Called To Serve

Since I am officially becoming a missionary TONIGHT and leaving for the MTC in 2 DAYSSS I thought I would write down some of my thoughts and reasons for deciding to serve the Lord for 18 months.

My whole entire life I have known I wanted to serve a mission. It has always been part of the "plan" and I never really thought about doing anything else. It wasn't until April of 2012 that I realized I really needed to take this seriously and pray if a mission is what God's plan was for me, instead of just my plan. Well after 2 months of praying I still had not received an answer and was starting to think maybe a mission wasn't for me. It wasn't until June 26th, 2012 that I received my answer. On that day my family's home of 14 years and most of our belongings and memories were engulfed in flames from the Waldo Canyon Fire. Our home, along with 346 others, was completely destroyed and left to ash.

As I was sitting on the couch at my brother's house watching the news channels for live footage and updates and just praying that our home would be saved, I felt a strange feeling come over me. Even though I was bawling my eyes out, I felt peaceful and calm. Like someone I couldn't see had their arms around me and was whispering words of comfort and love in my ear. During the week that followed I don't remember much of what happened. Everything kind of blurs together and the days seemed endless. But I do remember vividly the feelings I had during that week. It was during that time that I knew without a doubt that I was meant to serve a mission. That the challenges I was facing with my family were going to be just a brief moment in time and would eventually bless my life and the people I would serve while on a mission. I went through a figurative refiners fire and felt like a whole new person with a new purpose in life. 

Even though I finally had my answer, things didn't get any easier for me. As my family struggled to rebuild our lives, I had to begin getting ready to go back to school in Idaho and no longer be in the comfort of my family. I decided to start my mission papers on August 12th and hoped to have them in by the middle of September.  But Heavenly Father had a different plan. During the 3 months that it took to get my papers in, I felt like Satan was constantly on my back just trying to push me down even farther. It was during that time that I studied my scriptures more than any other time in my life. That I prayed harder every single day than I have ever done before. I was constantly turning to the Lord and in return He strengthened me and blessed me in more ways than I can count.

After 2 months of waiting for my call and constantly stalking the mail man, on January 12th it finally came. As I was gathered by dear friends and loving family, I opened the letter that changed my life forever. Once I read I had been called to serve in California San Diego, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that San Diego is where I am meant to be. That all my struggles and trials were worth it just to experience that moment of true happiness.

Now that I have had my call for 4 months and just about to leave, I can't imagine where I would be today without the things I have experienced this past year. Without the fire I would not be the person I am today and wouldn't have this strong of a testimony and desire to serve the Lord. Without the comfort and strength of my family I wouldn't the happy person I am now. They have truly uplifted me and are making it way too hard for me to say goodbye. I love my family more than words can explain and I know that 18 months is only a short time in our eternal lives together. I love this gospel with every fiber of my being and so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that He made for me so that I may have the opportunity to live with God again. I know the Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ and that the words written in it are true and have sincerely blessed and strengthened my life. I know that Joseph Smith restored the true gospel of Christ in these latter days. I know that God will never give us anything that we can't handle. I am living proof that fiery trials can become some of the greatest blessings in disguise. I love you all and God be with you till we meet again.