Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Called to Serve!

Hello! It is practically old news now, but I am finally ready to blog about it I think. Even though I still cannot comprehend that I am actually going to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I think I am getting closer to the reality.

If you have not heard yet, I practically bombarded social media with my excitement, I have been called to labor in the Massachusetts Boston Mission. Speaking the English language, I will report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on September 9th, 2015.

Less than 4 months.

The parcel of my call packet came surprisingly early this last Friday, I did not anticipate it to come until Saturday so as soon as I found out I was shaking so much and all other plans went out the window as I contacted everyone that it was here and I am opening it as soon as possible. Hard to believe such a penultimate moment in life could happen so quickly. Anyway, my parents were passing through my town to go to a church wood-cutting service project for the weekend at a nearby church camp. The plan was to meet them halfway at a fruit-stand to follow them to the campsite where I would then open my mission call. The time came in a breeze of joy, I waited a lot longer than expected but I did not care, I was going to find out that very night! I was not going to wake up another day wondering where the Lord would have me go! How could I be anything but grateful..?

The whole week of waiting for my call to arrive I was in prayer a lot asking Heavenly Father to help me humble myself because I knew I was not going to go somewhere I wanted, or somewhere easy, I was going where I am needed, and that was a lot for me to understand. I wanted to be ready to receive His will will love and full purpose in heart. All my prayers and receiving my call so soon I thought that I must ready to accept where I am called to go, wherever He wants me to go. When I read Massachusetts Boston Mission.. I was emotionally compromised. There were no tears of grief nor joy. Thoughts entered my mind of, "Heavenly Father, what did I do wrong..? What did I forget to make me a more capable missionary than to go stateside and English speaking? There were all these magnificent places and languages all my close friends and family told me I would go and say.. was I not enough..?" As I became disappointed and my heart breaking, the Holy Ghost testified to me, stronger than any of the other thoughts, "But THIS IS NOT THE CASE." I know I am going exactly where God wants me, He knows me perfectly, unlike myself, along with all his precious children of the Massachusetts Boston Mission and I am grateful to be able to teach and learn with them the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know they are His jewels and I was completely wrong in my thinking that stateside missions are any less than going foreign. We are all God's children, we are all special to Him. I had forgotten that.

So now that things are settled for the better, I am absolutely obsessed! I cannot stop looking up facts or finding out every little thing about my mission. Did you know the Big Green Monster green is pat-toned so no one else can use it? And that the term "happy hour" is illegal in Boston? My Bostonian accent it getting pretty wicked awesome as well. Hope you get to hear it sometime.

My experience in opening my mission call was probably strange, but I would never trade it for anything in the world. Time to get to work, only 120 days until I am a missionary!

Keep smiling and enjoy looking at this beautiful temple of my mission!

Future Sister Lybbert
Boston Massachusetts Temple (100th)

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Waiting on the Call...

It has been too long since I have last posted. College has definitely been keeping me busy! But I had to tell you all that I am awaiting my call. My papers were sent to Salt Lake the last Sunday in April and yesterday I was notified that I have indeed been Assigned (!!!!!!!!!!) hopefully meaning my call is on it's way in the mail to my door right now.
I am going to be a missionary. This lifelong vision is becoming a reality right before my very eyes. I can't believe it! And I can't talk about it without getting all emotional..! I am so grateful. I never imagined it would feel like this, so full of anticipation but so calm because of my Savior; I know no matter where I go doesn't matter all that much, it is the reason and why I am going and what I will do there that really matters.
This will have to be a short post because I need to go practice today but I encourage you all to read President Thomas S. Monson's talk in the October 2014 General Conference called, "Ponder the Path of Thy Feet", I listened to it today and I felt so much peace and I know the Holy Ghost will bring you joy and peace through that talk too if you let it. I know this is the true church upon the entire Earth because Jesus Christ truly is at the head of it. I know He blesses His servants, His friends.. He blesses us all everyday if we but open our hearts. I will let you all know where I am called as soon as I get word! Have a great day!

I love you all,

Future Sister Lybbert