Because I Have Been Given Much

Well folks. I'm an 18 year old girl. I'm a Mormon. And I've got a mission call. So by default I get to start a blog now, right?

But in all seriousness.. I'm starting this as just a place for me to compile thoughts as I prepare to serve and a place for my letters home after I peace out. Sound fair enough?

I've been called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I've been assigned to labor in the CHINA HONG KONG mission, Cantonese speaking. I report June 18th, 2014. Exactly 67 days from today.

AH. It almost feels like it's never really going to happen.. It's the weirdest feeling. {But that's another deal for another day.} But I couldn't be more excited!

So let's get a few things out of the way.

Why am I going on a mission?

That's probably the first thing sisters get asked when they tell someone they're going.

WHY?

You don't have to. It's not a responsibility. Why would you leave your family, your friends, your dating life AND your schooling? How could you part with your waffle iron, your tennis racquet and miss summers of boating and winters of skiing to go somewhere halfway across the world for 18 months to tell people you don't know, in a language you don't even speak, about a church?

Well my friends, that's a great question. But the answer is quite simple.

I was reminded last weekend while listening to conference about a favorite hymn of mine. The first line of that hymn pretty well sums it all up.

BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN GIVEN MUCH I TOO MUST GIVE.

Really that's what it all comes down to. I have been blessed beyond that which I can express. I have been born into a family that is sealed together for time and all eternity. I have been blessed with parents and surrounded by amazing leaders and friends who have taught me since birth about the only true gospel on the Earth. I have been blessed with a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has brought me more happiness than I could ever imagine. With all the knowledge and happiness this gospel has brought me, how could I ever be content to keep it all to myself?

In the inspired words of Joseph Smith, "After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel."

Surely there are many ways to preach the gospel. You don't need to be mailed a big white envelope from Salt Lake City to be a missionary. You don't need to go half way across the world or even to the next state over to be a missionary. You don't even need a name tag to be a missionary. All you really need is your humble testimony and a true desire to be a part of this great work.

It just so happened that when I asked Heavenly Father how he wanted me to be a missionary, the decision to serve a full-time mission just felt right.

{Not to worry. I'll throw in my two cents about knowing if you're supposed to serve a mission or not in another post.}

Really I could keep going on and on and on and on and on and on and on {okay, okay you get it} about experiences I've had that I feel have directed me towards and prepared me for a mission. They are very special to me. But basically when it all comes down to it, because I have been given much I too must give. 

I know that serving a mission is going to be hard.

But you know what? Anything is possible through the Lord. With his help we can do hard things. Like going to Hong Kong. For 18 months. And learning Cantonese.

When you get a mission call, or at least for me, all kinds of feelings of inadequacy come from every direction. We all know where these feelings come from. And the thing is - I am super inadequate.

BUT

With the Lord's help, I know that I can do it. ONLY through Him will it all be possible.

So here's to figuring out this whole mission thing.

Here's to the hastening of His work.

I'm sure it's going to be great  :)

For your enjoyment and pleasure - please cast your eyes upon the beauty of Hong Kong.