" Pres. Thomas S. Monson just announced that Young Men can serve missions at 18, and Young Women at 19." This was a text I had gotten from my dad while I was in Ceder City for a Shakespeare Competition.
I couldn't believe it, I thought my dad was pulling a joke on me. But then Everyone else started talking about it and I knew it was no joke.
I have been going to the Shakespeare Competition since 9th grade and I feel in love with SUU. I had planned on attending SUU for college. I was so excited to go again and be on the campus of MY school. The school I was going to graduate from with a degree in teaching. We got on the bus and drove the three hours to Ceder City and I kept talking about how excited I was to someday go to that school. I am sure everyone was sick of hearing about it.
We drove up to SUU and got off the bus to take a tour of the school and rehearse for the competition the following day. As I got off the bus, There wasn't that feeling of excitement or peace I had hoped for. I was confused. I had planned on going to this school. I was going to have a recruiter come and watch one of my performances so I could get a scholarship. I had everything planned. Why was I NOT EXCITED? Something was wrong, and I couldn't figure it out.
Everything wasn't working out. The recruiter wasn't answering my calls or text. I couldn't understand. The longer I was on campus the more I didn't feel like that was my school. I wanted so badly to feel this excitement and joy of going to my dream school. I was disappointed. I prayed to feel what I wanted. I just couldn't figure it out.
The next day I was competing all day. I had three rounds and each were about an hour and half long. This distracted me from my disappointment and confusion. I still was having fun and I still had planned on going to SUU. That was what I wanted. It was a good thing too, why wouldn't God be happy with that? It's not like I was doing something bad. I was going to college. I was being productive. I wanted to go to this school and I was determined to get the way I thought was best for me.
I remember the exact room I was in. I remember watching one of my class mates perform for her last round.
BUZZ, BUZZ
I looked down at my phone, a text from my dad. What could he want?
"Pres. Thomas S. Monson Just announced that Young Men can serve missions at the age of 18, and Young Women at 19."
My heart started racing.
" This is a joke! wow good one dad. way to joke about something so serious."
" Did you hear! The missionary age changed!"
WHAT!? This was true, My dad wasn't just pulling a joke on me?! I was filled with excitement. That is crazy. wow. I was over joyed. I didn't realize that was my answer until I got home.
It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I was sitting with my journal ready to take notes for the Sunday morning General Conference. Then, The choir and congregation sang Called to Serve. That's when I knew. It started in my heart, this warm gently loving feeling. It over flowed into my arms and legs, my stomach, my head. Tears came streaming to my eyes. I knew the lord wanted me to serve a mission. I knew with every fiber of my being and with every part of my soul. I couldn't deny it. I was called to serve a mission.
The years past and that feeling subsided in me. I started to question, Is this really what God wants me to do? Doubt filled my mind. I pushed back the thought of going on a mission. It became, I might go on a mission. I might.
My life was back to what I wanted. My plan was to go to school, Study Special Education. Get married. Start a family. Mission was just a sub note, not really a set plan like the rest. I turned 18 and I realized I could be going on a mission by my next birthday. I had to make that decision this year. I could start my papers in December and than leave the next may, right after I turned 19. This was becoming a reality. I had to decide fast.
I don't remember the day or where I was but I just know I felt peace about going on a mission. That feeling I had that Sunday morning came back. I'm reassured that God wants me to go on a mission. Even now as I write this, That feeling comes back and it brings tears to my eyes. I know even more now that I will serve a mission. Yeah, IT'S SCARY. I don't feel prepared. There is always someone who could do a better job. But than again, No one can do it the way I can. And that's the way God wants it done. My way. He wants ME. I am good enough to serve a mission. I am SO not perfect. But God wants ME, My imperfect self, Gabby, To serve him. To spread His love and light with those who need it most. I know it will be hard. But I want to share the love I have for this gospel. I am a Daughter of God and I want other Daughters and Sons to know for them selves they are Children of Heavenly Father Who loves them and wants to them to return to Him. I can't wait to bring that joy to those people.
So what is my plan now you may ask? I start School on the 25th of August, Studying Elementary Education, Start my mission papers in December. Leave sometime in the summer. Serve The lord for 18 months, watch the lives of those I teach change for the Best. Than come home, return to school and finish my degree for Elementary Education.
Marriage and Starting a family are on my list, It's just when the lord wants them to happen, they will happen.
If I have learned anything through this experience it's this, The Lord has a plan. And it's a perfect plan. He knows what I need. He knows what needs to be done to help grow my faith in him. My testimony about relying in the lord is SO MUCH STRONGER. I know that his way is the only way to true happiness, true peace, and Eternal Life. I can't wait to see what my life has in store for me. I can't wait for my faith to be tested again, because I know it will only grow stronger. God loves me and I love him. I can become perfect through him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ AMEN!
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