Called To Serve

Posted under Family by coryelvidge

I had to dedicate a quick post this Christmas season to two of our favorite missionaries. My brother, Elder Luke Ellison, currently serving in Goiania, Brazil; and my sister, Hermana Tara Ellison, currently serving in Antofagasta, Chile. We are so proud of both of them. Jared and I both are blessed with such wonderful families. I am so proud of each member of my family for different reasons but that is for another post, another day. For now, I want to share with you a powerful story that brought tears to my eyes and was a needed reminder that we are not alone.

My sister Tara is nearing the end of her amazing mission experience as she prepares to come home in January of 2009. Luke however, is just beginning his journey. He just entered the MTC at the end of September. The MTC that Luke was sent to, was in the foreign land of Brazil so he didn’t have the 3 months of foreign language prep that most have under their belt before entering the lands where they will be serving. He was just dropped right in, as green as they get. Luke struggled with the decision to serve a mission but once he made up his mind, he was fully committed and impressed all of us with his unwavering dedication to preparing for this calling. The day came when Luke would be dropped off at the airport to begin his 2 year service. He was beyond excited despite the million hour flight with no TV. Once he landed and his new surroundings sunk in though… he was completely shell-shocked. Scared in the very essence of the word. His first email home came a week later as he shared a dream that he had had after praying for help.

“I dreamt that I was a soldier. It was a dark night and I was sitting with my men around the campfire, surrounded by our tents. There was one man who was standing guard in the tower above us. All of the sudden the man in the tower cries out that the enemy is coming. I leap to my feet and quickly start dressing myself in my battle armor but none of my men pay any heed to the watchman. I rush forward alone to face the enemy and then I stop, terrified. There is a wave of black rushing towards me. I am going to fight alone, and I am going to die. I know this, but I will do it anyways. Just then I feel a hand on my shoulder. As I turn around, my fear disappears. It is a Soldier of God. He has a Sword of Fire and a Shield of Light. He is so bright that I can’t make out his face. Then I see them. The legions of heaven are lined up behind me. I am filled with the spirit of God. As I turn forward, my fear is nonexistent as we rush the adversary forces head on.”

Luke added to his account that every time he remembers that dream, he feels the spirit so strongly, his eyes fill with tears, and he knows he is there for a purpose. He says, “With God on my side, it is impossible for me to fail.” 

What a great message for us all.