Yes, I'm one of the cliche Mormon Girls who always wanted to go on a mission.
Both of my parents served missions. My Mother's parents served 3 missions. My Great-Grandparents on my mother's side both served missions. One of my Aunts served a mission. My Uncles served missions. I have older cousins that have gone on missions. My family is full of missionaries. With all of these wonderful examples, of course i grew up wanting to go on a mission.
Problem. I grew up and learned that I couldn't go until i was 21.
As I prepared to go off to college to SVU (kind of like an East Coast BYU), everyone was betting on how long I would last before I got engaged. I was determined that this would not happen. I had to last 4 years at a school full of Mormons without getting engaged so that I could go on a mission. I was determined. There's no way I wasn't going on a mission. I had to go.
Around came October and with it came General Conference where all of the General Authorities of the LDS Church gather and speak to the members of the church. My friends and I all gathered in the lobby of The Lofts (Girl's Dorm) to watch the Saturday morning session of Conference together. We were all so excited to hear the Living Prophet and Apostles of the Lord speak to us and give us council. President Monson got up to Welcome everybody to Conference. He then announced 3 new temples. He then turned his remarks to that of missionary work.
When President Monson announced that Young Men could now serve a mission at age 18 instead of 19 after graduating High School we all were so excited for our friends. This was such a wonderful opportunity for them. We then realized that President Monson began talking again and the room became silent. I think we all knew what was coming next. When He announced that Young Women could now serve a mission at 19 instead of 21 the whole room erupted into tears. This now meant that I and many of my friends could serve within the next year. We didn't have to wait anymore. We didn't have the uncertainty of having to wait 4 years for our dreams to be realized. We could do it all; Go on a mission, get an education, and have a family.
This is a video of President Monson making the age change announcement
When everything calmed down I pulled out my Patriarchal Blessing, a blessing given to members that contains guidance and promises for us from out Heavenly Father, and read it over several times. Everything fell into place at that moment. I knew without a doubt I was going on a mission. Because of modern day revelation through a Living Prophet of the Lord I would be able to serve my Heavenly Father and do his work for 18 months of my life. I would be able to receive great blessings and experiences. I would be a Representative of Jesus Christ and share his Gospel, which I Love and Know to be True, with people and watch them feel the joy and the love it can bring into their lives. I would be able to be an example to my family and they would be blessed from my service to the Lord.
I am so grateful that I have been given the chance to Serve a mission. I started my papers In January and I am currently waiting for my call to arrive in the mail. It should be here tomorrow! I can't wait to know where the Lord has called me to go. I know that wherever I am called to I am meant to go there. "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be."
Around came October and with it came General Conference where all of the General Authorities of the LDS Church gather and speak to the members of the church. My friends and I all gathered in the lobby of The Lofts (Girl's Dorm) to watch the Saturday morning session of Conference together. We were all so excited to hear the Living Prophet and Apostles of the Lord speak to us and give us council. President Monson got up to Welcome everybody to Conference. He then announced 3 new temples. He then turned his remarks to that of missionary work.
When President Monson announced that Young Men could now serve a mission at age 18 instead of 19 after graduating High School we all were so excited for our friends. This was such a wonderful opportunity for them. We then realized that President Monson began talking again and the room became silent. I think we all knew what was coming next. When He announced that Young Women could now serve a mission at 19 instead of 21 the whole room erupted into tears. This now meant that I and many of my friends could serve within the next year. We didn't have to wait anymore. We didn't have the uncertainty of having to wait 4 years for our dreams to be realized. We could do it all; Go on a mission, get an education, and have a family.
This is a video of President Monson making the age change announcement
When everything calmed down I pulled out my Patriarchal Blessing, a blessing given to members that contains guidance and promises for us from out Heavenly Father, and read it over several times. Everything fell into place at that moment. I knew without a doubt I was going on a mission. Because of modern day revelation through a Living Prophet of the Lord I would be able to serve my Heavenly Father and do his work for 18 months of my life. I would be able to receive great blessings and experiences. I would be a Representative of Jesus Christ and share his Gospel, which I Love and Know to be True, with people and watch them feel the joy and the love it can bring into their lives. I would be able to be an example to my family and they would be blessed from my service to the Lord.
I am so grateful that I have been given the chance to Serve a mission. I started my papers In January and I am currently waiting for my call to arrive in the mail. It should be here tomorrow! I can't wait to know where the Lord has called me to go. I know that wherever I am called to I am meant to go there. "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord, I'll be what you want me to be."
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