This last week, I spent some time at Shelley's in Mexico.
Since Twilight wasn't gripping at all, and all the good stuff was blocked on the TV (haha KIDDING), I had a lot of time to think.
Maybe too much time.
Maybe too much time.
Before I left, Joel told me not to get any wild ideas.
He knows I go down there when I'm trying to make decisions and adjust my course.
It turns out that I did exactly what he told me not to.
I am going on a mission.
I have thought about this for a LONG time.
Now it's time that I act on my feelings.
It hasn't been a question. I always knew I would go, but it's taken me a long time to come to terms with the idea. I have this stereotype in my head of what sister missionaries are--and affiliating myself with this group of women is terrifying to me. While I was in Mexico, I think I tore down some walls in my head and realized the benefits and blessing that are attached to the title "Sister".
First, I thought of my Dad's mom. (Isn't she a looker??) She and my Grandpa met on their mission to the Eastern States...in New York, I believe. Even though she died when I was young and I didn't know her well, she still set the bar high.
It hasn't been a question. I always knew I would go, but it's taken me a long time to come to terms with the idea. I have this stereotype in my head of what sister missionaries are--and affiliating myself with this group of women is terrifying to me. While I was in Mexico, I think I tore down some walls in my head and realized the benefits and blessing that are attached to the title "Sister".
First, I thought of my Dad's mom. (Isn't she a looker??) She and my Grandpa met on their mission to the Eastern States...in New York, I believe. Even though she died when I was young and I didn't know her well, she still set the bar high.
My mother's mom served a mission as well. She was in the central states. Since I've been living at home again, I've had the opportunity to talk to her about this time in her life a lot. What I've gathered from these conversations is that, in her mind, this was the highlight of her life. She went as far as to name several of her children (one being my Mom) after companions and people she converted. Even at this point in her life, when she is winding down, she talks about her mission on a daily basis. Grandma's sister encouraged her to go...
And so did mine. This picture of Shelley holding me is at the airport when she came home from her mission in Virginia. As you can see in this picture, I love my sis. She has always been a huge example to me of doing things the right way. For whatever reason, she can get through to me...Talking with her this last week has made me see that a mission took her to the next level. Whatever level that is, I need to start inching toward it. I have a long long way to go, but I am trying. In the long run, I know that a year and a half of work will set the tone for the rest of my life. I am so excited to tell people what I know and feel.
MORAL of long blog: I have an awesome legacy of beautiful capable women who served full-time missions for our church. I am gonna pass that on to my unborn babies.
P.S. Here is a cool pic of Chuck leaving on his mission in 1961.
