"Reflections of Christ"

12-08-08

Dear Elder & Sister Hansen and away kids,

First, to get a few things out there, ...  I brought a 25 to 30 lb. box of 5 or 6 varieties of seedless table grapes, and a box of red grapefruit, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and sweet red bell peppers [to my aunt's funeral]. All of the Grapefruits, tomatoes and bell peppers were gone in half the time as the grapes (and those were top of the line quality grapes, but no one had any tomatoes or peppers ripe in their gardens yet, and they said "those are the sweetest grapefruits that we have ever tasted" - they also said the same thing about the grapes - "the sweetest that we have ever tasted").

      [Elder Hansen,] 

       I am SOOOO EXCITED about your baptisms!! What a great blessing for those special people as well as the Ward to have them joined with them.

       Do either of you Missionaries need or want more (used US) stamps? I got a lot of mileage in PR or bartering with members and nonmembers alike in Australia, for the used US stamps from my mail. But maybe people in general, or those in Mexico & Russia are not as much into “stamp collecting” as they were 30 years ago.

       BYU is 8-0 in basketball, and just beat Utah State on Sat. night to remain undefeated.

       Sister Hansen, ...

       Your gift of tongues has now included Russian, Armenian, Spanish, and now sign language. For both of you, the Greatest Chapters in your gift of tongues (as great as it has been already), have yet to be written.  The Lord still has many more, and deeper gifts still to be found.  

       Last Sat night our family went to a fireside (and opening night of), “Reflections of Christ” at the Stake Center, and then viewed the art show set up in the Cultural Hall with accompanying music (most of which was composed specifically for this display), “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (a man’s voice, sung soft ,almost whispered at times, with light Guitar background), (2 or 3 verses), “Amazing Grace” (woman’s voice and again soft and slow with a light piano/string orchestra background)(did not sing the most well known first verse, but rather my favorite the 2^nd & 3^rd verse):

           

T'was Grace that taught -
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear -
the hour I first believed.



Through many dangers, toils and snares -
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far -
and Grace will lead us home. 1

         

There was also at least one of the Sacrament Hymns done instrumentally. The photographer Mark Mabry, told his story of how this all came about. 2    His own personal cleansing and preparation, and the road that led him to his contacts to do a presentation at the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant. He told of his calling and being set apart by his Bishop for this presentation. That he had been prepared for this since before his birth. He told a little about the live actors who would portray the Savior and others in the pictures.

Some of the shots were of the manger scene, Angels dressed in brilliant white robes against a starlit night sky, announcing the birth of Jesus (to get the appearance of them flying/floating in the air, he had them jump on a trampoline, and would take the picture of them while at the apex of their bounding; including one guy with one of those long trumpets – like the Angel Moroni on the Temples), Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, Jesus writing on the ground with the woman caught in adultery (“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” was being played as I viewed this, also from the Baptism of Jesus to the start of Gethsemane), Jesus walking on the water (he was on the shore of a large lake walking on cinder blocks in the shallow water, but the angles which they shot it at made it look so real – like he truly was walking on water), healing the blind man by smearing mud on his eyes, The Ten Virgins, Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, the betrayal, the scourging by the Roman Soldiers, the Crucifixion (VERY AUTHENTIC LOOKING)(“Amazing Grace” was playing here including the lines “How precious did that Grace appear – the hour I first believed”), His Resurrection (the scars visible on His hands, were incredible) , with the 2 men on the road to Emmaus, Jesus appearing on the shore of Galilee and Peter jumping from the ship and swimming to shore to meet him, and last but not least, The Ascension (the looks on the faces of the men was true emotion, as Jesus was rising up from them,… leaving them). The pictures in and of themselves were stunning, and had a Spirit all of their own. But with the uplifting, heart warming, soul stirring musical backdrop, it made the presentation down right Sacred. Most people came out of that room pretty choked up. 3

They also had a movie about the making of this production, with on sight filming of the photo shoots, interviews with the actors, photographer, set & costume people, etc., that was at once interesting, informative, and inspiring.

Then Wed night (the last night of the viewing), we took many of our youth from our Ward to the Stake Center for mutual night (and a special Stake youth fireside) with Mark Mabry, who flew in (again) for this follow up fireside (including all our kids, most of the YW, [and others. names omitted]).

The [Full name omitted] "F"s are family friends in Arizona, and Matt F had come over for the viewing and personally introduced me to Mark Mabry (on Sat night). Well Wed night I waited until most of the crowd of those that had gathered to thank/speak to him had already left, and I too thanked him, and acknowledged that I concurred with his blessing that, he had been raised for this very purpose, and that this was just a beginning for him. That he still had many things to accomplish for the Lord. 

I also told him that for a Stake Youth Musical, and several other times (“Faith Walks” at Girl’s Camp, etc.) that I had been asked to play the part of the Savior. That I knew a little bit about what his actor ... went through in preparing for such a performance. Even though my experience with this was a blip in time compared with the scope and far reaching effects of this current production; Mine was a life altering event for me. On a physical side, it was so draining that, I felt as though I had just played a non-stop 3 hour football game, and at the same time on the mental/emotional side, I felt as if I had just completed a “2 day fast”. I was spent, physically, mentally and emotionally spent. My eyes hurt – they had cried so much, my mouth and nose were dry (like when it is really hot and dry, and you have not had any water for a long time). On a Spiritual side, you actually get a little glimpse of the total, complete, unconditional love that the Great Mediator has for ALL OF GOD’S CHILDREN! To see the faces of all those who look upon you in the light of the person you represent, and the effect it is having on them (and you), something passes between you. Everyone you touch, or shake hands with, or embrace, some thing leaves you. I remember the first time that this happened at Camp Elowin for the Faith Walk of our Stake Girl’s Camp. Afterwards in my weakened condition, I remembered the question the Savior asked after the woman touched the hem of his garment, “Who touched me?”…”for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me”. I received a witness of just a small part of what he meant. Bro Mabry & I had some thing pass between us that night, including that I shared with him about us having a son in Leon Mexico on a mission, and a daughter on a mission in Russia (Moscow West). He had served in St. Petersburg, and his trips to re-apply for his visa were to Finland. We told him some of [our daughter]’s stories, including her trips to Spain. He was very impressed.

I would urge everyone who has an opportunity to view this “Reflections of Christ”, to spare no amount of time or expense to take everyone (especially your youth), to go and see this exhibit.

With all the love and tender feelings that a father can posses, I leave you with my blessing, and ask for God’s protection and guidance to be with you.



Jamie

1. http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Amazing_Grace/

2. http://www.reflectionsofchrist.org/artist_mark.php

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oteno81QzzQ&list=UUp9yuVkTbTT2XH7YhaVne1A&index=8