Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays everyone! The Young Ambassadors had a great time bringing in the Christmas spirit this year at Randy and Sue Boothe’s annual Young Ambassador Christmas Party. The night started with mingling and a fun musical activity: playing a group xylophone while singing Christmas carols. Each of us was given an individual bar on a xylophone and instructions to strike it in a certain sequence. When we all played our bars at the right moment, we created beautiful renditions of our favorite Christmas tunes.

Next came a delicious dinner prepared by Sue. After a busy week studying for finals, it was nice to enjoy a home cooked meal. Thanks Sue! Another thing the Boothes prepared for us was an original Christmas song. Every Christmas since they got married they have written a special holiday song. This year the song was titled “The Christmas Bells Still Ring.” Randy taught us the song at the piano, and we all sang it together!

After the wonderful musical number, we all listened to a reading of The Polar Express, a Boothe family tradition. Sue spoke to us about how we are all children aboard the Polar Express. We all received bells just as the boy from the story. She encouraged us to remember the true meaning of Christmas and to focus on keeping and hearing our own personal bell of truth ringing. We also heard a message from Brad, Alexis, and Brent, the Young Ambassador Presidency. They shared with us the story of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and they challenged us all to remember and celebrate His birth, His life, and His ultimate gift to us.

The party came to a close after we ate wonderful cupcakes with peppermint ice cream and expressed many well wishes for the coming year. With the new school semester and upcoming shows starting in January, we really do have a lot to look forward to in 2012.

We hope all of you are enjoying time spent with family and good friends this holiday season. From the Young Ambassador family to yours, we want to sincerely say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christ's Love

Here is the BOM reading schedule for this week:

Today: 3 Nephi 13
Tuesday: 3 Nephi 16
Wednesday: 3 Nephi 18
Thursday: 3 Nephi 20
Friday: 3 Nephi 23
Saturday: 3 Nephi 27
Sunday: 3 Nephi 28

What a blessing it is to be studying Christ's ministry among the
Nephites at a time so close to Christmas. 3 Nephi 11-28 is the
absolute climax of the Book of Mormon. One of my favorite moments in
all of scripture is found in 3 Nephi 17. In verse 4 Christ announces
to the multitudes that He will go back to the Father and also show
himself unto the lost tribes of Israel. I love to think about and
visualize what happens in the next verse. It says:

"And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his
eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in
tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to
tarry a little longer with them."

I can just imagine the faces, old and young, of those Nephite people
looking up at the Savior and pleading him with their eyes to stay just
a little longer. His love for them was so pure, powerful, and perfect
that the thought of him leaving their presence, even for a short time,
compelled them to tears. Having felt so tangibly of the personalized
love that radiated from their savior, they yearned desperately for him
to stay. These verses are such a beautiful description of the reality
that each of us is in need of Christ's love. When we feel it, our
spirits recognize it as something special and yearn for it to remain.
There are people in this world, people we will meet, people we will
perform for this year whom have not in a long time or rarely at all
felt Christ's love for them. We have such a great opportunity to be
messengers of that love. As we read of Christ and strive to acquire
the attributes he demonstrated, we can be made vessels of his love.
Our hearts will be changed and enabled to love others the way that He
loves us. Once our hearts are changed, once love begins to be the
motivation for what we do, will we have the power to touch and change
others. As we gain a sincere love for those around us, those around us
will subsequently feel of Christ's love.

I love you guys and I love the Savior. The Gospel and all of its
principles are so true!

-Derek Davis

Tune My Heart

Hello everyone :)

The scripture study list for this week is:

Dec. 6 - hel. 14

Dec. 7 - 3 nephi 1

Dec. 8 - 3 nephi 3

Dec. 9 - 3 nephi 6

Dec. 10 - 3 nephi 8

Dec. 11 - 3 nephi 11

Just some thoughts I had:

This Fast Sunday I was writing down the titles to some of my favorite songs and one I wrote down was "Come Thou Fount". As I continued to write the lyrics to the song "Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace" the phrase Tune my Heart really brought me to pondering. What does this phrase call me to do? Tune my heart. I looked the word tune up in the dictionary and these are some of what i found:
1- to adjust for proper functioning;
2- to adjust so as to make it compatible in frequency with a transmitting apparatus whose signals are to be received;
3- to bring (someone or something) into harmony.

How incredible are those statements.

As we continue to dig deeper into these meanings this is what I gathered:
From definition 1 - adjusting for proper functioning... We are the ones who need to change to become one with the proper way of functioning... each of us have our own unique styles and understandings - but the doctrine is the same in all the world - the way you live it shouldn't differ on where you are (I do understand some have to deal with more worldly temptations - but to each is given what the Lord knows they can handle *with His help*).
From definition 2 - Unless we have adjusted ourselves we will not be compatible to receive the promptings of the Holy Ghost. His messages Need to be received, so unless we are in tune with the spirit and make necessary adjustments, our plug to the answers we need may seem muddled and incomprehensible... so possibly - maybe it is the clearing of the frequency that needs to be adjusted.
From definition 3 - HARMONY: a pleasing combination of sounds that are played at the same time; rather than sounds I think the word Actions is applicable. When we are on the road to becoming who our Father and Savior see us becoming - we are also on the road to harmony. What we constantly do, we eventually become.

Tune Your Heart. We all need it. No one is so humble that a little bit of tuning is not necessary...
also!! Merry December :) May we remember that our Savior, the Redeemer of our Souls is the reason we celebrate this season at all. Were it not for him there would not be such a sense of cheer as there is during the holidays. Remember to tune your heart towards Him :) love you all so much!

Love,

Jessica Jenkins

Get Your Tickets!

Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10:00am for the Young Ambassador show in the de Jong Concert Hall here at BYU! We have performances January 12-14 at 7:30 along with a Saturday matinee at 2:00. Seats will go fast, so buy your tickets now! Use the promo code, Harmony, to get

two tickets for the price of one!

Buy tickets here:

http://arts.byu.edu

Tune into ABC 4’s “Good Things Utah” tomorrow December 5^th at 10:00am to see the Young Ambassadors perform, talk about our show, and the release of our new album!

Scripture Study!

If we put the Lord first, even when we are busy, we will be assisted in every other aspect of our lives.

This weeks reading:

Monday, Nov 28: Alma 60

Tuesday, Nov 29: Alma 62

Wednesday, Nov 30: Helaman 1

Thursday, Dec 1: Helaman 4

Friday, Dec 2: Helaman 6

Saturday, Dec 3: Helaman 8

Sunday, Dec 4: Helaman 10

Good Show, Good Show!

The first weeks of YA performance has come and gone, and in a spirit of gratitude to a God who magnifies our efforts beyond our natural ability the team is trying to keep up speed as the semester winds down.  The month of November took us to local venues in Orem and Salem, north to Syracuse, and south to the magnificent outdoor Tuachan Theatre, Kanab and Page Arizona.  We had the chance to participate in a number of workshops with local high school and junior high drama and choir groups.  We were instructed in versatility of the human instrument.  Acting, singing, and dance were the subjects and both the YA’s and the local youth took the role of student.  Learning was had in abundance, and we were educated as much by the hosting youth as they were by us.  The locations were each unique and a pleasure to perform in.  We thank the members of the audiences who braved finding baby-sitters, maneuvered parking lots and made other sacrifices to attend the shows and spend the evenings with us.  The music, lights and dance that make up these or any production would be nothing without you.  Whether to entertain or to convey a deeper message artistic expression becomes merely movement, or simple streaks on a canvas that end at the corners of the frame, and disappear where the foot light dies.  

The attendance of audiences does more to unlock the healing and the magic of our message than our voices could ever hope to reveal. 

Thank you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Alexis Flake

Brent and Shae

Gabe Lee

Brandon and Whitley

The Group!

Eric Sackett

Brad leading a discussion at the workshop we did in Kanab.

Randy working his musical magic with the students.

TJ, Max, Justin, and Jake posing in front of the awesome store/restaurant/movie set where we were taken for dinner.

Good eaten'! Chuck wagon style.

Seth Carter 

Randy our Indian War Chief

Gabe and DeLaney helping everyone out being our wagon leaders. 

Conlon Bonner protectin' our town.

Scripture Study!

Nov 14 read through Alma 31
Nov 15 read through Alma 33
Nov 16 read through Alma 36
Nov 17 read through Alma 37
Nov 18 read through Alma 40
Nov 19 read through Alma 43
Nov 20 read through Alma 44

In Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 it says: "Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."

As Young Ambassadors, we are all striving for the ability to positively influence people's lives through our performances and interactions with them. In this verse, that ability is restated as "the power of God unto the convincing of men." As explained, there are some prerequisites to obtaining that power. One, we must have the spirit. Without the spirit, we will influence no one. Two, To qualify ourselves for the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the accompanying power to change people's lives, we must first study the scriptures. "...FIRST seek to obtain my word, and THEN shall your tongue be loosed; THEN, if you desire, you shall have my spirit..." Only after obtaining his word, will we be endowed with his spirit. Reaching our potential individually and as a group is not only related to, but absolutely dependent on our personal scripture study.

I love you all and personally commit to doing all I can to study the scriptures every day. If we do, I know we will be blessed with an ability beyond our own to positively impact others in all that we do. Have a great week.

- Derek Davis

Testimonials!

Here are a couple of comments we have received about our show:

Hey, Eric!

I just wanted to personally thank you for your performance with Young

Ambassadors at Orem High tonight. Our family really needed some

non-electronic time out together, and your show was exactly what we

needed. I had so much fun observing my youngest son Josh look for you

in every scene. The first time you left the stage, he was a bit

distressed, but I explained to him the need for costume changes and

that you would be back. He spent the rest of the evening pointing out

your position (and its importance) in each number. Thanks for sharing

your amazing talents!

Karen Hansen

- Orem High Performance

I was fortunate enough to be a member of the Young Ambassadors. One of the greatest opportunities that we had and still have is greeting the audiences after performances. I always loved doing this and seeing how the show touched them individually and collectively. One phrase that I would hear on a regular basis was, "You just don't see young people like this in the world anymore." I would always say thanks and kind of not think much more of it. Sadly my time with the YAs has come to an end and I have been living in the same world that our audiences come from. That same world that would prompt people to comment on the strange and unusual goodly nature of the Young Ambassadors. After living and working with worldly people for the past 8 months, I found myself thinking that same exact thing as I watched the show on 11-11-11. "You just don't see young people like this in the world anymore." I realized something in that moment. I realized that 3 years at BYU had made me complacent to the glorious blessing of being able to live around so many good, wholesome people. That hit me like a ton of bricks. I missed the YA BYU atmosphere. I yearned for that blessing that all my friends that I loved so much on the Tuacahn stage might be complacently enjoying and not even realizing. Going to BYU, the Lord's university, is an incredible blessing. It is one of the few places in the world where the majority of people know about the Restoration of the gospel and live their lives based on that knowledge. Being a member of the Young Ambassadors is an incredible opportunity to go into this world and give people hope that goodness and morality are still alive and kicking in our generation. What a wonderful opportunity! Spreading hope and joy through the gospel's light in a world that's starting to run dry on such things. Restoring courage to do what's right. People see you and are influenced by you and think, "If they can do it, so can I!" Well done my friends! If you believe that the things that I have described fall under the umbrella of the YA purpose, then please accept my humble assurance that you were successful on the night of 11-11-11. You touched me and strengthened me as I am sure you did to many others. And for that my friends, I say well done! I love you all so much. Put yourself in my shoes...can you imagine how I felt watching 20 of some of my greatest friends at the same place all at the same time? It was euphoriatic bliss. I love all of you so much. The show was great and you all are great! May the Lord bless you in your future endeavors and important responsibilities. YA 4 LIFE.

Abe Hegewald

-Tuachan Performance

To see our show catch us this weekend as we travel to Page, AZ and Kanab, UT. Both shows will begin at 7:00!

Another Successful Weekend!

We opened our show last weekend at Orem High School and Salem High School. Friday we road tripped down to St. George and performed at Tuacahn Ampitheatre with another performance at Syracuse High School on Saturday. We made all of our costume changes, sang and danced our hearts out, and touched the lives of our audiences.

Fun on the Bus!

Michele Ringer, Coleen (our awesome driver), Becca Petersen

We also had another great workshop at Syracuse High School. We met so many wonderful kids from Syracuse as well from the Arizona performing group LIGHT. In our workshops we focus on three aspects of performing: singing, dancing, and acting. This weekend we had three rotations where we taught the kids different singing styles, a portion of our choreography to “Come So Far”, and how to create a character using tactics. Most of all we focused on how to communicate with each other and with the audience. We all had such a fun time sharing and exchanging what we know.

We want to thank all of our wonderful host families in St. George who were so hospitable to all of us. We loved spending time in your homes and learning a bit about your lives. Thank you! We want to especially thank the Osborn family for opening up your home and providing us with such delicious food!

Wonderful meal at the Osborn's

Jessica Jenkins, Daysha Pedersen (YA Alum), Tim Cooper, Shayla Osborn (YA Alum)

Derek Davis, Max Eddington, Eric Sackett, Brad Robins, Loren Hawks

Another opening of another show!

Tuacahn today, Syracuse tomorrow! 

Come join us for a musical journey that highlights the trials and triumphs of life: Harmony - The Music of Life. 

Tuachahn @ 7:30 (St. George, UT)

Get your tickets here!

http://www.tuacahn.org/concerts-2011.php#a.byuyoungambassadors  

Syracuse, UT @ 7:30

http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/716/site/default.asp

Here are some photos of our workshop with Spotlight Players from Salem High School! Thanks for a great show Salem!

Scripture Reading!

Hey Everybody!

I know I'm a little late getting this out, but thats how we all are these days I think: busy. I know that even in our busy busy schedules we can find time to open up the scriptures and let the goodness of their words into our day. And oh how we all need it. Even if you're behind like me, take the few minutes necessary to read these chapters this week, and I promise you that the Lord will put a special blessing in your life this week, either from something you read, or understand in a new way, or in something completely unrelated that you are needing help or guidance with right now.

Nov 14 read through Alma 31
Nov 15 read through Alma 33
Nov 16 read through Alma 36
Nov 17 read through Alma 37
Nov 18 read through Alma 40
Nov 19 read through Alma 43
Nov 20 read through Alma 44

I love you, all, very much.

Brandon Roach

The gospel truly is so amazing! We are all extremely blessed to have it in our lives. In Church yesterday, I heard a great analogy about cars. (Now I don't know too much about cars, but the guy who originally said this did so hopefully I can retell it well.) Members of the Church can be likened to 2 types of cars: drag racers and road racers. Drag racers are built for short, fast races. They are powered by batteries which give more power, but only last for about 45 seconds max (which is fine since the race itself only takes about 6-7 seconds). Road racers are powered by an alternator which runs for longer, but it requires more power before it can give energy back to the engine.

There are those who are only interested in what they can get from Church meetings, scripture study, Young Ambassadors, etc. These people do not last long because they lack a spiritual reserve. Others understand that in order to receive, you have to give. Quality scripture study, for example, requires a sacrifice. One has to be willing to give more time, concentration, purpose, prayer, etc. as opposed to only reading a few verses before falling asleep. We invite you to take a minute to evaluate yourself. How is your relationship with Heavenly Father? Is your spiritual reserve running low? Are you sacrificing that which the Lord desires? If we want to achieve our goals, individually and as a group, we have to be willing to give more than the average joe.

Let us strive to continue progressing in all aspects of our lives!

-Rachel Bonner

Readings for this week:

October 31: Alma 3

November 1: Alma 5

November 2: Alma 7

November 3: Alma 9

November 4: Alma 11

November 5: Alma 12

November 6: Alma 14

Let the Shows Begin!

Happy Halloween!

2011 Halloween Party at the Sackett's Home

Michelangelo (Brad), Provo Girl (Alexis) and Penguin Man (Brett)

WHATEVER IT TAKES 2011-12 Southern Africa Tour

And their off! The first nine weeks of rehearsals have come and gone in a flash, and it is not uncommon to hear remarks about the swiftness of the passing time. 

For all of you who aren’t familiar with the workings of the Young Ambassadors the first semester of the year the group maintains a rehearsal schedule that would give a lot of sports teams a run for their money. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 to 6:00, and Saturdays from 9:00 to 5:00 clocking in at a rigorous 16 hour rehearsal week on top of being full time students both married and single and many with part time jobs. The team is a representative medley of various young people from the student population contributing from a mixture of backgrounds and experiences. Some are studying the performing arts while others are pursuing education in other non-related fields ranging from medicine to business management. There are differences to be sure, but we are united in a common desire to share a vision that is far beyond the purpose of mere entertainment. If in the recent days you’ve felt an unruly weight of concern for local, national, or world conditions, if the sound of a hundred voices competing for your attention draw in a cloud that shadow your daily affairs, if the incessant stream of problems and misfortunes make you doubt, perhaps there is something we can help you to remember.  It’s something that we all could use a reminder about. That though our circumstances seem beyond our control, chaotic and frightening at times, amidst it all there is peace to be felt and strength to be had. It comes when we stand together, and our diversity falls together into seemingly impossible symmetry. We are excited to share what we have been feeling, and what we know to be true. 

We’re a hodgepodge, it’s true, but we try to live in a manner that is consistent with the message of our show: Harmony. Come and feel it with us.

Welcome to the next epoch in the YA history! Another year and another family of the BYU Young Ambassadors is about to hit the road! 

Care to come along? 

Upcoming Showtimes

November 5 - Orem High School, 7:00 

Get tickets at the door!

$7 - adults. 

$6 - students. 

$5 - children. 

$30 - family pass.

November 6 - Salem Hills High School, 7:00

$6 at the door

November 11 - Tuacahn - St. George, UT, 7:30

November 12 - Syracuse, UT, 7:30

November 18 - Page, AZ, 7:00

November 19 - Kanab, UT, 7:00

Here are some pictures from our performance last week at a Gala honoring Lavell Edwards.

Becca Peterson and Brandon Roach during their dance duet.

Brandon and Becca

Eric Sackett dancing 'Sing Sing Sing'

Julia Richardson singing 'Embraceable You'

Alicia Shumway and Eric Sackett

(from left to right: Brent, Julia, Gabe, Shae, Whitley and Loren)

 WHATEVER IT TAKES!

YA Retreat!

- Whatever It Takes -

"I want to suggest to you that we are just the small stuff, that the Lord is going to use, in small ways, to change the world."

- Randy Boothe

Randy (Artistic Director) and Eric (Show Band Director)

 Wise words spoken to us at our most recent outing up to Stuart Falls last Tuesday. We enjoyed a fun-filled adventure full of hiking, instruction, and testimony. Around two o'clock we departed from the Richards Building on campus to begin our amazing outing up the canyon. We began with a wonderful hike through the gorgeous backdrop of Provo Canyon up toward the breathtaking Stuart Falls. Along the way we stopped and listened to testimony and words of wisdom from some of the leaders within the group. We were inspired as we listened to them and thought about all of the incredible experiences in store for us this year!

When we reached the falls we all took a few minutes to pause and ponder on the immense blessing it is to be involved in this group. We were invited to commit to the cause, and to do Whatever It Takes to share our unique and powerful message of Harmony with all those we come in contact with this 2011-2012 season.

 On our way back down to the lodge the heavens opened, well actually the clouds gathered, and it started to rain!! There wasn't much shelter and eventually we stopped on the road underneath a tree and enjoyed singing and dancing in the rain.

Eventually we made it to the lodge and started into some DELICIOUSLY AMAZING food from 'Marvelous Catering' and an even more filling presentation by Shane Wright who spoke about our  upcoming Africa Experience! If that wasn't enough, we then were treated to an inspiring and uplifting musical message from the one and only Dallyn Balyes.

Boy it was REallyaTREAT.

Back In Action!

September 12, 2011

Young Ambassadors Back in Action!

After a wonderful tour of the Southern states and a fun-filled two weeks of YASE camp this summer, the Young Ambassadors are back with a new cast, band, tech, and most importantly, new friends!  We have kicked off our 2011-2012 season by diving right into intense dance and music rehearsals.  We are so grateful for all of the preparation that has been put into this year’s group so far.  We have already learned so much and we cannot wait to continue progressing on our Young Ambassador journey!  

Along with singing and dancing our rehearsals include a devotional.  We have been graced with so many beautiful thoughts and performances.  It is amazing how the Spirit is always present.  This past week one of our devotional thoughts was centered on the scriptures in Romans 8 verses 35 through 39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Through these scriptures we are reminded of the strength we have been given through our Savior Jesus Christ.  Because of His atonement, we can overcome and be conquerors of our own trials and tribulations.   Thank you, Julia Richardson, for this wonderful reminder that we all have been given so much power to prevail.  Our gratitude is unending.   

Catch us next week…Young Ambassador Retreat!! 

“Whatever it takes, Committed to the cause.”

Southern States Tour! Day 12: Birmingham, AL

It was a long day today, but we feel so grateful for the opportunity to have visited Birmingham, AL. We left at 7:45 am in order to be on time for our first stop at a Children's Hospital. On the way into town, however, we could see the recent damage caused by the tornados and storms that recently occurred in this area. It was truly humbling. Please include the people affected by these storms in your thoughts and prayers.

We loved our time at the Children's Hospital! We performed right in the lobby, and the longer our program went, the more children came to watch. There really isn't anything quite like performing for children. We were so happy to be there, and I think that they were happy to have us!

After the hospital, we headed to the Alamabama School for the Arts to do a workshop. Today, the band and performers were combined in the workshop! One of the jazz combo's from the school performed for us as well, and they sounded awesome. There is a lot of talent at that school!

After our workshop, it was time to prepare for our Fireside. We headed over to building, where we were served very delicious burgers and dogs! Once again I must say how spoiled we are on tour! The Fireside was an incredible opportunity for us. It was a pleasure to talk with and get to know the members here.

After the Fireside, we boarded the bus for a red-eye drive down to Atlanta, GA! Stay tuned!