A lot of emotions coursed through us when we heard that David – the same David a lot of us have grown up with and who has helped us through difficult times with his music and smile – has decided to go on a full time mission, starting the first half of next year. A lot of emotions still are going through us now. Happiness for him, but also a kind of sadness. Perhaps the strongest emotions of all right now is how much we’re going to miss him and already do, because there’s no denying that. David is a huge part of all of our lives, and it’s hard to imagine being without him for two years. But we’re not alone, because we’ve got each other still, and even though David is leaving, he’s going to come back.
It’s kind of hard to describe this feeling now because there are so many different emotions all mixed in together at the same time that it’s hard to untangle them from each other. Immense happiness and sadness don’t quite seem to go together. When I told my mom that he was going, she asked me after a while why I was sad. It wasn’t the only thing I felt, but that was probably the most apparent at the time. The best way I could think of to describe how these two feelings together is that it’s like having an older brother or a son go to college. We’re happy that he’s going because it’s going to be great for him, but also sad because we’ll miss him. It’s bittersweet in every way.
But even though I know I’m going to miss him terribly, I also truly feel happy for him. I’m happy because he’s going to be doing God’s work, and so proud because he is following Him. While it’s certainly hard for us, chances are that leaving – being away from his family – is going to be even harder for David. The thing is that if David doesn’t go now, he will probably spend the rest of his life wondering “what if,” so it’s great that he has the opportunity to go now, whilst he’s ready. It’s more than just the phrase carpe diem – seize the day – but a calling.
Two years may seem like a long time now, and I’m not going to deny that it feels the same way for me too, but it really isn’t. I’ve had braces for two years now, and some days they hurt, but the pain goes away, and I’ll have them off very soon. I got through it because I knew it would be worth it in the end, and so will this. David is going to come back, and we’ll get to know him, and fall in love all over again.
Time goes by a lot faster when we have goals and know what we want to achieve – what we are waiting for. The last one is easy: we’ll be waiting for David to come back. The other two are a bit fuzzy since we’re all different in that aspect. He recently started to sing “Dream Sky High” (click to watch David singing it at the VIP the night he made the announcement) again, and it really feels like it is a message to us; that David is telling us to “ride the chances flying by,” and to make the best of our time.
In the past four years, David has given so much of himself to us. He has shared his amazing gift with us all, and showed us what real music is – what it means to support an artist through it all. He shared himself with us; smiles that lift our spirits, laughs that give us a respite when we’re going through a rough time, and most important, his shining personality that gives us hope. He has given us so many songs, so many concerts – about 150 since 2008 from tours alone – and albums as well. Since his debut album, David has released 3 full albums, 1 EP, an Asian Tour Edition, Glad Christmas Tidings, and a memoir, Chords of Strength, too. Some artists can go for years between albums, so really, we have a lot to be grateful for as fans. We have a closer relationship to David compared to a lot of other well-known people; he comes out after concerts to see us, even though it’s freezing cold, or the sun blazing down. He genuinely cares for us, and shows it all it all the time.
David has given us so much of his time, and now it’s our turn, to give him these two years to do his mission.
We might not be able to give back to David directly, but there are so many ways to show our appreciation. David has been actively involved in charity right from the start, from Invisible Children, to Rising Star Outreach, and so many other wonderful organizations, ChildFund being the most recent. Archies have also become so involved, with Angels For A Cause, work with Stand Up 2 Cancer, and the search for a bone marrow match for Jonah. So whilst David is away, let’s continue on with that, and spread the smiles and hope that he gave us. As he sang from “I’m Trying To Be Like Jesus” tonight, “Love one another as Jesus loves you/Try to show kindness in all that you do/Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought/For these are the things Jesus taught.”
There are quite a lot of worries about what is going to happen when he comes back; if he’s still going to do music. Now, I can’t speak for David, but if there’s one thing I know about him, it’s that he loves music. He has said it so many times, and in his announcement, he said that this decision is “not because he doesn’t want to do music anymore.” David loves music, but he loves God even more, which is an amazing thing that I look up to him for. David is going to come back, and even though it’s going to be hard being without him, “it’s going to be worth it ‘cause that’s what love is.”
Now, before he goes away on his mission, and when he does leave, let’s stay by each other, and make sure we don’t drift apart. Not just for ourselves, but also for David, to show him that we will always support him to the fullest; his music, and his decisions, and that when he comes back, he will have us waiting for him. After all, the journey – his, ours – is only just beginning.
- By Alicia Loh
Click here to listen to or download my interview with him from July.
Very eloquent Alicia! I really enjoyed reading this!
marc(Quote)
David’s fans are his extended family. He will be in by prayers everyday. You are a good writer.
Au(Quote)
Beautiful! Simply beautiful Alicia! Thank you.
Pandasmama(Quote)
Wow…what an amazing way to put this journey.
Well written and I am appreciative and honored you chose my photos…
This is one fan is isnt going away!!
jenleighbarry(Quote)
Love this Alicia. you said what we are all feeling:)
Beautiful POST this AM Fanscene! Worthy of the incredible David Archuleta. Thank you so very much.
Jana Oregon(Quote)
Thanks for much for writing this Alicia!! You did a great job in expressing how we all feel about David & his new journey!!
sunny(Quote)
Hi Alicia….Once again I am in tears! You have expressed so well the feelings of his fans. David has built an amazing fanbase of sharing…caring hearts. We can use David’s inspiration to continue to pay forward the goodness he has always shown his fans and everyone he meets.
David will be an amazing missionary and I am so proud of his decision. First and formost, I want David to be happy with his life. I am sad….but having the assurance that he is indeed happy is all that I need to turn my frown upside down.
Even though he will be away for a bit…we can keep him in our thoughts and prayers by using this time and his example to do what he is doing….reaching out to others. That will keep him close…and honor him…all at the same time. I will be waiting anxiously to see his smile and hear his heart … through his beautiful voice once again. I am so happy for all the people who will be touched by David’s heart these next two years! I know he will be back singing to us…and I will be here to listen…God willing.
Sharon McM.(Quote)
Ally – what can I say …. so proud of you too! Love your writing and wisdom beyond your years.
ArchieFanDoc(Quote)
Thank you all so much for reading this, and I appreciate your time. Hugs for everyone. <3
Jen – Your pictures are all beautiful!
Sunny – it’s going to be such an amazing journey…
Sharon – Yes… can you imagine their faces being lit up by his smile? He’s going to change so many lives…
Ally™(Quote)
Beautifully said, Ally. You are very wise. Your words triggered a thought. David sacrificed going on a mission when young men usually go, so that he could keep the commitments he made in music. Now it’s time for us to sacrifice a little and let him go do what he’s always wanted to do.
I love your line: Time goes by a lot faster when we have goals and know what we want to achieve
That is so very true. Time will fly by if we are busy doing good things.
Mary(Quote)
Thank you Alicia for posting this. Took the words right out of my mouth on how not only how I been feeling, but many of us right now. Thank you so much for this and you’re right, when the two years are done, it will be worth it when he comes back. Not only that, the journey is just beginning. That’s something I definitely agree with.
Kristin(Quote)
Wow what a great article Ally! So true of the way David’s fans feel!. Thanks for putting it into words.
gloie(Quote)
It’s a beautiful article.
I’m not christian or support LDS. But, I believe that religions teach people to do what is right. The calling that David said, is something he wont be able to explain, unless you experience it yourself.
Like you, I can explain how I feel right now. It’s a mix up of sad, happy, concern (to his music career), but mostly I feel content. Content to the fact he’s following his deepest heart. He has always had and will do so, that what I’ve learned from him.
Things would be different, I suppose, whether we’re of them or not, like them or not, things change after journeys. Let’s be open minded about changes.
One thing I know for sure, this family we have for almost 4 years, the feelings and the bonds which created it, is something unchangeable. David, feel free to come back, we’ll be here waiting for you at home. Anytime.
octaviannisa(Quote)
Well said Octaviannisa! We are a family.
ArchieFanDoc(Quote)
Ally, I just had the chance to really digest what you wrote here. I was traveling at the time this was posted but always knew I would come back to it, eventually. I’m glad Doc had it on the sidebar so I could find it easily.
Everyone is right, you are wise beyond your years! What a clear perspective you had, and only a few days after hearing the news…incredible! It will be interesting to see what we accomplish over the next two years. I’m going to have to buckle down and come up with something awesome in case David ever asks me about it, lol.
janey(Quote)
Mary – Thank you. Yes, David is sacrificing a lot… He is (as far as I know and Wiki says) the first person of his kind to embark on a mission. He’s really special.
Kristin and gloie – You’re most welcome. <3
Octaviannisa – Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. You’re right – our bond can’t be broken. Doc said it well when she said we’re a family!
Janey – Thank you so much for your comment. I’m looking forward to seeing not just where David is, but what we are doing in 2 years too… Haha I know, right? Gotta get crackin’!
Ally™(Quote)