Behind the Scenes

 Like I mentioned in my last post, I was very involved in the Cultural Celebration that went along with the Atlanta Temple re dedication.  I not only made the flowers for the opening number but I was able to help back stage with all of the props for the evening.  It was an incredible experience and I feel very privileged to have been a part of it.

 It was also broadcast live streaming online and to all of the church buildings since seating was so limited.

 I worked with a great group of women from our stake, and I also saw many familiar faces from our ward.

It was a long couple of days with all of the practices and tech rehearsals, but it was worth it.

This picture is of some dragonflies my sister helped me to make when she was here.  The dancers HATED carrying them around because they were so heavy and were hard to dance with.  But they looked really good on stage.

The best part of the night was being able to see the Prophet.  His green room was right in the hallway where we had the props.  Before he arrived his secret service guys scoped out the place all day.  Preparing where he would come in, where he would go, etc.  When he was almost there they blocked off the whole stage area.  I had been putting some props on the side where they were going to bring the cars in (they brought them all the way in onto the stage and shut the doors before they let him and Elder Ballard out).  I tried to get back to the hallway but they wouldn't let me go anywhere.  So I sat on a chair that was right by where he got out.  I was the first person he saw when he got out of his car.  The secret service people told all of us not to move or take any pictures when he got there.  NO sudden movements.  I smiled as he rolled down his window and asked if he could get out yet.  It was pretty funny.  They took him and those with him right to his green room.  I was kind of disappointed that he didn't shake any hands, as I wanted to see if I felt the same spirit when I shook his hand as when I shook President Hinckleys years ago.  But I know he was on a tight schedule.  It definitely was a well tuned machine.

Having him in the building and being in his vicinity was really neat.  There were many stories of incredible events that took place that weekend.  King J was in a meeting and heard a story first hand from someone who was in charge of feeding all the stage crew that weekend. They had planned on using some chicken for one of the meals.  It spoiled and they had to take it back to Costco.  While she was there getting new meat she felt impressed that she should get some roast beef.  She had no idea why since she wasn't planning on serving anything with roast beef.  But she purchased it anyway.  Well the night of the performance those who were in charge of feeding the prophet were racing around in a panic. The only thing he had asked for was a roast beef sandwich for his dinner and they couldn't find it anywhere.  This sweet sister then knew why she had been prompted earlier in the day to purchase it.  Even in the small things God is aware of us.


I am SO grateful for the blessing it was to be involved.  Heavenly Father truly was looking out for me those few months that I was working on the flowers.  He is mindful of all of us and our needs.