I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go

Hello readers! Today I would really like to touch on why I named my blog what it is. To those of you who are members of the church, you probably get the idea of why. But I would still like to elaborate.

In the LDS Church Hymn book, on page 270, there is a hymn called "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go". This has been one of my favorite hymns for a really long time, and it has a special place in my heart. It reminds me of the responsibilities I have as a follower of Christ to help those around me, to be brave, and to obey the words God has given us. I would like to share what the verses mean to me.

1. "It may not be on the mountain height, Or over the stormy sea, It may not be at the battle's front my Lord will have need of me. But if, by a still, small voice he calls, to paths that I do not know, I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: I'll go where you want me to go."

I love this verse because it reminds us that God has a plan for each of us. We don't know where it starts, how it ends, or anything in between. As people we can get caught up in making plans and trying to set in stone our future, like we have the power to do so. While it is important to have goals, hopes, and dreams, God ultimately decides what is best for us and knows what path we should take. Does this mean we will always have it easy if we follow God's promptings? I don't think so. God wants to test our faith and love for him, and sometimes that is through trials. But if we always obey the promptings of God, we will be safe and make it out a better person, and wiser. When we trust the Lord knows best, we are blessed. 

I would also like to point out that it says he calls "by a still, small voice." One of our greatest gifts from God is the power of Free Agency, or choice. God will never make us do anything. He want us to make our own choices, hopefully that lead us back to him. By using a still, small voice he is not in our face, he is not making himself obviously known. He is letting us know he is always there, and that we may have to seek him out to know what to do. 

2." Perhaps today there are loving words which Jesus would have me speak; There may be now in the paths of sin some wand'rer whom I should seek. O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide, tho dark and rugged the way. My voice shall echo the message sweet: 'I'll say what you want me to say.'"

One of my favorite quotes of all time, and perhaps my life motto is: 

I think that explains this verse perfectly. Love is the language of Christ. Everything God and Jesus Christ taught can be tied back to love of men, and love of them. I know in my life that when I have chosen to not judge someone and try to love them, I have been incredibly blessed and felt like a better person because of it. There is too much hatred in this world!!! I know this is cliche, but imagine how many problems in this world could be solved if we just loved and had compassion for each other! You never know how your kind words and example can effect someone else. You absolutely never know. And if it doesn't really help anything, which I doubt it won't, what harm does it do to be more Christlike? Absolutely none.

3. "There's surely somewhere a lowly place, in earth's harvest fields so wide, where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus, the Crucified. So trusting my all to thy tender care, and knowing thou lovest me, I'll do thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be."

This verse specifically talks about missionary work. This verse speaks to me on a very spiritual level, as I prepare to serve a full-time mission. There are so many people out there who are sad, and alone, and lost, who's souls are longing for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I sincerely believe we are doing a huge disservice not only to our fellow man, but God when we choose not to testify of our faith in Jesus Christ and share the Pure Love of Christ. You don't have to wear a name tag to be a missionary. Some of the greatest people in my life were those who strengthened me with their example and kindness. 

I have complete faith in the Lord that he will shape me into the best version of myself. Only he knows my heart, my desires, and what I am capable of.  I know he will do that through trials, blessing, on my mission, and whatever else he throws at me. Through it all, God is my father, Christ is my savior, and I owe all I have to them. So therefore, I will go where you want me to go, say what you want me to say, and be what you want me to be.

Here is one of my favorite performances of the song. Feel free to listen to it! 

Thank you guys for reading today. I hope you enjoyed, please comment if you have any thoughts our questions, and don't forget to follow me for updates on new posts! Have an awesome day!

My First Q&A

1. What are your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?Lonnie, but I really don't care what you call me as long as it isn't profane.

2. What books on your shelf are begging to be read? Oh, I need to read the rest of Stiff  and Jesus The Christ  and I need to read Harry Potter Again.

3. What do you do if you can’t sleep at night? Do you count sheep? Toss and Turn? Try to get up and do something productive? Watch YouTube videos or find new music.

4. How many days could you last in solitary confinement? How would you do it? Like one. I'd probably sleep.

5. Who is the biggest pack rat you know? My sister, Cambrea.

6. What is the strangest thing you believed as a child? I legit believed that Faeries were real till I was like 10. But they only lived in old, dead stumps of trees.

7. What is one guilty pleasure you enjoy too much to give up? I watch way to many YouTube videos. Especially ones that are missionary calling openings/ homecomings and makeup tutorials.

8. Which animals scare you most? Why? Honestly, birds. I have no idea why.

9. Are you more likely to avoid conflict or engage it head-on? It depends on the topic. If its something i'm passionate about, I engage head on.But I don't seek out conflict.

10. What was the most recent compliment you’ve received and savored? Someone the other day at work thought I was older than I am because I "carry" myself in a different way than people my age and I really appreciated that. 

11. What is something about yourself that you hope will change, but probably never will? How scatter-brained I can be haha. But ironically, I am very goal oriented. 

12. Are you a creature of habit? Yes. I have a love-hate relationship with change.

13. When was the last time you really pushed yourself to your physical limits? On Monday I woke up at 5:30 to go to Yoga. Waking up was killer.

14. What do you think about more than anything else? My mission, lately.

15. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? IN!

16. Do you cut out coupons and then never use them? Nope, I love me some savings.

17. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees? Big Bear. I'd rather get it over with quicker.

18. Do you always smile for pictures? Most of the time.

19. Do you ever count your steps when you walk? All the time.

20. Have you ever peed in the woods? Who hasn't?

21. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? She's the Man, Mulan, or Definitely Maybe.

22. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? No.

23. Afraid of heights? Very much so.

24. Do you sing in the car? Every day of my life.

25. Is Christmas stressful? NO? I LOVE Christmas!

26. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes, I am a firm believer in spirits and the afterlife.

27. The first concert you ever went to. Pentatonix in May. It was AWESOME!

28. Have you ever cried because you were so happy? Oh, all the time!

29. Are you a dog person or a cat person? Cats, for sure.

30. Do you prefer that people shoot straight with you or temper their words? Why? Straight forward. I am pretty down to earth, I don't get offended easily, and I like people who don't beat around the bush.

31. What’s your reaction towards people who are outspoken about their beliefs? I appreciate them, because I am outspoken too.

32 How has your birth order/characteristics of siblings affected you? I am the eldest of seven, and it has really shaped me into the leader and go-getter I am today. I love to set the example for others.

33. If you could restore one broken relationship, which would it be? Absolutely not. It's probably broken for a reason. Everything happens for a reason, and I am the kind of person that doesn't lose relationships for stupid reasons.

34. Do you believe ignorance is bliss? Why or why not? Definitely not. We are commanded by God to attain as much knowledge as possible in this life. Don't be ignorant.

35. To what extent do you trust people? Explain.  I trust people more than I like to admit, and I hate that. But I also kind of expect people to break my trust anyways, that's awful haha.

36. What was the best news you ever received? Honestly, just a few weeks ago when Bishop Lybbert told me I was worthy and ready to go on a mission. I cried.

37. How difficult is it for you to be honest, even when your words may be hurtful or unpopular? Not at all. I could care less if my honest beliefs and opinions are unpopular. I swear I am not hard hearted. But I really think that being up-front and honest and strong in your opinions is very important. 

38. When did you immediately click with someone you just met? Why? What was the long term result? Conversely, are you close with anyone now that you really disliked at first? I clicked immediately with my ex-boyfriend because we were very alike in a lot of ways. The long term result is that now, in the kindest way I can say this, I want nothing to do with his life, and likewise for him I think. I wish him the best, but hope to never have to hear from him again. I honestly didn't really like my best friend, Katie, when I first met her, but now obviously I do haha.

39. When do you find yourself singing? ALL THE TIIIIMMMEEEE

Who I Am

Welcome readers, and welcome to my internet home! I guess I will start off by telling you who I am, for those of you who may have stumbled across this blog and wanted to know what's up in this neck of the woods!

My name is Svyettlana Parry. Pretty cool name right? But don't you stress, you don't have to call me that. I've come to your rescue with a nickname! Lots of people call me Lonnie.

I was born in Tucson, Arizona on December 23rd, 1997, making me 18 and 3/4. I resided there until I was about five or six, and then my family moved to Alaska. I spent most of my upbringing in a small village called Chenega Bay, Alaska. This place was awesome, Alaska is awesome, and it is totally worth it to go if you ever get a chance. It still holds a dear place in my heart. I mean, isn't it absolutely GORGEOUS??

                                  

The summer before my freshman year my parents decided that our family of seven children needed to make its way back to "the lower 48", as we called it. So we packed up all the belongings we didn't give away and moved back. I won't lie, it was a huge let down to go from what is pictured above to this:

                                   

Carlsbad, New Mexico. Not to say it isn't pretty, but to me most everything pales in comparison to Alaska. So, I completed my High School career as a Carlsbad Caveman. I did some pretty awesome things in High School, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt, High School was the worst time of my life. I was so happy to graduate when the time came and just couldn't wait to get on with life. After I graduated my parent made another decision. Can you guess what it is? Yes! They moved back to Alaska! But, this time I was given the option to go with them, and after much praying and fasting, I chose not to, for a number of reasons. None of which are super important, but God told me that I needed to be off on my own.

So, now I live in University Place, Washington with my Aunt and Uncle, and I absolutely LOVE it. I am so happy and blessed to live somewhere so awesome as I prepare to Serve my mission, and I couldn't be happier to finally bond with some people from my distant family.

It is already obvious now, but just to repeat myself again, I am a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or a Mormon! I love my church. The principles and ideas that I have been taught from the church have shaped me into who I am today. I have no idea who I would be without my faith, and frankly I hope I never find out. The gospel of Jesus Christ and the commandments of God have never been restricting for me. I only see how much I have been truly blessed by obeying what I've learned. Not to say I haven't made mistakes. I know better than most people the sorrow that can come from not obeying what God has commanded. But, I also know the joy that comes from learning from those mistakes and becoming a better person from them, instead of letting them tear me down. There's always another way, always a chance to come back and start anew, and I hope to share my belief in that idea with you.

For anyone who isn't a member, when a boy turns 18, and a girl 19, we are given the opportunity to serve a mission almost anywhere in the world. We go through a long, tedious process of filling out papers saying we are worthy to serve and healthy enough to go. When we are finished, we get approval from our leaders of our area and it is sent off. What makes us different is we do not get the choice of where we serve. The highest leaders of our church receive our papers and choose with divine inspiration where we will best serve.

                                

I have known from a very young age that I was going to serve. There was never a doubt in my mind about if I would serve a mission. When I was about 13, the church lowered the age that a female missionary could serve from 21, to 19. This made the opportunity for me to go even more set in stone. I have done everything in my power to help prepare me for this huge time in my life, and I know I don't know half of everything I need to know, but I am so ready to serve. Sharing the gospel with others has always been a passion of mine, and I can't wait to see how I can change others lives for the better. I will be 19 in three short months, I have finished my papers, and now I just wait to have them sent out and receive my call!

I am super excited to start this blog up and get to share my thoughts and stories with you as I prepare to serve my mission. I hope I can help someone out there with my experiences and that you all will enjoy it! I will try to post once or twice a week. Welcome to my blog, and lets have some fun!

My sister, Cambrea, and I :)