pic via online
And so, last Saturday evening I found myself driving with a friend from the ward and her husband to the location of the Cultural Celebration- Discovery Park in Gilbert. Armed with an umbrella and chair, driving amidst dark, looming clouds and a forecast of rain, we parked in a large dirt parking lot and found our ward prepping for the arrival of President Monson, President Eyring and the start of the performance. They had been there since 1 pm- doing a full dress rehearsal.
And as we arrived on the large field- several football fields long and essentially a flood control area- it began to rain. A pretty good amount. It hadn't rained for most of the day and we were not expecting it to. Not really. We opened umbrellas, put on plastic garbage bags as makeshift ponchos (although I have some in my 72 hr kits) and within 5-10 minutes my jeans were soaked through.
That was also the time for the 12,000 youth to gather on the field and greet President Monson. In the rain. No umbrellas. No ponchos (mostly). Wearing thin costumes over their jeans and tshirts. And they did it! No complaining (at least not before they went out). With cheers and rejoicing they greeted our Prophet and listened to President Eyring speak to them. He said "This is a day you will remember. You will tell your children and grandchildren about this day. Go home and write about it in your journals."
It was so amazing to see such enthusiasm and love for the Prophet that these Youth have. They are so inspiring! My heart yearned to go out to the field and offer each one of those youth an umbrella and protect them from the cold. But, the rainy atmosphere made the experience.
The 12,000 youth who danced and sang and stood in the rain- getting drenched to the bone- proved to themselves, to the world and to Heavenly Father, what they were made of. They quoted early Arizonan Pioneers who said "This can't be the start of anything good (about the dry desert land)" and could say the same about the torrential downpour right at the start of the show. And yet, something good did come of it.
It was amazing. It was awe inspiring. It was a night never to be forgotten!
And a time to go home to hot showers, dry clothes and a warm bed!
*Great link found here on the experience of this past weekend.
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