mission papers

I'm pleased to announce that I officially started my mission papers last Sunday. I'm a little more than half way through them and I seriously have butterflies in my stomach. I am so excited. This is probably THE best decision I have ever made. It takes a lot of fasting, prayer, and it's a huge decision to make if the Lord tells you that it's right.

I have my dentist evaluation on Tuesday and my doctor physical on Wednesday. I am hoping to finish up my papers by Thursday night! I can't contain the happiness I feel right now, knowing I'm so close. But, I will have to wait a month because I won't have my Stake president interview until March 26th.

The good news is that we actually moved my availability up to July 25th which is the day after my spring semester up at BYU-Idaho ends (I will be graduating with my Associates). But we are hoping I won't be called until August or early September. But that way I will be able to put my papers in sooner and I will receive my call just before I go back to school. That way I can be with my friends and family when I open it in the comfort of my home instead of by myself in front of a computer screen up in Idaho.

Can March 27th come any faster??

the power a father possesses

You never know just how hard Satan works until you decide to go on a mission. I decided to go long before my parents really accepted the fact that their baby girl was serious about going and that they were going to have to let go of their daughter for eighteen months.

Satan knew the same time I did and he has been working way too hard, no days off and no breaks. Somehow life just gradually gets harder and you can't seem to figure out why. But, about a week or so ago, I broke down sobbing. I had no idea why. Life just felt like it had become to hard to bare and I felt so confused. I sat on my floor for about half an hour before I felt like I needed to email my Dad, who was on a business trip in Europe at the time.

Tearfully, I typed up a short message about how I didn't know what was going on other than I felt like I needed a Father's Blessing. I couldn't, and still can't, really explain why I needed it other than I felt like I needed some guidance, or comfort, or just possibly a shoulder to lean on and a pinch of clarity.

I can't tell you how relieved I was when I woke the next morning to an email response from him telling me that as soon as he was back, he would love to give me a blessing. Getting to the day when I could have the blessing was tough though. The Devil tried with all his might and it terrified me just how badly he wanted me to fail. But I couldn't let him win. Not now. Not ever.

Finally my dad was free to give me a blessing and like I said, I had no idea how to explain why I needed the blessing but I tried to explain as best I could.

I'm thankful for my father. He is the most caring, patient, understanding, and humble man that I have ever come to know in my entire life. He listening to me and although I could see the confusion in his eyes of what he needed to bless me with exactly, he walked up to me, put his hands on my head and started to pray.

I only remember tidbits about the blessing but I do know that the Holy Spirit was there, manifesting it's power to me-- I wasn't alone, I never had been. Of course, this made me cry, but I knew, I know, that the Lord is here to protect me. I feel stronger, more at peace, I am happy again. I now have realized that even if I still have hard days, that my happy place is when I rely on my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you so much Dad for being worthy to give me a blessing when I needed it. I always know I can count on both you, as my earthly father, and my Heavenly Father through the rough times that will come my way.

I know for a surety that I am supposed to be going on a mission. There are people out there that are waiting to hear the Gospel that only I can reach. Man, I wish I could go now! But the Lord will take care of everything, I know that to be true!

start your spiritual engines...

Today I finally met with the bishop for my first interview! I've officially been recommended to serve a mission!! I can't believe it! I'm going to be a missionary.

There is so much to do and still so much to prepare for but it's actually happening. I couldn't be happier!

the start of a spiritual journey

"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will—or should—serve at this earlier age. Rather, based on individual circumstances as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available.

As we have prayerfully pondered the age at which young men may begin their missionary service, we have also given consideration to the age at which a young woman might serve. Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21." --Thomas S. Monson


It took me all about 5 seconds after hearing the age change announcement to decide in my heart that I was going on a mission but I knew I wasn't quite ready and my parents weren't going to be ready to let me go either.

That was in October 2012.

It's February 2013.

My parents have finally accepted that they can let me go.

I have started the process of putting my Mission Papers in but I won't put them in until April 1st. That's no joke. I know bad timing, but that way I can put my availability as August 1st!! Yay!

I'm too excited but I thought that I could tell you all about my preparation, my mission letters home, and being back as a returned missionary all through this blog. Hopefully you get as much out of this journey/adventure as I do!

Here is to spreading the Gospel!!