Day Twelve.

Klamath Falls, OR to Bend, OR.

Today was a first for me as I am sure it was for many other members of the team. We had the opportunity to go White Water rafting! When we got to the resort they drove us down to the river in a bus. Once we got there they had 4 different rafts we could get into, each with an experienced guide. This was such a fun activity and the day had only begun.
After rafting we drove to our next venue in Bend, OR. Once we unloaded the bus we went and had dinner, provided by a gracious Young Single Adult Ward.  One of the highlights of the dinner would have to be the amazing cake they had for us for desert. Thank you for making our stay so special!

Stories and Experiences:

Alex Ashby
Today we got to go White Water Rafting!!! It wasn’t anything to intense (only class 2 + rapids) because we wanted to be ready and able for our second to last performance that evening. It was about an 1 and ½ run on the Dechutes river with the 7^th Mountain river guides.
After we got the rafts into the water we had a short orientation where our guides told us the different commands they would use and what we should do in case we got dumped out of the raft (which would come in handy later!). We got to hit several different rapids including Big Eddy ,Bone Crusher and The Three Stooges. My raft was the first to go through the biggest rapid (Big Eddy) and we got to stop on the other side and watch all the other rafts come through with everyone screaming and gasping when the chilly water hit them. After the rapids there was a section of smooth river where the guides had a bunch of us do “trust Exercises” and we got to do dives and flips into the water. The trust exercises consisted of getting the girls to try and balance on the edge of the rafts, or having the guys lock paddles and try to touch their heads to the water and then shoving them into the water when we weren’t expecting it!!! Aside from aching shoulders and some sun burnt knee caps we all had a blast on the river. It’s defiantly going to be one of my favorite tour memories!

David McNary
Today has been really good experience for me yesterday I hurt my back, to the point where doing mundane tasks was grueling. The performance last night was probably the worst I have ever done due to the pain that I was in. I was heartbreaking, thought I wasn’t going to be able to dance normal for the rest of the tour and that really made me upset. Well through the prayers of my family and personal prayers my back today is normal, it doesn’t even feel like I had hurt it at all. The lesson that I learned from this is that the lord can give and he can take. I ability to dance Is not a given, at any moment’s notice it could be taken away. Before this I would not have given this gift a second thought, I am so thankful for the lord in being a master teacher and helping me to appreciate the gifts that he has given to each of us. We should never take them for granted.


Jamie Myers
Ok, not to get all churchy or anything, but I really felt some help from the other side on this particular day of the trip. So here’s what went down. We had a PACKED schedule. First, we went river rafting all morning (three plus hours), then we quickly showered at a health club and taught/performed at a hip hop workshop of 200 kids for over an hour. I don’t know about you, but the sun DRAINS me and children also DRAIN me (in a good way), and our nearly 2 hour Broadyway show DRAINS me! So, I was definitely worried about doing all these things in the same day, especially since I was SUPER tired the day before (when we were practically sitting all day long). However, as soon as the music started and the prayers had been said, I was filled with energy, enthusiasm, strength and excitement to perform like never before. It was my best show of the tour. A lot of us felt connected to each other by the Spirit, especially during Wicked, and I just have to thank Heavenly Father for being so aware of us and answering our prayers. We were given the strength and energy we needed to push through after such a long day of activities.

Pictures:

View Full Album

Day Eleven.

Redding, CA to Klamath Falls, OR

Day Eleven. Today we had a lot of driving to do. We packed up the tour bus early in the morning and made our way to Klamath Falls, OR. Lucky for us once we got to our venue and unpacked we had a lot of time left over. (This is a rare occurrence for us, we are either right on time or rushed for time.) Someone had the great idea that we go to the local Movie Theatre and watch a movie because we had enough time before we needed to be to dinner. We got to watch ‘Despicable Me’. It was such a cute movie and we all had a blast. You could hear us quoting the movie the rest of the night.
After we watched the movie we were able to eat a wonderful dinner and then had another great show. Thank you to all the friends and family who were in attendance at this show.

Pictures:

View Full Album

Day Ten.

Eureka, CA to Redding, CA
Today was such a fun day! Once we got to the city where were to perform we were able to go swimming in the pools of some very gracious people in the community. Thank you so much for allowing us to swim in your pools!

View Full Album

Stories and Experiences:

Jamie Myers:

We stayed with a lovely couple here in Redding named Mike and Lisa Olsen. After some small talk over a bowl of fruit following the show, Lisa informed us that the proceeds were going towards Northern Valley Catholic Social Services and more specifically towards buying school backpacks for some children in the local area. Apparently every year a select number of children receive a shopping spree at Kohls and backpacks filled with school supplies (“Kohls for Kids” may have been the name of this endeavor, but don’t quote me). Anyway, this year Northern Valley Catholic Social Services teamed up with other churches, including the LDS Church, and Lisa was in charge of rounding up a portion of donations for this program. Everything was in place for the children except about 100 backpacks. When she heard that BYU-Idaho’s Dance Alliance was coming to perform, she knew EXACTLY where she could round up the extra funds!!! So hooray! We got to help out people in need by simply doing what we love! It’s funny how we can unexpectedly bless the lives of others in merely sharing our talents. Always share your talents…you never know whose lives you’ll touch.

Kassandra Struk:

Tonight was a very special night for me. I am originally from San Jose and my parents drove up 5 hours to see the show. It was the first time they had ever seen me dance! To top it off they brought me a surprise…and I still cant believe they were able to keep this a secret. They brought up with them Kerianna Butler one of the truest friends I have ever had, she had just gotten off her mission one week earlier and it was the first time ive seen her in a year and a half. So that’s the good news, the bad news is I was extremely distracted! Haha I can laugh about it now but it was not a good thing at the time. The venue that we were performing in that night was a little hard to maneuver because there were no wings. Our entire shows success depends on our entrances and exits using the wings of the stage so it was especially important that we were on top of our game …and not distracted. Needless to say it wasn’t the smoothest show for me. Oh well, the show must go on.

Day Nine.

Cresent City, CA to Eureka, CA

Today was such a blast! We were able to get up early in the morning and head to Eureka, CA. Once there we saw the venue and to surprise, our name was on the marquee. We all felt famous. Once there we were able to split up into groups and explore the city for a good couple of hours. I know all the dancers had so much fun exploring the historic and downtown Eureka. The architecture and history of the town were fascinating.
After exploring Eureka we were fed a wonderful dinner at the stake center. Thank you to all those who prepared it! It was a wonderful meal.
Shortly following dinner we performed our show at the beautiful venue and then departed to our hone-stays for the night.

Stories and Experiences:

Kamrie McCandless:
Eureka!!! We got to go be normal and walk around freely! OH it was so splendid to have a bit of a break from the cramped bus and go stretch our legs by splitting up and going touring wherever we wanted to. Weather in Eureka is pretty moderate you don’t see the sun shine a lot. It wasn’t cold and it wasn’t hot which was so nice. My group consisted of Elsha, Jude, Rachel, Megan, myself, and our protector and priesthood holder Daniel . He kept us safe from all harm. We had a blast walking around taking pictures with huge cool murals exploring a cool little bagel and antique shop. The venue we preformed in was incredible!!! A lot of us felt like we were in Phantom of the Opera. We felt fancy because they had tv’s in the dressing rooms so we could watch the show while we were down there. The show went really well! After it was over this lady came with her arms wide open and just gave me this huge hug and said, “You’re my favorite!” Ha ha ha!! I gave her a hug and said she was my favorite we then just went on for a few minutes like we were just old friends. I had never met her before! It was so much fun!

Elsha Guthrie:
Eureeeeka, California….except California isn’t supposed to be cold right?? I guess I was misled. We walked along the pier and we came upon this cute little shop that had salt water taffy and sweaters (to shield us from the cold mind you) and our front there was one of those creepy fortune teller machines with the weird man in a turban who rubs his hand over the crystal ball. So having plenty of time to waste we all start taking pictures with the Fortune Telling Man. This lasted for about 10 or 15 minutes until it was finally my turn for the picture. I pretended to be kissing him through the glass and as while I was posing this intense and thickly accented voice starts yelling, “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!” I was so scared that I just stood there with my lips all puckered up while the man in the glass encouraged my to get my fortune told…which I did. See if I ever lean in for a kiss again on this trip!

View Full Album

More stories!

Kenzie Mitchell
What’s in the shoe tonight?

Incident #3- Little did I know what was coming to me when I was changing into Footloose. I thought I was going to put my high tops on and be free from any problems. I was wrong. As I was putting on my shoes I noticed that the insides of my shoes were rather wet. Not just damp, but soaking wet. Jackie told me that she had to pour out a lot of the water because there was so much in there (Thanks Jackie). Instantly, I knew it was Sister Bone who was up to this no good kind of prank. So of course I had to go out and perform in those drenched shoes. Was it the worst I had with those shoes? No, but it definitely was uncomfortable. Knowing that Sister Bone was up to this I knew I had to get her back somehow or someway. THIS IS WAR!!!!!!

Incident #4- Bahahahaha. This time it was my turn to get back at Sister Bone! So Sister Bone was sitting on this stool on stage left with the headset to call the dances. During the show, I noticed she was off the stool and that was my chance to go in with my plan. I poured some water on the stool so when she would sit down, she would get a nice wet spot on her bum. She came back to her stool and noticed the wet spot on the stool. She pointed at the ceiling thinking that water came dripping down from it. Oh and I put water in her shoes too. She knew it was me because later she pointed her flashlight in my face and of course I acted like I did nothing wrong. Later in the performance, someone told me that Sister bone put grapes in my Jazz shoes. Those Jazz shoes needed to go on for the last number so she thought for sure she was going to get me. Well I took the grapes out of the shoes, put them in a nice little cup, and went up to Sister Bone to place the cup full of grapes in front of her and said, “You didn’t get me!” With a big ole’ smile I skipped off to the other side of the stage. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Kyle Spaulding:
“ It is a strange occurrence that 40 very different people can be in very close proximity for long extended periods of time without having drama. This has been our experience on this journey. My story is about this miracle. On Saturday the 31^st we went to the temple as a group. I was going to do baptisms for the first time. I have never baptized anyone and I was somewhat nervous. After being reassured we began. The spirit that was there was so strong. I reaffirmed the love and bond that we all share. It was one of the most powerful experiences in my life. I either baptized my friends or watched and in that short period of time I have never felt closer to anyone. We helped one another get ready, get in and out of the water, got towels, and the only concern was for others. I realized at this point why our group has such a special time together. WE truly love one another. I don’t know a lot of the people on the team in a deep meaningful way but I feel a deep meaningful love for them. I realized that no matter the time or distance I would do anything for my group of friends.

During this session a temple worker had submitted some of her ancestors’ names and we did them. The spirit had whispered for her to come look in the room right as I began doing those names. She was able to be present for the names being done. She related to me this story afterwards and I felt how important temple work for the dead is. During the time I was baptizing I had a very special feeling doing several parts of the baptisms and it would not surprise me if it was when I did that sweet sisters relatives. This strengthened my testimony of God’s love for all his children. If there is one highlight of the trip I think most would agree that this was it.

The second most spiritual experience of the trip happened this day as well. Have you ever met someone and just known you were supposed to meet. It seems most of the team felt this way and I would like to relate my experience with this. When Alex and I were assigned to our family after the show it was very typical. It was very obvious after we got to their home that it was something special.I felt the spirit confirm that we were supposed to be there for the next two days. As we spoke I realized why. I want to go into dentistry but have a lot of doubts and concerns about making that ultimate choice. Matt is a recent dentist graduating only 5 years ago. Matt and Erica were a fun hip couple with 4 boys and a baby girl. I doubt I will ever find a more perfect role model for what I want in life. Matt had similar doubts and concerns with his life choices but I was able to see that he and Erica were so happy and fun and caring. They made me feel welcome and like we were not just guests but close friends staying for a visit. There could not have been a more perfect home stay for what I have been struggling with in life. I loved this family in a way that was beyond my abilities. Both Alex and I wished we could have spent more time with them. This day I realized that the spirit is helping our group probably every step of the way. I have never experienced anything like it. It has been worth every sacrifice, pain, discomfort, and heartache to be here. Maybe it is because of all that we have sacrificed to be here that makes this trip so special. I will forever hold this time as one of the greatest moments in my life.”

Another story…Day Eight.

Wendy Bone

Ranger Joe was awesome!!!! We got the best tour guide ever as a group of sixteen of us explored the Oregon Caves together. He gave us mini seek-n-find challenges, told interesting stories, and he enjoyed teasing Brother Bone. He kept commenting throughout the tour on how much he liked our group. At one point, the dancers scaled a long staircase while I stayed behind with Ranger Joe. He commented that he liked us Mormons—that we were dead on in regard to the importance of family. He said he didn’t believe much of the other stuff, but he respected the focus on families.

At the end of the tour he asked if anyone had a good singing voice, and he proceeded to place six dancers in the middle of a long walkway surrounded by rock while the rest of us, along with Ranger Joe, stood at the cavern exit. The six dancers began singing a verse of Nearer My God to Thee, but the acoustics made it sound as though 100 people were singing in the tunnel. The harmonizing was beautiful. Ranger Joe put his head down and closed his eyes throughout, an indication that he truly appreciated the reverence of the moment. Afterwards, we all exited the cave and he congratulated the six dancers for their effort and commented that it almost made him cry.

His humorous and kind nature made him our instant friend. We love you Ranger Joe!

Day Eight.

Grants Pass, OR to Cresent City, CA

Today we drove a lot and do some fun sight seeing. First we went to the Oregon Caves. This was an hour and a half tour. We had to split up into groups, 15 per. group, and we descended at different times into the caves. Each group was able to have a different experience, and everyone will agree that we all had a great time.
After the caves we ate a great lunch at Pizza Hut. Shortly following our lunch we drove to the Redwood forest. Once there we hiked in about a mile on a trail and got to see these beautiful trees and wildlife. It was so much fun to take pictures with these breathtakingly large trees.
Once we were done at the Redwoods we were able to check into our hotel and some of us had the opportunity to visit the harbor or beach. Shortly after that we had a great family home evening by Rachel Withers and then some of us called it a night, while the others went to a sea food restaurant next store to the hotel.
This day of rest was greatly needed by all of us and we had so much fun spending time with one another.

 

 

Stories and Experiences:

Cristian Joubert:

Today was our experience at the Oregon Caves. It’s Monday of week 2 on the tour. We are taking some free-time from dance to enjoy some sight-seeing. Our group disembarked the bus and every single one of us formed lines at the restrooms. After a short while a woman in a park uniform came and officially greeted the team. We gathered in the hacky-sackin’ boys (including Bro. Bone) and the photo-face-splicing, giggling girls to the circle. We made our way to the main building and began breaking off in groups. I was in Group 2 with Camille, Celeste, Jane, Jamie, Daniel, Elsha, Kali, Amanda, Megan, Kylie, Dave, Bethani, Jude, and the Bones. Our tour guide was Ranger Joe Alexander. He has been working and guiding tours at the Oregon Caves for ten years. Before we began the actual tour Joe showed us some fossils and rocks, showed us pictures of significant individuals, and gave us a little bit of trivia. As we walked through the caves we continued to marvel at the substantial sums of new and interesting info we received from Ranger Joe. The hour and a half tour proved most adventuresome, not to mention entertaining. At the near conclusion of our  tour, Ranger Joe gathered us in. He gestured towards a very long tunnel. A five-hundred-foot straight shot toward the light. A small number of our group dashed toward the mouth of the tunnel. We thrilled as we breathlessly ran the incline. Once at the top we found the gate locked, so we waited a moment or two for the rest of our group to gather. Once Joe got up there with the keys, he paused for a moment. Before he opened the gate, he enlightened us concerning the acoustics of the tunnel. He said the resonance was ideal for music. And so with his invitation, 6 of us, 2 boys and 4 girls, went about 40 yards and huddled after a brief collaboration, where we settled on “Nearer My God to Thee”. We found our starting note and began to sing. Joe was right; the acoustics were out of this world. The hymn resonated beautifully throughout the cave. It penetrated the cool, damp air. We learned later that our tour guide, Joe, was so moved to stillness. He closed his eyes and drank in the melody with the rest of the group. Sister Bone related to us later Joe’s respective comments concerning the experience. For us, the members of the little impromptu choir, it was a window for testimony. All in all, I would consider it the most significant teaching moment of the entire tour.

Rachel Withers:
"Today I went 225 ft. deep into the earth by way of the Oregon caves for an hour and a half. Our tour guide Jennifer, bless her heart, was very green, if you know what I mean.  Inside the cave there was beautiful granite and slimy looking rocks in the shape of banana’s.  Each room of the cave was different with different forms of rock.  I felt like I couldn’t get enough oxygen inside the cave because of the high amounts of carbon dioxide.  There were a lot of steps in the cave, 500 to be exact, but we all made it with our dancers energy.  Our tour guide actually said our group was the least tired group she had taken.  So parents you have fit kids thanks to dance.  Well anyway, the cave was fun she told us stories about how the first man to come into the caves was chasing his dog who was chasing a bear and the man lost his light so he made it out by finding the 44 degree water running through the cave.  After we got out of the cave some of us climbed to the top of the mountain trail the caves were beneath.  The view was phenomenal with rolling hills and trees in every direction.  Summed up I felt like a true cave woman after I climbed out of the mouth of the cave.  We just got to the redwood forest national park. “

Dave McNary

“Today we have had the opportunity to go to the harbor as we on our way back from our adventure we had decided to take a short cut which involved passing through a nearby ditch. As we approached the gap we were dismayed to find that there was a spongy looking mass at the bottom of the ditch. It was not the most inviting sight but Beth being the brave champion piped “it’s like living on a farm we have to pass through ditches all the time.” “Alrighty young lady, be my guest and cross first!” I chimed! She took a deep breath and bolted in her attempt to clear the ditch. After clearing a whole two inches she landed in the green wannabe grass which sunk immediately. She squealed in alarm then flew out of the ditch quicker then she fell into it!! Then turned around and stared at us with wide eyes struck with terror! Needless to say she survived and it was funny!!”

Kylie Brusco & Kamrie McCandless

“One more story about our host family this weekend. I think the 13 yr old only girl of 7 boys, was the most excited out of all of them to have the two older sisters around. Her and her mother admitted to checking out our costumes as they hung in the laundry room to air out, and they discovered that Kamrie was Glenda the good witch in the dance “Popular.” They were so excited! They loved that routine.

After family prayer Sunday night, we sat around chatting for a few minutes. Estie, our little sister, left the room to go brush her teeth. At that moment I felt that perhaps she might like to try on one of our costumes, like dress up or something, considering she hadn’t had sisters or female cousins to play with. Then it hit me. Glenda. Pink sequins. I leaned over and asked Kamrie if she would be willing to share. We pitched the idea and extended the offer to Estie and she was absolutely thrilled!!! She eagerly put on the costume, let us do up her hair a little bit, then happily posed for the camera! She looked beautiful! Kamrie jumped in the photos with her and showed her some good poses for the role as Glenda. Estie is a doll and I know she will never forget her weekend with two big sisters.”

Alex Ashby:
“After a long and exciting day of explore the caves and giant mystical forests we ended up at the Lighthouse Inn in Cresent city, which incidentally is right along the coast.  We had planned on a bon-fire and Family home evening on the beach tonight, but due to overcast skies and a surly wind blowing many opted out of spending time on the beach.  A few of us who were more stubborn decided that we were going to experience the beach anyways!  Because what good is being next to a beach if you can’t enjoy it?!?!  So we bundled up and headed out.  It was actually alot of fun and not as cold as expected because we had a couple of ostrich races and started an intense game of “line tag”.  In case your not familiar with line tag, it basically consists of drawing a giant spider web in the sand and then playing tag while only stepping on the lines.  It was a ton of fun and everyone who participated left the beach with red noses and smiling faces :) the end.” 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Urie:
"I got another recipe! This tour has been filled with wonderful food provided by our home-stay families which I thank you for so much. During my stay at the Jessee’s home my home stay mom made the best Bean Salsa. She agreed to share the recipe with me and also to let me share it with you! Here it is,

Bean Salsa

2 cans black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can corn (drained)
1/2-1 bunch of cilantro
1/4 cup or so purple onion
1  t. minced garlic
chopped jalapenos – to taste

Sauce
Mix: 1/4 oil ( I use canola)
         1/4 lemon juice
         1 t. cumin

Pour sauce on bean mixture. Stir.
Yummy! Enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as me and the girls who had the privilege of staying with this lovely family did. "