K, so this is a little bit of a follow up post to "Ah!! We're all growing up!!" because at that time, I had one friend engaged, and it hadn't really hit me that the people I've known and grown up with were really growing up. I mean, I did, but the things mostly on my mind were friends leaving on missions. I currently have 4 missionaries I'm writing frequently, a list of 5 awaiting letters, and many who have received calls that asked me to write. Yeah, sure it's weird to have a friend engaged, but at that point I was focused on how weird it was (and is) that all my guy friends are on or leaving on missions... Which made me feel really old... But no that I have 2 friends married, and one engaged to be married on April 26, I feel OLD!!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing to have friends married and engaged, it's just such a weird feeling for me... I mean, I'm one who was told all growing up that I'd be married right out of high school like my mom.
Ok, storytime: my mom graduated high school a semester early. She then moved from CA to UT to attend BYU (any surprise there ;) --Love ya mom! :D ). She attended Spring and Summer semesters, and met my dad during Summer Semester (any guesses where?) in their Ballroom 200ish class. (yup, stereotypical BYU meeting ;) ). They dated (haha, most of their first dates being "homework") most of that semester, and were engaged in August. They were engaged for Fall Semester and married in January (01/02).... My mom was barely 18 when they were engaged... Yeah, I was born a year later (for any who are too brain fried to do the math (like me) that's 19 1/2 when I was born)!!!!! K, after being told all your life that you'd follow that example, wouldn't being 19, unmarried, with married friends make you feel old too?
It's a very weird feeling. Even though I've always said I want to serve a mission (and ps: in case you haven't read some of my other posts, I still do... I"m just failing at the mission schedule), my mom wanted to serve a mission all her life too.... (look how well that worked out for her...) So I think I've always had in the back of my mind that that's just wishful thinking. To really be headed in the direction of actually serving a mission is FANTASTIC!!! But strange.
I absolutely LOVE having missionaries to write and friends making this wonderful step in life, I just feel really old. Haha, I can only imagine how much of an old maid I'm going to feel like at my farewell.
I love the Gospel and know the Church is true. I'm so grateful for this knowledge and the ability to share it with other. I hope that as each of you are contemplating serving missions, you will seriously consider the joy that you will bring to others, and the importance of helping those souls who wouldn't normally have the opportunity. And this goes to girls and guys alike. I think it is just as important for girls to serve missions as it is for guys.
Girls: even if you don't serve a full-time mission, it's important to be a member missionary in any way possible. I know I'm not the greatest example of this, but as I've been writing my missionaries, I've been asking for advice on how to prepare for my mission... yeah, I get the answers we all know and hear: study my scriptures, learn to know and love the Gospel, read and learn Preach My Gospel, pray daily, ect--you know the basic "Seminary/Sunday School" answers (which are great! Don't get me wrong, they really do work.)... but one friend said to me, that the best way to prepare for a mission is to be a missionary now. He went on to explain that learning to love sharing the Gospel BEFORE he hit the MTC was something he really wished he'd done, and something he encouraged me to do too. So even if you don't end up serving a full-time mission, don't be afraid to share the Gospel you know to be true.
Guys: SERVE A MISSION!!!!!!! I don't care what reason you may have to consider not serving. I have heard way too many excuses of why a mission may not be the right thing for individual guys. Well, you know what... All reasons I've heard thus far are SELFISH! You better serve a mission, or so help me.... Anyway that's my SOAP box... But in all seriousness, not only is it a commandment that all worthy Priesthood holders serve a mission, but for some of those people you're called to serve, you may be their only chance at the Gospel until the Millennium. Please don't let even that one person down.
Thank you for always being such diligent friends and for always showing me how much you care for me. I have learned so much from each of you, and I know that my life wouldn't be the same without the opportunity to meet each and every one of you. I truly do know that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. He suffered for the pains, afflictions and sins of each and everyone of us. He was nailed to a cross between 2 thieves and left alone to feel everything we have. I know that through faith on Him and His Atonement, I truly can be forgiven of my sins. And one day, I will be worthy to return to be an Heiress to the Kingdom of God. I know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, and that he the Prophet of this Dispensation. Through the simple prayer of young, 14-yr old, Joseph, this Gospel was Restored to the earth. Without his prayer, and faith that it would be answered, I would still be in the dark, searching for the truth that I currently have. I know that through the Power of God, Joseph Smith was able to translate the Book of Mormon, which Book is the only completely true book currently on the earth. I know that President Thomas Spencer Monson is the current prophet of the Church, and that he receives revelation to guide us through this life. I'm grateful for that knowledge and guidance. I know that the First Presidency, 12 Apostles and all other local and General Authorities are each, individually, called of God and set apart to lead us in this day. I'm thankful for my family and friends who love me so much, and I wish you all the best in this life. I know these words which I have spoken are true, and I leave them with you in the name of the Son, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
