My Call to Serve

Verily, I say unto you that ye are chosen out of the 

world to declare my gospel with the sound of a 

rejoicing, as with the voice of a trump.

Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, 

and am your advocate with the Father; and

 it is his good will to give you his kingdom.

And, as it is written--Whatsoever ye shall ask in 

faith, being united in prayer according to my

 command, ye shall receive.

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of 

mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice

 and harden not their hearts. 

D&C 29:4-7   

I remember the first day I KNEW I was going to be a Sister Missionary. I was 10 years old and at my cousin's homecoming for his mission-- my cousin gave an awesome talk, but a Sister missionary had just returned from her  mission as well. I didn't know her, but as she spoke I had never been so struck by a single person in my life. How could a human so Christ-like, so pure exist? She radiated the love of Jesus Christ, and as she spoke, I was overcome by the power of the Holy Ghost. I wanted to be this Sister. I wanted to love & serve the people of my mission so much that it made me weep. I wanted an unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ. Above all, I wanted to share this beautiful feeling.

Years passed, and I continued to plan for my mission. When I received my patriarchal blessing, it said "the Lord is pleased with you for your righteous desires.. For your plans in the future to serve the Lord..." and that I should "prepare now." Above all, I wanted to prepare. I read through the scriptures. I learned from the incredible example of the sons of Mosiah, of Jesus Christ's ministry in the New Testament and in the America's. I felt so enlightened, but I began feeling frustrated that I was putting my heart into this preparation when "the future" was still sooooo far away.

In October of 2012, I started thinking about what I needed to get from General Conference. I thought it out, searched, & I finally came to my conclusion: "Lord, how can I better prepare for my mission?" The night before Conference, I was just BALLING in my bed because there was nothing I wanted to know more. I plead to the Lord for direction, that he would help me to know what I should do. The next morning I could not have been more excited for Conference, but could not have imagined the Lord would have answered my prayers in such a DIRECT way.

"We've also taken into consideration the age at which a young woman might serve. Today, I am pleased to announce that ABLE, WORTHY, YOUNG WOMEN, who have the DESIRE to SERVE, may be recommended for MISSIONARY SERVICE beginning at age NINETEEN instead of age twenty one.

The moment he said that, I honestly felt like I had been hit by a truck. I left the living room and went to my room to let the tears and shock out. I WAS SPEECHLESS. How could this be possible?!?!?! Immediately I received countless texts/calls from family asking me "So... When are you going?:)" "When will you start your papers?" Ahhh it was SUCH a modern day miracle!!!! I know that was an answer to THOUSANDS of girls prayers, but it felt personal to me. This experience was sacred, and testified to me of how personally God knows me and what I need. I didn't need to keep beating myself up over what to do to prepare, I needed to GET OUT THERE AND SERVE!!!!!

There is nothing more beautiful and precious than knowing how much God cares about you. He knew that I needed the opportunity to serve, and He also knew that the people of Japan needed Crofts Shimai ASAP. I don't think it could ever be possible to forget how loved we are. God is wonderful. The gospel is true. Don't EVER forget that.

January 31, 2013

 

The agony of waiting for my call was palpable. My dreams were about to come true!!! Would it be what I thought? Would I immediately know without a doubt that that was where the Lord needed me? I considered everywhere in the world I might go, and I was stoked about it all. I will never forget opening my call and accidentally seeing "Japanese" on it. I bent over, SPEECHLESS, I couldn't breathe. My mind went BLANK. Japanese? What is Japanese? To say I was shocked when I saw "Japanese" on my mission call is the understatement of the century. When I saw Nagoya Japan on my mission call- I was blown away. I was immediately filled with relief/joy/assurance. While it seemed completely out there, I knew it was where the Lord needed me!!! I am SOOOO excited/humbled that the Lord knows I can do it, I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that I am going to Japan, but I could not be more overjoyed and ecstatic about my call to serve:) 

 

I am so blessed to have had so many of the people I love show up for my mission call opening! Words cannot express how awesome it was to have so much support.These were just a few of the awesome people who came. I should've taken more pictures!!!

THE VIDEO:::: Can you say shock?