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