My Mission- Why? Where? How?

{why}

Short answer: I know it is what my Heavenly Father wants me to do.

Long answer: 

November 2013.... My roommate was about to leave on her mission in a month. My other roommate had just decided to serve a mission. I was still in the "it's not right for me" stage. "Everyone else is doing it; if I go, I'll be going for the wrong reasons." But for whatever reason, it wouldn't leave my mind. Then I found out I was accepted into BYU's Nursing Program, starting in January. Perfect. My lifelong dream fulfilled. Obviously I wasn't meant to go on a mission.

December 2013.... Despite the nursing program excitement, something still felt missing. I was frustrated. Life should have been going great! But I just didn't feel.... content. The nagging thought of a mission would not go away. I decided to double duty everything- when I went home for Christmas break and got all my dr's appointments and immunizations done for the nursing program, I would get them all done for my mission too. Just in case I decided to go. That eased my mind for a few weeks.

Christmas Break, 2013.... I have superb thought-blocking skills. I had the most amazing Christmas break of my life, and didn't think once about a mission.

Early January, 2014.... New semester. New start. Something still felt missing. 

Mid January, 2014..... Frustration. Tears. Prayers. Why am I not happy, if this is what I've always wanted and dreamed?

Late January, 2014.... Driving home from visiting family in Spanish Fork. Started to cry (a common thing of late). And then the most random, piercing, yet small, thought:

"You are going on a mission."

Looking back, I can see the signs. I know Heavenly Father was preparing me for this call. He knows me better than I know myself, and I am so SO grateful for that.

It's all about the SMALL and SIMPLE things, people. Small and simple.

{where}

I was TERRIFIED to open my mission call. I didn't want to go stateside. I wanted an exotic, foreign, adventure. But I knew my heart wasn't in the right place, so I prayed- hard- to be able to accept my call, wherever it happened to be.

Well, Heavenly Father knew what I wanted, but in his mercy he gave me what HE wanted. And I know it is the better way.

When I opened my call I knew, without a doubt, that the Nebraska Omaha mission, including the Winter Quarters Mormon Trail visitor's center, is where I am supposed to serve.

It wasn't where I would have picked for myself, but you can't deny the Spirit! And over the months I have grown to love my mission and the people there, even before I've left.

To read the full story of when I opened my mission call, go here!

To read more about Winter Quarters and the amazing things that happened there, go here.

{how}

(first off, play this song. it's awesome)

So missionary work is hard. You are completely dedicating your life to the Lord for 18 (or 24 if you're a dude) months, sacrificing ALL personal cares and concerns. It's scary, terrifying, and a little overwhelming.

Thank goodness we know who's in charge (Heavenly Father, in case you didn't know). He has put forth a wonderful program, to help gather his children, because he loves all of us and wants us all to receive the most joy possible.

To learn more about missionary work for the church and how we do it, go here.

As for me, I plan on doing my missionary work by staying close to my Savior. I know that if I do, He will lead me to those searching for truth, inspire me as to how I can help them, and strengthen me when times get hard. It's impossible to do it without Him.

After all, it is His work, and He knows what he's doing.

One of my favorite scriptures says:

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad... for the prisoners shall go free."
(D&C 128:22)

I know this is true.

I am SO excited to serve a mission.

Amen.