Preach of Christ

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)

In mere months I will be a missionary with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I will be serving wherever the Lord wants me to serve, and I know he will send me somewhere I will be the best missionary I can be. I know God has a plan for me and He loves me. He loves me so much He sent his Only Begotten son to suffer for my sins and weaknesses, die, and live again all for me. He lives so that I may also live. I talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, and prophesy of Christ that He will come again, and in His grace we are made whole. I bare testimony that God has not left us, and that it is our job as missionaries (or at least soon to be ones) to flood the earth with this knowledge. The Holy Ghost will guide you if you let it. I leave these things with you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mission Papers are In!

So after what seems to be a very long time that was squeezed into some very short days, I finally submitted my mission papers with my bishop. YAAAAAY!!! Haha. My to-do list for last week was quite extensive and I'm rather proud of it. With three pages of many things to do, discuss, complete, and pray about I am happy to say all of it is finished. 

Now I have a new two page list to get done this week. Yay. -_-  . I hope and pray that there is nothing wrong with my papers and I get my call very soon. 

I know my Father lives and love me. I know my Savior died for me. I know He suffered for my sins. I know that He lives again all so that I may also. I know that through Him all things are possible. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Update: my stake president got everything straightened out on his end and everything was submitted on Sunday. I should have my call in the next couple of weeks. He called while he he pushed the submit button and I was jumping up and down and squealing with joy. 

You are Always in the Mission Field

Today I was running an errand when I came across this sign:

 

It reads, "You are now entering the mission field." This does not belong to my church, but I found that it struck me more than it should have. In my angst in preparation for serving a mission, thinking about places I'd love to serve, cute fun clothes and shoes to wear, I've somewhat forgotten something: where you serve does not matter, what matters is how you serve. Being a missionary will be an amazing experience whether I serve in Austria or Oklahoma. (Although Austria would definitely warrant some dancing and singing on some green hills).

It also makes me think of the fact that the moment you leave church, you are entering the mission field. There is someone out there who has questions that need answers, someone who need love, someone who needs a friend like you to introduce them to the gospel. Maybe it's an inactive member, maybe it's a nonmember, maybe it's an active member who needs some service. There is someone who needs you and perhaps your testimony can rekindle their flame of faith. 

I bear my testimony to you that I know that God directs his apostles to send the missionaries wherever they need to go, and wherever they are needed. I know that missionary work is important. I know that Christ lives. I leave these things with y'all in the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

I am my brother's brother

"I may not be my brother’s keeper, I am my brother’s brother, and 'because I have been given much, I too must give.' " Jeffrey R. Holland

This is taken from a talk about service and caring for the less fortunate, but when I first read this quote it brought me back to something I was thinking about a while ago, "why do I want to serve a mission?" And automatically this thought came to mind, "The happiness I have I can't keep to myself. I want to share it with those I love, and I genuinely love my friends." The happiness I get from the gospel, knowing my Savior, and His plan for me brings me to want to share it. I love my friends. I love YOU. I testify that this happiness can be YOURS. :) in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen. 

Best 19th birthday present

Serving a mission will benefit any young man or young woman who decides to serve for forever, and their families, converts, and the people they just barely even talk to because some people don't always join the church the first go around. There are eternal blessings to serving a mission, and those blessings only come through serving a mission. "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God... And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" (D&C 18:10,15-16) God loves each and every one of us, and when we bring someone to the gospel we have joy, and if we bring several people to the gospel our joy will multiply a million times over. We don't serve missions just because we are supposed to, we serve because we love our fellow man and want them to share the joy in living the gospel just as we do. That's why it's called "serving a mission", that's all we do on missions, serve.

I felt the call one year and 20ish months ago (almost two years) when I heard the prophet announce the age change and I knew I had to serve a mission. Believe me, a mission, up until that day, was not in my plans in the least. I was planning to go straight into college and not look back. But I knew I had to serve a mission. I had a warm feeling in my heart and I felt something say that I am going to serve a mission. It was wonderful and shocking, haha. And then when I went with the sister missionaries, all by myself, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am going to serve a mission, and I will love it because I love people and I love my Savior. I want other people to have the same joy I have in His light and His atonement.

This confirmation became even clearer when I went to someone's house who was taking the lessons, and her mom told her, while the sisters and I were there, that she could just keep going to her church. She said, "No mom, I don't want to go to your church, I want to go this church." Her mom asked why. She said, "It feels right. Every time I go to church with them I feel this warm feeling that just tells me that it's the right place to be." I saw it click in her eyes, and it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw.

I can't wait to serve a mission. I look forward to it more than Christmas, my birthday, even attending SVU. It will be such a grand adventure! A mission is so important to me and I know I will do my best and I will try and please The Lord. I bear my testimony on the power of the Holy Ghost and it is the only power that converts people. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.