With a week until my mission, I thought I would share how this whole journey came to be (and you'll get a sample of my farewell talk as well)....
I was in Cedar City
for a race with some of the Utah State cross country team whom I was running
with at that time. My family along with
my grandparents and my aunt came to cheer me on in my first ever collegiate
race. After the race we were going to
proceed on to St. George to stay at my grandparents’ house for the weekend to
watch conference. How could I know that
Saturday morning session was going to change my life forever? President Monson wasted no time in his
opening comments that morning. He
announced 139 operating temples, with 27 more announced or under construction
and then proceeded to announce 2 more temples.
He then announced that worthy young men now had the option of serving a
mission at age 18 instead of 19. I
thought to myself: “Wow, that is so amazing!
What a cool surprise!” But what
happened next, I never could have foreseen.
He said: “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.” The smile I had on my face
after the announcement was made for the boys, turned to tears. This shocked my family, as I had made it
clear in the past that I would not be serving a mission until I was married
with gray hair and grandkids. I had
never even considered serving a mission as a young person! I was finally at the college I wanted to
attend, running on a collegiate level, and had just applied to several Nursing
schools! So why was I having this
overwhelming feeling that President Monson’s announcement was directed
specifically to me? Let me tell you, I
am a very stubborn person. When I set my
mind to something, I do not give in. But
the Spirit is very stubborn as well and won’t stop until we do what we’re meant
to do. The feeling I was having was like during testimony meeting when people
stand up and say they didn’t want to get up but the Spirit made them, only
times that by infinity! For two days I
fought with the Spirit, trying to deny the unmistakable confirmation that
serving a mission was what I was supposed to be doing at this point in my
life. Finally, on Sunday afternoon, I
received a priesthood blessing from my dad and my grandpa that I would have
clarity and peace when I had made the right decision. After the blessing I got on my knees and
literally cried to the Lord that I had made the decision to go, but I wanted Him
to stop me if it was wrong. I had this
sudden peace come over me and my heart finally stopped pounding. I sat there in silence for a moment, opened
my eyes and looked up at the ceiling, and said: “Ok, you win! I’ll go!”
I testify to you that when God gives you an answer, you shouldn't ask
again. If it was right initially, it is
right now and will always be right. He
does not do anything to confuse us or throw us off. Yes, we may have a plan for our lives, but
His plan is the only one that matters. The day I decided to serve a mission, I
learned that as Christ’s witness, I need to have complete trust and faith that
He knows us better than we know ourselves, and it is our duty to show the
confidence we have in Him to the world.
