Dancing in the Rain

I never would have guessed that rain would be a worry when we were preparing for our cultural celebration. But there it was in the forecast for Saturday night: 95% chance of rain. We had been asked to pray for rain to come earlier in the week to curb dust, but that forecast held steady as I watched the weather all week. I really thought we could pray it forward. Then, as I realized that stubborn cloud was steadfast and immovable, I thought ok! We can witness a miracle! All these kids-12,000 of their prayers will open up the clouds and they will see it all around them, but will stay comfy and dry. I knew it could happen. I had heard of it happening! I mean the prophet was going to be there. If anyone could control the weather it would be him, right?

Oh my. I'm a proud and naîve little person. All that time. All those prayers wasted on wanting to witness the wrong miracle.

 Flashing their Live True gang signs pre-performance, pre-drench.

Top: Conner with Bailee Eaton and McKenna Wright

Below them: Claire with Sophie Wrighington

 5th Ward Young Women 

 and the Young Men

 Above: Conner and his best Parham buddy, Bridger. Below: Me and my Parham buddy, Ceely.

As soon as they called us down to the field for the 7:00 performance, which was held in the drainage basin of a massive park near the temple, the clouds parked overheard and heaved up their spoils. It had teased us all day during our dress rehearsal with a few sprinkles now and then. But now! Now the rains began. I've never been more wet, more miserable, and more disappointed for as long a time as I was that night. The rain continued through the entire performance. It seemed that at the beginning of each big number the rain would increase in intensity. I kept praying it would stop. But as I said: I had been praying for the wrong miracle.

 Miracle #1. Duh! It rained in the desert! So many people had been praying for rain in our valley. It had been over two months since we had had anything.

Miracle #2. The show went on! 12,000 kids, wiping rain off their faces, sang their hearts out and danced on that muddy, muddy field. When the prophet entered they cheered and their soggy faces were so joyful! It was so touching. Only a few parts of the program had to be scrapped due to the rain (in one group a number of kids did front hand-springs across the field. The mud canceled that for us). But nothing that changed the overall components of the show were affected.

Miracle #3. Nobody quit despite feeling so awful. Nobody (that I know of anyway) got sick, and everyone made it home safely in what continued to be a long, thick downpour.

Miracle #4. There was no dust! Ha! We had prayed all week for that.

Miracle #5. The rain didn't start until the performance started. The city of Gilbert told us if it rained 1/2 an inch at any time during the day the performance was off. The venue was held in a drainage basin, so all the rainwater would collect there. All day there were just a few light sprinkles and storms in neighboring areas, but it held off allowing us to perform.

This was taken at the dress rehearsal. Clouds heavy but holding off.

During one of songs our stake danced to they sing a tribute to their pioneer ancestors: "We're in their debt, we won't forget the trials they went through, those heroes have blessed me and you."

You betcha they won't! How can you better sing a tribute to the pioneers than dancing in horrible weather? So fitting. So powerful! I can't think about it without all that extra rain I consumed trickling out of me. Oh man! It took a few days to get there but now I can honestly say how grateful I am that it rained on us that night.

During the temple dedication the next day a speaker said he felt that Heavenly Father loved the youth of this valley so much he couldn't help but shower them with his love in a way they could truly feel it and know it! I love that thought. I loved being a part of this. Every time it rains (which is like never in Arizona) I will relive the emotion of this performance and my gratitude for being able to witness so many miracles that I didn't "see" until later…when I was good and dry.