Over the
last few months I have had many people ask questions about my decision to serve
a mission and I figured what better thing to do than write down my journey for
you all! I hope I can help you better understand my desire to serve.
Going on a
mission wasn't necessarily something I had always planned on doing or something
I felt like I needed to do, but I was always open to the idea and knew that if
it was God's plan for my life I was more than willing to serve him. As the day
I could submit my papers got closer, I began to seriously consider the idea. I
spent weeks and months fasting and praying about whether or not a mission was
what Heavenly Father had in mind for me.
I wanted an
answer so badly! I spent many nights and days in a frustrated mindset because I
felt like I wasn't getting anything. One night after a particularly rough day,
I called my Mom who was out of town and discussed with her my frustrations and
confusion.
I learned a
very valuable lesson that night.
After
listening to my situation, my Mom simply reminded me of two important things.
Faith and
agency.
She reminded
me that often God helps us practice these two principles when we make any
choice in our life. She counseled me to take a leap of faith and use my agency
and open my mission papers and then revisit the topic with Heavenly Father
again.
I did just
that.
I began my
papers that following Sunday and I knew after I left my bishop’s office, that a
mission is what I needed to prepare for, and that I would be going. So the
process began.
Two doctor
visits, one dental checkup and a vacation later they were complete.
April 9th,
my papers were submitted to Salt Lake City, Utah, to wait for an assignment
(If you are
wondering how mission calls are assigned read here.)
Sixteen days
later, my call arrived.
I opened it
with family and friends and felt so much love and support as I anticipated
where and when the Lord needed me to serve.
As I read
Missouri Independence Mission and Wednesday June 10th, I was overjoyed! The
moment I had been waiting for had come. I am going on a mission.
As June 10th
gets closer everyday, I am filled with gratitude and humility to have to
opportunity to teach and testify of the Savior Jesus Christ and a loving
Heavenly Father. That they know each of us personally and individually and we
all have a plan for our life here on earth. I can't wait to tell people about
the Book of Mormon and how it changes my life as I study and read it. The
opportunity to testify and teach about the Prophet Joseph Smith and his role in
restoring Christ's church on the earth. To serve on the very plains where many
of the early saints lost their lives and endured persecution for us all to be
able to have the gospel. Who built temples to make it possible for us all to be
with our families forever. To tell people about the Saviors ultimate sacrifice
and gift of the atonement that gives us the opportunity to change and become
better. That Christ overcame death making it possible for us to live with him
and our Heavenly Father again. To see the changes I have seen in my life happen
within others as they study and live the teaching of the gospel.
I know that
putting my schooling and work on hold, leaving my family and friends for
eighteen months is a sacrifice but it is a sacrifice that I am more than
willing to make to give others the opportunity to hear the gospel.
Thank you to
all of you for being such good examples to me in my life to be better and helped me grow to who I am today. I
know I am not perfect and that I have plenty of flaws, but I find peace and
comfort in these scriptures:
1 Now behold, a marvelous work is
about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark
in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind
and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have
desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
I have a
desire, and I have been called now it's time to work.
I am beyond
excited for the "Greatest Adventure" to begin.
Until next
time.
sister hunt
<3
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