Shirae Telford Music

I met Alexandria Sharpe through a mutual friend in the Wilton ward. Whenever Alex came from Ireland to visit them, they would ask me to accompany her singing in church. It was always a beautiful experience, and an honor. Alex was a member of Celtic Woman and also Eponine in Les Miserables in the UK and Ireland tour, in addition to many other lead roles in musical theater, performing at concerts, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's 60th birthday celebration with the RTE Orchestra, and participating in recordings like the Evita soundtrack. When I was visiting with her at the Green's home after practicing our musical number, I asked her why she didn't have her own album. I insisted I help her make some demos that she could take to a producer in Ireland. She included three of my songs on her album "Be Still My Soul" that sells at Deseret Book. One of those songs is this arrangement. In August 2015 I got a message from Alex that she had exciting news: she was singing as a guest artist in Music and the Spoken Word and Mack Wilberg had selected the Abide With Me arrangement. She encouraged me to come. It was the coolest surprise present I ever received! I bought a plane ticket and was absolutely giddy to attend the rehearsal, meet Mack Wilberg, and be recognized at Sunday's performance. I had a beautiful tender mercy experience on my way to Utah. While in the Sacramento airport, my flight was delayed. I started to panic because it was going to be difficult to get to the rehearsal on time. Then it delayed even more. My husband was trying to get me on another flight last minute, but there was nothing. The minutes were ticking and it was about to be past the point of making it to Salt Lake in time. As I stood in line waiting to talk to a flight attendant at the Southwest Airlines counter, with other frustrated people trying to get to their destinations, I said a prayer, pleading with the Lord for a small miracle if it was possible. What happened next is one of those moments that is etched into my heart, as a beautiful confirmation that my Heavenly Father hears me and knows me. He knew how special this was to me and how heartbroken I'd be to miss it. There were still two people ahead of me in line, but I noticed the attendant at the counter stop what she was doing, look up, and then walk around the counter out to our line. She came right up to me and asked where I was trying to get to. I told her and she paused as if she was thinking for a moment, and said I'll be right back. She went back behind the counter and through a door into a little room, then came back out and handed me a boarding pass. "I got you on a new flight that leaves in a few minutes. If you hurry, you can make it." Tears came to my eyes and I rushed off through security. I was so humbled and full of gratitude to God, for giving me that gift. It built my testimony that God is gracious, and merciful; that our feelings matter to Him, even in small things. He wants to bless us. And according to our faith, and if it be right, He will. Being at the Thursday night rehearsal and live performance on Sunday was an experience I will cherish. I was given VIP treatment at the conference center, being given special instructions of which door to be let in through, and escorted through the halls. They treated me as an honored guest. I sat about 10 rows back and listened to the rehearsal, tears streaming down my face. Hearing the arrangement with the orchestra and the choir back up vocals was so powerful. I remember members of the orchestra looking over at me and I wondered if they wondered who is this weepy lady. On Sunday morning they had me stand and be recognized before the performance; that was special. And it was special seeing my name up on the big screen as it was being broadcast. It was all like a lovely dream. I also got to meet Mack Wilberg afterward. It was very brief. I shook the man's hand, we exchanged a few words, and then I walked backstage to take a picture with Alex, and say goodbye. I'm so thankful for this experience, and for this treasure of a performance of this arrangement.