I have had many opportunities to contemplate the reasons that I want to serve a mission. I've also watched many friends leave on their missions. They are literally all over the world. From the Philippines to Germany and Canada, England and South America. They also range from everywhere in America. Nevada, Florida, California, Illinois, Virginia, Oregon, and soon to be Arizona. In less than a year I have watched over 10 of my friends, maybe even more, and even more classmates leave on their missions. It is one of the most amazing experiences to watch all these people that I look up to, make the decision to serve the Lord for 18 and 24 months. This decision will bless them for eternity.
As I have watched these people leave on their missions, I have had the chance to ponder why I want to serve a mission. This decision was greatly influenced by the announcement of the mission age change. Before the age change I was not sure if I would be able to serve a mission because so much can happen between the age of 17 and 18 for graduating high school and the age that Young Women were allowed to serve of 21. That Saturday morning session of General Conference completely changed my life.
That Friday I was asked if I would like to help my friend Sam and his family make apple sauce that Saturday. I was happy to help because it meant that I wouldn't have to miss conference, where if I had gone with my parents to a marching band competition I would have missed it. As I sat at my friends table waiting to start the apple sauce making process, we watched the opening of that conference and I was not prepared for the announcement that was to take place. I watched as the following announcement was made:
As I watched the announcement of the age change for Young Men, I was thinking how lucky and happy my friend was because he would be able to serve earlier than expected. I looked at his mom and say how happy she was. I thought, "That is so incredible that the age for young men has changed. It would be awesome if they changed the age for young women as well." As they announced the age change for young women, my mouth hung open in shock and I had tears coming to my eyes. My prayers and wishes had been answered by that one announcement. My friends mom looked at me and asked me if I was 19 but I wouldn't be 19 until the following July. I called my dad and told him what had just been announced and he asked me if that that was what I wanted to do. My answer was a solid and undeniable "YES".
This announcement has changed my life. After that one moment, I knew what my goal was and I have had my eyes set on that one goal since. I started my mission papers at the end of December 2012. I turned my papers in on March 29, 2013. I received my call on April 18, 2013. I have been called to the Colorado Denver South Mission reporting July 31st.
That one moment changed my life. I am on the path to receiving the eternal blessings that come from serving a mission and serving the Lord. Once I leave for the Provo MTC, the next 18 months will be the hardest and most amazing and best 18 months of my life. I look forward to those 18 months.
The work of the Lord is moving forward in great and tremendous leaps. The Lord's children know what they have been asked to do and they are responding with a great shout and diligence. The Army of the Lord is strong and is growing in great and strong numbers. As we, as young women, prepare to serve the Lord, the Lord will help us put on the Armour of God. He will protect us as we do His will.
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.
The Armour of God is strong and will never fail.
