Surround Yourself With Joy

I had the neatest experience last week. I was able to meet Janice Kapp Perry! She has always been one of my hero's! Can't begin to explain how her music has influenced and touched my life.

When I saw the poster in Relief Society announcing her coming to speak for our stake, I was like "NO WAY ! How did they get her to do that?" Then I found out that it happened about the same way as when Shawna got Elaine Dalton to speak for our stake young women....

Our presidency was just sitting there in the tabernacle after being taught by the general young women leaders in the meetings they hold before general conference. All of the sudden, Shawna says "I'll be right back..." and she marches right up to the podium and starts talking to Sister Dalton.

We were just sitting there with our mouths hanging open. After a few minutes, we saw Sister Dalton give Shawna a hug and Shawna walks down the stairs just beaming.

She sits down by us again and says "I don't know how or why I just did that, but I found myself up there asking her if she would come speak to our stake young women about the new value and she said YES!"

Anyway, I heard that this same sort of thing happened with sister Perry...One of the stake R.S. presidency asked and she said Yes! I guess that goes to show you that it doesn't hurt to ask.

Not too long after I saw the poster, I got a call from Merrilee Cook asking if I would like to sing with a group of ladies that was singing a song that she had written recently for the program. Oh Yes!

It's called " Surround Yourself With Joy" The words are so beautiful...it really got to me at that first practice. For some reason the words just seemed to hit me.... so profound and true. I didn't do a lot of singing...mostly just blubbering.

"Life holds much of sorrow, that we cannot avoid.
So when you have the chance, when you have the choice,
Surround yourself with joy.
Surround yourself with children, so innocent and sweet
For life can seem so simple if you can make believe.
Surround yourself with music, and you'll find solace there,
For when your heart is tender, your song becomes a prayer.

Surround yourself with friendship, when you feel all alone.
For in the love of others the sweetest joys are known.
Surround yourself with beauty, enjoy God's handiwork.
In sights and sounds of nature, the voice of God is heard.

Surround yourself with silence, for when you are alone
the whisperings of the spirit are quietly made known.
Surround yourself with heaven, in every waking thought,
For there is peace and safety, within the love of God.
Life holds much of sorrow, that we cannot avoid,
So when you have the chance, when you have the choice,
Surround yourself with Joy.

Singing under her direction was a joy! Merrilee has such a great spirit and made this a wonderful experience.

I was so glad that Camille and Candice could come to the program. It was just a treat to get to sit and listen to her for an hour and a half. She was everything I thought she would be and more. She was funny and smart and humble and very down to earth...kind of like sitting and talking with your mom. I was right in the front-center because we had the group of ladies sit together that sang, so I felt like she was talking right to me....kind of uncomfortable when I couldn't stop bawling when she had us all sing the favorite songs with her....Childs Prayer, Armies of Heleman, I'm trying to be like Jesus...that one always gets to me, ever since the Katie, Camille, and Candice sang that together in Sacrament meeting when our family had to do the program. Her words are so meaningful...So simple and straight forward. I know she has been given a special gift to write these words and put them to music so we can remember the messages they teach. They have sure stayed with me throughout my life.

After the program, I got in the line to say hello to her. She was really sweet when I told her how her music had touched my life and and how K.C. was such a big fan too!

I had told K.C. when he called on Mother's day that she was coming to speak to our stake. He said if I got a chance I should be sure to get her autograph or take a picture or just tell her that he loves her music. He said he sure wished he could meet her.

She said for me to tell him that she is proud of him for serving the people in Russia. She said she was thinking that she and her husband (by the way, he was so cute and sweet with her...took care of the recorded accompaniment and sang a little part of a song with her) would be called to serve a mission in Russia because her husband speaks Russian. They ended up in a Spanish speaking mission which she had some great experiences to tell about. She had a great message about taking little steps to achieve your goals and dreams. Don't ever think you are too old or that you are not good enough or that something is impossible...just keep taking those little steps....that's all God expects of us...we don't have to be perfect, just that we are trying... and finding joy in that journey!
I really wanted to get a picture of her to send to K.C. so after the crowds had left, Carol took this picture of us. Pretty special night!