Farewell Sunday & how I know God loves this missionary's mama

I wanted to record what a sweet experience Sadie’s farewell was.  Sadie did a beautiful job on her talk-  Her missionary prep Sunday School teacher is a sweet lady from Hawaii named Lorene Erickson and she made Sadie a Lei and presented it to her before Sacrament meeting-  I am not sure Sadie felt entirely comfortable wearing it- but it was just such an offering of an outpouring of love.  And it lead to a cute into of her talk because Sister Erickson told Sadie that she could feel legit in beginning her remarks with a big aloha to the congregation… which Sadie did, and after they responded Aloha back, she said, I’ve always wanted to do this and Sister Erickson told me I could today with this lei on. An added blessing is that Roarke was able to be there (usually we don’t see him much on Sundays with all the other wards and meeting and interviews he has going- but of course he was there- but needed to sit on the stand to preside at the meeting so she got to sit right next to her Dad as she waited for her turn to speak.  I am sure that was a comfort to her in so many ways. I felt the spirit in abundance as she spoke- and she noted how she was really so overwhelmed at the love and support she felt looking into the congregation—there were so many sweet faces – many no- members—basketball coaches from all her different years, relatives from Middleton and Utah, former primary teachers from other wards, her piano teacher, friends from high school, just so many faces (and even those that couldn’t attend-but wanted to) she felt strengthened and buoyed up in a way she later said she hadn’t expected.  I love that the Lord blesses us as we prepare to serve—he doesn’t save all the blessings for when you are actually doing it- or after—he gives you an added measure of His love and grace even before (and believe me, we are leaning on it) She had so much poise and I watched her just reassured that she is ready- worthy and of the mindset to give herself to this work, and that the Lord will be able to use her in gathering Israel and touching hearts by her love for her Savior and His light in her countenance.

For me, it was one of those times in my life, I’ll always look back on as a time when I felt known and loved by the Lord.  It was a simple thing, but very specific to me- and easily recognized by my heart.  It came though the musical number after Sadie spoke, (actually by our ward young women leaders-Carlet Page & Sara & Audra Hodges).  Weeks before the ward Music specialist had called me to say that a musical number had been planned for this “farewell” (though it’s not so much a farewell focus during sacrament meeting anymore) that was unrelated to missionary work- and that if we would like, we could choose a musical number Sadie might like, or even if Emma wanted to play a piano piece- which she didn’t- not because she can’t—but she doesn’t like performing in a large group- so I just told the music specialist that whatever was already planned was going to be perfect and left it at that. I didn’t know who’d be singing/playing). I knew this was the Lord’s sacrament and not about Sadie so it was just fine however it was scheduled.   The song ended up being All I Need to Know, by Tyler Castleton- one of the theme songs from EFY in 2014) Here are the lyrics: 

 I have wondered and I have struggled I have wrestled and have spent time on my knees

I have wondered and I have questioned 'cause there's so much just beyond what I can see

but I know He understands and He loves me as I am

Even through the storms and trials He is there and lifts to bring me home and that's all I need to know

When I've trusted in His promise and I know that I've done all that I can do I have tasted the sweet assurance that no matter what it is I'm going through I will know He understands and He loves me as I am

Maybe someday I'll know everything But for today I have what matters more than anything

I know He understands and He loves me as I am Even through the

storms and trials He is there watching over me In my heart
I believe and lifts to bring me home and that's all I need to know

With the song's introduction on the piano playing, and before the singing began, Sister Hodges read this scripture from Mormon 5:23:

This was especially special to me and personal because that just happens to be my favorite scripture ever. EVER.  It was not lost on me that my Heavenly Father knew that I needed to know that- not only would be take care of my Sadie as she serves, but he also loves and knows me – and he is aware of me and will take care of me, too—I need that strength- that only HE gives.  What a beautiful thing to have a tender mercy of his infinite and individual love made manifest through a song, that the spirit guided them to choose and sing on this day.