quote, un-quote life changing.

Yesterday was one of those "this is a life changing moment" slash "I want to remember this day forever" kind of days. I know that sounds dramatic, but it actually was. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this day for the last month, and the letter finally came. I practically ran home from class, barged in my apartment, and Melissa and I raced down to the mailbox. I squealed as my fingers ran over the thick, white envelope. Luckily, I have an amazing best friend who jumped up and down and screamed and looked like an idiot right along side me for a solid fifteen minutes. But whatever, it was here--the letter stating where I would be spending eighteen months of my life, serving the Lord.

It is amazing how at peace I felt holding that envelope in my hands. The decision had been made, and a prophet of the Lord had signed his name on the decision. The feeling of being lost in the middle of the jungle that was drowning in the middle of my stomach the night before was replaced with the peace and calm of soft ocean waves lapping over my toes. Because in the words of Nick Hardy, "God never messes up." 

So, naturally, I did what I do in all emotional situations--bake. I had to pass the time somehow right? Anyways, 5 hours later, all of my very favorite people gathered together in my apartment (in person, via skype, and on the phone) to hear me open and read my call.

I have hereby been called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Lisbon, Portugal Mission. I report February 20, 2013 and will be serving for a period of 18 months. I will be teaching in the Portuguese language. 

As someone who never thought serving a mission was a part of my future, I could not be more excited for the knowledge that I now have that this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing right now at this time in my life. I know that I had to go through very specific experiences in order for me to come to this understanding, but ever since I made the decision, nothing has felt more right in my entire life. 

I am so blessed to have such amazing friends and family members who are so excited and supportive of me giving up my life (including spending time with them) in order to be a tool in the Lord's work. I am overwhelmed by the amount of love and encouragement I have received since I made the announcement. I could not be more grateful for the people that have made it possible for me to arrive at this point in my life, and I could not be more excited to be able to go teach and serve the people of Lisbon, Portugal.