Missionaries

Missionary: Someone who leaves their family for two years so that others can be with theirs for Eternity.

(listen as you read)

I'm at that age where my closest guy friends are preparing to leave for a mission. And I am so excited for them. BEYOND excited. But when I really think about it I'm a little sad. Some of my best friends are going to be leaving for 2 years. And in those 2 years they are going to change so much, for the better yes, but still they won't be the same boys that I know them as now. A mission changes a boy into a man and it is really amazing to see. You meet these people that come to your ward and they are mature and respectful men who love the Gospel of Christ, when a year ago they only had thoughts about girls and football and video games. I love missionaries and all that they do. But it's just crazy how much a mission can change a person. The Spirit has such an influence over them because they spend their entire day for God, serving God and doing everything they are prompted and asked to do. I can't fathom how a boy, my age or a little older, is able to go and do anything they are asked to do without complaint and often do things without being asked. And don't even get my started on their testimonies. Like seriously, a missionaries testimony is the purest and more sure thing. When a man is out serving for 2 years and spends his whole time doing what God desires of him he sure learns a thing or two about the Gospel. There is nothing in this world I love to see more than to see a man using his Priesthood power. A mission is one of the most important things a man can do to uphold his Priesthood calling. I admire missionaries and everything they do for others.

Now notice I've been talking about Elder Missionaries. This is in no way meaning that a mission doesn't change a girl. Guarantee it does. But I often think when a girl is preparing for a mission she is much more mature to start out, than a boy is.  Sister Missionaries are the sweetest people you will meet. They know the Gospel and every little fact about it. I think they are more compassionate than anyone else in the world. The spirit in a Sister Missionary is bright. That's really the only way I can think to describe it. They are able to relate and help others in ways men are unable to and it is truly a blessing that Sisters are able to serve.

As many of you probably know, the missionary age has been changed for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Men are now able to go as young as 18 and women as young as 19. It is going to be interesting to see how this affects the youth of the church in the next coming years. How many more girls will start planning on a mission at a younger age. How many men will have to mature and prepare throughout high school instead of using the transition year between high school and college. It's going to be different. It's already different here at BYU. People are changing their entire plans. Girls have had plans set for years but now they are changing them- because a mission is that important.

I am going to serve God and be a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have known I was going to do this for years but now the option of going early has been in my thoughts. I am praying about it every morning and night. I am reading my Patriarchal Blessing and really trying to figure things out. On paper it makes sense for me to go after this year. With my plans of medical school it would be smarter to go on a mission after I turn 19 in April. And I have been planning to go on a mission before this announcement but still, I wonder if I am ready. Like I had said, when I think of missionaries I think of mature men and women devoting their entire life to God. They are selfless and caring and servants to God. I can't wait to become one but still, I wonder, am I going to ever be good enough? Will I ever know the scriptures as well as the missionaries that I have met know them? Will I have a strong enough testimony to serve perfectly? Will I always know when to follow a prompting from God? At this point I do not feel ready. I do not feel I have the strength it takes to be a missionary. And while I want to leave as soon as possible and serve God I know I am not ready as of now. That being said, I obviously cannot leave right now. I am only 18 and 6 months and 4 days old. In another 6 months I am going to be finishing up my freshmen year of college here at BYU. And maybe by then I will feel ready. Maybe by then I will have started or even put in papers for a mission. I have a lot of growing up to do and a lot of learning to gain before I will feel ready. Whether it takes me 6 months or a year or 3 years to become ready I don't know. But I will serve a mission when I am ready and when I know it is the right time. And I know God will have prepared me for it. I know once I am a missionary I will be prepared and truly be God's servant. Therefore, there is really only one thing left to say on this topic and that is: I hope they call me on a mission, When I have grown a foot or two. I hope by then I will be ready to teach and preach and work as missionaries do. I hope that I can share the gospel with those who want to know the truth. And serve and help the Lord while I am in my youth.