I am a freelance translator and one of my current tasks is the green version of the Church hymnbook. And I also love music, so with a handful of sisters, my wife and myself I have started a tiny but brave choir in our little branch. We try hard to perform once or twice a month, but this has been a heavy flu season and with our little kids always bringing something from school or kindergarten, we never know who will or will not be able to sing on Sunday, so I also prepare “back-up” pieces in case someone gets ill and the particular piece has to be postponed.
Recently we were scheduled to do a hymn as a trio, and one of the sisters did get ill. I had your Abide with Me Tis Eventide (Baritone solo) prepared as a back-up, so I ended up singing. I used the new translation we have just completed, and together with your music it was a very spiritual experience. As one member put it, this one hymn said more than all the talks.
So Thank you for all you do for us. And all the best in the New Year.
Linda Pratt is the owner of FreeWardChoirMusic.com and arranges LDS hymns for Ward Choirs, free.