I have enlisted and the Lord is calling my name...

It finally happened. I received my call. Yes, I did wait 3 days to tell people. But, here's why: Sister Ferrell was transferred 2 weeks before I received my call. She was super bummed, I was super bummed, and I was talking to my friend Kimberly about it, and she was like, "Here's what you can do. Write Sister Ferrell a letter and then don't tell anyone until she gets her letter." She was sort of kidding, and I thought it was a good idea, but wasn't sure if I would actually do it. I was talking to Sister Ferrell about it, and as I told her the idea, she seriously got the biggest smile on her face. I kinda had to do it after that. So, if you're complaining about not knowing sooner...well...I kinda don't care.

Anyways. Bishop Walton told me I should have my call on February 15th. All that week, I was going crazy. I had made plans to open it with Sister Harrah and Sister Bradshaw. Thursday came, and we all were like, "It could come EARLY!!" and we all freaked out a little bit...and then it wasn't in the mailbox. I was a wee bit crushed. (And by a wee bit, I mean I cried in my room for a few minutes.)

Friday came. No big white envelope. Again, I was crushed. I sat in my room and cried a little bit longer than before. But then I got over it and tried to be optimistic, saying that I was going to get my call on Saturday, so no big deal! And then, the sisters came and visited me for just a little bit, to give me some loving, which was very helpful.

Saturday came. I looked in the mailbox...still nothing. I kept my composure for a little bit longer. I was fine. I kept telling myself that I just needed to be patient. Heavenly Father was just trying to teach me patience. Then, a friend of mine told me she just got her call. And...I cracked. Just about the entire evening I was depressed. A little bit of a silly reaction...yes. But, this is something I've been living for for the past 2 months. It was the ONLY thing I was living for; I'm not in school, and I'm not working. Literally the only thing.

Sunday came. I tried to figure out what it was Heavenly Father was trying to teach me - because I knew it was a little bit more than just patience. I prayed and fasted and pondered. And talked to the sisters. And...I figured it out. And I worked on it.

Monday was Presidents' Day so there was no mail. I tried really hard to stay calm and patient and I kept myself busy; I did have my moments of frustration because people would keep asking me if I had gotten the call yet.

Tuesday, I tried to keep myself busy. I had a lot of institute classes so it wasn't too bad. Eventually, it was time to go check the mail...I was super nervous. I slowly opened the mailbox and saw a large white envelope. I fumbled with the mail on top of it to see what who it was for. And, I saw my name...and and ran to the apartment at high speed to drop off the rest of the mail and then headed to the institute. I was helping with a lesson with the sisters at 5:00. I had about 10 minutes before the lesson started. (Though the person who the lesson was for came late, so I ended up having a little bit more time.) Excitement and joy was shooting through me. Finally!! It was time! I looked at that envelope and opened it slowly.

I pulled out the letter and read it slowly, almost made nervous by the excitement.

Dear Sister Root:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Washington Tacoma Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, April 3, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.

I read this, and the rest of the letter (it's pretty much like the best letter you could ever read.) and...it was perfect. I saw Washington Tacoma and knew that it is, indeed, where I'm supposed to go. I never have felt such a feeling. It was just absolutely perfect!

You guys, I am so incredibly excited to be able to do this. It terrifies me. I leave in five and a half weeks. I have absolutely nothing. And I need so much. But...I have been prepared for this. And there are people being prepared for me. And I can't wait!

I Have Enlisted

I am but a girl,

One with many faults and fears.

A mere girl

Who is weak and has

But little Courage.

Yet, I have enlisted;

The Lord has called my name.

I am a member of the

Fellowship of the Unashamed.

I made the choice

A long time ago –

Though I did not understand, then –

That I will follow the Lord

To the ends of the Earth.

And now, the Lord has said it is

My time.

My time to show my Love

And my Devotion.

My time to serve.

My time to find the

Little, lost, wandering black sheep,

And bring them back to

The Shepherd’s Fold.

My flesh is weak,

As well as my words.

I struggle to do the things

That I must do.

Yet, despite my weaknesses,

And my deep-rooted and often hidden

Fears,

My heart cries out,

“O that I were an Angel!”

My spirit desires to proclaim,

Yet I shy away, for fear;

But I have declared my course,

I cannot back down.

With God and His angels

At my side,

I fight against Satan

And his forces.

The most miserable spirit

Seeks the misery of all others,

So I’ll spread and bring

Joy and the Light.

I have enlisted;

The Lord has called my name.

I am a member of the

Fellowship of the Unashamed.

  

I’ll fight against Satan’s

Hate and Misery

With the Love and Joy of God.

I have enlisted;

The Lord has called my name.

He asks for obedience,

And I’ll respond with a

Resounding, “Yes!”

With obedience comes power –

The power of the Spirit.

This is the power

That sparks the

Change of Heart.

I must be humble;

I must be kind;

I must be selfless;

I must be me –

But the best me I can be,

The me Heavenly Father sees.

For I have enlisted;

The Lord has called my name.

I am a member of the

Fellowship of the Unashamed.

I am but a girl,

But Christ is my Captain.

I may be weak and have little courage,

But I am a member of His

Fellowship of the Unashamed;

So I will not back down.

For I have enlisted.

The Lord is calling my name.