Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Hello again all! I apologize for how long it has been since my last blog, still trying to get used to this--But I had to let you know I finally got to meet with my bishop to start my mission papers!!! In order to be a missionary, you have an interview with your bishop in your ward or branch to figure out if you are sincere and if you are worthy to become a missionary because it is a big commitment. But I got approved on Tuesday and I have been filling out my papers ever since. I am so excited! It feels like it's really happening. I love it so much. I am learning a lot too because of all the information I have to fill in, it's really great. The next steps will be to get my physical examination from the doctor and my dentist paperwork completed! I got my wisdom teeth out at the beginning of Decemeber so I am almost there! I can't remember if I have mentioned this yet, but I found out I can turn in my papers as early as April 22nd, 2015.
In the meantime, I will be preparing spiritually by studying Preach My Gospel, a very important text to help missionaries teach. Also, I will thoroughly search and ponder The Book of Mormon; the keystone of our religion. But mostly what a missionary needs constantly is the Holy Ghost, also referred to as "the Spirit" and "Comforter". We believe the Holy Ghost is a being without a body that testifies of all truth and speaks to individuals in different ways such as: feelings, thoughts, or even an actual voice. Kind of like your conscience. The Holy Ghost is how God communicates with His children. This is needed for missionary work, so if I can improve my way of keeping the Spirit with me as much as I can, I know I will be a better missionary for my Savior. (I will try to put a link to some a mormon messages about revelation through the Holy Ghost by one of our twelve apostales Elder Bednar.)
I am very excited to be a missionary and that I can practice by being one now! I have had 4 missionary moments this week that I have been able to talk about the gospel of Jesus Christ with my wonderful friends and I want you to know, if you have any question I would love to talk with you about anything, but if that is uncomfortable to you, please vist lds.org or mormon.org.
Thank you so much for reading!
God bless you!
I better fill out my papers now!

Future Sister Lybbert

My story:

When my older brother left on his mission and I heard about such amazing things that happened to him, not to mention all the blessings our family received from his service, I knew I wanted to go someday too. He left when I was 12 but the years since have passed all too quickly. I cannot believe the time has come to start my papers (kind of like an audition or application process). It is so exciting! I have been waiting for this moment my whole life.

All the preparation that has happened through my adolescence is definitely beneficial, I had so many opportunities with missionary work all through high school thanks to the Mission Prep class offered at my church when I was 16 and I have been taking it everywhere I go since. Every moment seems to really make a difference, just having sister missionaries around my junior and senior years of high school really fed my crave for being a missionary and solidified my decision to go as soon as I can.

Now, I have a missionary out in the field as well, he has been out almost a year! And I am completely drawn aback at how fast this year went by! I know what you are probably thinking, but I have to get this out-- he is my boyfriend. I don't know if I can tell you where he is serving, but he is doing very well and I am so proud of him. We have been together about two years, we've always been long distance but still only communicating through email and letters is always difficult. The soonest we will see each other again will be February of 2017.., that's 3 years of service between the two of us! 5 months of double duty! Haha! It's going to be the best decision we will ever make, I know that. There will be nothing better for our eternal family someday (except out temple marriage of course). So definitely worth it.

Okay, here is some needed information: to be a Sister Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you now need to be 19 years of age. I currently am underage and won't be eligible for service until August 2015. However, I am allowed to submit my papers 6 months before my availability date (August 22, 2015)! Also I am in college at the present time, so this winter break is the best time to complete my papers! Therefore, I am starting them when I come home!!! I am so excited!!!!!! It will be a little bit after I am home, I must confess, because I am getting my wisdom teeth out for my papers the morning after I drive home. Haha, you can't wait to hear about that, huh?

Alright, what's my deal-- why is this "blog worthy" or whatever..? I'll tell ya! This is one of the biggest times of my life so I was impressed to document it, not only somewhere that I can see it, but anyone! That way, I can share my story and help others either in the same situation or curious about it, etc. It is also a great way for me to learn how to express my thoughts to strangers, which I will be doing A LOT this time next year!

So I'll keep you posted! Thanks so much for reading, I gotta head to class!

Future Sister Lybbert