How it all began

About a year and a half ago I was going through a rough time. It seemed like the world was crushing me and nothing at all was going my way. One day my friend Lillie invited me out to movie and a dinner. While we were eating dinner she told me about how she had been going back to church and was really happy. She explained that she was going to a game night for her church and invited me to tag along. I figured hey why not, what else was I going to do? Sit at hope and mope.

So we headed over to her church and I met some people. They all seemed really nice and welcomed me with open arms. She introduced me to a guy named Ben. He was a return missionary that served where I lived. He had finished his mission and was back to confirm a girl that he had taught. We started off talking about football and then the conversation turned to God. I had never really thought about God. I had gone to church a couple of times, but I didn't grow up in a family that went to church. We were talking a lot and he was answering a lot of questions for me. The way he was answering seemed to make so much sense. I didn't know why, but I knew what he was saying was true. Now I know that that was the Holy Ghost testifying to me that the words coming out of his mouth were the truth. We exchanged information and over the next week or so he taught me a lot about the church and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I met with the missionaries that were serving in the area I lived in and on November 21st I was baptized.

Later on I made the decision to serve a mission because I wanted other people to feel exactly what I have felt. It has been such an amazing year and I just want that for others if they are willing to accept it. It was a long hard process submitting all of the paperwork that is necessary to serve a mission. Once I finally got them submitted I had to wait...and wait...and wait. It seemed like it to FOREVER but after 6 weeks I received my call to serve a mission. It came in the mail on January 7th and I opened it with a lot of friends. I read aloud that I was going to serve in South Dakota. I was surprised to say the least, that location had never even crossed my mind (or anyone's for that matter). I was completely okay with that though. I knew as soon as I read it that I was supposed to go there. The Lord called me there specifically because I am needed. I can't wait to get out there and serve the people. March 9th can't come fast enough. I look forward to keeping you all posted.