We moved for many reasons. We didn't feel like we were progressing in our old apartment. We felt ostracized from the branch. We felt alone. The Santos did not reconcile with us, and neither did most of the branch. We only found solace in the Naumanns. Who let us come over many a time, especially when I was sick.
We moved to the Desert Jewel Apartments, aptly named Luxury Apartments. Our new apartment is 1300 square feet. 2 Bedrooms. 2 Bathrooms. Hardwood floors. A huge living room and dining room. But what we really love is that we moved into the Amberwood Ward. The bishop is Alan Norton. A good go-getter man. Sometimes too enthusiastic for my taste. Always wanting the best for the youth (which isn't bad). He incorporates an Activity in a Box. He's always going above and beyond.
Probably the greatest joy of being in our new ward, is having met the Klinglers. Kyle and LauraMae. We first met them at Christmastime. Sister Tina Miller, music leader of the Amberwood Ward, asked me and Sarah to both sing and to play the piano for the Christmas program, even though it was in the middle of the Coronavirus. She asked me to play for LauraMae, who has a beautiful voice. Way back when we were still trying to feel our way through the ward. But since then, we have had a relationship that has blossomed into a great friendship. When Wandavision came out, we found out that they are really big Marvel fans. And we watched the next 8 episodes at each of our houses, alternating every week. It was a really cool system we had set up. I had to warm up to Kyle, and LauraMae, but I was given the calling of an Activity Days leader, with Kyle. And Sarah was given the calling of Young Woman's Secretary, and LauraMae was a teacher. So we both worked together, which led to more interaction. They are like the best of friends. They listen to both me and Sarah. And we have been very open with them about our lives.
School has been good. The last time I wrote, I had been worried about upcoming Piano Class III. Which was very hard for me to try for. But it went really well, an now I am in the middle of the Spring Semester 2021, taking many a class including Piano IV, which is going well.
I am taking so many credits this semester. Music Theory and AP IVs, Piano IV, Choral Methods, Choir, Conducting, One on one voice lessons, and Composition class. My composition class is with Karl Schindler at Phoenix College and I have really enjoyed working with him. I have been working on a composition called "The Standard of Truth" using the text from Joseph Smith's words. I also have been composing a piece for Sam and Ashley, who are getting married in April.
I wrote a paper on both Madrigals and Felix Mendelssohn as a composer, and I plan on writing a paper on Franz Liszt's contributions to music. The first paper was a real trial and challenge for me, but Sarah really helped me through it.
