The concert took place Saturday, December 14th. It was a full house and we even received a standing ovation at the end. There was tremendous support. (Thank you RAYMOND!!!) The vocalists and cellist did a perfect job, and it was a wonderful, wonderful evening. When I came home Saturday night and totalled up all ticket money, plus some sales of my CD and songbook, I was surprised and humbled to find out I had EXACTLY what I needed to cover all the costs of the production of the song, as well as the concert promotion. Also, in the foyer after the concert, someone slipped me a $50 bill, which covered the theatre. It was truly a miracle.
As our talks the next day in church were on tithing, I knew this was a tithing moment. I had been blessed beyond what I expected. I was humbled and grateful for unanswered prayers. Had I won the contest and the money I needed, I would not have had this blessed experience and been able to share new Christmas music with 200+ people. Everyone seemed to have a merrier Christmas because of it, especially me. We finished off the evening with my 10-year-old son, Benson, singing a new song called “An Answer To Prayer“, which was written as an afterthought the Wednesday before the Saturday night concert (the 14th) – his very first solo. This was another miracle (both the writing timeframe and the fact that Benson agreed to sing it!
In the week after, more miracles occurred in the finding of these families. The Church was unable to help me, they said regretfully, because of inside privacy policies. I understood completely and just saw this part of the project as another way to witness more of Heavenly Father’s miracles. The administrator for the Church’s Mission Department kindly encouraged me to move forward and do what I could to find these families. The Lord is blessing me there too, and I feel with the help of many, other families will also have a chance to receive this song as a gift to them as well. I have faith that as people share this, it will reach the ears who need to hear it most.
Normally I don’t write 8 songs in a month, but the Lord blessed me with what I needed to accomplish this particular goal. I even pulled off Christmas! (a little late, but it happened just the same – just a little more simple…which was even better!) Then the fact that it was completely covered financially by the concert really just solidified my testimony that when we have a worthy goal, and more importantly if it’s the Lord’s will, He will help us. He always answers. I’m learning to recognize that more and more.
Life is sometimes like a puzzle. Sometimes we try to put things together with pieces that look like they should fit, but they might belong to a different puzzle – yet with the same shape. Or maybe we try to fit them into a part of the puzzle too soon and get frustrated – not being patient in finding the pieces that will hold it in place. If we have faith and trust, however, things just seem to work out somehow.
To me, this project was a miracle, but these types of experiences don’t happen often for me. I’m usually working on many good aspects of my life, but the pieces are just a little mixed up, and I’m not sure where it is all going; just trusting everything will work out somehow as I have faith. This time the pieces just happened to fit perfectly. Maybe you’ve had experiences like this too. I think they are rare, and it certainly wasn’t without work on my end, but the Lord saw fit to bless me with exactly what I needed this time. I truly felt He knew the desires of my heart. More than once I broke down in tears while writing because things were going so smoothly – almost too smoothly. I don’t regret one second of time that was put into this. It was exactly what me and my family needed and in turn, has hopefully will bless the lives of many others.
If you are a family who has experienced the loss of a missionary while serving, this song is for you and is dedicated to your missionary. Many have mourned with you and continue to love and support you. I hope that you will feel comfort and peace, knowing your son or daughter has given their whole heart for their Heavenly Father. May angels continue to surround you.
If you are a family who has a missionary currently serving, this is also for you. Your son or daughter is building the kingdom and doing wonderful things. I pray your family will receive added blessings because of their service.
If you are serving in a calling in a ward somewhere, or as a visiting or home teacher, this song is also for you. Although we may not wear a name tag, we are all missionaries in some way – serving, giving, helping, lifting and building the kingdom through with special gifts that only we can give – and the Lord expects this of us. May we all continue in faith to do so and recognize the blessings that come to us personally as a result of serving our God.
“And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing – sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.” (Alma 28:14)
Click on covers to hear samples. Available at www.saralynbaril.com
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