Pioneer Day

Ok, so I know that Pioneer Day was LAST week, but I'm running right on time with my "running-one-week-behind-schedule" schedule. So it's all good, right?

For those of you who may not know what the significance of July 24th is to all Utah Latter-day Saints (and other Latter-day Saints, too, but mostly the Utah ones), then let me explain: on July 24, 1847, the Mormon pioneers made their way into the Salt Lake Valley after a long and arduous trek across the United States. Their trek was the result of bitter persecutions, and they sought a place where they could be free to establish their families and their religion without being driven from their homes.

Long story short: the pioneers settled in the Salt Lake Valley and other outlying Utah towns, and they and their families have been there ever since. And to honor their courage and sacrifice, their descendants (and other residents of Utah) throw a huge party every year on the 24th of July.

I found myself in the middle of these festivities last Monday, and as I was sitting watching the parade go by, I kept thinking about the pioneers and all the trials they had to endure, and all the sacrifices they had to make in order for people like me (a mostly-direct descendant of the Mormon pioneers in the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies) to be able to live the way I do now and practice my religion without having to worry about the government (among others) trying to kill me and anyone else who believes what I believe. I am truly grateful for the freedoms I enjoy now because of the faith of the Mormon pioneers, and I'm also grateful the heritage and the legacy they have left for me and others.

You don't have to [pull] a handcart,
Leave your family dear,
Or walk a thousand miles or more
To be a pioneer.


You do need to have great courage,
Faith to conquer fear,
And work with might for a cause that's right
To be a pioneer.

-LDS Children's Songbook, #218


In our own way, we can all be pioneers. It most likely won't be easy, and at times we'll just want to give up. But the blessings will be worth it in the end, and I'm sure our posterity will be forever grateful to us for our courage and sacrifice.

"Happy day! All is well!"

Here goes...

Well, since I haven't posted anything really useful on my blog since 2008, I'ma just dive right in with brief updates of what's been happening since then.

In 2009:

• I had my penultimate and ultimate semesters at LDS Business College (for those of you who don't know, I got my Associate's Degree in General Studies in December of 2009.) During those semesters, I had myself a joyous little time. (See the following bullets.)
• I participated in the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference in April of 2009. I am on the second row, second person in from the right in the middle section, wearing a dark blue shirt. You'll see me. ;)
• I thought I was going to graduate in April, but didn't. (Although... I commenced in April, and sang a duet with my friend, Marisha, for the ceremonies.)
• I was in a production of Savior of the World (it was a multi-stake performance.) My friend, Katherine Voge, and I were in it together. We were some of Mary's cousins. It was a great experience.

From left to right: Casey Koldewyn, Katherine Voge (back in pink), MaryAnne Luker (front in green), Tali Marsh, Chelsea Bastian, Sarah Goaslind, Jessica McKnight.

• I moved out of Mom and Dad's house and got myself a tiny little apartment in Bountiful with Marisha (the one I sang at graduation with.)
• During the summer semester break, the family and I went to Mt. Rushmore.

• In September, I bought myself a CAR!!! A cute, silver 2003 Hyundai Accent that I christened "Minnie." I love that little car. :)
• In October, I went to Frightmares for the first time with some friends. WAY fun!
• I was Giselle from Enchanted for Halloween.

From left to right: (Rob Owens as Jack Sparrow in the background) MaryAnne Luker (Giselle), Daryl Embley (Anastasia), Ingrid Veliz (Snow White), Leah Tsiame (Whoopi Goldberg)

• Grandpa Luker passed away on November 2nd, 2009.

From left to right: Sarah Nicholls, Elizabeth Ellis, Christine Luker, Emma McNeal, MaryAnne Luker, Rachel Atkin

• Sydney Tittle, Katherine Voge, Effie Auga and myself formed a ladies quartet ("The Harmony Sisters") and ROCKED THE SOCKS!!! We performed for several devotionals, President Richards (president of LDSBC), and our choir's Christmas concert. No foolin', we were cool.

From left to right: Effie Auga (awesome Alto 2), Katherine Voge (Melody Soprano/ Alto 2), MaryAnne Luker (some weird person who sang Alto 1/ Soprano 2), Sydney Tittle (Stratosphere Singer/ Little Miss High C.)

• After LDSBC, I was briefly in a relationship with Robert Owens, although that is over and done with for now. He's a good guy.

I went to the spectacular Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert and also got pictures of the Christmas lights...

• I am now currently unemployed, and looking for a job. :(
• I auditioned for the Bells on Temple Square! I have yet to find out whether I got in or not. Hopefully for now I can just continue to attend the workshops so that I can become a bell-ringing expoit! Er, expert.

Anyways, these are just a few of my exploits throughout 2009. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with 2010 as it comes!

Trick or Treat Street!

As part of my HIST 170 class, I am required to participate in 10+ hours of community service. When I found that out, I thought, "Oh MAN, I don't have time for that kind of stuff right now!" But then I had the most brilliant idea ever.

As some (if not all) of you may know, our Young Men/ Young Women group participated in a Halloween service project last year. We volunteered at the Trick or Treat Street held in the South Towne Expo Center, and I had a blast. So this year I thought to myself, "Why not count THAT as community service?" I talked to my teacher and he gave it a thumbs-up. Woo hoo!

It didn't work out QUITE as I had hoped (I ended up having to miss a class on Friday so that I could be there at the right time, and I had to take TRAX there, which was not so fun, although I did have one of my friends with me so it wasn't so scary), but it was still a lot of fun. I ended up getting 12 hours in as opposed to just 10. (Although, to get that many hours, I had to work a 7.5 hour shift on Saturday, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone who wants to keep his/her sanity; they play the same songs over and over, and there are enough lights flashing to cause a minor seizure. But not like that bothered me. Heh.)

Seriously though, to anyone with little children, the Trick or Treat Street is a fun idea. It's supposed to be a safe alternative for Trick or Treating on Halloween Night, it lets you show off your cute children and their costumes (there were so many cute little princesses... it was adorable) and it gets you a lot of candy. "Candy out the wazoo," as I heard people saying. For those of you who DON'T have little children, but who are still children at heart (that's me right there), I recommend this as a great excuse to dress up in fun costumes and serve your community while you're at it.

Happy Halloween!

P.S. And no, I did not get any pictures. I left my camera home both days, and it's not like there was an abundance of time for taking pictures... you're pretty much on your feet for the entire time. I think that the longest sitting break I had was 5-10 minutes long. And during that time I was organizing boxes of candy so that I COULD sit, or at least think about sitting. *Whew!*