Mission prep

Well today was my last day in mission prep at the institute for my university.  For those who aren't Mormon, the church builds institutes.  They are buildings where students can go study, play games, and attend different classes that teach specific doctrines, principles and lessons of the church.  The buildings are filled with beautiful paintings of Christ, Prophets and events from the scriptures.  The institute building at my university is also used as a church building.  There is a big tiled room used as a basketball court, dance hall and where students can gather for lunches, concerts, talent shows, blood drives and other major events.  Sometimes the institute will hold dances the same nights as the university.  This is really nice because campus dances don't always uphold the standards of the church.  Institute dances provide an opportunity for YSA's (young single adults) to have a dance and get to know more people while having good clean fun.  The most wonderful thing about institute is that anyone is welcome, the teachers are outstanding, and it is the only place besides the temple, church and my bedroom, where I can feel the spirit.

So, my institute offers a missionary preparation class.  Because I am going on a mission, I knew it would be vital for me to attend this class.  What a blessing it has been to be able to gather once a week, for an hour and a half and feel a renewed determination to serve a mission.  It is inspiring because our class had about 60 students with about 95% of us preparing to serve missions.  Each week we would recite Doctrine and Covenants Section 4.  Students would announce when they got their calls and where they would be serving.  Our teacher told us inspiring stories from his own mission.  I made wonderful new friends and grew closer to one of my very good friends.  She will serve her mission soon and it has been wonderful to be able to talk about serving a mission with her.  This class has given me an opportunity to be able to get away from the noise, clamor, confusion and pressures of the university life and just be able to focus on this very long term goal I've had since October.

In October 2012, President and Prophet of the church, Thomas S. Monson announced that girls could serve a mission at age 19.  I made the decision to go right then and there.  I had already saved up money for what I thought would be my study abroad trip this summer.  I'll still go on that study abroad; just after I get home from my mission.  As soon as I began to study the scriptures and Preach my Gospel daily, my problems and trials either went away, I found strength to bear them, or I found solutions to them.  It is still a long journey of preparation.  There are times when I feel discouraged, afraid, unworthy, impatient and confused.  Whenever I feel that way, I try to remember how it felt when I decided I was going to go.  The feelings of peace, happiness and joy that entered my heart at that time were indescribable.  As of right now, I have to get my wisdom teeth out and then my papers will go in.  I'll also post where I will be serving. 

This class has blessed my life throughout the semester.  My mission has blessed my life since I decided to go, and I know it will bless my the rest of my life after I return.  Again, these are little ways that the gospel has blessed my life.

Lastly, to anyone who is considering going on a mission, I say GO!!!!  GO AND SERVE THE LORD!!!  Don't look back.  A mission will bless your life.  It is worth sacrificing the time, money, employment, relationships and yes, even your family for a brief time to serve our Heavenly Father. These blessings will be returned to you in greater amounts than you can imagine.