Announcement in conference

So, about a month and a little while ago there was an announcement in General conference that the age changed for girls to go on missions from 21 to 19. At that time my friend from college Angelica Perez was visiting and so this announcement changed the course of the next 2 years of our lives. I basically became overwhelmed with joy at the opportunity. After a while of silently sobbing I turn around and see that my mother had also burst into tears. I went over to where she was and hugged and held each other while both crying a bit.

So at first (as in that day and a few following) I figured I would go out in April which would mean that I would do a semester of college since I already had classes all planned out, as well as housing paid for (for 2 semesters) so I figured that decision was already made for me.

Then I started looking into jobs, as I had been for the last 3 months and still was coming up short, so I basically had only enough money for housing which I was already committed to and there was a night where I stayed up late utterly overwhelmed with this fact and feeling like there was no way to come up with enough money to go on this mission. It felt like my dreams were crushed with that reality.

I know this is just saying random details but I will do my best-

Then my dad called and said "Why not set your availability date as now?"
I basically said I had no money, and he said yeah you have 2,000 dollars. And that amount of money would get us through to when he no longer has half pay. So that is a blessing. Also without his support it wouldnt be possible. So his calling me was a major answer to prayer. Which I am so absolutely grateful for.
So with my dad's encouragement and approval I moved forward with that plan.

Slight delay!! Need to check the mailbox!!

Well.... Not today, there was a major false alarm because there was a white envelope that was the correct size and everything. It was a big bummer. But I will wait another day :)

So anyways this is good so I can continue to write this story,
Anyways so then there was another night where I was again doubting whether or not I wanted to go on a mission and I was talking to a guy friend of mine and he said it was okay to not go on a mission and that he would still think very highly of me, so he was kinda in favor of not going on a mission. That night I was kinda leaning towards that way but I was really confused. Then he said that I should read my patriarchal blessing and make a decision about the mission and then pray about it. Then in the prayer say that I had made a decision and ask Heavenly Father to stop me if I'm wrong or validate it if its correct.

Also my mom said about the same thing to me, as well as said that once I get my answer I should go full force for it. Just like when you are driving on the high way and a sign says your exit is in a mile, you don't then wonder at every turn if you should go that way because you trust the answer you receive and follow the signs you are given.

So then that night I read my patriarchal blessing again (certain parts repetitively) and from it I felt that it was right to go on a mission, then I felt very strongly about going and sent myself an email so I would remember how I felt at that moment I said- "I feel right and good about going on a mission, when I dont think i can go it is doubts that are from Satan trying to prevent me"

So anyways I had my bishops interview the tuesday after the announcement, my doctors appoinment around that week, dental done, papers done, picture taken, then I had my stake presidents interview (after having another interview with my Bishop) and a couple other things, and turned my papers in 15 days after the announcement in conference. It was such an experience and a blessing that everything got done so fast, I absolutely could not have done it without my mother she made it all possible. My parents both have put in so much to help me. Without my mother and father's support I would not have my papers in already and I would not be able to financially go on a mission. I can't express truly how grateful I am to them (as well as my Heavenly Father who opened so many doors for me, and has blessed me to have this all work out) also my mom has seriously driven me all over the place, she drove me to dentist appointments, doctor appointments, drivers tests, permits tests, bishop interview, stake presidents interview, and she would wait ans wait for me to finish them, sometimes longer then hours at a time. My parents truly have helped me so much and I love them so much!!

So now I have been waiting, and while I have been waiting a received a nanny job and get paid 10$ an hour which is amazing! I don't have many hours though but its such a blessing, as well as another little babysitting job that I have every once in a while paying 8$ an hour. Then I randomly was asked to babysit my neighbors kids. Its interesting in total that makes around 7 kids I've watched ranging from an 8 month old to an 11 year old. I absolutely do love little kids, and I really do want to be a mom. But watching the kids did confirm that going on a mission would be the next step in my life right now. As well as making me a better mom for my own kids.

So what also makes going on a mission (and leaving the dating scene) easier is the fact that most of the guys I know kind of have distanced themselves since they have found out that I was going on a mission. I think the guys here in st. George would have distanced themselves regardless though because then I would have been going to college in January anyways. So I guess if things are meant to work out they will, like I planned to go back to byui and that has drastically changed (all I need to do now is wait for my call to defer my enrollment and scholarship). I forgot to mention my housing contract for Winter and Spring 2013 sold which is such a HUGE amazing blessing that I didn't think could possibly work out especially since there are probably so many girls who are also cancelling contracts.

Also another side note- I was not able to get my Utah license without having a Utah permit for 3 months, so I took that test and was such a blessing! I mean I am so glad I passed, I really was nervous, then I started thinking that it really wasn't trick questions and that they were meant to keep people safe. Anyways I am glad I passed, and I am especially glad I chose to do the right thing and keep the permit for 3 months. Because I took drivers Ed the classroom portion, but not the driving portion. I lost my certificate for the classroom portion and asked my drivers Ed teacher to sign a new one, and he did which was a crazy blesisng as well, and that my father was in Hawaii and he went out of his way to help me with that as well (he is such an amazing father, I really am so absolutely blessed to have him).

Well so now I check the mailbox every day (I guess consistently for the last 3 days or so) and my mom video tapes me opening the mail every day haha. It would be pretty cool to put those pictures or videos into a slideshow for when I do get my call haha.

Well if I forgot anything I will try to add it in.