A Special Message Shared by Sherrell at
Sierra's Memorial Service

To my sister with love;

Sierra was a true friend to all that knew her.  She was my little sister and best friend.  I want to start by reading a few entries from her journal.  She might not be too happy that I read it, but I feel that it is important for everyone to know the type of person Sierra was and how she lived her life.

*In one entry, Sierra was writing about being stressed with money.  She had lots of things to pay for and was worrying about it.  At the end of the entry she wrote, “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle, so I just have to hold my head high and get through it all.  I need to pray and stop being worried and upset.”  She looked to God to help her get through everything in her life. 

**Another entry was about our little brother, Ty, who was going into Children’s Hospital to get numerous tests done.  Sierra wrote, “Ty isn’t doing so hot, but I pray and pray everything comes back negative…I would do anything to take his place, I love him so much and don’t want him to have to go through it…. I pray that he is okay Lord, I love him so much and I pray that you protect him and keep him safe.  I love him and give him all my strength, love and courage.  This shows how Sierra was so selfless and her unconditional love for her family.

***The last entry that I will read is when everything was going great in Sierra’s life, but she felt that she needed a closer connection with God.  This was her prayer, “I love going to church, talking to God and everything, just lately I feel like I’m fearful so I tend to push Him away.  Dear Lord, grab my hand and bring me back to you, for I want nothing more than to be holding your hand tight always.  Help me to walk with you, talk to you, and worship you Lord.  Bring me back into your arms.  I love you with all of my heart.  Forgive me Lord for pushing you away, Lord I love you.  Thank you for everything in my life.  I love you.

Sierra was the most beautiful, happy, loving, compassionate person I knew.  I admire her love for the Lord and the way she trusted in Him in all aspects of her life.  Here is a bible verse that I feel describes the way Sierra lived her life: (Philippians 2:1-4)

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

My family and I decided to devote ourselves to live the way Sierra did; to trust in the Lord always, find the good in everyone, and live life to the fullest.  I encourage everyone here to do the same, in Sierra’s Honor.

Finally, here’s a message I received from Sierra to all of her family and friends:

“I’m writing this from heaven: Here I dwell with God above.  Here there are no more tears or sadness; there is just eternal love.  Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight.  Remember that I’m with you every morning, noon, and night.

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said “I welcome you.  It’s good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.  As far as your dearest family and friends, they will be here later on.”

God gave me a list of things that He wished for me to do and foremost on that list was to watch and care for you.  I will be beside you every day, week, and year and when you’re sad, I’m standing there to wipe away each tear.  When you lie awake at night, the day’s chores put to flight, God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night.

Do not be afraid to cry – it does relieve the pain.  Remember there would be no flowers unless there was some rain.  One thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over, I am closer to you now than I ever was before.

When you are walking down the street and you’ve got me on your mind, I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.  And when you feel that gentle breeze or the wind upon your face, that’s me giving you a great big hug or just a soft embrace.  When it’s time for you to go from that body to be free, remember you are not going- you are coming home to me.  I will always love you from that land way up above. 

We’ll keep in touch again soon.

P.S. God sends His love