PS, those words all started with the letter 'W.' You're welcome. Now that that's over, Hopefully, I can explain this all well enough in the five minutes that I have left. First, we had an amazing experience going to a world-class concert. Second, world-class musicians are telling me to study music. Third, my companion is getting transferred. Oh and fourth, Elder Ballard came and spoke with us all.
So Igor Gruppman, the 1st Violin of the Rotterdam Philharmonic (world-renowned), conductor for the Orchestra on Temple Square, really good friend of President Hinckley (back then), President Monson, and President Uchtdorf; and member of the Gouda ward; invited us (or rather his wife, who is also a world-renowned violinist) to come to a part of the Gergiev Festival. Valery Gergiev is claimed to be the world's best conductor and we got to go to his concert, watching an absolutely amazing philharmonic, with a ridiculously talented guest violinist, in a stunning concert hall (de Doelen)! It was so freakin cool!!!!
So the Gruppmans like me a lot. I actually just performed with the world-class violinist Sister Gruppman and a sister missionary (who sung) for a musical number this last Sunday. I accompanied them on piano for Savior, Redeemer of My Soul. It was freakin awesome. And they both highly complimented me afterwards. It wasn't an easy piano part to learn in just a few days, especially with limited amounts of time. But now I can say I did that =D Tee hee! But Br. Gruppman asked me afterwards if I was still planning to study music and he said that he wants to get me the chance to talk with one of the percussionists from the Rotterdam Philharmonic. I don't think I'll ever have time or permission for that.... But that would be so awesome just to get his perspective on things.... Probably won't happen though.
While I was talking with Sis. Gruppman though, she told me about some history between her husband and President Hinckley and some other experiences she's had. Basically, they're both called by the Church to reach out to the world through music. Not openly advertising the church, but improving people's lives through music. It's really amazing once you hear the whole story behind everything. So it actually turned out being a very spiritual experience for me and I think that's something I want to do with my life. Make music that can inspire, uplift, and reach out to people. Not saying it'll all by churchy music, EFY stuff, but music can have a real power/influence in people's lives. I'd rather at least make music that doesn't talk about all of the worldly crap that gradually wears people down. So we'll see. But the U might be better for me to study music... At the same time though, the Y might be a better atmosphere for me... I don't know.
Elder Ballard came and talked to us by the way. He stressed a lot how important it is to help people to pray to God for an answer. Not just ask them to do it, but help them to do it while we're with them. A lot of people want to get answers from God, but they don't quite understand how to once we leave, or they don't know how to recognize the feelings of the Holy Ghost. He also stressed how important it is that we work more with the members and teach everyone the first lesson about the Restoration so that they can feel the power of it again. It was all really special. And we all got to shake his hand =) Plus he came with two other Seventies, Hallstrom and Dyches. They were all super funny guys and their wives too. Sister Ballard and Elder Ballard spoke together for a bit and were absolutely hilarious together. Really cool to see them not just delivering sermons =)
So with transfers, Elder Giles is gone. I'm getting one of my old zone leaders, Elder Chantry (who is freakin awesome, love that guy), and a greeny!!! Technically, Elder Chantry will be training him, but he leaves halfway through the transfer, well four weeks technically. Trio's are... interesting. But it's gonna be really fun!
K love you guys and thanks so much for the support and love! Bye!!!
So Igor Gruppman, the 1st Violin of the Rotterdam Philharmonic (world-renowned), conductor for the Orchestra on Temple Square, really good friend of President Hinckley (back then), President Monson, and President Uchtdorf; and member of the Gouda ward; invited us (or rather his wife, who is also a world-renowned violinist) to come to a part of the Gergiev Festival. Valery Gergiev is claimed to be the world's best conductor and we got to go to his concert, watching an absolutely amazing philharmonic, with a ridiculously talented guest violinist, in a stunning concert hall (de Doelen)! It was so freakin cool!!!!
So the Gruppmans like me a lot. I actually just performed with the world-class violinist Sister Gruppman and a sister missionary (who sung) for a musical number this last Sunday. I accompanied them on piano for Savior, Redeemer of My Soul. It was freakin awesome. And they both highly complimented me afterwards. It wasn't an easy piano part to learn in just a few days, especially with limited amounts of time. But now I can say I did that =D Tee hee! But Br. Gruppman asked me afterwards if I was still planning to study music and he said that he wants to get me the chance to talk with one of the percussionists from the Rotterdam Philharmonic. I don't think I'll ever have time or permission for that.... But that would be so awesome just to get his perspective on things.... Probably won't happen though.
While I was talking with Sis. Gruppman though, she told me about some history between her husband and President Hinckley and some other experiences she's had. Basically, they're both called by the Church to reach out to the world through music. Not openly advertising the church, but improving people's lives through music. It's really amazing once you hear the whole story behind everything. So it actually turned out being a very spiritual experience for me and I think that's something I want to do with my life. Make music that can inspire, uplift, and reach out to people. Not saying it'll all by churchy music, EFY stuff, but music can have a real power/influence in people's lives. I'd rather at least make music that doesn't talk about all of the worldly crap that gradually wears people down. So we'll see. But the U might be better for me to study music... At the same time though, the Y might be a better atmosphere for me... I don't know.
Elder Ballard came and talked to us by the way. He stressed a lot how important it is to help people to pray to God for an answer. Not just ask them to do it, but help them to do it while we're with them. A lot of people want to get answers from God, but they don't quite understand how to once we leave, or they don't know how to recognize the feelings of the Holy Ghost. He also stressed how important it is that we work more with the members and teach everyone the first lesson about the Restoration so that they can feel the power of it again. It was all really special. And we all got to shake his hand =) Plus he came with two other Seventies, Hallstrom and Dyches. They were all super funny guys and their wives too. Sister Ballard and Elder Ballard spoke together for a bit and were absolutely hilarious together. Really cool to see them not just delivering sermons =)
So with transfers, Elder Giles is gone. I'm getting one of my old zone leaders, Elder Chantry (who is freakin awesome, love that guy), and a greeny!!! Technically, Elder Chantry will be training him, but he leaves halfway through the transfer, well four weeks technically. Trio's are... interesting. But it's gonna be really fun!
K love you guys and thanks so much for the support and love! Bye!!!