!

With all of the show business going on with the church musical and Les Miserables, I’m taking this day to do a super amount of laundry, shop, and prepare mentally for what’s ahead next week.

I’ve got my housework pearls on. It’s go time.

On the Perimeter

I asked a friend to give me some photos that he took at Youth Conference last June. I took hundreds of photos that week but had few pictures of Paige and nothing of myself. I was hoping that someone had taken a picture of us when we were riding horses, but there weren’t any.

As I went through hundreds of pictures, I found a pattern in where I can be found in big groups. I am usually on the perimeter, watching silently. I started to feel pity for that woman who never seemed to be in the middle of things, but I caught myself as I entered this trap that would make me feel of less value.

I have good relationships with the youth, but it’s through individual conversations, teaching Sunday lessons, and writing that these relationships have been made. From the perimeter, I see many things that people in the middle of the action can miss. There is a place for each kind of personality. And I can join in the middle of things, too. It’s just not where I spend most of my time.

1-IMG_0733 — Fun on the Perimeter with both youth and leaders. Just after this photo was taken, I joined in the line dancing we were watching.

Hooray for the introverts of the world. (I’m not saying that the above people are introverts.) We seek to know people on a deep level, we think before we speak, and we watch before we join in a group or a conversation. When we talk to people, you can be sure that we are investing our hearts and a lot of energy to the conversation. These are all great attributes.

Spring Lake Views

Long before my parents bought the Round House in Spring Lake, this was a special place in our family. My great-grandparents lived in Spring Lake and farmed there in the 1930’s through the early 1960’s. I remember trips to Spring Lake to visit the old house, the trout farm, and the little lake. There is something so beautiful about this rural area. In fact, the lake (as it used to be before the trees were all removed) is one of the places I think about when something unpleasant is happening.

At the base of the Secret Garden there is a beautiful view of the Payson Temple.

I love the meandering pathways through periwinkle and oak in the Secret Garden.

The new house is nearly finished. Our fingers are crossed that we can eat our Thanksgiving dinner there.

Trudy

What a happy surprise to have my friend Trudy and her mother drop in with English candies and all their news. They’ve lived in America for many years, but they are originally from England. Her mother’s voice and accent are unforgettable to me.

Trudy moved in down the street when I was about 13. We became friends after I tried to comb out all the tangles in her hair when she got pneumonia and had to spend weeks in bed. I had good times at their home. I loved their Christmas celebrations with traditional English fare in lavish portions in a beautiful presentation on their table. Trudy was there to help me get ready for my prom date; she was there when I made transitions to high school, college, and a new apartment. I played the violin for her missionary farewell. We dried each other’s tears and sometimes we were silly.

Trudy’s hair is beyond gorgeous, and these two women are masterful teachers and they love children. Each has an advanced degree in education. I didn’t have a maid of honor or a bridesmaid at my wedding because Trudy was serving a mission in California and I couldn’t imagine anyone else standing in that role. She’s such a dear and generous friend. I am so glad she took the time to visit!

Forty

Well.

What a nice birthday celebration. I wrote 40 letters this week to important people in my life. What a great way to feel completely content with everything and everyone. My life is full of miracles, including the placement and timing of friends, teachers, and family.

On my birthday, cards and kind gestures arrived in abundance. I enjoyed a lunch with my lunch date, Mark, who slicked back his hair and wore his fabulous new glasses, and my mom and one of my sisters. I got to hear the kids perform on the piano. I felt healthy and I had energy. I’ve loved playing my new violin, which was Richard’s birthday gift. The sun was shining and the light was golden and the view from every window was colorful because of the autumn leaves. I watched the full moon rise over the mountains. We shared delicious milkshakes as a family.

One of the songs from our church musical is about finding evidence of our Heavenly Father’s hand in our lives. It has a line which says,

“For how could we hope to see His face, who never could see His hand?”

This week as I listened and sang along to the music in my kitchen, the truth of that line made me a little breathless with emotion. Gratitude (acknowledging His hand) is a step to seeing His face. What a comfort to see His love. What joy in the seeking.

Two musicals this month

Paige and I are singing in the musical, From Cumorah’s Hill later this month. Paige is also being featured in a video section of this production. We invite you to attend on Thursday, November 20 or Saturday, November 22! It’s a big production with a gorgeous set, powerful music, and my favorite: the youth share their love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Daniel is attending rehearsals for this, but he won’t be able to perform because he is playing piano for Les Miserables at his high school on those evenings. We invite you to come see Les Miserables on Friday, November 21.

Halloween 2014

The boys have been planning for months what they wanted to wear for Halloween. We worked hard to make each detail.

1-DSC_2316 — We covered Richard’s motorcycle helmet with painter’s tape and made the oxygen pack on his back with oatmeal containers. I found a design and ironed it on Mark’s sweats.

1-DSC_2314 — Timothy bought this shirt in August and I made the robe. The headband was made by my mom. We bought the beard and wig and made his staff from a milk jug with spray paint and some pvc pipe.

Are you wondering who these characters are that the boys chose for their costumes?

Clipboard01 — Mark was Benny from The Lego Movie

Clipboard02 — Timothy was Vitruvius from The Lego Movie

8 years ago

Eight years ago my dad and mom began their missionary journey. They were asked to come to the Church office building in Salt Lake City for several interviews before being called as a mission president and companion and there was a lot of training which began 6 months before they went to the missionary training center. My mom learned Spanish. My dad revisited his Spanish speaking skills. He shaved his mustache.

They moved out of their home and said goodbye to the grandchildren. It was a big deal in our family to see this happen.

They served for 3 years in the California San Bernardino mission. My mom taught, cooked, entertained, cooked, taught, loved, and spent a lot of time on the phone dealing with the health issues of their missionaries while my dad presided over the mission. There isn’t time to list all the things a mission president does for the missionaries, the people who are being taught by the missionaries, the members, and the community. I saw both my parents shine as they did the work. It was a busy, busy time.

Just a few months after they came home they were called to serve in the Provo Missionary Training Center. My dad served in branch presidencies and as a Branch President for Spanish speaking missionaries. This meant they would be at the MTC usually 2 nights a week and all day on Sundays. It meant my dad would read and respond to letters from his missionaries on another evening each week. My family was able to attend a sacrament meeting at the MTC on Christmas Day a few years ago. The missionaries spoke Spanish at whatever level they could. I saw how they loved my parents and how parents loved them. My dad has a great zeal for the gospel and my mom has a quiet wisdom that the missionaries love.

They were released on Sunday morning, which means that their service was accepted and they are no longer serving as missionaries. My heart broke a little bit for them, especially my dad. I am so proud of my parents. It’s been a marathon… an 8-year marathon, and they have touched so many lives.

Mark’s Quotes, Fall 2014

After coming home from playing with a puppy: “When Sparky was a puppy, did he think everything was a toy or was he born with dignity?” 8-19-14

While writing thank you notes: “I wonder if there is such thing as a ‘you’re welcome note?‘” 10-1-14

After practicing a fast song on the piano: “That song always makes me slightly dazed.” 10-2-14

Talking about surgery and anesthesia (No one is having surgery; we’re just talking about it.): “I’m not really cool about being put to sleep. I’d probably be okay with a Harry Potter potion, though.” 10-22-14

“If you know you’re not sick and your feel your forehead and it’s warm, does that mean your brain is working? Because that happens when I do my multiplication timed tests.” 10-27-14

While writing a story about 3 children catching an insect: “John was going to be the main character but it turned out that Peter is because he has the net. Whoever wields the net is the main character.” 10-28-14