My mission papers were submitted within the first few weeks of returning back to BYU-I. A couple weeks later, when I was hoping my call would arrive, I was notified I needed a pre-mission evaluation. In that moment, my heart was slightly crushed. I wasn't sure how long it would take to get an appointment with LDS Family Services and how much it would push my call back. I called as soon as I could and got an appointment as soon as possible, even if it meant missing a class.
After the evaluation (which basically just checked to see if I would be emotionally fit for a mission- I had to discuss my struggles with depression, anxiety, etc.) my papers would need to be resubmitted. I expected it to take another couple weeks. I checked the mail often. For a while there was nothing. Once the call was finally sent, I checked the mail pretty much every day. I continued to feel down and discouraged about the lack of getting the call. I knew of a good amount of people who'd gotten their call and I was still waiting. And then, I had this dream I had my call sent to Idaho, but the semester had already ended and I was back in Massachusetts. When I woke up, I was glad that wasn't the current situation, but when I checked the mail and nothing was there, I had this horrible feeling I'd actually sent my call to the wrong address. I went onto my online profile and found I had indeed sent my call home instead of the apartment here in Idaho. I was frustrated at myself for making that mistake. I texted my mom who called and said her and my dad were going away for the weekend, and wouldn't know if it anything had come until they came back on Sunday (though there was nothing in the mail for them on Friday). My parents said that whenever it came, they would scan over the call (without looking at it). It wouldn't really be the same as having the actual call come in the mail, but it would still be amazing and I was still just as excited when I got the text Monday that my call finally came. I shot up out of my desk chair and walked in circles, texting my family about a time we could all video chat. It was hard to sit still and there was still about 2 hours until I would actually "open" my call. I went to play the piano to calm myself and pass the time. Once it got closer to opening the call, I was so anxious and excited and flustered, I was having an even harder time keeping still. I went to my brother's apartment where he printed out the call from the email I forwarded him from my mom. The family got on Hangouts and I turned over the paper.
"Opening" the call was a surreal experience. I'll admit my eyes read a little ahead and I saw part of where I would be serving, which made me more emotional than I already was. As I started reading, tears started coming and my voice shook more and more with each word. I was trying to speak loud and clearly enough, but it was so emotional, I had to repeat myself again and I could barely read words. I've been waiting a long time to read, "Dear Sister Linzey" and the rest of the words I'd heard my brothers read and many of my friends.
I had no idea where I could possibly be going, but I would be happy with wherever I went. I'd hoped for a language, but as time progressed, I was really leaning towards an English speaking mission. When I finally read the words "Utah Salt Lake City East mission" I was surprised but also comforted. It felt almost expected. When my eyes first skipped ahead to read "Utah," part of me thought, "Oh gosh," but not really in a dreadful sort of way. It was more of an "Of course, but also, how?". It's so hard to put into words, but I'm wicked excited to serve in Utah. And, speaking English will be nice. I'm excited to leave April 26th. Once the semester ends, I'll be home for only a couple weeks, but I'm so ready. After waiting a total of close to 9 weeks, 7 since my pre-mission evaluation, I cannot wait to leave any longer! I just have 35 days until I leave for the MTC!
Today's quote is on the right- "Because I have been given much I too must give." I have been so blessed because of this gospel. Serving a mission is something I have been prompted to do and because of Him, I have had the strength and courage to accept that prompting. Throughout my two semesters here in Idaho, I have learned a lot about myself and grown in ways that would not have been possible if I had never come here. He has taught me so many lessons. He's lessened my anxiety, helped me grow more spiritually, and gotten me to this point. Though it took a long time for my call to come and I encountered some obstacles along the way, words cannot fully explain how excited/nervous/happy I am to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City East mission!
As always, thanks for reading!
---Maggie
After the evaluation (which basically just checked to see if I would be emotionally fit for a mission- I had to discuss my struggles with depression, anxiety, etc.) my papers would need to be resubmitted. I expected it to take another couple weeks. I checked the mail often. For a while there was nothing. Once the call was finally sent, I checked the mail pretty much every day. I continued to feel down and discouraged about the lack of getting the call. I knew of a good amount of people who'd gotten their call and I was still waiting. And then, I had this dream I had my call sent to Idaho, but the semester had already ended and I was back in Massachusetts. When I woke up, I was glad that wasn't the current situation, but when I checked the mail and nothing was there, I had this horrible feeling I'd actually sent my call to the wrong address. I went onto my online profile and found I had indeed sent my call home instead of the apartment here in Idaho. I was frustrated at myself for making that mistake. I texted my mom who called and said her and my dad were going away for the weekend, and wouldn't know if it anything had come until they came back on Sunday (though there was nothing in the mail for them on Friday). My parents said that whenever it came, they would scan over the call (without looking at it). It wouldn't really be the same as having the actual call come in the mail, but it would still be amazing and I was still just as excited when I got the text Monday that my call finally came. I shot up out of my desk chair and walked in circles, texting my family about a time we could all video chat. It was hard to sit still and there was still about 2 hours until I would actually "open" my call. I went to play the piano to calm myself and pass the time. Once it got closer to opening the call, I was so anxious and excited and flustered, I was having an even harder time keeping still. I went to my brother's apartment where he printed out the call from the email I forwarded him from my mom. The family got on Hangouts and I turned over the paper.
"Opening" the call was a surreal experience. I'll admit my eyes read a little ahead and I saw part of where I would be serving, which made me more emotional than I already was. As I started reading, tears started coming and my voice shook more and more with each word. I was trying to speak loud and clearly enough, but it was so emotional, I had to repeat myself again and I could barely read words. I've been waiting a long time to read, "Dear Sister Linzey" and the rest of the words I'd heard my brothers read and many of my friends.
I had no idea where I could possibly be going, but I would be happy with wherever I went. I'd hoped for a language, but as time progressed, I was really leaning towards an English speaking mission. When I finally read the words "Utah Salt Lake City East mission" I was surprised but also comforted. It felt almost expected. When my eyes first skipped ahead to read "Utah," part of me thought, "Oh gosh," but not really in a dreadful sort of way. It was more of an "Of course, but also, how?". It's so hard to put into words, but I'm wicked excited to serve in Utah. And, speaking English will be nice. I'm excited to leave April 26th. Once the semester ends, I'll be home for only a couple weeks, but I'm so ready. After waiting a total of close to 9 weeks, 7 since my pre-mission evaluation, I cannot wait to leave any longer! I just have 35 days until I leave for the MTC! Today's quote is on the right- "Because I have been given much I too must give." I have been so blessed because of this gospel. Serving a mission is something I have been prompted to do and because of Him, I have had the strength and courage to accept that prompting. Throughout my two semesters here in Idaho, I have learned a lot about myself and grown in ways that would not have been possible if I had never come here. He has taught me so many lessons. He's lessened my anxiety, helped me grow more spiritually, and gotten me to this point. Though it took a long time for my call to come and I encountered some obstacles along the way, words cannot fully explain how excited/nervous/happy I am to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City East mission!
As always, thanks for reading!
---Maggie
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