So.... Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I was cast as Millie and it was one of the best experience of my life. What a thrilling experience.... Well, to be honest, it didn't start out that way. When I first went to practice and saw all the lines I had to memorize and was very overwhelmed. I struggle getting overwhelmed very easily and have lots of anxiety, especially in front of people. So what was I doing being in a play? Well first of all I felt I should, second of all I got the part and thirdly because I love musicals and enjoy being in them. I had a great director, choreographer and backstage crew to work with. They helped me realize my abilities and helped me believe in myself. January was the hardest month, and going to almost every practice was a push, due to my depression and anxiety that month (which I have suffered from due to hormonal imbalances for years) (but it is soooooo much better, that just was a harder month), but I knew people were counting on me and I had to be there. One particular practice I was struggling so much I almost told them I wasn't feeling good and had to go, but I felt I should stay. So I called my mom while I was waiting to do my part, cried to her a little and asked that she pray for me. I kid you not, right after our phone call my family got on their knees and I felt instant strength. No on that night could tell in my acting and singing that it had been a hard night. This is an example of the entire play experience for me. As long as I was willing and ready to do it, put the effort in, the Lord made up the difference.... Every time it mattered. Not only did the Lord bless me with that, but he also blessed me in my singing ability. I became confident in my voice and craved singing in front of people. ( Let me give a few notes in background.... I was in musicals and choir in high school, never til this day have I had the confidence in me in my singing ability. I even had lead roles and a few solos in choir here and there.... I cannot tell you how important it is to have leaders and friends that support and lift you, helping you take it to the next level! The Lord puts certain people in our path that we might grow, and I can't testify of that enough!) I had people say I sound like a bird (meaning a song bird I believe), an angel, like Tangled! I was so excited and shocked to hear so many people tell me they liked my voice. What a blessing it was to me. Every time I was complimented I was uplifted even more. Compliment people! It can only help them feel better! You know how it feels to want to be complimented, don't hold back in giving it to others. It cannot hurt you one bit! Being kind can never hurt you only bless you.
Said Elder Jeffery"Brothers and Sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt- and certainly not to feel envious- when good fortune comes to another person? we are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those. Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is- downing a quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him "all that he hath," as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord's vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."
I met amazing people and felt sooo loved, it was like a big family backstage, it was wonderful!... especially when I got sick one weekend. I lost my voice onstage a few times and that was crazy! I woke up one Saturday morning where we had two performances and my voice was hoarse. I was given more healing drinks and remedies than I care to mention.... They took such good care of me. Everyone was worried about me, especially after the first song when everyone realized I was whispering... and it wasn't on purpose, that was all I could do. One of the little girls on stage told me after my first song ("Wonderful, wonderful Day") that I needed some water... One of the brothers was talking to me and said during my song "Going Courtin" He felt so bad he didn't know what to do, should he just sing with me? The audience even had empathy, cause I kept on going even though I couldn't sing nor talk to my normal capacity. I never would have anticipated that I would be able to handle anything less than a perfection from myself in a performance. I had such confidence! I received a blessing through my father and some other men (who hold the priesthood of God) from God and knew everything would be okay, that I would get better and people would see my improvement. I went out on stage remembering the counsel I received from my brother who has gone through medical school and is now in residency under high pressure situations..... " No matter what happens I am going to finish.... No matter what happens, I still have my family and I still have my Heavenly Father" I knew my sickness didn't define me and I felt so accomplished that I still did it despite my voice giving out in several instance that I would never change that experience. And as the blessings said I was blessed to be able to sing through the whole first act of the second run of the show that day and by the following Tuesday I was better. I can't tell you how fantastic it felt to sing again! I was so excited to sing!!! Sometimes you don't realize just how much you love doing something until you can't anymore. I came to appreciate singing even more! The final weekend of the show was great, a man from my church who played the trumpet said each performance got better and better! What a blessing the show was!
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