I Hope They Call Me on a Mission.

I can remember the day I decided I wanted to go on a mission. It was a Sunday and I had just finished reading the special edition of the New Era magazine all about missionaries. I remember being so impressed and touched by the stories and experiences each missionary had. I remember the sweet spirit I felt as I read and the strong desire I had to keep that spirit with me always. In that moment, I knew I was going to go on a mission - there was no doubt in my 13 year-old mind that it was the right thing for me to do.

6 years later, I have a mission call. It wasn't smooth sailing the past 6 years and there were times when a mission wasn't even on my radar, but now, the time is here and I'm going! My call came late (with my luck, it's not a surprise this happened), but thanks to my sweet bishop and stake president my sister, Alicia, was able to walk into church headquarters and pick up the call herself. Seeing the call in person brought the craziest mix of emotions. I was excited to see it, relieved that it had arrived, nervous and anxious to open it, but calm all at the same time. The calmness wore off, which I'm sure my family will attest to, the second I decided to open it.

It was Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in the Salt Lake City Sheraton. I was surrounded by friends and family who love me and who were just as excited as I was for me to take this step in my life. My mom, both of my sisters, and the McNeil's, who had surprised me earlier that morning at brunch, were all there. We called my dad in and my best friend, Kim, and we opened it together.

"Dear Sister Janes, you have been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You have been assigned to labor in the California, Arcadia mission. You should report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on July 9, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language."

What an amazing day. What an amazing thing  the Gospel is and what an amazing opportunity  to share it with the people of Arcadia. I know some days will be hard, I know I may not find success in the way that some people believe I should, but I have never been more excited to do something in my entire life. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and I cannot wait to share it and its glorious message with everyone I come across. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord, to teach others about His love and His glorious atonement. What a dream come true for me to finally be going on a mission! What a blessing!!

Em.