Bound For the Promised Land

I've been thinking a lot lately about the lyrics to "Bound For the Promised Land." Frankly, this is because I don't know the lyrics very well, and I want to become more familiar with them and form a stronger connection to this song.

In carefully reading the lyrics to this song, it is clear to me that the wonderful, bounteous blessings mentioned are not those hoped for in the promised land. Rather, it is what the singer is giving up in Canaan as he leaves that land in search of the unknown and somewhat evasive promised land.

How often have people made this choice? We could look at examples from Moses' exodus from Egypt to the slaves escaping to the north, to the Mormon pioneers traveling to the great unknown west, and even serving a mission. Perhaps there are examples from your own lives as well, as there are in mine. Sometimes our journey to the promised land isn't a physical one, but a spiritual or emotional journey.

When we leave something good in order to fulfill what we believe is God's will in our lives, we will always be blessed. We may leave behind bounteous fruits that grow on immortal trees. We may leave behind friends and family and familiar surroundings. We usually don't know what is ahead of us, but we continue forward in faith. Here's the secret: when we live our lives according to God's will, the blessings ALWAYS outweigh the sacrifices. Always.

Choir Party Pictures!

Meet Camille Cottle

Camille joined the Mountain Harmony Chorus this spring, 2013 season as a first soprano. Prior to joining us as a singer, Camille very competently played the violin for us during our Christmas 2012 performance. She is talented, friendly and outgoing. Here's what she says about herself:

I grew up in Charleston, SC.  I'm a southern girl through and through.  I come from a family of four younger brothers and no sisters.  I likewise don't have a daughter but 3 sons and a wonderful husband who is basically "Bob Villa".  He fixes EVERYTHING.

I love most food but HATE seafood even though I grew up on the bay. I LOVE beets, water, and any type of chocolate. (she also likes lemon squares -K)

Favorite movies are Pride and Prejudice, The Notebook, ooh there are too many!  I LOVE Sting, John Meyer, Jon Schmidt, ANYTHING composed by John Williams.  I don't love to read. I know, terrible.  I'd rather be active and moving.

I'm an avid runner and completed my first marathon last year. I hope to do another one next year to improve my time.

I'm a 4th grade teacher at Sego Lily Elementary here in Lehi. One of my greatest accomplishments was going back to school when my baby was in kindergarten. Four long years later, I graduated with my bachelors in elementary education. It was a sweet day.

We are huge campers and hikers. We have a big trailer and enjoy finding new trails to hike. We love the outdoors. I have 4 boys. What else is there?

I have been involved in the Miss Utah Pageant for many years and now help run the Miss Northern Utah County Pageant.  I LOVE pageants, hence no girls in my life except my mini schnauzer dog Sadie. :) My oldest boy leaves on a mission June 5th to Tokyo, Japan. Very exciting times. My father and mother were called to be the temple president and matron of the Columbia South Carolina Temple and my oldest and I were able to go back East recently to spend time with my parents as they served.

New Rehearsal Schedule

Here is the schedule from now until our performance:

Thursday, April 25 - Regular rehearsal
Sunday, April 28 - Rehearsal at 6 pm
Thursday, May 2 - Regular rehearsal
Sunday, May 5 - Rehearsal at 6 pm
Thursday May 9 - Regular rehearsal
Saturday, May 11 - Rehearsal at 8 am
Thursday, May 16 - Regular rehearsal
Saturday, May 18 - Dress Rehearsal at 8 am
Saturday, May 18 - Performance. Call time: TBA, but probably around 5:30.

Rehearsal Notes From April 11, 2013

These are the things in our last rehearsal that Cory told us he would like us to remember. And do. They are not new, but we need to work on these things:

• Sopranos - You're doing great at controlling vibrato on the lower notes, but make sure you also control it on the high notes. If your neck muscles stick out and look strained, you're pulling the note rather than pushing it. Push from your diaphragm instead.
• Second Sopranos - Bring your part out more. Make sure you're pushing from the diaphragm and not the throat. On the ending Oooos of Home on the Range, give your notes a little vibrato.
• Altos - Make your tone warm but not dark. Your middle notes sound good, but your upper notes tend to sound strained and your lower notes disappear and can't be heard.
• Tenors - Pitch, pitch, pitch. Watch your pitch. Also, warm up your tone and give it more depth. Bring out your part more. Push for volume from the gut, don't pull from the throat, because that will skew your  pitch. Support your notes.
• Basses - Watch your pitch. Also, don't bottom out or sound heavy (dark or deep)

Pot Luck Sign Up List

So far, we have the following pot luck items signed up for :

Main Dish

• Amy C.
• Brad S.
• Cory L.
• Jenny B.

Side Dish/Salad

• Rain J.
• Stephanie A.
• Becky B.
• Chandra L.
• Mark A.
• Cindy P.
• Karen D.

Dessert

• Camille C.
• Michelle D.
• Teri A.
• Ann B.
• Anne R.