Before last summer, I had never really thought about going on a mission.
With the mission age change, it seemed that suddenly every girl and their dog was going on a
mission. I was feeling pressured. I interned at a Physical Therapy clinic, and
a patient even said something to the effect of, “You’re Mormon, right? Well,
with the new age change, there’s no excuse for you NOT to go on a mission now!”
I was astonished. This random lady didn't have ANY say on whether I was going
on a mission or not. I make my own freaking decisions. Besides this, I was busy with
school and life, and putting my life on hold for 18 months just didn't seem
that appealing. Of course, this isn't a
bad thing. Girls are not required to serve
missions. I was still living righteously, but I don’t know how much I
was looking toward God and putting my
faith in Him. My want for independence may have made me even a little bit
prideful. But, as I said before, God always provides a way.
For me, it started with
special needs mutual. I had the opportunity to serve with many other youth once a week with kids with special needs. I was
assigned a buddy, Hallie, who I grew to
love very much. Just being with her
sweet spirit gave me opportunities to
feel God’s love, and feel God’s love for her. I was also on the Youth Council in the stake. It was our job to plan Youth
Conference. Through this experience, my heart and mind were again opened up to
opportunities where the spirit could reach through to me. I was stubborn. I denied the promptings
again. But God always provides a
way. I was able to attend many farewells
the summer after my senior year, and
watch my friends change for the better
as they prepared to serve missions. Suddenly, some of my close girl friends (who had never even really thought about serving missions before) decided to serve and were preparing as well. I saw them change for the better as they prepared to serve. I saw a joy and happiness in them
that I wanted to have. Then, soon after
a trip to temple square to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform which ended up being an awesome
and spiritual experience, my friend Kelsey opened her mission call. As she read her call, the spirit was so strong.
My heart had no choice but to open up to the Lord, where the Holy Ghost
promptly yelled at me (well, maybe not yell... but if the Spirit could yell he
totally did) “YOU NEED TO SERVE A MISSION”. I jumped and looked around, searching for the person who had screamed at me, but no one was yelling. That's when I realized it was the Holy Ghost. I felt such joy and happiness. I
realized that, like Alma, I wanted everyone to “taste of the exceeding joy that
I did taste” during this wonderful moment of realization.
Christ atoned for my
sins so I could have the opportunity to repent and live
with Him again. How could I NOT
share this amazing knowledge I have with everyone who doesn’t realize this? I
owe everything to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How could I not volunteer
to be a tool for the Spirit to bring the
brothers and sisters of Mexico home to my loving Father in Heaven and Savior?
Although it took a lot of prompting, I had a mighty change
of heart so I can now look
forward in faith, and share this message
with the people of Tuxtla Gutierrez Mexico. On July, 20th, 2013, I made a decision to serve a full time mission for the church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Through the amazing examples and support of
my friends and family, and the power of the atonement and repentance, I
have stuck with my decision, and leave
for the Missionary Training Center in
Provo on August 6th.
