Serving a mission was something I never really considered,
to be honest. My dad was baptized when he married my mom but soon became
inactive because of work and some other excuses. Growing up it was always just
my mom, my sister and I that went to church. All through out high school I
always told my friends and family that I would never serve a mission. I never
pictured myself as a missionary. No one in my family ever served a mission so I
guess I had no one to look up to. When people from church would ask me about
going on a mission I would always say that I was thinking, but inside of me I
wasn’t really. By the time I graduated high school I had my whole future
planned out (well I thought I did lol). I was accepted to Northern Arizona
University and I was planning on becoming a CRNA. In June 2014 I started thinking
about serving a mission and for some reason I was always interested in talking
to return missionaries about their experiences. In July 2014 I moved to NAU for
summer classes and serving a mission was always on my mind. I started to pray
about it and soon came to a conclusion that I really wanted to serve. Every
returned missionary that I have talked to always tells me the same thing… that
it was 2 of their best years of their life. I knew I didn’t want to miss out of
this wonderful experience. In August I told my parents that I wanted to go on a
mission after completing 1 year at NAU. When I first told them I remember my
mom got excited and my dad just stayed quiet. He told me that he would support
me with any decision, but I can see it in his face that he was
surprised/disappointed. Now, he says he was always happy for me, but I know his
facial expressions and at that moment he wasn’t really excited/happy lol.
Before I received my mission call I would always think of
places where I thought it would be cool to go. Sometimes I would think too far
like Japan, Thailand or Tonga.
I’ve
always wanted to serve somewhere poor, but I was willing to serve anywhere. I
want to be able to appreciate the things I have more than I already do. We are
blessed with many things, but sometimes we get greedy and forget how wonderful
our lives are compared to some third world countries. Everyone always used to
ask me why I chose Mexico lol, but in reality we don’t get to choose. We get
sent to a place by revelation and it’s actually a really interesting process.
If you guys would like to read about it
Click Here.
On February 2, 2014 I received my mission call and it was
one of the best days ever! I waited 4 days to open it but the wait was worth
it. I was surprised when I read Mexico Villahermosa. I was kind of bummed I
wasn’t going to be learning a new language. But, I know this is where our
heavenly father needs me. Although it was not somewhere exotic, like some might
say, I am still happy and blessed to be going to Mexico. In March 2015 my dad
finally became active in church again. It was really cool to see how many
things happened in 2015.
I could not be more excited to meet the people of Mexico and
share with them the one thing that has brought me so much joy in my life. That
is, the gospel of Jesus Christ!
I have a testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is real
and has the power to change lives. I know that there is purpose to this
life. I have faith in Jesus Christ and know that he chose to die for you and
for me so that we could all live today. The book of Mormon is real can bring
happiness to your life. I have received so many blessings in my life and I
would not be going on a mission if I didn’t know this gospel was true. It
always has & always will.
Sorry I don’t have a lot of pictures of
when I opened my mission call. My family doesn’t really take good pics lol at
least they try. I promise I will try to take pics all through out my mission
and my sister will be updating this weekly.
