We're Moving!!

Hey everyone-we're moving our blog to:

www.mercyrivermusic.blogspot.com

Make the changes in your google reader, etc. and come follow us at our new address. Hope to see you there!

XOXO

Mercy River + Cherry Hill = Wind

OK, it actually wasn't THAT windy. There was a breeze, but it was NOTHING compared to last time. (i.e. chairs weren't blowing on top of people!) We had so much fun this time around. Cherry Hill has a way of helping us see how far we've come, and how far we have to go. We're so thankful for the opportunity to practice our concert chops! Thanks to all those who came-and for those of you who missed it, don't fret! We are doing it again August 8th, so mark your calendars! XO

Brooke

I have to post this picture too-my daughter is obsessed with dress-ups, and it's usually easier to let her keep them on when we go somewhere. This was her ensemble for the concert. Her style is impeccable, right? She caused quite the stir that night!

Catch Up--CANADA!!!!!

We have a lot of catching up to do--LOTS of great performances and adventures that we want to share. Let's start with...

CANADA!!Zach sitting like a big boy on the plane.

Our trip to Canada by FAR was one of our favorite Mercy RIver experiences yet. In May we flew to Ontario, Canada to perform at a tri-stake scripture mastery conference. It was a three day adventure—traveling all day Thursday, performing Friday, and traveling back on Saturday.

On Thursday we sat in our first plane for an hour before take off—because of some "paper" error—so we missed our connecting flight in Denver. Brooke demanded free food (that girl!) so we enjoyed pizza and cinna-sticks and ice cream while we waited for the next flight later that night. When we arrived in Detroit, I was shocked to discover that the Meagan Sandor I had been in contact with for months--the Stake YW President--was OUR AGE! We quickly learned about the church in Canada--how members there are few and far between (literally). Some members, like Meagan's husband David, drive 2 hours every week to go to meetings. And most members juggle several callings at a time and fill in leadership positions at young ages. It's amazing. What an ispiriation it is to meet such good, faithful people.

The London Stake YW Presidency

Meagan and her counselor, Cheryl (just as young and just as darling!) picked us up and drove us across the border to Meagan’s house. I enjoyed soaking in their Canadian accents—"howse," "owt," sore-y".....

This is Meagan's house. B & S said they would kill me if I posted this picture (no makeup, peeps) but I wanted to show this darling place!!!! If I go missing you'll know who did it.

Meagan’s house was this darling cottage like thing on a street with huge trees and houses just like hers. So cute. Inside it looked like we had stepped into a Jane Austen book. I thought Brooke would pass out. Around the house were vases filled with our favorite flowers, and on each of our beds we found our favorite candy.

The next day we worked on our script, trying to re-vamp it to meet the specific needs of the youth in this stake. Many of them are the only members in their schools. We prayed hard about what and how to teach these youth...and when it finally came together and I was very pleased (and relieved!).

Here are some YM trying to win Mercy River magnets. Would you believe me if I told you they were practically wrestling for these?

The fireside went great. My favorite part was mingling with the kids and hearing about their lives and seeing the light in their eyes. The next day we sang to them after breakfast (a fun little "mini-concert") and then we headed off to the airport. Meagan and Cheryl took us to “Big Boy” in Michigan for lunch, and BOY oh boy was it yummy.

Here we are with real Canadian syrup!

Chillin' in the airport with our amazing new cookbooks, a gift from the London Stake. Is it weird that all three of us LOVE cookbooks????? We spent the entire flight home reading them....

And so it was, that with full bellies and siutcases full (really full) with Canadian souvineers, we headed back to the USA.

Thank you, Meagan and the London Stake, for an AMAZING time!

Pictures: Concert and Ladies Night!

Here are some pics from our BIG weekend earlier this month--a benefit concert and Deseret Book's Ladies Night--all in 24 hours!

Backstage at the Lori Udy Benefit Concert in Idaho

The PopRocks

David Osmond

Backstage...

Saturday morning breakfast with David Osmond and his wife, Valerie

Ladies Night!

This weekend....it's CANADA or bust! :)

In Memory of Lori Udy

A few weeks ago we were privileged to perform at the Lori Udy Benefit Concert in Idaho. I promise to post more later about this AMAZING show (lots of pictures!) but today, we wanted to pay tribute to our friend, Lori.


Lori battled with cancer (starting with breast cancer) for about 6 years. She is a wife to Steve and a mother to Mikayla and Austin. Her courage and strength in the face of so great a challenge inspired those who were lucky enough to meet her.

At the concert, Brooke, Soni, and I were able to talk with Lori. Honestly, my thoughts were, "I could be really good friends with her." I found myself wishing that I could know her better-- spend time with her, maybe take our kids to the park, talk about books we just read, agonize over laundry, complain about the weather.

That's the kind of person she was--even when you first met her you felt like you'd known her forever.

The concert was amazing. The energy and excitement were strong, as was the spirit. It was a night of celebration but also one of somber realization that Lori didn't have long.

And two weeks later, she was gone.

Lori passed away on Friday, April 17, 2009...only 14 short days after the concert. Her funeral was today in Florida, and all day long I was wishing that I could have been there. But instead, I wanted to pay tribute in this way--to honor a woman whose very smile inspired me to be better, count my blessings, and thank Heavenly Father for every single day.

Thank you, Lori!

BIG WEEKEND!!

OK, so first of all, I'm sure you've all noticed our New Year's resolution has pretty much bombed. So much for once a week updates! We've been nice and busy these last few months-whether it's rehearsals or firesides or concerts, there's always a Mercy River adventure. As soon as we've recovered from one, it's on to the next. Lately we've been working hard to get ready for...

THE BIG WEEKEND!

This Friday Mercy River will be performing with David Osmond, (enter high school girl squeal here!) and Pop Rocks, (a rock-your-world accapella group), at a benefit concert for Lori Udy. (Read Lori's story here.) The concert will be held in Rockland, ID and starts at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $10 a person and all proceeds go to help Lori and her sweet family. Read her story-we know you'll be touched. We would love to see you there!

Saturday we'll be at the University Mall in Orem for Ladies' Night! Ladies, put on your dancing shoes and come party with us! We'll be there from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, (during the Priesthood session of General Conference), it'll be a blast.

And finally, what better way to top off a fun filled weekend than General Conference? We're so blessed to have such strong and incredible church leaders during this otherwise difficult time. We love our Prophet, and can't wait to receive his inspiration and counsel.

Thanks for all your sweet emails and kind words! We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this.

XOXO

At the Feet of an Apostle

Last week, Brooke, Soni and I had the privilege of attending a Deseret Book banquet. The best part was not the amazing food, not being in the same room with incredible authors and artists, not even getting a night away from the kids.

It was sitting at the feet of an apostle.

We didn't know that Elder Bednar and his family would be attending that night. When he walked in I thought my husband might pass out! (We love Elder Bednar because he was our President at Ricks College.)We got to shake hands and visit for a moment, and Brooke (lucky) even got to ride in the elevator with him.

After dinner he spoke to us about some of his experiences while being an apostle. What hit me the most was the reminder that the gospel is SO personal. It is so one-on-one. The Lord would send an apostle half way around the world to help ONE PERSON. Just one.

It's about individuals.

If the Lord would send someone as busy and important as an apostle to help ONE person...surely He would need me, and you, to help in the same cause (cuuuuz, last time I looked, He had a LOT of children...)

I have since looked more closely, more carefully around me--seeing faces, reading expressions, searching for a need.Who around me needs MY help? Who is the person that the Lord needs me to wrap an arm around?

What a fantastic reminder that the Lord would--and will--come after each of us one by one. And how humbling to remember that at times, He is counting on US to reach out--so that through our arms, that precious ONE will feel His love.