I hope they call me on a..........

MISSION

Yup, you heard me, and I'm just as shocked as some of you may be. (Whoever even reads this...?) Never in my 20 years of life have I ever considered going on a mission. First of all I thought I would be married and have 5 kids by now...JK. But I at least thought I would be married. Even a couple weeks ago when marriage wasn't really in the picture I didn't even consider going on a mission. I always thought that it would be an amazing experience but I never ever felt like it was for me or that I would even consider. I've had a few friends who considered it a while back (who are now married haha) but even when they thought about it I never really gave it much thought. I thought it was awesome that they were thinking about it but I just never felt like it was for me.

Well things have DRASTICALLY changed. This past week I have spent SOOOO many hours thinking about it. It all started with my Cousin Kelcey. We were just catching each other up on our lives and she mentioned that she always thought that if she turned 21 and wasn't married that she would consider it. I kind of just pushed the thought aside because again, I never felt like it was for me. Then a couple days later I was talking to my parents and they both randomly brought it up and at that moment I freaked out and kind of got frustrated. There was NO way that serving a mission was for me. But my parents mentioned that maybe I should pray about it and consider it an option. So the rest of the night I thought A LOT about it. My thought drastically changed on it and I felt like I should really give it a chance and consider it.

This week I have spent many hours thinking, pondering, praying, fasting and asking people there opinions. Now I'm not saying I have come up with an answer and I'm not saying I'm 100% sure. I still have A LOT of praying and thinking to do! But so far I have felt really good about it and I can't stop thinking about how AMAZING it would be! The things I've learned here in Texas and the experiences I've had, have made me want to share the Gospel to ANYONE who will listen!!

Our Sunday School lesson yesterday was on the Gathering of Isreal and at one point when we were reading out of the Gospel principle book, I just remember thinking..."What if there are people out there waiting for me to teach them. Waiting for me to bring the happiness of the Gospel in there lives." It was a quick thought but definitely one I remember.

Tonight I was reading in Helaman chapter 5, which is AMAZING!! It was exactly what I needed to read!

- It's talking about how the Nephite laws have become corrupted. "Nephi became weary because of their iniquity; and he yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days, and his brother Lehi also." They were on a MISSION. They remembered the words of there father Helaman "I would that ye should do that which is good." "Behold I have somewhat more to desire of you which desire is, that ye may not do these things that ye may boast, but that ye may do these things to lay up for yourselves a treasure in heaven, yea, which is eternal, and which fadeth not away; yea, that ye may have that precious gift of eternal life, which we have reason to suppose hath been given to our fathers." -Helman goes on to say the words of Kind Benjamin "There is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."

-The words of King Benjamin are the main and most important lesson a missionary can teach. So it says a lot in the Preach My Gospel book. It is constantly saying to teach people to repent and come unto Christ.

-Vs 14 "They did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi."

-Vs 17 Nephi and Lehi brought many unto repentance and many to be baptized.

-Vs 18 "Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great POWER and authority, for they had POWER and authority given unto them that they might SPEAK, and they also had what they should SPEAK GIVEN UNTO THEM" As I've studied up this week about missionary work I can not get over the fact of how amazing it is that missionaries can truly feel the power of the spirit testifying to people through them. As a missionary you are truly an instrument in Gods hand. What an amazing experience and a HUGE testimony builder. That idea alone is almost enough to convince me and have me pack my bags. Unfortunately I'm not 21 and it is not that easy! :/

-Starting in Vs 23 it talks about Nephi and Lehi being throw into prison and being encircled about by fire but they were not harmed. Nephi told them to fear not because it is the power of God. The prisoners were surrounded by a cloud of darkness but above the Cloud of Darkness came a voice 3 different times. They claimed that the voice was not a voice of thunder but it was a still voice of perfect mildness but i did pierce even to the very soul!

-That my friends, just goes to show how powerful the word of God is! It is so quit and so peaceful but it is piercing to the soul!! I LOVE that!!!

-A prisoner named Aminadab saw Nephi and Lehi through the flames talking as if they were talking to Angels. He told the people and the people asked what they could do to get rid of the cloud of darkness. He told them they needed to repent and have faith!! As soon as they all did the cloud of darkness was removed and they were all encircled about by a pillar of fire.

-Vs. 44 "They were filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory!"

-Vs.45 "The Holy Spirit of God did come down from heaven, and did enter into their hearts, and they were filled as if with fire"

I absolutely LOVED this chapter! It is definitely what I needed to read. I can't help but think that there could be people somewhere in the world that I can help be "filled with that joy which is unspeakable and full of glory!" I can't help but be excited that I may be able to experience the spirit speak through me and truly be an instrument in Gods hands! I've talked to many women who have served or who will be serving and I can't help but get excited each time they share with me there experiences and there excitement! It's definitely in my thoughts and considerations now and I will feel extremely blessed if I am able to serve a mission. I have no idea what life has in store for me but I figure there is nothing wrong with preparing to go on a mission! It's crazy to think that it is RIGHT around the corner. I could turn my papers in as soon as February/March! We will see whats in store.........