Why I Chose to Serve

From a very young age, maybe 4 or 5, I have had a plan of what my life would be like. Graduate high school, attend college to become a veterinarian, and marry a handsome man in the Temple. My plan has stayed the relatively the same since I was little, with only minor changes. I had not planned on missionary service, much less thought about it. When the age change was announced, I thought it was an amazing thing, but still didn't feel it applied to me at all. Then 2 years ago my Stake President held a meeting for high school students where former Mission President and Wife, President and Sister Fisher, would speak. I did not feel I needed to attend since the meeting was to be on missionary service and how to prepare now. My parents however, thought otherwise. I was told to attend, if only for the experience of being there. I am so glad I did. 

In the meeting, President Fisher spoke on the remarkable experiences he and his wife had had serving. I took notes and was enthralled with the stories he told. As I was sitting in a room full of my peers, I had a moment of peace and separation from what was around me and instead felt as if I was sitting next to my companion. In the middle of my notes from that day, there is a simple sentence "I just felt as if I was sitting next to my companion." I wish I had written more so that I could remember everything about the defining moment in my life! 

At the end of the meeting, President Fisher asked each of us to pray about serving a mission, and even if we weren't planning on missionary service, to just ask. I went home after and offered a quick and somewhat distracted prayer asking whether a mission was for me. This humble and simple prayer was then answered in multiple ways in the days following. From scriptures read seemingly by chance, to a missionary game we happened to play the day after, I was told and reassured that I was meant to serve as a missionary for my Heavenly Father. Little things that had happened in weeks prior to even going to the meeting began to make sense and gave additional witnesses of my need to serve. 

I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father's Plan for me and His patience and love as He answered the humble prayer of a 17 year old, showing me a plan that was better for me than the short sighted one I had made for myself. I am beyond excited to begin my service in 7 days and go out and teach those in Mississippi of the happiness and joy that can come from this gospel and its truths. I love this gospel and want all of God's children to know of its glory. I bear testimony that this IS the true and restored gospel upon the Earth today and is lead by our eternal and loving Heavenly Father through His prophets. I can't wait to go tell the people of Mississippi that I KNOW these things to be true! I love all y'all and can't wait to tell you of my experiences!