5:53 PM
Before:
I thought I would do something a little different. Since I was planning on doing a post about my mission call to help share with my loved ones an friends why I am going, I thought it might be cool to write part before I open my call, and after. Here it goes.
I believe it was Junior Year of High school, we were sent some wonderful sister missionaries in our Wenatchee area. Natalie told me that she had gone out with them a couple times, and what a great experience it was. I decided I wanted to get in on it, and called them. While I was out at discussions or doing church tours with them, I felt prompted that this was something I should do.
Now fast forward to the beginning of this year. I started my BYU experience at a camp called Foundations of Leadership. It was a great way to jump in. At the camp I met lots of great people, and learned a lot about what I could and wanted to get out of my college experience. More importantly though, I kept wondering what in the world I was supposed to be doing. I know a general direction of what I want to major in, but not specifics. What classes am I supposed to take? What clubs should I be involved in? Where should I work? Should I study abroad? How many credits? The questions seem endless. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a magic crystal ball that will tell me all the answers to life. Fortunately however, I know I have a loving Heavenly Father who knows exactly what he has planned for me, so I prayed to him. I prayed to know his will for me. I felt comforted, but I didn't get the answer I was looking for. So I kept praying, almost every night. I felt like there was something I needed to be doing, I just couldn't pin point what it was. The week before general conference, I fasted and prayed that I would find my answer, whatever it was, from those words that would be said. I wanted to be open and ready for the answer.
Ha. I couldn't have missed that answer if I tried!
The first thing they announced that conference was the change in the age of Missionaries. Boys could now go at 18 instead of 19, and girls could go at 19 instead of 21....that was my answer! I thought I would have to wait another three years! I was shocked, and I think I scared my roommates because I started to cry right then.
Before making any final decisions, my parents strongly encouraged that I pray and really think about the big commitment of a mission. I did exactly that, and I felt an assuring peace in my heart that it was the right thing for me to do.
Since then, I have been going to school and loving every bit of that of course, but also preparing for this big event in my life.
Tonight, in approximately 2 and a half hours, I get to find out where I will be serving and when. I've had a lot of people ask me if I am excited or anxious. Truth be told, I am. For different reasons though. The exciting part isn't that I could go to some exotic land, or Pocathello Idaho (I really don't like Idaho). I already know the exciting part-that I will get to serve The Lord completely for 18 months of my life. I love this gospel, and I know that it is true. I know I am daughter of a Heavenly Father loves me, and the wonderful thing is that on my mission I can share the love that Heavenly Father has for those that I serve and teach. It won't be easy, it will probably be one of the hardest things I ever do. It will also be one of the most worth while things I do. I know that I will grow and learn so much that will help me to become more of the person that I want to be, and that my Heavenly Father wants me to be. So where ever I go, I know that my call is inspired by God through his prophets on this earth, and I know that where ever I go, is where I am supposed to be.
After:
My Mom, Dad, Derek, Landon, my best friend Devyn skyped while Grandpa waited on the phone, my roommates, Natalie, Aunt Diana, Uncle Dennis, and cousin Matthew were in the room as I read:
"Dear Sister McClune:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Alabama Birmingham Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve a period of 18 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language..."
I'm going to have one funky accent.
I am so excited though to serve the people of Alabama. I know that this is where I am needed, and where I need to be.
Love you all. Thank you for all your love and support. I am so blessed.
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