My new iMac computer is really cool. I'm posting without logging in - directly from my desktop! No webpage to worry about!

Liken the Scriptures in Texas

I just spent the last several days in Texas! I went as part of a Liken the Scripture Acting workshop. I wrote up a report for work, but since I did all the writing, I thought I'd post it here, too.

Our first conference was held in a small conference center in San Antonio. It was a few large rooms connected to a shopping mall. The second was held in Houston, using an auditorium and 2 other small conference rooms of a very nice Sheraton Hotel. The third workshop (Dallas) was done in a community center in Plano, Texas. The evening performance was held at a civic center auditorium. It was a beautiful venue – and we nearly filled its 287 seats with family and friends of the participants, as well as a few locals and auditioners.

Each conference started with everyone gathered in one room. Rachel and Dallyn Vail Bayles, Jeff Stevens and I each introduced ourselves and told the kids (and a few of the parents there) our backgrounds. We told the kids what the plan for the day was, and then showed clips from the Liken movies that they would be learning at the workshop. One funny item – when we opened up the Houston intro to questions, one teen cried out, “Where’s Dan Beck?!.” I’m sure next time he’ll be hoping to see Dallyn and Jeff just as much. The youth really opened up to them, respected them, and worked hard.

Dallyn and Jeff taught the kids ages 12-18 from 9 am to 4 pm. They spent the first part of the day talking about the Arts and the Gospel, and how they relate to each other. They also taught about how to audition and some acting basics.

They then had the kids learn the “We Are the Best” song from Alma and King Noah’s Court. After learning it as a group, Dallyn and Jeff held auditions to cast the scene for performance that night. The teens really responded well to Dallyn and Jeff. To me, it felt like an EFY-type conference. It was amazing to see all of the participants coming out of their shell and work hard.

Meanwhile, I was working with the kids ages 7 to 11. I had about 15 kids in two of the ciities, and 25 in Houston. After the general introduction meeting and viewing of the Liken clips, I took the kids into another room and worked with them, usually until 12:00 or so. We played some acting games/exercises, and learned the song “Life Could Not Be Better” from Nephi and Laban. The kids were great, and loved singing that song.

I was quite nervous about dealing with a bunch of little kids, but I had a great time! I think I handled them really well, and they all seemed to have a good time with me. They listened and worked, and seemed to enjoy it a lot. It was so touching each time one of the adorable little girls would come up at the end of the day and say “Thank you for being my teacher.” Or “I had so much fun today!” I really, really enjoyed it.

After working with the kids (and while Jeff and Dallyn were still teaching), I went to visit a store in each area. I gave a free Greatest Hits cd to each employee, a 13-min intro DVD, and the new mailer. I talked to them about what we do (and why we do it) and hyped them about Esther.

In each city, between 2 and 4, we held scheduled auditions for people not participating in the workshop. We had a variety of people audition, and several that I would definitely call back- they were very talented. Annie Edwards, a local from San Antonio, set up all of the audition times, and was very helpful.

Each workshop culminated with performances by the participants (The two songs from Liken), as well as a small concert by myself, Dallyn, Rachel, and Jeff. Our songs were generally broadway standards, and I also sang “Everything We Need” from The First Christmas, and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat." The participants worked hard and had a great time performing for each other and their parents. After the performances, we showed “Esther and the King.” The crowds LOVED the movie, and it even received a standing ovation.

CHURCH AND FIRESIDES

On Sunday morning, Dallyn & Rachel sang “Consider the Lilies" in Jolene’s home ward. In the afternoon, they put on a fireside for 2 wards all about Joseph and Emma. Meanwhile, Jeff sang a musical number in Sacrament Meeting in another ward, and then taught a group of teens a Sunday school lesson, with music.

That night, we traveled south a bit and all four of us spoke and sang in a stake youth fireside. The message was Living your faith while living your dreams. The stake young women’s president was in tears; she told us that we touched on every topic that she had hoped, and that we talked about just what her youth needed. Many of the youth came up and talked to us – many of them were involved with performing groups, and were touched and inspired by the spirit in the fireside. In all of the occasions, we were announced as actors for Liken the Scriptures, but unfortunately none of us used Liken music on Sunday. Having the sheet music soon will help that become more common.

Jolene, her husband Dave, their family, and the many other homeschooling parents were unbelievably helpful. They did pack our days full, but we always had a ride, food, a place to sleep, and were treated very well by everyone. Jolene even arranged a friend to come who is a professional massage therapist to come give us a massage. We were also treated to the amazing “Blue Bell” Ice Cream (A local Texas favorite) not once, but twice. J (And how can we get the “fast food” chain Taco Cabana in Utah?)

So it was a great trip, hard work, but rewarding. I hope we can do it again!

Singles Awareness Day, or S.A.D.

Ok, it's Valentines day, otherwise known as "Singles Awareness Day," or S.A.D, for those of us without a significant other. I've been super busy with my new job...so I'll start off with some pictures of the upcoming "Esther and the King" DVD. Here I am striking a pose as "Harbonah" in the Esther story. And here I am making a strange announcement. And here are few other pictures related to the film. So anyway...I'm going to Las Vegas this weekend to hold auditions for future Liken the Scriptures episodes. I'm also going to Texas the next week for a tour of auditions, acting workshops, and other things wit Dallyn Vail Bayles and Jeff Stevens. I'm really looking forward to it.

O Holy Night! It's Christmas time already!

Here I am, seated at my brand new computer. I bought the iMac G5 20" screen, and it's incredible! I paid too much for it, but oh well. It's a very very fine machine. Maybe now that I have my own computer, I will be more likely to update this little webpage. We'll have to wait and see. I'm keeping way busy with my job at "Lightstone Studios, LLC." I'm learning the basics of audio engineering, and soon i'll start training a little on photoshop. I can't wait! It's a good challenge, but I love learning and i'm up to the task. I'm also going to be helping cast the extras and a few other roles for the next Liken the Scriptures episode, "The Story of Esther." And I do have a small part in it myself :) Well, it's late, so i'm off to bed. Later.

Time to write again

It's sunday afternoon, so what better time to sit down and update a blog with my thoughts. Several times today speakers at church mentioned President Hinckley's recent challenge to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I'm behind schedule -- I'll have to read 5 pages a day to finish on time. I'll do it,because I don't want to miss out on the blessings promised:

"Without reservation I promise you that if each of you will observe this simple program, regardless of how many times you previously may have read the Book of Mormon, there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Josh's new Digital Camera

Look closely, and you can see the Mt. Timp temple above

Yes, I took this one while driving. No one was injured.

My sister and my neices and nephews. How cute. I had great seats for a great game...with a terrible ending. BYU lost by a point.

This blog will be seeing more pictures now that i've finally purchased a digital camera. I went with the tiny kind, a pentax optio s5z. Got a great deal on it, too.

Pictures from "The First Christmas"

Here I am as a shepherd in the upcoming Liken the Scriptures DVD, "The First Christmas." It should be a really good one. The music is as good as it's ever been, the characters are great, and the spirit of the production is really nice.

Ragtime Pictures

The last 3 months have kept me very busy. The leading culprit was the Hale Center Theater's production of "Ragtime." I didn't get the younger brother part that I was hoping for, but I had a marvelous time as Man #7. I played a jewish immigrant, a reporter, a fireman, a policeman, a factory worker, a man on the stairs, and..well, i think that's it. But it was fun. I made great friends, and had a blast.

Sending a post via email

Hi everyone. I'm just learing some more blogging tips. This post I sent via email! Hooray for techonology. I can also now add images! Here's my picture again. -- Josh

LOTS of changes...

My life just isn't what I'd planned it to be. I guess nobody ends up exactly how they imagined, and that's okay.

I've been working at Deseret Book off and on again for about 5 years. The last 2 years I have really been working toward getting a full-time position, which I did several months ago. Then, about one month ago, I was offered a Manager position! I was thrilled, as it was a good paying job for a single guy, and something steady with a future. However, the job was in Reno, NV. I was hesitant to take it, but not for long. Soon I became excited about moving to Reno -- to really be out on my own. Sure, I'd miss my family, but I could afford to fly back once in a while to see them. I'd be out making my way in the world - finally, at age 29. As fate would have it, the week before I was to move to Reno, I got a phone call from my friend Ken. His brother Dennis also emailed me. They were offering me a job at their new, growing film studio, Lightstone Studios (formerly One South Studios). My first reaction was an obvious "No," as I had committed to manage the Deseret Book in Reno. However, the more I thought about it, I decided I needed to at least consider the option. You can guess what happened next. I prayed, talked to my parents and other mentors in my life, fasted, went to the temple, talked with Ken and Dennis, and then had to make a decision. Taking all the advice I'd received, and all the inspiration I could try to get, I decided to take the job. I called my area managers at Deseret Book and told them the news. It was bad timing, but I knew it had to be done. Lightstone Studios produces the Liken the Scriptures series of DVD's. You can find the link below, and at www.likenthescriptures.com. I've been in 2 of their 4 productions, and I'm very excited to be full-time with these great guys! I'll be in the marketing part of the studio, with an emphasis on retail store visits, conventions, firesides, and other things. It will be a dynamic, challenging job for me. I don't have a ton of experience in this field, but I'm confident I'll be able to do a great job.

Josh sings online!

I just realized that there are a few websites out there where you can download a song that I've sung! Well..Maybe just two, but here they are:

• Clips from the Liken the Scriptures series. Listen to clips from Episode 2.

http://www.likenthescriptures.com

• "Simon"(I carried the cross) by Aaron Waite http://www.aaronwaite.com/audio/simon.wma

• "If You Could Hie to Kolob," arr. by Jeremy Lamb http://www.sibeliusmusic.com/mp3/5/0/6/50699.mp3

• I'm also in the Milennium Choir, which you can read about here: www.millenniumchoir.org There are a few clips available to listen to on that website.

And, because I'm so vain, i'll also include links to the following: My imdb.com page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0855104/ My tvtome.com page: http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/PersonDetail/personid-209884

Wow! I've actually posted here again!

Tonight is closing night of a musical that i've been priveledged to be in. It's an inspirational musical titled "Power in His Touch." It was written by my friend Colette Call, and it's wonderful. The cast has been incredible, and so have the audiences. I love being part of productions where the spirit can touch peoples lives, both on and off the stage. If you'd like to know more about it, please visit www.colettecall.com. I'm also waiting to hear if i've been cast in an upcoming production of "Ragtime" at the Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City, Utah. I went to callbacks for the role of Younger Brother, and there is a chance I could get it! I hope to make the ensemble at least, but if not, i'll be glad to have some free time! What else has been going on in my life? I'm still working at Deseret Book, and i'm hoping for managment possibilities in the near future. I'm also still looking for a girlfriend! My sister Katie just got back from her mission, it's great having her home again. Tomorrow is Easter, which is always a great day. I'm finding it hard recently to focus on the gospel, and to keep Christ as the center of my life. I'm not falling into sin or anything, but It's just harder for me to keep focused i guess. I need a help-meet, I think. But nevertheless, I trust in the Lord.

Hmmm. How much will I use this

I thought this was the coolest thing when I first signed up. I guess without having my own computer, I don't use it much...sneaking time during and after work just doesn't cut it for a blog.

Pioneers, Zealots, and German Soldiers

Ok. I've always wanted to make a list of books that I've read, with my thoughts on each one. I thought this is a perfect place to do it! This list is going to be books related to my faith. They are either about the history of the church, or fiction written by and about Mormons. These first books are non-fiction.

• Believing Christ, by Stephen Robinson
• The Peacegiver, by James Ferrell
• Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
• Jesus the Christ, by Talmage
• Infinite Atonement, by Callister
• Spiritual Survival in the Last Days, by Yorgason
• Way to Be, by Hinckley
• Standing for Something, by Hinckley
• To Draw Closer to God, by Eyering
• Miracle of Forgiveness, by Kimball
• Marvelous Work and a Wonder, by Richards
• Our Search for Happiness, by Ballard
• One More Strain of Praise, by Maxwell
• Perfection Pending, by Nelson
• Teach Ye Diligently, by Packer
• Teaching by the Spirit, by Cook
• The History of Joseph Smith by His Mother

• We'll Find the Place, by Richard Bennett

This was a very good book detailing the journey of the first pioneer company to settle the salt lake valley, the one that included Brigham Young. What caught my attention most was how much many of the pioneers saw the importance of what they were doing. Some considered the group an acutal - not just symbolic - latter-day Israel. I am so greatful for the journey and sacrifice they made.

The following books are LDS fiction, LDS humor, or historical fiction.

• Adam's Story, by Jack Weyland
• The Alliance, by Gerald Lund
• One in Thine Hand, by Gerald Lund
• Baptists at Our Barbeque, by Robert Farrell Smith
• Capitain Matrimony, by Robert Farrell Smith
• Never Can Say Goodbye, by Robert Farrell Smith
• The Trust Williams Trilogy, by Robert Farrell Smith
• Midway to Heaven, by Dean Hughes
• Children of the Promise series, (5 books) by Dean Hughes
• Hearts of the Children series, (4 books) by Dean Hughes
• The Work and the Glory series,(9 books) by Gerald Lund
• The Fishers of Men serires,(3 books) by Gerlad Lund
• The Promised Land, Vol. 1: Pillar of Fire, by David Wolley
• Lifted Up, by Guy Galli

Oops, I've run out of time. I'll start this list up again later.

A Village, Fireworks, and, well..that's it.

Driving, Baptsims, and DVD Commentaries

Stingers, Fireworks, and a Candle Race

The Song That Never Ends

Listen to at your own risk....

Winter Olympics 2002

 Winter Olympics 2002

Missionary in Baghdad