First and foremost, I GOT MY MISSION CALL! I got assigned to my mission on August 24th, and on August 31st it arrived in my mail box! I was at work when I got a picture message on my phone from my step-mom saying "you've got mail!" I looked at the picture and felt a jolt of excitement mixed with peace then quickly returned to work before I got too distracted. It wasn't until I left work that night when reality settled into my mind. My car was filled with tears and happy feelings and prayers as I drove home. Of course, like any family event in my life, the few hours leading up to opening my mission letter were stressful and chaotic. Coordinating different schedules, computers, internet connections and 3 different time zones is complicated. But thankfully, it worked so that most of my family could watch using google plus and skype. (technology rocks) I sat at the kitchen table with two computers facing me, my grandparents on speakerphone by my head, and my dad and step-mom near my side. There was so much anticipation. I started to shake a little as I opened the letter. I was worried my dad would find out where I was going before I did because he was standing above me, so I was really careful to cover it up. Reality hit like a pillow to the face when I read the words "you are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints." I almost started to cry, and felt nervous for the first time since I began this endeavor. Then I read "You are assigned to labor in the Utah Salt Lake City South mission."
My mind stopped processing after I read the word "Utah." I know there was a lot of commotion coming from my parents, the computers, and the phone, but I blocked out the noise, kept my head buried in my letter, and continued to read so I wouldn't cry. I tried to force a smile on my face as I looked for my report date and language. The rest is a blur. I think everyone was being supportive and congratulatory but I just wanted everyone gone so I could cry. I felt in my heart that it was right, but I wasn't excited about it. I was looking for adventure, for something new and exotic, maybe even dangerous. I wanted to learn about, and fall in love with, an entirely different culture.
U-T-A-H doesn't exactly spell out "foreign and new"
But it didn't take long for the sad feelings to fade. I knew it was right, and I accepted that this is what I signed up for. I didn't do this so I could go on an exotic trip or take awesome pictures, or vacation in a cool place for 18 months. I did this so I could invest 100% of myself to the cause of truth, to labor in the service of my God, and to help my brothers and sisters come closer to Christ. Like I've said before, if there's an adventure I want to take, I'll take it. If I want to travel or explore someplace new, I'll do it. But this is not an adventure. This is a mission assigned to me from God. A cloak of responsibility has been placed on my shoulders, and I accept it with honor and humility.
It's been about a month and my perspective has completely changed since the night I read my mission call. I am so excited to be serving in the Salt Lake City South Mission! I have heard only great and wonderful things about it. This may be strange, but I already love it! I know my mission (I love saying my mission) will be demanding and glorious, and all sorts of difficult. And I know Heavenly Father has people in store specifically for me to meet. I think Utah missions require missionaries who teach most powerfully by example because there are so many confusing examples living there. For this reason, I recognize that Heavenly Father is exercising an enormous amount of faith in me, for which I am graciously humbled. I am extremely grateful my life has led me precisely to this point, and I love that my dream has come true! I am soon to be a missionary!
My mind stopped processing after I read the word "Utah." I know there was a lot of commotion coming from my parents, the computers, and the phone, but I blocked out the noise, kept my head buried in my letter, and continued to read so I wouldn't cry. I tried to force a smile on my face as I looked for my report date and language. The rest is a blur. I think everyone was being supportive and congratulatory but I just wanted everyone gone so I could cry. I felt in my heart that it was right, but I wasn't excited about it. I was looking for adventure, for something new and exotic, maybe even dangerous. I wanted to learn about, and fall in love with, an entirely different culture.
U-T-A-H doesn't exactly spell out "foreign and new"
But it didn't take long for the sad feelings to fade. I knew it was right, and I accepted that this is what I signed up for. I didn't do this so I could go on an exotic trip or take awesome pictures, or vacation in a cool place for 18 months. I did this so I could invest 100% of myself to the cause of truth, to labor in the service of my God, and to help my brothers and sisters come closer to Christ. Like I've said before, if there's an adventure I want to take, I'll take it. If I want to travel or explore someplace new, I'll do it. But this is not an adventure. This is a mission assigned to me from God. A cloak of responsibility has been placed on my shoulders, and I accept it with honor and humility.
It's been about a month and my perspective has completely changed since the night I read my mission call. I am so excited to be serving in the Salt Lake City South Mission! I have heard only great and wonderful things about it. This may be strange, but I already love it! I know my mission (I love saying my mission) will be demanding and glorious, and all sorts of difficult. And I know Heavenly Father has people in store specifically for me to meet. I think Utah missions require missionaries who teach most powerfully by example because there are so many confusing examples living there. For this reason, I recognize that Heavenly Father is exercising an enormous amount of faith in me, for which I am graciously humbled. I am extremely grateful my life has led me precisely to this point, and I love that my dream has come true! I am soon to be a missionary!
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