It has now been a month and a half since I got my call and I've had some time to think. I am so excited to leave, but thinking about the goodbye terrifies me. I had a realization though the other day! Saying goodbye to everyone before I left for college was really hard, but I was fine once I established a new routine. I remember realizing "I guess I was more prepared for this than I thought!" I think this will be similar to what will happen on my mission. I am so thankful for the experiences I have had at BYU. I know the past two semesters has been part of God's way of preparing me to go and do His work.
I want something to be clear: I am not going on a mission to see the world, I am not going simply to learn another language, I am not going because I think it will be fun, and I am not going because of any sort of expectations. I am serving a mission because I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the earth today. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are the ones directing it today through a living prophet (Thomas S. Monson) and twelve apostles. Jesus Christ directs these men just as He called and led His apostles at the time of His ministry. The Lord still speaks today. How could He ever leave us alone?
This past weekend, I watched General Conference which occurs every April and October. During this conference, God's prophet and apostles speak and give the Heavenly messages needed at this time. My religion professor challenged us to write down three questions before conference began, watch all 4 sessions, and record our thoughts. The Lord answered all three of my questions. I know He is aware of each of us and will provide the answers, guidance, and aid we seek. The Lord was aware of my fears and needs this weekend. One of my greatest fears is leaving my family and friends and not being able to be there for them in the same way I can be now. Henry B. Eyring said in his conference address that as we serve the Lord, God will not only watch over our family and friends but bless them greatly as well. I know they will be in good hands while I am away.
The whole conference was amazing. If you have questions you want answers to, want to learn more about God, need an uplifting message, are curious, or just have a second click this link and go listen: General Conference Highlights
I promise it will be well worth your time.
For the girls thinking about a mission:
Do not feel pressured to go. I think it takes great courage to go and I think it takes great courage to stay. Heavenly Father has a plan for you that is best, allow Him to share that with you and act on it. He will answer you if you sincerely ask, just be patient. If you are feeling like you don't want to go because you are scared, remember the blessings that will come to you and your family. He will give you what you need to fulfill His plan for you.
Life is an adventure with many different paths to choose; He will never leave us to walk alone.
114 more days until another adventure begins!
Monday, April 8, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Falling Into Place
It has now been almost a month since I received my call. Looking back, it's amazing to see how things fell into place. It all started with the announcement back in October that created many more possibilities for my life.
My roommate, Emma, and I had actually missed this announcement because we turned on General Conference late. It was our roommate, Alli, that told us what all the excitement was about. This change hit me really hard and it was not long before the three of us were crying and talking about the possibility of serving a mission. As I actually considered the effects of this change, I was honestly terrified. I had a plan for my life, and although I was grateful for this new opportunity, it came out of nowhere and I did not know what to do with it. I talked to a couple of my aunts who had served missions and to my friend Dan as well. I was trying to learn all I could about what a mission would really be like before making a decision.
During this time, I felt a strong need to be here at BYU. I had friends going through hard times and a girl I was serving as a mentor for. I felt like I was making a difference here and felt peaceful knowing that here is where I was needed.
It is amazing to see how the Lord prepares you and paves the way. Looking back, I think I needed fall semester to mentally get used to the idea of serving a mission. When I came back to BYU for winter semester, I did not feel the responsibility I had felt during fall semester; my friends were doing a lot better and I was not needed in the same way. In addition, I was no longer dating anyone and Emma had moved out. With all of this change, I felt I should reconsider going on a mission. Once I decided to reconsider, I was anxious to find an answer. For a while I felt like I wasn't any closer to deciding yes or no. I decided to talk to my bishop and open my papers to see how I felt as I worked on them. By the time my meeting with the bishop rolled around, I had almost fully decided that serving a mission would be the right thing for me at this time. My assurance grew as I talked to my grandparents and also emailed my cousin, Mitch, who was on a mission in the Philippines. Once I decided to go, everything fell into place. It took a while for my papers to open, but when they finally did, I was able to schedule my physical for later that same day. Within a week and a half of my papers opening, they were submitted.
The Lord always provides a way. I recieved my visa information a little over a week ago and found out they had to be completed in Texas. I began to feel stressed about how everything could be completed and sent to Salt Lake before March 26. After talking with my parents, we bought a plane ticket on Tuesday, I flew home Thursday, completed my visa stuff Friday, flew back to Utah Sunday, my mom drove to Austin, had all the forms authenticated, and sent them to Salt Lake City today. They will reach the church office in SLC on March 20.
I said goodbye to my Grandpa Jim and Grandma Mary yesterday as they leave this week to begin their mission in Nauvoo, Illinois. I am so excited for them! I am eternally grateful for the example my family is to me. Here is a picture from their farewell. My great grandpa is 99. He served a mission as a young man in Denmark and later with his wife as a senior couple in New Zealand. My grandpa served in the Gulf States mission when he was a young man. My grandparents have served missions together in the Salt Lake City Family History Library and now Nauvoo. My cousin Mitchell just returned from a mission in the Philippines. I cannot wait to follow in their footsteps.
135 more days!
My roommate, Emma, and I had actually missed this announcement because we turned on General Conference late. It was our roommate, Alli, that told us what all the excitement was about. This change hit me really hard and it was not long before the three of us were crying and talking about the possibility of serving a mission. As I actually considered the effects of this change, I was honestly terrified. I had a plan for my life, and although I was grateful for this new opportunity, it came out of nowhere and I did not know what to do with it. I talked to a couple of my aunts who had served missions and to my friend Dan as well. I was trying to learn all I could about what a mission would really be like before making a decision.
During this time, I felt a strong need to be here at BYU. I had friends going through hard times and a girl I was serving as a mentor for. I felt like I was making a difference here and felt peaceful knowing that here is where I was needed.
It is amazing to see how the Lord prepares you and paves the way. Looking back, I think I needed fall semester to mentally get used to the idea of serving a mission. When I came back to BYU for winter semester, I did not feel the responsibility I had felt during fall semester; my friends were doing a lot better and I was not needed in the same way. In addition, I was no longer dating anyone and Emma had moved out. With all of this change, I felt I should reconsider going on a mission. Once I decided to reconsider, I was anxious to find an answer. For a while I felt like I wasn't any closer to deciding yes or no. I decided to talk to my bishop and open my papers to see how I felt as I worked on them. By the time my meeting with the bishop rolled around, I had almost fully decided that serving a mission would be the right thing for me at this time. My assurance grew as I talked to my grandparents and also emailed my cousin, Mitch, who was on a mission in the Philippines. Once I decided to go, everything fell into place. It took a while for my papers to open, but when they finally did, I was able to schedule my physical for later that same day. Within a week and a half of my papers opening, they were submitted.
The Lord always provides a way. I recieved my visa information a little over a week ago and found out they had to be completed in Texas. I began to feel stressed about how everything could be completed and sent to Salt Lake before March 26. After talking with my parents, we bought a plane ticket on Tuesday, I flew home Thursday, completed my visa stuff Friday, flew back to Utah Sunday, my mom drove to Austin, had all the forms authenticated, and sent them to Salt Lake City today. They will reach the church office in SLC on March 20.
I said goodbye to my Grandpa Jim and Grandma Mary yesterday as they leave this week to begin their mission in Nauvoo, Illinois. I am so excited for them! I am eternally grateful for the example my family is to me. Here is a picture from their farewell. My great grandpa is 99. He served a mission as a young man in Denmark and later with his wife as a senior couple in New Zealand. My grandpa served in the Gulf States mission when he was a young man. My grandparents have served missions together in the Salt Lake City Family History Library and now Nauvoo. My cousin Mitchell just returned from a mission in the Philippines. I cannot wait to follow in their footsteps.
135 more days!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Dear Sister Shipp:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Brazil Ribeirao Preto Mission. It is anticipated you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Brazil Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language.
Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now. It doesn't seem real. I was not anticipating my mission call this week. I had heard from my Bishop just last Friday that my call had not yet been assigned but was ready for assignment. I had finally accepted that it would be another week when I listened to a voicemail I had received during my Chemistry class. It said "Hi, Maryann. This is Rachel from the Heritage Halls Central Building. I was just calling to let you know that your mission call is here." My heart stopped. I quickly called my mom and explained the voicemail and told her I was going to go see if it was really there. It was! My dad had just gotten to Canada when I called to tell him the news. We arranged to open it at 5:30 at my grandparents to work around a dinner meeting he had that night. I could not believe it was here. I called pretty much everyone. I am so thankful I had not been anticipating it. Heavenly Father must know how much I love surprises!
The time passed by fairly quickly. Before I knew it, I was leaving for my grandparents. We got facetime ready to connect with my dad in Canada; mom, Ashlee, and Josh in Katy; and a few more friends and family members. With family and friends gathered, it was time to open my call!
Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now. It doesn't seem real. I was not anticipating my mission call this week. I had heard from my Bishop just last Friday that my call had not yet been assigned but was ready for assignment. I had finally accepted that it would be another week when I listened to a voicemail I had received during my Chemistry class. It said "Hi, Maryann. This is Rachel from the Heritage Halls Central Building. I was just calling to let you know that your mission call is here." My heart stopped. I quickly called my mom and explained the voicemail and told her I was going to go see if it was really there. It was! My dad had just gotten to Canada when I called to tell him the news. We arranged to open it at 5:30 at my grandparents to work around a dinner meeting he had that night. I could not believe it was here. I called pretty much everyone. I am so thankful I had not been anticipating it. Heavenly Father must know how much I love surprises!
The time passed by fairly quickly. Before I knew it, I was leaving for my grandparents. We got facetime ready to connect with my dad in Canada; mom, Ashlee, and Josh in Katy; and a few more friends and family members. With family and friends gathered, it was time to open my call!
I read line by line and then saw Brazil. I just became so excited and felt so good about my assignment. My call was for a little later than I had been expecting, but I feel like it was indeed inspired. A later call means more time with friends and family, more time to prepare, and also means I get to visit Nauvoo with my family and watch my grandparents sing and dance on their mission ;)
Just after things died down a little, I found out I had been called to the same mission as my FHE brother, Josh. This is just amazing and comforting that I will at least know one person in my mission from BYU (home away from home).
I am so thankful for the support of all my friends and family. It has meant so much to me. I am so excited to go and serve the Lord and feel so blessed to have this call at this time. What an amazing day. It could not have been better.
My taste of home! I am so glad this girl was able to come be with me while I opened my call.
I got to spend this special occasion with my grandparents before they leave for their mission in Nauvoo!
New, current, and former roommates I am so blessed to have in my life!
The letter that determined it all.
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