Preparing for a Mission!

Preparing for a mission!

Little do my parents know, they have been preparing me for a mission my whole life. I was blessed to grow up with primary and young women’s but also in a home where my dad was always a worthy priesthood holder and my mom was a constant example of charity and selfless service. I relied on them and their strength and they assisted me in rooting myself to a firm foundation where my testimony has been able to flourish.

Being away at college, I have had to adjust and really reflect on my own testimony as well as my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Once I decided to serve a mission, Satan began working on me extra hard because it is the exact opposite of what he wants me to do. His power is real but I knew that I wasn’t going to let him win.

Winter semester was different because I had a mission call. I was a lot more careful about how I talked, how I treated others, what music I listened to, what I watched, and how I spent my time. I needed to surround myself with good things, closing off any opportunity for Satan to creep in. I made it a goal to not sleep in so late, in hopes to begin adjusting to the early morning missionary schedule. I studied my scriptures every day, and I mean really studied. I improved my prayer habits by thinking about what I was going to say rather than rushing through them and then listening afterwards for the spirit. I put President Bednar’s promise to the test and worked on family history for at least 10 minutes a day. In his talk titled “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn” during October 2011 General Conference he said, “Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.” I testify that this is true. I have never felt so close to my Father in heaven and Savior Jesus Christ in my life.

I was so in tuned to the spirit that there was no way Satan could come near me. I tell you this because I know how it feels to feel too far from His reach. I know how it feels to feel like no one is on the other end of your prayers. I know how it feels to be low and weak because I have been there and I still have times when I experience those feelings. There were some days when I would break down in tears because I felt overwhelmed by my big list of “to-do” to keep Satan away from me. Bruce R. McConkie opened my eyes and gave me some peace about this matter. “Everyone in the Church who is on the straight and narrow path, who is striving and struggling and desiring to do what is right, though he is far from perfect in this life; if he passes out of this life while he’s on the straight and narrow, he’s going to go on to eternal reward in his Father’s kingdom”. Heavenly Father doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He knows we can’t be. As long as we have desires to become better and improve ourselves each day, the Atonement of Jesus Christ will make up for the rest.

February 14, 2015. A Valentine’s Day I will always remember. We had a long weekend so I traveled home to Las Vegas to go through the temple. What a special day. I was overwhelmed by the spirit and the love that I felt. I had many family members and friends come to support me in this big step. The temple truly is The Lord’s house on the earth. The peace and comfort you feel in there is something you can’t find anywhere else. Since then, I have gone to the temple here in Utah once a week. I have learned so much and have grown closer to my Savior. I’m grateful for the covenants I made there and the protection that they have been to me against the adversary.

Spiritual preparation is the big one but you have to be ready physically as well. At the beginning of this semester, I made a goal to do a half marathon before I left on my mission. I got my best friend, Brianna, to commit to it with me. We have been training all semester and let me tell you, some days it was so hard to go out in the freezing cold and run. This weekend, we will be running in the Southern Utah Half Marathon on my way home to Las Vegas. I’m so glad I have stuck to this goal and I can’t wait to be able to say, “I did it!” Running is a mental sport. Not only has it made me physically in shape, but now I am mentally stronger. A mission is a hard thing and after training for this race I know I can do hard things. I’m grateful I have a body that allows me to participate in activities like this and I’m grateful that I will be able to remember this process when I reach some difficulties while on my mission.

At the beginning of April my mom and my Oma took a trip up to Provo to get all my shopping done! It was so fun having them here with me for a few days. I loved spending time with them and I’m grateful they came up to help me get all my missionary clothes, luggage, and other odds and ends that I needed. Once I’m home from school, I will only have 2 ½ weeks before I leave. There aren’t many places to shop for missionary clothes in Las Vegas either. We had fun sleepovers, ate yummy food, and spent quality time together just talking and hanging out.

Preparing for a mission is a lot of work but I can promise you it will bless and improve your life tremendously. Recognize that you don’t have to be going on a mission to prepare for one. Our whole lives as Latter Day Saints are missions. My advice is the same as President Uchtdorf’s, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The 2^nd best time is now.” Don’t procrastinate improvement. We should all strive to be a little more Christ like, serve a little more freely, and find those who could use the restored gospel in their lives. We have the most precious gift on the earth, so go share it!