Since I was young I have wanted to go on a mission. As I got older, the mission idea kinda faded further and further into the back burner. It just wasn't as much of a priority. After high school I went to college and worked. Loved my job! Working in and around pools was my life. Things were going great. There were some trials thrown in the mix as well, but I endured them and grew from them. Life was good and things were progressing as planned.
The time for my 21st birthday was coming and the thought of a mission came to mind. I wasn't sure whether to keep going and doing what I had been doing, or put it all on hold for 18 months. What better way to decide then to ask Heavenly Father? It's what I grew up learning and doing; so, I did just that. I prayed for a few weeks and fasted about whether a mission was right for me or not. After the fasting and prayer I got the answer no. So, I continued doing what I was doing. Everything was the way I wanted it.
Time went on and more trials came. Things at my job weren't going as well as they were before. Changes were made and they weren't to my liking. But, work was work and I needed a job. Just kept truckin' along and doing my thing. Spring semester of school was coming and I was going to get back to taking some classes. Had my plans set and ready to go......or so I thought.
Work, got worse. I went from loving my job to dreading it. When I went to register for classes, couldn't. After talking to the enrollment office they told me "sorry, but I guess you have to re-apply". The plans I "thought" were great, were falling apart in front of me. Nothing was working out at all. All I could think was "now what?"
During all of this, there was a little voice in the back of my head that would say "what about a mission?" Of course, that thought was pushed far away. I had gotten my answer a few months ago. "Why ask again" was my logic. No need to re-think about a mission. Besides, I didn't want to be labelled as one of those sisters that went on a mission because they "couldn't get married". Can you say "hard headed"?
(This is the part my mom dislikes)
One wintry night, while home with my family, my mom and I got into a little argument. I decided to leave and put off some steam. Didn't know where or what I was going to do, but it was away from home. After driving for a bit I realized I was on my way to the Draper Utah temple. Parked in the parking lot and just looked up at the temple for a while. It was snowing (which is my favorite) and everything was peaceful. As I was sitting there, the overwhelming impression that I should go on a mission came over me. I continued to sit there and ponder for a while, then decided to pray about it. Said a prayer in the car and then drove back home. Sunday was the next day and it just so happened to be fast Sunday. Perfect!
As soon as I began my fast I could feel what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. At the end of the face, it felt as though I had been "spirit slapped". The most incredible feeling came over me that screamed "YES!!! Go on a mission!" How could I deny it at this point?
2 weeks later, my papers were in. 3 weeks after that, my call letter came in the mail. I'm here on my mission because the Lord wants me here. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this church is true. That Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. That He lived and died for me and everyone else. The Atonement is real and there for everyone. Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ to the earth today and we have a living prophet now. President Thomas S. Monson leads and guides the work of the Lord today. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. I love this church and I love serving the Lord in this great work. There is nothing better I could be doing with my life right now.
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3 comments:
It touches my heart when I hear a missionary say, that there is nothing better they could be doing with their life. I am one of those people whose life was changed because of missionaries. I know there is a lot you could be doing with your life right now, so I just want to tell you thank you so much for making that sacrifice!
I love the stories like this! I am pretty sure everyone has gone through a good ole' spritual slapping. It is interesting to see how the lord will always prepare a way for us to be exactly where he wants us to be.
The following is the response from my dear father. And yes, it is all true what he writes.
(my dad) I checked out your blog and have an addendum to your latest entry about deciding to go on a mission. It would go something like this:
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, my Dad was fervently praying for me that I would get help with the decisions I needed to make in my life. My Dad always said that I would be an awesome missionary, but he didn't want to push the issue for fear of me deciding not to go just to spite him.....I can be that way sometimes ; ) When I finally decided to go on a mission and told my Dad, he was overwhelmed with emotion. He later told me that when he went to thank Heavenly Father for hearing and answering his prayers about his oldest daughter all he could do was openly weep with gratitude. My Dad's prayers had been answered.....just like my prayers were answered.
Love you darlin!
-Another reason why I love my father
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