It's been practically a coon's age since I posted on here. Oopsies. Can I just tell you that so much has changed since June? Let's make a list.
July: Broke up with the boy. For good. He's gonzo.
August: Recieved my Patriarchal Blessing,(Holla for amazing spiritual experiences!) and moved back to Logan.
September: Struggled through school while juggling a boy (new, but just as stupid) and a horrible roommate.
October: Still struggling through school, but no more boy.. Conference came around, and the announcment was made that the age for missionaries had change. I was in the drive through at work. A close friend had texted me and said "You can go now!" He's a returned missionary and very excited about anything mission related. I had no idea what he was talking about until I heard the Prophet announce it himself.
I can go on a mission.
Right now.
I'm 19.
Say what?
I never wanted to go on a mission (minus that stage around 8 years old when you think you are going to go on a mission and then become president). My Patriarchal blessing doesn't say anything about going on a mission.
What if I went?
I texted my mom and my two best friends.
Everyone was on board.
What am I thinking?
That week I talked to my bishop. I explained that I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn't sure which major to choose, I had one semester left on my scholarship that I didn't want to waste.. I wasn't dating anyone.. my life had gotten back on track RIGHT before the announcement. Seriously. 2 months is cutting it pretty close, Car. Financially, my parents were in a position to pay for the majority of my mission. The bishop told me that he wasn't going to tell me yes or no, but he did feel like things were lining up in my life to go. He said that no one was going to tell me not to go, and I would never regret it.
So I went to the doctor. I started the paper work. I prayed. A LOT. I spent time at the temple and talking with my family and close friends about it. Everyone agreed that it would be good.
November: I submitted my paperwork to the bishop. I was hoping to have my call by Thanksgiving. I met with my Stake President. I was terrified, about everything. What if they called me to some foreign place? What if I hated it? What was I going to do if I got sent to Boise?
He asked me to tell him about my life, so I did. I talked about a lot of things and I left the appointment feeling so uneasy. We had planned to submit my paperwork the following Sunday.. But he called me the very next morning. He said that as he was going through my papers to submit them, he had a feeling that he needed to slow down. Not that I wasn't ready, but that we just needed to take things slower.
He called me back into his office. We talked some more about my life and some decisions I'd made. We decided, together, that it was going to be best to wait a while to put my papers in. I had bittersweet feelings, but they were mostly good. I felt better about waiting. He told me that he wanted to make sure that I was 100% worthy and ready to go, because if not, the Adversary would use that 1% to bring me home.
December: I put my papers in. Officially submitted them. I felt 100% ready and 100% ready to accept wherever the Lord would call me. I was hoping to have my call by Christmas, but no luck.
January: I got my call on the Ninth of December. I have been called to the New York, New York north mission, English Speaking. I enter the MTC on my 20th birthday, May 15.
Life is crazy, but it's also amazing. It's amazing what the Lord can do for you if you will put your trust and your life in His hands. I've grown so much already, just preparing for this amazing experience.
I wrote this mostly for me. But Kudos to the three of you who will actually read it. :) I've considered keeping this up throughout my mission, but we'll see!
Love,
Car
