David Archuleta: Called to Serve (video)

Hello everyone! It's been a while. I've been very busy, but after watching this special done by KSL, I decided to procrastinate on my college life a little and write down this little blurb.

I was one of those people feeling conflicted when Mr. David Archuleta announced his decision to embark on a 2-year LDS mission. I was used to living on news, music, and other special snippets from my favorite singer and celebrity of all time and yet, I know how much he had always wanted to go on a mission and how much it would mean to him. All I could do was, like most other fans, show mental support, hope that this experience will be rewarding to him, and anticipate the arrival of #DA2014 (his return). So imagine my fangirling when he officially announced his return on March 24, 2014 (thank goodness I was on spring break!).

I've been hearing that he was going to talk about his mission in a special done by KSL that will be aired today, but I really didn't know what to expect. Will I understand where he's coming from? Will I get what this experience meant to him? Or will I be left confused because I'm a Buddhist?

However, all I can say after watching this is that this was an incredibly brave and inspirational decision. 2 years went by so fast! Even though I am not religious in any way and, to be honest, am one of those people who avoids LDS missionaries upon seeing them on campus, it's incredible to see the lives that can be changed and how a missionary's life can be influenced by a mission. The compassion and care people have for one another is universal, no matter how it is shown. So is the way people feel upon receiving that compassion, care, and support from others. I think now, I do understand partly why missionaries of any religion do what they do and how the people who were converted must have felt knowing there are people out there who care.

I guess this is kind of an epiphany haha! That video really touched me and inspired me to become braver. I, like him, am a person who cannot talk very well; I don't always know what to say or how to articulate what I want to say, so sometimes I just end up saying nothing at all. But others can feel your sincerity, and that's what I will aim for in addition to trying to improve my talking skills.

Hope to hear new music soon, after plenty of well-deserved R&R with his family and friends of course xD

Click here for the 4-part 30 minute special on Elder Archuleta

Thanks for reading!!

p.s. I think all missionaries are extremely brave and are taking huge risk, it's just that most aren't famous so we don't really hear their stories. Let's give them all a round of applause!! *claps*

~Rinnie

David Archuleta Performs in Santiago, Chile!

Uh…Elder Archuleta right now, since he’s still on his mission for the Mormon Church. Recently, between December 10^th and 14^th I think (actually, likely throughout the whole month of December), he was invited to perform at multiple shows at the local church for their annual Christmas Devotional. Looks like he also performed elsewhere for different events! This has been an incredibly busy quarter for me and, to be honest, I have not logged on to twitter or fan sites in some time, so sorry about any misinformation, haha! Ah, life of a college junior. Anyways, here are some of the YouTube videos of Elder Archuleta’s performances that reminded me of how it felt to fangirl! Enjoy!

First, a video of him rehearsing “Oh ven, oh ven Emmanuel”

“Oh ven, oh ven Emmanuel” 12/10
 

“Noche Divina” (Spanish version of O Holy Night)
 

“Los pastores a belén” on 12/14
 

“The Prayer” with Rebecca Lopez 12/14
 

“María sabías que” (Spanish version of Mary Did You Know)
 

“El tamborilero” (Spanish version of “Little Drummer Boy”)

"What Child is This" (Spanish version) with Luis Layseca

"Mi burrito sabanero" with Luis Layseca

"His Hands" (Spanish version)

P.S. Can't believe he'll be back in just a few months! Feel free to point out any mistakes and I will edit/add things :)

Happy Holidays!
~Rinnie

David Archuleta's 22nd birthday &...9 months!

Edited by me, original photo credit to naree

HAPPY 22ND BIRTHDAY TO THE ONE AND ONLY DAVID ARCHULETA! Wow! It doesn't seem that long ago when I first saw him on American Idol...only 17 years old then! It's amazing to witness how much he has accomplished since then: 5 studio albums (not including the Asian Tour Edition of The Other Side of Down), 1 live album with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 6 tours, a memoir, a leading role on a Filipino soap opera, and many more!
This morning, my mom, upon seeing the nice weather, said to me "you wanted to go to the Thai food place right? We can walk over today for lunch!" and I replied "okay!" then, realizing how perfect this is, I said "oh yeah, it's David's birthday!!" My mom goes on to say "should we celebrate by ordering more dishes? Are you paying?" haha! Here's to hoping he has a great day, year, and many more joyful birthdays to come!

p.s. Today also marks 9 months since David left on his mission. 15 months to go!

~Rinnie

6 Months...A Milestone for Both David Archuleta & His Fanbase

Today marks 6 months to the day David left on his LDS mission. He has spent the last few months serving his religion in Chile, gaining unforgettable, once in a lifetime experiences along the way while also developing his Spanish skills. David, as of today, is 25% done with his service, and who knows how many more people this amazing man has already inspired and will continue to inspire through this journey!

However, this milestone is not David's alone, but all the patiently awaiting fans', his Archies, ArchAngels, Go-Getters, whichever each fan prefers. Although we understand how important this was for him to do, we already can't wait for his return! Many are already planning for his comeback concert (me included!). I know I probably speak for many as I say this, but I miss him everyday. When everyday occurrences remind me of him, I feel simultaneously happy and slightly sad. Some fans probably think it's going against David's wishes to look at pictures of him on his mission because he doesn't want attention on him. But for me, I feel like I need to look at them, just so that they can reassure me that he is happy and doing well. I don't purposefully go looking for blog posts and pictures from his fellow missionaries, but I do look at and read the ones that have surfaced over twitter and been made more public. I think he mostly just doesn't want fans to be all over him while he is there and drawing attention away from the goal of his mission; I don't think he wants to completely cut us off. It seems obvious that the pictures that have surfaced were taken with his knowledge, and therefore, I do not feel guilty looking at them. 

This waiting has felt simultaneously long and fleeting. Emotionally, it's felt like years, but time wise, it's already been 6 months when it feels like he just left! Sorry if I'm not really making any sense haha, just rambling here. It's funny and strange how someone I've never even met could be such a huge part of, and have such a huge impact on, my life. Let us and enjoy and celebrate this milestone by listening to BEGIN.!

~Rinnie

p.s. today is kind of a special day for me also because exactly 1 year ago today was when I started college!

David Archuleta will serve a full-time mission. How about that?

When I first heard about this, it was while watching a Ustream of his Salt Lake City, UT concert on the night of December 19th. He said he had a special announcement to make while he's home and this was it. Some time during the next few months, David will leave to serve a full-time mission for the LDS church. My first reaction is "OMG! Great for him!" but almost immediately, a feeling of sadness washed over me. No music, no updates, no news, for... 2 years? The feeling was quite selfish, I admit, and I'm glad it didn't last too long. Just 1 and a half days, lol!
Many fans were saying that they don't know what to do with their lives anymore and that they are crying their eyes out and losing sleep, but I didn't actually cry until I told my mom about it the next morning, and that's only because I re-kindled that feeling by watching the announcement video he uploaded. I know he's wanted to do this and has been thinking about it, but I never thought about what would happen when he actually does it. What do I do with this extra free time? Study so that I could get into my major? Good idea, I thought. Why not make it productive? But that sadness came over me again when the thought that I have not yet attended one of his concerts slipped into my mind. It makes me feel like I missed a huge opportunity! There were 2 shows (summer of '08 and '09) I could have made, but my family had already made plans to go back to Taiwan over the summer for both of those shows! I was very disappointed, so you could only imagine my worsened disappointment when I find out he's not coming with a 4hr drive any direction of Seattle, Washington. Now to think I have to wait at the very least 2 more years is almost unfathomable, but I've already waited 4. What's a couple more years?
Then I realized, wouldn't he miss his family and friends more than we miss him? Wouldn't his family and friends miss him more as well? And after everything he's done for us fans, he's finally doing something that's only for himself. I would say we Archies are a spoiled group of fans, haha, and I love all you amazing people! Forget the media that suddenly showed interest in him after he made his announcement and the false assumptions they made of his reasons for doing this. The mission is what he needs to do and I will continue to support him and wait for him. I wish I understood more how much this means to him since I am not Mormon, but I respect his choices and his reasons. So good luck David and I can't wait until you come back! I know he hasn't left yet, but heck I already miss him!