A Mission.... Seriously??

Hey guys! First off, I want to thank all those who has been reading my blogs. It has honestly helped me so much with actually writing down all I've gone through, and it was scary to share it. But you all made it easier and has helped me through it <3

Let me tell ya, I DID NOT want to go on a mission. I thought the rules were crazy and I didn't think I'd be a good missionary. I was also already 20 years old by this time, and girls can go when they turn 19. And honestly, I thought members who grew up in the church went on missions, not young converts! Another excuse I had was when I was 19 I got myself braces, and I was supposed to have them on for 2 years and by that time I'd be 21 years old. I thought at least by 21 I'd be close to getting married, so there would not be time for a mission.

I had a plan; I was working and saving up for cosmetology school. I wanted to get my own apartment. Get married and start a family. A mission was not something I envisioned. I did find myself thinking about it a lot and having random bursts of "Man, that'd be cool to serve" , but then I would crush that thought with fear and by making myself believe that I would be the worst missionary since I don't "know everything".

One Sunday my Bishop randomly called me in his office to see how I was doing and asked what my future plans were. I proudly told him my plan! To be an awesome cosmetologist, and get married! He started to tear up a little after I expressed my excitement of what I thought my future held. I paused.. I was so confused on to why he was crying? He then went on to tell me that he felt strongly impressed to tell me that I needed to go on a mission. I was shocked! I tried so hard to convince him on why I shouldn't: There's no way!I'm on my own, with no family support so there was no way I could pay for my mission by myself. I had only had my braces on for a year and I had another year to go. By that time, I'd be 21 and I didn't want to be that old to serve. I wanted to finally start my dream job. I seriously tried everything. I came up with the lamest excuses!

He then expressed that it was not his intention to call me in his office to tell me I needed to serve, he really just wanted to see how I was doing. So it was obviously the spirit. He told me not to worry about money, and to call and ask my orthodontist if I could get my braces off sooner. When I left, I knew deep down that I needed to serve, but I was so scared. I thought to myself, "If I can actually get my braces off sooner, then I'll go". I was able to get in with my orthodontist that week, and asked him if it were at all possible to get them off sooner. And, to my surprise, he checked my teeth and told me that my teeth had surprisingly moved fast and that I could get my braces off in two weeks!! I was so blown away!! When I left, I instantly started to cry, but it was a happy cry! I was actually super excited! I was still scared, but I knew that's what I needed to do. So, I called my bishop and told him the crazy exciting news, and I started my mission papers!

Everything went by super fast. I was able to submit my papers a few weeks later. Then just 2 weeks later, I received my mission call! I got called to serve in The Iowa Des Moines Mission, and I needed to report in a month! Normally you have about 3 months until you leave, but I only had a month!! That made me really nervous, but I got more and more excited as time went by.

It was really hard, though, since I was on my own. I paid my own bills and I had lots of payments to pay off before I left, so that was very stressful. I didn't think it would be possible to pay off everything especially since I only had a month. But, I had faith that somehow Heavenly Father would provide and everything would work out. And it did!! I was able to pay off everything and get the things I needed for my mission. What a blessing!

I learned many things with this experience. The first thing was that when you receive a spiritual prompting from God then you should try really hard not to question it, and know that everything will be okay because the Lord will provide whatever you need if you follow Him. Second, I learned that when it's really hard to have so much faith in a decision that you know is going to be so hard to do, JUST DO IT. I did not think it were possible to pay my bills, and to set aside 18 months of my life to be a full time missionary. That was the scariest decision for me. But it was one of the best, because it changed my life. I will forever cherish my mission. I learned so much, and it helped me grow closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ.

I am so grateful for my mission, and for all the people I met, and taught. Missions are hard, but the best since you're serving the Lord. And because of that He will give you the strength you need to get up each day and try your hardest to talk to everyone you see about The Gospel. It's exciting! The Gospel has changed and blessed my life, why wouldn't I want to go and share it with as many people as I can?

Thanks for reading! I have had many moments in my mission where it helped me understand the atonement and help me forgive my family. I will share next week about those experiences. The Gospel is true everybody!

Love,

Anjellica xoxox