May 10th, 2013. I will forever remember this day. It had been about 10 days since my mission papers were officially submitted, and I found out that Sunday that my call was assigned. MY CALL WAS ASSIGNED. MINE. People had actually prayed and with much consideration, determined where I was going to serve The Lord and preach this amazing gospel for 18 months. It was the weirdest thing for me to grasp. There was a place that is being prepared for me. FOR ME! Ah. This gospel is amazing.
So that morning, I kept telling myself it wouldn't come. I didn't want to get my hopes up and I had a long day of work ahead of me. In the middle of my shift, I get a call from my mom. Probably after she cried to herself for a few solid minutes. Hehe love you mom. She tells me that MY CALL IS IN HER HANDS! Okay. I still had like 4 hours of work left. PURE TORTURE!! But like the responsible worker that I am, I finish the rest of my shift, and I rush home from work at about 3 and walk in the house. I look on the counter and there it is. Just sitting there. Like it was just another bill or just another graduation invitation. Just sitting there like it wouldn't change my life at all. It took everything in me to not open it right as soon as I saw it. But, we had planned a big party for my opening. And the whole reason I didn't turn in my papers up at BYU Idaho this past semester was so that I could share such an exciting moment with my family and closest friends. I was so blessed to have so many people to support me, whether it was there at my house, over FaceTime, over the phone...SO much support. You all keep me going.
Okay now it's five o'clock. Literally cannot wait another second! I open my call and my eyes immediately go to "PHILIPPINES". It was like there were no other words on the paper. That was it. I didn't want to admit to everyone that I had already seen it so I told them I just saw the passport information, which I saw as well. Then I continued to read that I am going to the Legaspi, Philippines Mission. THE PHILIPPINES. IS THIS A DREAM? Never in a million years would I have ever expected this. The PHILIPPINES. Really??? Speaking Tagalog? What is that? Still, a week later, it is SO unreal to me. I don't think it will actually feel real until I step foot in the Philippines. But I couldn't be more excited. Seriously, ask my friends. I am so annoying, it is literally all I talk about. They are so kind for putting up with me.
The most amazing thing was, as I opened my call and read that I was going to the Philippines, it was the most peaceful feeling ever. I NEVER expected the Philippines. Everyone guessed somewhere Spanish speaking because half of my extended family speaks Spanish. But now I couldn't imagine going anywhere else. The Lord has prepared people for me to teach in the Philippines and it is the best feeling in the world.
Here is a video of me opening my call. I am kinda horrible at this whole blog thing so I hope I did it right! Please ignore my annoying voice.
