Prayer and Preparation

When you are in the right mindset and you're doing what you're supposed to be doing, Heavenly Father has a funny way to reward you: He makes you cry;) 

Tonight I had the most heartwarming experience. I'm going to admit that I've been a slight procrastinator in terms of preparing for my mission spiritually. I have all of my clothes and most of my stuff to pack. My talk is almost done. And I've done what I can in learning Spanish, which isn't much. But I haven't taken the time to seriously read my scriptures or Preach My Gospel. I've even noticed that my prayers have become overly repetitive. I only have a week before I report! I should have studied this stuff months ago! I have a little, but not to the extent that will help me prepare spiritually.

Tonight I had nothing going on for me. So I thought I should go somewhere quiet and start preparing. Even though I had NO IDEA what I was saying, I read four chapters of my Spanish Book of Mormon. It was amazing though because even though I didn't know what the words meant, I knew what they were saying. It might be because I've read the story of Nephi and Laban a thousand times, but it was different.

I also took the time to start the District episodes... I know. I should have done that a long time ago. I just haven't thought about it until now. I thought they were going to be documentaries of missionaries giving advice, which it is, but it's so much more. It's amazing how much power and spirit can come from a video of people talking about baptism and the Book of Mormon. As these videos continued to go through the everyday lives of missionary companions and those they are teaching, I just had this overwhelming feeling that gave me excitement and that jolt to push me further in my study. This was wonderful for me to come to realize. But as I knelt down to pray, everything spilled. I thanked Heavenly Father everything I could think of, and it didn't even feel like I was in control of my own words. But they were words that needed to be said, things to be thanked about and things needed to be asked. And i cried in happiness. I haven't had an experience like this in a long time, let alone during a prayer. But it was a wake up call.

Missionaries, our anyone for that matter, who might be reading this: Do not procrastinate on your study. Let go of your worries of the world and focus on the blessings of the spirit. Read the Book of Mormon and if you've read it, read it again. Allow others the chance to read it by inviting them to. Serve others. Love one another and be like Christ. He and Heavenly Father are waiting for us to fully accept this gospel and what better way to do that is to be surrounded by things that bring their spirit. Prepare yourselves and be happy. That is the biggest piece of advice I can give you. It will be wonderful in the long run.

Building Our Arks: Moses 8:20-24

In this time, we are in need of preparation. The floods are coming and once it starts raining, it will be too late.

In the story of Noah, the prophet called the people to repent, and as in modern times, those who were not willing were offended and refused. They believed that if life was good, then they were fine. Even in their wickedness, they were sons and daughters of God (v. 21). Because the world was so corrupt, the Lord promised to save Noah and his family if they built and ark and saved two of every animal, one of each gender. After enduring 40 days and 40 nights in the ark, Noah's family was saved while the world was cleansed.

There will come a time when the world will be cleansed again, during the Second Coming, when Jesus Christ comes again, and we need to build our arks. For years we have been given the counsel to build up food storage and update 72hour kits. This will prepare us when we don't have the items we need to survive. Recently there have been a lot of talks on receiving revelation and how to do that. Becoming close to Heavenly Father through constant prayer and reading the scriptures will help us receive inspiration to receive revelation. We can also prepare ourselves by going to seminary and institute. As times become worse, these classes become more in depth. The young people who go to these classes are learning from the history of the Bible and the Book of Mormon and in other subjects and they're being prepared for when times get tough. They are building their arks for a time when they need it. They are becoming stronger in standing as a witness of God in a world that needs it most. We all need to build up our arks this way for when the time out Savior comes, in that way we wil be strong and be with him again.

Packing List

I'm at 50 days and now have to worry about packing. Though I know a really great way on how to fit lots of things into a suit case, I'm not the best packer and always wait until last minute. I might as well start putting things together now.

Bags and Suitcases

• Bag that I'm carrying everything in 
• 2 suitcases (62 dimensional in.)
• 1 carry-on suitcase (45 dimensional in.)
• Camera case*
• Toiletry bags
• Scripture case*

Underclothes

• 10-12 pairs of garments
• 3-5 bras (white/nude)
• Week's worth of underwear (white/nude)
• Stash of nylons (nude/black)
• 3-4 scoop neck cap-sleeved shirts (white/black)

Shoes

• 2 pairs of flats (Keens or Crocs)
• Comfort Plus  high heels (Yes I know. But they are THE most comfortable heels I have ever worn and they're adorable:))*
• Wellies (send to mission home before I leave)*
• Tennis shoes*
• Shower sandals*
• Slippers*
• 8 pairs of flat socks*
• 6 pairs of regular socks*

P-day, service, and workout

• 3 t-shirts*
• 2 pairs of jeans
• Knee length running shorts*
• Running pants*

Outer wear 

• 4 scarves*
• 8 shirts*
• 5 cardigans*
• 8 skirts*
• 1 dress*
• 1 very light weight jacket*
• Rain jacket (Send to the mission home)*
• 3 pairs of pajamas*
• Watch*
• Belts*
• Jewelry*
• Headbands*

Bathroom

• Towel set (2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, 2 wash rags)
• Blow dryer*
• Flat iron
• Curling iron
• Brush and combs
• Nail polish*
• Make up brushes*

Stuff to stock up on

• Makeup remover
• Face soap
• Cetafil lotion
• Maybelline Colossal Volume Smokey Eyes mascara 9x
• E.L.F. liquid eyeliner
• Mentholatum 
• Razors
• Deodorant
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Perfume
• Floss
• Hair spray
• Hair ties/bobby pins
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Feminine supplies

 Bedding

• Twin size sheets
• Pillow*
• Blanket*

Misc.

• Alarm clock with no radio
• Tide TO GO
• Photo album
• Address book
• Stamps
• Note paper for letters
• Envelopes
• CD's with CHURCH MUSIC
• All identification
• Money
• I.D. secret pocket*
• Umbrella*

Church study

• Scriptures (English/Spanish)*
• Permanent marker
• Journal*
• Study journal*
• Copy of Patriarchal Blessing*
• Copy of call letter
• Mission approved books
• Preach My Gospel*
• Pedigree chart*

Dear Sister Walker:
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 Mexico Oaxaca mission, Spanish speaking. You are expected to report to the Provo MTC on March 5, 2014.

Oh my goodness!! I can't believe that the time is here!! It has been 10 months since I received the strongest prompting I have ever felt. Then I knew I was supposed to go on a mission. Ever since then, I have done all I can to prepare.

I started my papers at the beginning of July, and I was able to get most of it done within two weeks. In the middle of that month, I had a bit of a hard time doing what was left due to certain things that happened. First, my mom and sister left for Ireland for two weeks. All I needed to do was get my physical and dental appointments done, but how could I do that without her there? But also, my boyfriend left for his mission at the same time. He is down in the Uruguay Montevideo West mission and has been gone for almost 4 months. I finally got my physical done by the first of August and a couple of dental appointments by the end of the month.

I had some really good interviews with my bishop and stake president. I am the first potential missionary that our new bishop has sent out, so we got to figure things out together. But he asked me questions and we had good conversation. It took a couple of weeks to get in with the stake president. I had only met him once for five minutes, so I didn't know what to expect. But he was a nice guy. He asked me a lot of questions to get to know me, and he wrote down a lot. Then he asked me the interview questions for missionaries for worthiness. After the interview we talked a lot about the temple and what I should do to prepare in that aspect. He then told me that I should expect my call in two and a half weeks. 

All throughout this process, I have had the idea that I would be going either German speaking in Europe or state-side, or East Coast state-side. After all I did take German for 5-6 years! And there has been this trend that if you've learned at least a year of a language, you go to a mission of that language. Well, I only had to wait a week to figure that out. 

I came home from work and I had a big huge envelope in the mail. Haha! It came fast:) We figured that we could have family and friends come over later to watch me open it, so I sent out a text and Facebook message out to those I wanted to come. And quite a few people came due to the short notice. But it was fun! We all talked and caught up with each other. We also pulled out our world map and everyone put sticky notes where they thought I was going. Most were in Europe and in the States, and then a few random scattered places. When it got quiet I finally opened it. I'll just say that this was one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had. And when I read I was going to Mexico... First off I could not even pronounce the name, but the fact that it was Mexico... I was shocked. I paused for like ten seconds and everyone was freaking out. And I'm speaking Spanish!! I don't know any Spanish... After that I was crying all the way through reading the rest. This was completely unexpected. But I am very excited to go and teach the people of Oaxaca. It's going to be a hard experience, but something that will be beneficial for me, but also the people. 

I am going to be using this blog through the course of preparing and serving my mission. It will be a place for me to record any thoughts, inspiration, missionary moments, and my e-mails and letters I'll be sending from the field.