I Will Go and Do What the Lord Hath Commanded
Song: I Will Go and Do What the Lord Hath Commanded
Artist: Lex De Azevedo, Songs From The Animated Stories From The Book Of Mormon
If you haven't noticed, there has been an extreme lack of posts from me this year, especially this past month. That's because I was trying to soak in every last minute I had with my sister. My best friend. Someone who has always, always been here. My sister and friend has left me and the rest of our family to serve an 18-month long service mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We gave our final farewells today. I gave her my last hug. I took my last picture with her. For eighteen months she will be living far away, with limited contact to family and friends. She won't be home this summer. She won't be home during the holidays. I can't call or text her whenever I want. I can only write her an email and hope for a reply once a week.
This is the third sibling to leave on a church mission in my family. Each time has been hard. And each time gets harder. Serving a mission is a huge sacrifice for both the missionary and the family. It's a sacrifice of time, school, work, money, relationships and family experiences/memories. I have to be honest, I have not been very supportive of my sister's decision to go and serve. I have been selfish. I wanted her to stay here. I wanted her to stay with me. This sister and I are very close. We have done a lot together over the years and have a lot in common. She has truly been my rock and anchor. I feel like she accepts and understands me better than anyone else in my life. It kills me that she isn't going to be here! We don't get to spend our summer together! We don't get to watch our shows and get a job together and do all of the things we always do together!!
As difficult as this has been on me (and as I know it was on her) I know she is doing the right thing. I have not wanted to admit it. I have tried to convince myself that she would back out last minute. That maybe she would come home early. Those are TERRIBLE thoughts to think and hopes to have! Those are purely SELFISH reasons!! But, as I listened to her give her farewell talk this past Sunday, I was incredibly inspired and impressed with her. Keep in mind, this is my YOUNGER sister. She is actually 6 years younger than I am. But we are extremely close. She is close to everyone in my family and that's why her departure has truly taken it's toll on all of us. But she is ready. She needs to do this. She has been preparing to do this for many years now, even if she didn't realize it. She's an example and inspiration to me. She has always been the "older" sister. She is more brave and willing to do the hard things. I wish I was more like her. I hope to be more like her.
I love my sister. I miss her dreadfully (and this is only day 1! We got a year and a half to go!) and will miss her every day she is gone. But my sister loves the Lord. And she listened when she was inspired to go and serve. It was a hard for her. She didn't want to go, but here she is! She is dedicating the next 18 months of her life to serve her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ every single day for a year and a half. She is going to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who need it. Who need Him in their life. She is going to change lives. She is going to be the best missionary! Because she is willing. Because she is living her life by this scripture:
I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. (1 Nephi 3:7)
I dedicate this song to my amazingly courageous, strong, valiant sister! I know she is doing what is right! I know this is where the Lord needs her to be! I know she will be true and faithful every day of her mission! That her mission will bless and change her life!! Because, although this is a painful and difficult sacrifice ..... well, as the saying goes, "Nothing good ever comes easy!" It's always after the battle is won, after you've reached the top of the mountain that you look back and realize it was all worth it. You're a better person because of it. You are filled with a sense of pride, accomplishment and happiness you would never know without the sacrifice.
I will go and do what the Lord hath commanded
No matter what others may say
For I know in my heart if I trust in him
The Lord will prepare the way.
He delivered Laban into Nephi's hands
For Moses, he parted the Red Sea
He led father Lehi to the promised land
He can do a miracle for me.
So I'll go and do what the Lord hath commanded
Though mountains may stand in my way
I can do anything that he wants me to do
For I know, he'll prepare the way.
He delivered Laban into Nephi's hands
For Moses, he parted the Red Sea.
He led father Lehi to the promised land
He can do a miracle for me.
So I'll go and do what the Lord hath commanded
Though mountains may stand in my way
I can do anything that he wants me to do
For I know, he'll prepare the way.
I LOVE YOU SOOOOOO MUCH LITTLE SIS!!
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME!!
YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE BEST MISSIONARY EVER!!
I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!
ALWAYS STAY TRUE TO YOUR HEART AND TO WHO YOU ARE!!
YOU WILL CHANGE LIVES!! YOU HAVE CHANGED MINE!!
I'LL SEE YOU IN 18 MONTHS!
I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW!!
As one sibling leaves, another is close to returning home! Below are my mission farewell/dedication songs to my brother when he left for his mission in August of 2017. He returns this fall! The two years truly have been quick ;) so I'm confident these next 18 months will go by faster than I will expect! I also feel like these songs are appropriate and good farewell songs for whatever the occasion may be (graduation, marriage, moving, new job, etc.)
*To learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and what my sweet sister (and brother) will be (and have been) teaching and sharing with others, please see here.
*To learn more about missionary work, see here.
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