ARISE

Well Arise is over.  As wonderful as it was and as happy as we are that Marissa participated, we are all glad it is over. The Young Men and Young Woman have been practicing since January for this spectacular.  They practiced about every other weekend.  They even practiced during the week.  Which is okay, but it is nice to have her home.

With Marissa being so short, they had to make her a special choir robe.  She wasn't too thrilled about having to run across the field just to give it to a certain person so she could wear it later.  Of course the last night because they had so many show up that week, they didn't even put their choir robes back on.  (They didnt' have enough she said.) It was a wonderful experience not only for her to participate in, but to watch. 

They started out with the YW/YM from the North Council all dressed in White on the field.  They were in rows and would run back and forth it was awesome to watch.  After dancing for a few minutes, they brougth out a had a parachute painted like the earth and as the kids moved down the field they would take off their white robes and with brightly colored shirts move towards the earth.  It was neat to see. 

Then the West Council had different years like the pioneers, 20s, 50s, hip hop etc.  It is OUR TIME!!!!Marissa was in the hip hop group in careers.  They were showing life on earth.  She is the short one on in the scrubs.  It was fun trying to find some small enough for her. 

The South Council had different countries.  They even flew some kids from Ireland to participate that had been recently baptized.  They did different country dances.

The finally was amazing.  They had the kids come down out of the stadium and walk around the track and into the center as they sang.  It was awesome.  They all had a little light they held.  Then they all walked towards a picture of Christ on the Jumbo Tron singing Celebrating the Light.  As they walked closer they had another picture of Christ come down.  Marissa said as the youth felt the spirit they would kneel down.  Oh I forgot, one of my favorite parts is when as the kids were coming down the Elders and Sisters from the Ogden Mission all went into the middle of the field and sang Called to Serve.  Okay so having a missionary out, I lost it.  Of course there were quite a few times that Aaron and I lost it.  It was truly a spectacular event.