I can't believe I'm actually in the Hill Cumorah Pageant! This place is beautiful. The trees grow everywhere, it is humid and rainy, but that is why it is so beautiful. The 1st day July 4th, I ran the Irondoquoit 10K. I ran it in 53 minutes, and it about killed me. After the run I went to the George Eastman Mansion and toured it, then I went to the airport to be shuttled to the hill. After we arrived at the hill, we checked in and had our orientation. I looked at the schedule and about cried. The schedule was rigorous for a person who wakes up early and goes to bed early. Some nights we wouldn't be going back to Hobart until 2am!!! I knew I would die. After the orientation, we went to the bowl to be cast in our parts. I tried out for the dances and made the lamanite warrior dance. However the next day we found out they overcast our part by 4, so I said they could give me another part, since all the young girls looked as if they'd cry if they had to leave. They put me in as a Nephite Battle Banner Carrier. I have to carry a 20 pound metal pole banner across the stages up and down the stairs fighting the lamanites along the way. It is heavy and I knew I was going to kill myself or someone else the first few days, but that 8 foot banner kept getting lighter and lighter. Now it's a breeze to carry, even in the dark. We ate dinner that night, had our devotional, and started rehearsals. The next morning, I was up at 5am to run. I was so tired because we got back to Hobart College at midnight. Anyway I made an 8 mile run, then came back, ate breakfast and left for the hill at 7:30. At the hill we had devotionals, then rehearsal and missionary training all day. In our free time we quilted, made hats, leper bandages and cut out shapes for the humanitarian center. I kept thinking, I'm here to serve to keep a positive attitude. The days have been either rainy and cold, to hot and humid. One night we had to stop rehearsal because of a lightning storm. I was carrying the metal post during that storm! Augh! Anyway we came back into the shelter, prayed and sang 8 hymns, then we went back out on stage and ran through the entire play. It about killed us because we got home at 12:30am. The next morning everyone was dragging. The sacrament meetings here have been in the outdoor shelter. The first meeting sunny and dry with awesome speakers. Yesterday it rained and rained, but it was still inspiring. I led the 9-11 year olds in some folk dances yesterday. They were a handful, but I think they loved it. I only have one more activity left to do with them. The most exciting part of the pageant is the missionary work. Each night after devotional, we dress and go out to preach the gospel to people who come to the performance. I have had many opportunities to bear my testimony. I've told LDS members who come about Jeewon's conversion story, and the miracles that come from reading the Book of Mormon and bringing other's unto Christ. I have had many teens refer their friends and families refer their neighbors. Elder Bednar says we should be the seekers of non-members and the missionaries should be the teachers. The youth serving at the hill are strong in spirit and bold in deed. I respect them for their hard work and testimonies. They are an example to me. Today is activity day, and I'm going to have fun. Andrew get's to come to Hobart and we are going to play!!! Then tomorrow it's off to work again. We must share the gospel with others. That is our responsibility-every member a missionary. I LOVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
