Mission Memories...

Last night a attended a young women in our ward baptism. It brought back memories of my days as a missionary in Missouri. As the baptism was taking place I was looking back on the 18 months I spent as a missionary and why the Lord gently persuaded me to serve. You see I didn't want to serve a mission. I was 22/23 trying to get into grad school living in Jackson Hole loving my life and have fun! But things just didn't feel right. Didn't get accepted into grad school, turn down a great job because it didn't felt right to take it, didn't feel right about going back to school to get a second bachelor's degree, nothing was clicking. While in Jackson Hole someone said why don't you go on a mission. What? No I don't think so. But after he said it, it felt right. I prayed and felt at peace, but I still was hesitant. If I go home to Utah and the bishop says anything about my age, dating, school, etc. I am not going. Did he no. Okay if there is something seriously wrong with my teeth or health not going..anything wrong nope. I heard stories of those who decide to go on missions having all sorts of obstacles from keeping them from going. Me, no sort of obstacles.
Okay I will go as long as it is out of the states and not a visitor center. Guess what I got called to Independence Missouri...Liberty Jail Visitor Center. What...I struggled with my calling for a while. I heard that visitor center sisters weren't real missionaries. But I came to accepted my calling and if any one had a problem with it not thinking I was a real missionary they could take it up with the Lord, prophet, etc. I didn't call my self the Liberty Jail. I wanted to be a missionary and that is where the Lord needed to send me.
I was blessed with great mission companions, senior couples, and great spiritual experiences and learned a lot. The Lord knew me. Some of my favorite scriptures growing up came from D & C sections 121, 122, 123. Sections the prophet Joseph Smith received while in Liberty Jail. I was interest in Church history and learned a lot about the Missouri history of our church! What a blessing. I think the biggest reason I served was to come to understand a little better the atonement. I will never fully understand it but I have seen it change people's lives. This was what I needed for my future...my future husband.....to be continued in next blog post....babies crying.