Adyos!

Well, I feel it is about time that I posted the follow up to my last post to announce that I received my mission call on March 7, 2012 and have hereby been called to serve in the Philippines Cebu Mission!  I will be learning and preaching the gospel in the Cebuano language!  I was shocked when the call first came, I will admit.  As time has passed, I have become quite settled in to the news and eagerly look forward to what will become my new home for a little over a year of my life.

It is interesting, sitting here and reflecting on the big changes happening in my life.  I took my last test for 18 months, turned in my last assignment for a while, packed up my stuff and moved home.  Going through my stuff, sorting through what I should take with me on the mission, and then deciding with the rest whether to pack it away to wait for me when I get back or to give it away.  I wonder what kind of person will open those boxes in 18 months time.  What kind of experiences will I have had.  Sometimes, as I am putting it all away I can almost see myself opening the boxes back up.  I can see me, unfolding the clothes, remembering my life before the mission and thinking wow, that seems so long ago.  I almost see myself as the main character from Cast Away, having to be reacquainted to my old life again.  What will the world, or my world, look like when I get back?

But, I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life.  It will certainly be a new adventure and one unlike any I have had in my life thus far.  I know it won't be easy.  I have had many people tell me that.  But instead of being scared, I have resolved to thinking that when the hard times come, I will know that it I am normal.  The hard times come to everyone.  And considering all the MANY blessings I have in my life, I feel that it is a small price to pay in the hopes of extending any degree of happiness to someone else.  The gospel truly has blessed my life in so many ways.  The Atonement has healed me.  Time and time again, in so many ways.  I am so grateful that I know there is a Father in Heaven who loves me and has such a hand in my life. He truly has been there for me, every step of the way.  I know He will be with me as I go to the Philippines. I know He will be there because if He can love me, I know He loves His children in the Philippines.  And He  wants them to know it.  I pray that I can be humble enough to know how best to share that with them during my short time with the Filipino people.

Wish me luck!  Adyos!  Until next time!