Catching up with Sister Angela Ford:

From her weeks in the MTC...

The MTC is awesome!!  I absolutely love it here.  I really wIsh you could know what it's like here.  It's just so amazing, the sense of purpose & direction that everyone has?  I wish every place could have that.  I love it!  God lives and He shows us tender mercies every day. 

My week was awesome.  I have seen a lot of people I know here and am really growing close with my zone and district.  It’s so wonderful here.  Everyone is “Sister” or “Elder.”  I can see why people love the MTC.  To me it is a preview of what Heaven must be like, everyone knowing  each other & having direction.  I love it!

Easter was amazIng.  We had three General Authorities come.  President Packer, his son Allen F. Packer, and then another person from the 70.  The Packers spoke and it was pretty amazing.  We had the really special opportunity to have the Sacrament in that meeting too.  So everyone here was able to have the Sacrament with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.  Pretty neat, huh?

I have gotten some letters from the ward.  It was a nice surprise...

Yesterday for the fireside we had Elder M. Russell Ballard!  It was really powerful.  

...to the Massachussetts-Boston Mission.

On the flight from Salt Lake City, we talked to a young man going on his second tour in Afghanistan. He's from Preston, Idaho and is a member but not active in the Church.  He said he lost his faith in God after some of his unit was blown up right behind him.  Though he has found some of it again when a bullet stopped in the Bible he had in his front pocket.  He was a cool person to talk to.

My companion is Sister Caldwell from Payson.  We have gotten along great.  Our current area is Manchester, Connecticut.  We went tracting the first night and it was hard for me because I had no idea what I was doing and I was jet lagged.  But we went out again on Saturday and had a few awesome experiences.  We talked to these two guys about religion in general and about halfway through the one on the porch said "This is great! I feel all relaxed"  I should have jumped on the chance to talk about the Holy Ghost but alas, we did not.  We did, however, give them a copy of the Book of Mormon, so hopefully they will read it.  Speaking of, we've given away at least four copies of the Book of Mormon!  I know that's not a lot, but it's still awesome to me.  

So far I have had three meals with members, 1 real lesson with a potential investigator, a baptism (she was 8 and was waiting for her father to be worthy to baptize her), and a couple of less actives come to Church on Sunday.  Sister Caldwell says it's been a really great week.   

Tracting is hard.  Especially that first night when I was so overwhelmed with getting placed in Connecticut.  But it's gotten a little easier, especially since my confidence level in teaching is going up.  We still get a lot of "We're all set"” (a polite way to say buzz off) or "I'm happy with my religion" or even "GO AWAY!"  but I think as I get more comfortable with the idea that they aren't rejecting me specifically it's easier.  That and the thought you have to go through a lot of hay before you find the needle, which we may have found.  Her name is Kristianna and I'm pretty sure she's from Jamaica.  She seemed really interested in the first lesson and accepted to be baptized when she comes to know the truth for herself.  There isn't a date and hopefully she'll want to meet with us more, but I'm excited for her.

I'm studying “Diligence” in ch. 6 of Preach My Gospel.  It's helping a lot with calming down some of the overwhelmed feeling.  Now I just have to get used to talking to everyone and their cat.  Literally. Everyone here has one or they have a dog.  It's crazy.

A few Milestones

So a week and some odd days ago, I gave my farewell talk (it can be read in the post below this one).  I had dreaded this moment since I turned in my papers.  Why? Because I get intense stage fright.  The first time I spoke in Sacrament meeting when I was 12 I got hives.  That's how nervous I was.  In each subsequent talk I've mostly cried through the talks.  This time however was much better, yes I still cried at parts but I think it was mostly because I realized that this was really happening.  I'm really going on a mission.  But overall the talk went swimmingly, I think mostly it was because the Spirit was helping me out a lot.
A lot of people turned up for the farewell too.  My Poopah and his wife showed up, along with my wonderful aunt.   A lot of friends came, some who I  haven't seen in a long time.  Of course my immediate family was their with their husbands and kids.  (Okay Klah's husband wasn't because he was flying in later that week but close enough).  And family from my Mum's side that I don't get to see a lot were there.  Oh and my wonderful Uncle Jean Luke!  Okay that's not really his name but we call him that because he looks a lot like Patrick Stuart and we were really big Star Trek fans. Georgia Boy was there too.  It didn't hit me until after he left that this was the last time I would see him for 18 months, possibly forever....
Anywho.  The day went really great.  I got a lot of wonderful advice from those around me and from those in my ward.  It was amazing to feel the love that everyone was sharing with me, last week and this week.
I go into the MTC tomorrow.  I have everything I need.  I still have to pack it though and say final goodbyes, most were said on Sunday and yesterday.  I get set apart for my mission tonight.   I'm excited/scared/happy/nervous.  I can't wait to start this next adventure though.  In conversations with my friend Jaime, she's waiting for her call as I write, I've grown more and more excited for a mission, and become more confident that I can do this.  I'm doing it for all sorts of reasons, but I know as I focus on doing what the Lord wants me to do, this will be the best experience I'll have. 
So the next time you hear from me I'll be a full blown missionary who has actually started down the path of this new adventure!! 
Just remember: dearelder.com is you're best friend when writing to missionaries *coughmecough*. 
I'll see all y'all at the end of September in 2013!

Farewell Talk

 {It is tradition that before a missionary leaves for the MTC they give a farewell talk in their ward the Sunday or two before they go.  This was mine}

What is a missionary?  I mean, we toss that term around a lot, and we had two young men stand up today to announce that they will become a missionary soon.  So what does that mean? Well in Preach My Gospel it says that a missionary is someone who “Invites others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Chrsit and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”  Or in other words, someone who leaves their family for two years, or 18 months, so others can spend eternity with theirs.
That’s awesome, but before we can be Missionaries we have to be missionaries.  Let me say that again because some of you have befuddled looks, before we can be Missionaries we have to be missionaries. 
In 1959  President David O. McKay proclaimed  “Every member a missionary.”  But what does that mean exactly?  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are not given a full time call to serve with suites and skirts.  We are however, called to be friends and neighbors to those around us. 
In Mosiah 18: 7-10 it reads:   Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his{Alma’s} word, to hear him. And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
 8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
 9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
 10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
Basically, when we are baptized we promised to follow the two great commandments Christ stated in the New Testament.  Love God, and love thy neighbor as thyself.
President Hinckley stressed this principle in most of his addresses.  In one in particular he said “I plead with you … that you will put your arms around those who come into the Church and be friends to them and make them feel welcome and comfort them and we will see wonderful results. The Lord will bless you to aid in this great process of retention of converts.”

Now some of us may have disregarded that wonderful statement because of one simple word: converts.  As we live in Utah, some may have the attitude that all of us have all been born into the gospel and there is no need to fellowship those around us as we are not “converts.”  I would like to propose, however, that in fact, we are all converts.  Each of us have had experiences where our hearts have been softened and we have come closer to God.  And, at times, we have had experiences where we have hardened our hearts and have edged a little farther from God.  We never know who around is struggling, or who we can help.  We are blessed to have a ward goal that encourages us to get to know one another.  You never know who’s life you will touch.

Another simple way we can be every day missionaries is temple attendance.   We are blessed to have 13 temples in Utah, most of which we can drive to within two hours. We are even more blessed to have a temple that is less than ten minutes away, and one that is being built just as close. How awesome is that?
 I have heard some of those who are not endowed say, “I can only do baptisms.”  However, baptisms for the dead is an amazing opportunity for missionary work.  It is not “only a” baptism, for that person you are representing, that is their baptism.  That is their first step towards the Kingdom of God, it is their ordinance.  So whether you are endowed or not, the temple is the temple, and attendance is a great act of missionary work and will invite the Spirit into your life.

Speaking of the Spirit, why is it so important to have the Holy Ghost in our lives?  Why would we, as members, especially as every day missionaries, want to have the Holy Ghost’s influence?
There are many reasons that we want to have the Holy Ghost as our constant companion but here are just a few. 
He brings us comfort and joy.   Elder Henry B. Eyring once said “The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Truth. You feel peace, hope, and joy when He speaks to your heart and mind that something is true. Almost always I have also felt a sensation of light. Any feeling I may have had of darkness is dispelled, and my desire to do right grows.”
In Doctrine and Covenants 11:13 it states “Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy”
Peace, hope, and joy?  I might be a little brash in saying this, but I think all of us could use more peace, hope, and joy in our lives.
Another reason we would want the companionship of the Holy Ghost is that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth.  When we are in tune with the Holy Ghost He will give us the witness that the things we are taught are true, or if they are false.  We can gain personal testimonies of the principles that are taught by ancient and modern prophets by asking the Lord, in faith, if these things are true.  The Holy Ghost will give you that testimony of correct principles.  However, once that testimony is obtained we have to continue in faith with that principle.  Think of gaining a testimony, whether it be of Jesus Christ is our Savior or of your own personal worth or a testimony of prayer, as riding a bike up a steep mountain.  You are either progressing up that mountain or you are slowly rolling backwards.  There are no breathers, if you start to take a break, Satan will gladly hand you a glass of water and slowly start to drag you down the mountain.  That is why it is so important to gain a testimony now, while you are an every day missionary.  Because if you wait until you are a set apart full time missionary, Satan will have a hayday pulling you down with him. Why?  Because missions are hard and Satan will work his hardest on you so you can’t help others up to that mountain’s summit, where our Heavenly Father and Christ are waiting for you, you specifically, so they can throw their arms around you and say “Welcome home.”

Sometimes it can be hard to get up that mountain, alright let’s be honest, most of the time it’s really hard to get up the mountain.  But the Holy Ghost is always there for us as we press onward. 
Sometimes this upward battle is made harder when we don’t understand why we are doing certain things other than the Lord has asked us to do it.  However, if we keep pushing through with faith we are greatly blessed. 
Take for example, Adam.  He has been recently cast out of the Garden of Eden and is given a commandment in Moses 5:5-6. 
And he {God} gave unto them commandments, that they should worship the Lord their God, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks, for an offering unto the Lord. And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.
 6 And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
We don’t know how Adam reacted when he was first given the Law of Sacrifice. Whether he doubted or had a discussion about it with Eve after it was given.  All we know is that he pushed up the mountain and was obedient to the Lord.  And for this he was rewarded with the angel giving him the understanding that the sacrifices were a shadow of Christ and through Him we can repent. 
“I know not, save the Lord commanded me.”  This very simple statement from Adam resonates very strongly in me, because I am making the very same statement.  I was not happy when I started to get the impression I should go on a full time mission.  In fact I was very distraught.  I was happy with were my life seemed to be headed.  I was actually coming to terms with the very real, and very immanent, opportunity to marry.  So when that very first prompting came I ignored it, then the second prompting, and the third, and the fourth, and so on.  When I proved to be as stubborn as a mule, the Holy Ghost took a very different approach, he went through my boyfriend.  We broke up, and I started to talk to those of my close friends that had previously served missions.  It wasn’t long before I was talking with my Bishop to start the process.  So, here I stand before you, saying “I don’t know why I’m serving a mission, except that the Lord commanded me.”  I know that there are eternal blessings waiting for me because I am choosing to follow the Lord, for me and for my future family. President Hinckley has given us a glimpse of what those blessings could potentially be when he stated “Many young women are serving missions, many are preparing to serve, not because they aren’t married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work.  The reason so many are going is because in the next generation Heavenly Father will be sending His priesthood army to the earth and wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught the gospel.  What better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission” I know that when we choose to follow the Lord’s commandments, especially when we might not know the full reasons why, we are blessed both temporally and spiritually, and we will be taught the reasons why.
{Here I bore my testimony so I don’t really remember what I said so I’ll just leave it at this piece of advice: Go on a mission for whatever reason, stay for the right one.}

I love to see the Temple

 Deciding when to go through the temple was tricky.  There were several people that I wanted to be there and had to coordinate with.  The first was my sister, Klah, since she lives two states away.  She could come almost any week in January, none in February, and the week before I enter the MTC.  So Mum hit the calenders and figured out the best week for us too.  Since everyone was giving the advice to go through as soon as possible so I could go as often as possible (not knowing how often I can go during my mission), we decided to go in January.  There was a debate between the 21st and the 28th so I called the second person that I really wanted there, Love.  As mentioned before, Love has had a really huge impact on my choice of serving a mission, and on me in general, so it was natural for me to invite her.  The 21st turned out to be the best weekend for her since she would be in Logan at a conference and thus 2 hours closer than normal. Perfect!!  The plans were then made known to everyone, January 21st at the Provo temple, be there by 6:20. 

Jump of plot points but stick with me.  Everyone was really curious which temple I would go through for the first time.  To me there wasn't really a question,  the Provo temple is the one I have grown up with.  It was the temple we went to when I was first able to do baptisms for the dead, the one that Da goes to every Saturday for his shift (he's a temple worker), it's where my parents were married.  There was the small question of "My sisters and Mum went through the Salt Lake temple, should I as well?"  But it was quickly ruled out because I don't feel like I have a real connection there. 
Jump back to main story.

The week before I went through the temple I did a technology fast.  No computer, no tv, no smart part of the smart phone.  I did the fast so I could clear my head of distractions and focus on the gospel, Christ, and the temple.  It was one of the hardest things I have done.  Though my room did get cleaned really well that week.  And it was a lot easier to keep a good schedule.  So hard, but totally worth it in the end.

Llama and Georgia boy came down from Idaho on the 20th and we met up at Beauty's house (I was "kidnapping" Georgia Boy for his birthday).  I think the best part about this meeting was that no one knew that I had cut my hair.  All of their reactions were awesome by the way. 
Anyway, that night was pretty fun.  Georgia Boy slept at one of my friends house and I picked him up the next morning.  The night before we had decided to go do baptisms for the dead with Kwistin.  She and I had been going every Saturday for three weeks prior and I really loved it.  Plus it was suggested that it would be an awesome experience to go through all the ordinances, excluding sealings, in one day.  The baptistry was overflowing with ladies as usual so they pulled those that couldn't fit into a side meeting room and we sang hymns.  It was a really amazing experience and I'm really glad my day started that way.

The weather of Utah is usually odd but this year has been even more so.  Winter has seemed more of a late Fall, cold but no snow, until, you guessed it,  January 21st. The 20th was great weather, so was the 22nd, go figure.  When we arrived at the temple that morning for baptisms it was raining pretty hard, we even had to jump over some small lakes.  Coming out of the temple nothing had really changed.  But I didn't really think about it.  I had been praying really hard that everyone would be able to make it so I wasn't really worried.   However that changed when Love called around 3:30.

It was snowing in Logan and one of her classmates had said that the canyon out of Logan was pretty scary due to the weather.  She couldn't make it, she wanted to but she couldn't.  I told her it was fine, I would rather have her safe and sound rather than her almost dying trying to get to the temple. 
I was a little upset, I had been really looking forward to seeing her, but I shook it off.  Like I had told her, I would rather her be alive and well.

Less than thirty minutes later Georgia Boy got a call from Beauty and he handed the phone to me.  You know something is up when she starts out the conversation with "You're pretty =}"  She wasn't coming, Llama wasn't either.  Llama had apparently almost spun off the roads a couple of times dropping her chilluns off at her in-laws and then going to try to meet Beauty to come down.  We then got a phone call from Llama a few minutes later.  Both gave their biggest regrets but like with Love I would rather them be safe than dead.  Specially with both being moms already and then expecting. 
At this point I was pretty devastated, but with a long hug from Georgia boy and the knowledge they were safe I focused on the temple. 

We left about an hour later, it was lightly raining, almost snowing. 
All I can say about the temple was it was amazing.  I was a little nervous but after it all I can really say I love the temple.  I can't help but smile when I'm in the temple.  The handful of others I had invited, close family and friends, had made it safely and it was wonderful to have them there.  It was the first time that my immediate family, My parents, my two sisters, and I, could and were in the temple together.  It was amazing. 
When we left the temple, say three four hours later, there was something like four to five inches of snow, if not more.  Roads were slightly tricky but not to bad for Utah. 

I'm proud to say that I've been back almost every week since.  I just love the temple.  Not to mention almost every time I've gone I've gotten the answer that I'm still supposed to be going on a mission (and yes I still ask if it's the right thing to do). 

35  days until the MTC

Preperation Time

Now that I have my call it's time to do one thing that I don't like to do: shopping.
We held off going and getting anything until a letter from my mission president. After it arrived the shopping started.  We've been doing it in spurts, thankfully my Mum understands that I don't last long shopping, unless it's for books.
So far we've gotten good water proof shoes and boots (apparently it rains a lot in Boston), a full length coat (I wasn't so sure about it when we bought it but now I love it), a new set of scriptures with my full name on them, a sling bag that I have dubbed the Mary Poppins bag (seriously that thing has so many pockets within pockets, and it's a lot bigger than it looks), the missionary "library", sheets, professional looking shirts, undershirts, a small sewing kit, laundry basket, and other little things I'll need.  I'm glad I'm going in the states though, at least I know the general stores where I can buy things I forget to take with me.
I'm also trying to re-read the Book of Mormon before March 28th.  I completed my goal of the summer of finishing it before the end of the year so re-reading I am.  I'm already in Alma but I still have 300 pages to go.
This next story relates to preparing I promise:
I've been ward hopping ever since I got back from school.  Maybe hopping isn't the right word.  I'm only attending two wards.  My singles ward and my home ward.  I love the singles ward but since I'm "leaving" from my home ward my records are there.  The singles ward starts at 10:30 and the home ward starts at 1.  I usually make it to both.  Sacrament and Sunday school at the singles ward and the full block of meetings at the home ward.  It's a little tiring but I figure I might as well get used to it, I have 18 months of this kinda stuff ahead of me.
Anyway, about two weeks ago I got a call from one of the members of the Bishopric in the singles ward.  I didn't really think anything of it until he told me why he had called.  He wanted me to speak in Sacrament meeting.  I really wanted to blurt out that I wasn't even in the ward.  I get really nervous about speaking see.  The first time I had to talk in Sacrament meeting I got hives, I was so scared.  But I said I would do it.  After all I need the practice right?  My subject was Doctrine and Covenants 115:5.  I spoke with a guy that I had known in high school, who just got off his mission.  It really was my pre-farewell talk.  A missionary leaving and a missionary coming home.    The best part was my heart decided it didn't want to escape this time, so my legs weren't shaking as bad as they usually were, my voice was a lot steadier, and I didn't cry through the whole thing.  Yay!

 Oh and the other thing I did in preparing for a mission?

I cut my hair, surprise!!

Receiving the Call

I was told that I would have to wait at least a week and two days after I had turned in my papers for my call to come.  It was easy for the first week to ignore the fact that my life was hanging on receiving this call because it was a. finals week, b. I was getting ready for graduation, c. packing and cleaning of the apartment, and d.  boy drama/awesomeness.  It was the next four days that killed me.  Tuesday came and I tried to forget that this was the day that my call was supposed to come.  It didn't go so well.  My stomach was in knots the whole day, they didn't go away after I checked the mail either.  My call wasn't there.  It didn't come Wednesday either.
Wednesday night I gave up on my call coming that week, it was easier than waiting each and every day.  That night I prayed, and prayed, and prayed.  Mostly how I would serve anywhere in the world the Lord wanted me to.  It was one of the best nights of prayer I have ever had.
Thursday morning I drifted in and out of sleep to the ringing of the phone (Mum was out on errands).  Then Mum burst into my room telling me to get up.  I must have groaned or something because she said something to the effect of "That was Brother Van Houton on the phone.  He's been calling all morning.  He's on his way over!"
Background:  Brother VH works in the Postal Office and if you warn him about the call coming, he keeps an eye out for it and delivers it.
I jumped out of bed, ran out to the kitchen/living room excited as all get out.  I even was running around in circles for a bit.  I quickly got dressed and waited anxiously by the door.  Brother VH dropped off the envelope and I resisted the urge to rip it open.  It was delivered around 10, and phone calls were quickly made to arrange a time to open it up.  We decided on 5 o'clock sharp.   We decided on 5 so my sister, her husband and family, my da, two of my close friends, and my neighbor could be there.  My other sister would be joining us by Skype, Llama would be on the phone.
The other phone calls were to Llama, she was super excited and may have hung up on her sister to answer my phone call.  I cleared it with her that we'd open the call around 5 and I would call her.
I then called Beauty (nicknames are hard to come up with, specially when their already nicknames would take a lot of explaining to use them... I'm trying to think of a less generic one...), who Llama hung up on to explain why.  Her reaction was pretty great.  I think the conversation when something like this.
"So there's a reason why Llama hung up"
"Oh reaaaally."  I think she was expecting an engagement
"I have a white envelope sitting in my living room and I would like you to be here when I open it."
"Wait, what?  What? When did this happen?"
I was laughing so hard while I explained what had happened.  Sadly she wasn't able to come.
Then I phoned Love and she was super excited as well.
And I called Georgia Boy.  He was going out to be with friends at the time but he wanted to know as soon as I would want to call him.

The next 7 hours were torture, with the envelope sitting in the Christmas tree.  I showered, I dressed, I got all gussied up.  I was ready by 11.  I tried to distract myself and it kinda worked.  But all day I was trying to convince myself that i was going to Russia and that was okay.  (Russia and I would not get along, too cold, way too hard of a language and too many stories).  I even tried to peak at my call.  All I got was a peak at a map that I couldn't decide if it was Europe or South America.  It was a very small not detailed peak at this map.  I then continued my mantra of "It's Russia, and that's okay.  The Lord wants me there."  over and over.
5 finally came around. Finally!  Everyone was there, except for Kwistin.  She was running late.  While waiting for her I got a text from Georgia Boy asking if I'd opened it yet.  I think he was as nervous as I was.
Kwistin finally arrived and we got right to it.  I got Klah , my sisiter, on skype.  Llama and Georgia Boy were on the phone along with my Aunt.
I was so nervous I had a hard time opening the stinkin envelope.  I finally got it open and I started to read.  As I read Massachusetts Boston Mission, relief flooded through me and extreme excitement.  I've wanted to live in Boston for a few years now, not to mention it wasn't Russia!! Plus I know it's where I'm most needed.
I promised Llama, Klah, and Georgia Boy I would call them back soon and just sat and talked with those who were there for a while.  Then the phone calls started.  I honestly don't think I've ever used the phone so much, not even working as a Secretary in Human Resources. 
There were so many people to call, it was crazy.  But it was so much fun.  Everyone was so excited.  It added to the experience, this being the first mission call opening that I remember being a part of it.
That night I skipped around singing "I'm going to Boston.  I'm going to Boston!"

Opening the envelope

Reading the call

It's Boston!!!

Talking with Llama and Georgia Boy

Oh and it turned out the small section of a map I saw?  It was on the front cover of the booklet they send out to all missionaries, and it was of the whole world.  Oops. 

Reading the Packet. You can kinda see the Map

 

I finally know!!!

How I decided to Serve

This may be a repeat for some of you but I think it important to write it down.

I was never one to dream of a mission.  I had thought about it,  but fleetingly.  It wasn't until this summer that it really hit me that a mission might be for me, but I fought it and fought it hard.
I had been dating Georgia Boy for almost a year when the first "Hey, you should go on a mission" hit me.
I was, funnily enough, visiting Georgia Boy for the Fourth of July weekend.  I was at church with his sister, Llama, her family, and her in-laws.  All of whom I love dearly.  I made some comment in Sunday School, apparently it sounded really good because her father-in-law turned to me, took my hand, gave me one of the sincerest looks I have ever seen, and said after a moment, "You would make a great missionary."  "Thanks?"  was my reaction.  Could he not see that I was plainly in love with Georgia Boy and set on marrying the boy?  But I quickly pushed the episode to the back of my mind, or at least tried to.  That night the in-laws recounted how they met, in the MTC, and how they chance encountered again after their missions.  Father-in-law also recounted how he had sent several young women on missions.  I politely ignored the stories by busying myself with the two adorable sons of Llama.  Did I also mention Jay's, Llama's husband,  newly wed cousins were over, and they met on their mission?
On the drive back to Home City, I kept coming back to a mission.  Yes, I was 21 but Georgia Boy!  So I made a small promise to the Lord, the next time anyone, anyone! Mentioned a mission to me I would go.  Can I just say, unless you are willing to follow through on those don't make them.
The next Sunday I met with a member of my Bishopric to receive a calling to teach Sunday School.  I was very excited because we were studying the New Testament. Not only had I been waiting since I was 18 to teach in church but I have experience in Jerusalem and such I was very ready for this.  However when I received the assignment on what I was to teach I was very, very unhappy.  Wanna guess what it was?  That's right, mission prep.  I was teaching mission prep, people.  Hello very big sign saying "A mission if for you!!"
I cried so hard that week. And I fought with myself a lot.  Everything I read in the scriptures seemed to be about a mission, when my thoughts wandered, they wandered to a mission.  I was not happy.  But I got through that week and the feelings seemed to fade away.  I once again was focused on marriage.  Except for occasional comments that really struck me.  Like once during Relief Society, a woman commented that she didn't want to serve a mission but she felt impressed that she should, she did, and she had never regretted it.  These kind of stories I did not want to hear, I was much happier hearing about the recent engagements.
Georgia Boy came and stayed with my family for about 5 weeks after the semester was over.  During that time, I was doubly sure that a miss--marriage was for me (I had thoughts like that all the time).  That dang mission thing kept hanging over my head.
Georgia Boy and I even talked about it.  He even conceded that it would give him enough time to graduate and have a steady job.  Burn you boy! You're supposed to fight for me not give up.... But looking back I see that he gave the exact answer that I needed.  Though I kept fighting a mission.  About a week later I had the thought "If I wasn't dating Georgia Boy, I'd probably go on a mission." 3-7 days later we broke up.  This was the second "Hey, a mission is for you!!" moment.
School started a week later so back I went.
I went to visit the office where I work to make sure we had the schedule all ironed out and it came out that Georgia Boy and I had broken up.  My wonderful co-worker, Psych, took me out for ice cream.  It's what us girls do, you have a bad time? Break out the ice cream!   Anyway in the course of talking it came out that I might be going on a mission.  Being a returned missionary herself, she was super excited for me.  She offered to study Preach My Gospel with me every Sunday to help me prepare.  We talked for at least two hours about her mission and missions in general.  When we left I still wasn't so sure on the mission but excited to study with her.  That was on a Friday, on Monday during work, I popped my head into my other co-worker's office, Love, and asked that if, when she had a moment, could I ask her a question.  She said sure and both of us went back to work.
Tuesday, I was leaving work when she called me into her office.  I was kinda confused because I had forgotten about asking her.  What?  It was the second day of school and I was still very heart broken.
Anyway, we proceeded to talk and she was also very excited that I was considering a mission, she is  a returned missionary as well. We talked for about an hour and a half before I left.  I had a meeting with my Bishop at 7 pm and I wanted to drop my school supplies off at my apartment before meeting him.
Between Psych and Love I was getting excited about a mission.  So that night I talked with my Bishop about serving a mission, and that's how the ball got started.  Of course I talked it over heavily with my mom during this whole period.  And with several others, but mostly I kept it very quiet.  I didn't want to decide not to serve and have tons of people disappointed, or have so much pressure from others that I hated my decision to serve.
I had my doubts about serving, even after starting the paperwork.  Boys started to pop up out of no where, and even though I was warned that this might happen I was still surprised.  I have never really been one that has had tons of guys after her, honestly I'm not one to have any guys come after me (I'm still convinced Georgia Boy get's me confused with someone else much more awesome than me), and true, there were 5 or 6 and even if most weren't that serious about really dating me, it's more interest than I've ever had. 
One wrote me a heartfelt letter about his interest in me and that totally threw me off.  Should I stay and see if it would work or should I still go?  I prayed hard and randomly opened up my scriptures that night.  The first verse I saw was "Go and serve the Lord."  Yes sir!  This happened on several occasions so I know it wasn't coincidence.  The random scripture opening not the heartfelt interest letters.  Most of the boys disappeared after I told them I was going to serve a mission, but two have stuck around. That is most likely because they are great friends of mine anyways, but yeah. 

The thing that really made the decision to serve?  The peace that came over me as I read Massachusetts Boston Mission, not to mention the joy.  That is where the Lord needs me and I will gladly serve.  It has been a growing experience, and I know it's nothing compared to the growth I'll experience once I'm out in the field but there it is.  I'm serving the Lord.

77 days until the MTC.