I've Been WORKING on the Railroad

I've Been Working on the (Orange Blossom Special) Railroad
All the live-long day.
I've been working on the railroad
Just to pass the time away. 

It may appear to some that the musical missionaries have weekend vacations just to pass the time away each time the show goes on the road. Here are a few photos to dispel that myth. Besides the set up, the concerts require long hours and long distances all the live-long day.  After they return to their areas, the missionaries go right back to work.

Despite the funny faces, Sister Laxton and Elders Clark, Woodward and Waldie are WORKING on the sound system.

Elder Call and Sister Lee have starring roles in the hard WORK of set up.

Sister Echols isn't above getting down on her knees to WORK on preparations.

Hail to the chief, er President, who WORKS harder than anyone you know.

Elder Raymant and Sister Lee WORK on sound checks so the concert will sound right.

Elder Call's idea of "PASS THE TIME AWAY."

The audience has no idea the WORK they missed in the hours before the performance.

Saturday was the final in the first series of Orange Blossom Special Concerts. It has been a wild and crazy ride with lots of learning curves and wonderful passengers. Sister H was surprised to be a last-minute substitute to MC the program with President Leavitt.
The audience was large and enthusiastic. Today the missionaries offered musical numbers in the Sunday meetings and enjoyed a "linger longer" with members and missionaries from Saint John and Hampton.
This is not the end of the line, however. There are other things in the WORKS. Beginning in January, the Orange Blossom Special rides again with a family concert featuring Disney music and Peter and the Wolf. The Orange Blossom fiddle piece and Phantom will still be in the line up.  Stay tuned!