The Purpose and Inspiration

I have always found that I can express my feelings and my thoughts better through written words. For a while I have toyed with the idea of creating a blog for friends and family to keep updated on the happenings of my LDS mission, but then recently decided that I would probably want to continue writing after I returned home... So instead of titling my blog after the mission I was called to, I instead chose to base my blog, title as well as posts, on one of my favorite chapters of The Book of Mormon - Alma 26. I want to base my blog on the tender mercies and great joy that living the Gospel has brought, and will continue to bring, into my life.

I was born to WONDERFUL parents in February of 1995. I am the oldest of 6 children, 5 of which are girls.

Maybe you noticed there are only 5 children in this picture? My twin sister was stillborn and returned to her Father in Heaven after completing her mission of obtaining a body. As a family, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we will be able to see Taylor again, and that our family is eternal. This knowledge has brought us such joy in our lives! Have we not reason to rejoice?

When the age for missionaries changed in October 2012, I had no desire to serve a mission. I was perfectly content on staying home, going to school, and finding my prince charming. no overly large shoes or uber long skirts for me! I had no desire to serve. Little did I know the plan that the Lord had in store for me. Many people have heard the saying, "We make plans, and God laughs." Yeah, well... that was the case. Throughout the next few months, I halfheartedly prayed whether to know if I needed to go on a mission. I didn't really search for an answer, and I didn't really care to TRY and search for an answer. One Sunday afternoon in February, I was given a mini Preach My Gospel after church attached to the words, "Bishop wants you to have this.". "Yeah, thanks. I'll use that for my future home. It'll be good to use in teaching my kids... right?" I thought as I tossed it into my scripture bag and went home to take a Sunday nap.

Do you ever have those dreams where you are jolted awake? Like when you fall off the edge of a cliff and BAM!! You aren't asleep anymore... and you almost had a heart attack. Don't you hate those? That was the case on the fabulous February afternoon I mentioned earlier... I was halfway asleep and I was jolted awake by the thought, "You need to go on a mission". Suddenly every answer to the halfhearted prayers I had offered hit me in the face! I had been receiving my answer and I was too distracted and not interested to realize that this was my answer! I needed to go on a mission!

I had a burning testimony of the Gospel. Every fiber of my being knew that this is the true and restored church on the earth today! With this answer that I needed to go on a mission, came the realization that I was being so selfish in keeping my testimony to myself. Yeah, I bore my testimony at church and at Girl's Camp and EFY, I sometimes put it on Facebook, but that wasn't enough. The people of this world DESERVE to know what I know! That this is where happiness is found! This is where families can be made forever! This is where forgiveness and peace come! This is where we can return to our Heavenly Father again, and be in His presence forever! They are children of God too! Why would I keep this knowledge to myself any longer? I wouldn't! I knew at that moment that I was going on a mission!

Alma 26 perfectly described my feelings. In verses 11-13: "My joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things;....Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?" 

The summation of my joy in my God and the testimony I have been blessed with can be found in verse 16... "Behold, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."

And thus begins the Journey of a Lifetime.