Missionary

I'm getting set apart tonight at 7.

I am so ready for this.

I don't mean ready as in prepared and I've got everything under control, but ready as in, this is the time.

I love the gospel. This is what I've been waiting for.

♫ I'll go inside someday... ♫

you like those musical notes?

thought so.

I went to the temple on Saturday with my family (minus Erin, Rick and their babies, and plus Seth). It was a beautiful experience. Everything was so clear up there. Thoughts are uninterrupted and there is knowledge to be gained on every level and topic.

I spoke on Sunday in my home ward and also in the Singles branch. The Lord blessed me and I was able to have the companionship of the Spirit as I bore my testimony. I was able to speak more freely and more directly from my heart than ever before. It felt so good.

That, plus the temple, has made me incredibly exhausted.

Seth spoke in the home ward as well. We've been friends since high school (he was baptised when we were 17) and he just returned home from serving a mission in Nicaragua. He gave a wonderful talk. I learned a lot from him. I'm grateful to have seen him for about a week before I head out; it's been good.

So, about 3.5 days and I'll be a missionary.

Crazy, huh?

I'm going there someday...

Going to the temple next Saturday.

This might be the longest 1.5 weeks of my entire life.

Zen told me it would be.

Moroni 7:48

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

I have a friend who just recently reported to the MTC. His mom documented the day’s events through pictures and I just finished going through them. Now I feel sick.

I’m excited, I really am.

I’m just more aware than ever of all my weaknesses and inabilities. Numerous sources have told me that serving a mission will be the hardest, yet most rewarding, thing I will ever do. It will be a “great polar star” that I will look to for the rest of my life- maybe even throughout all the eternities.

Some returned missionaries focus on the struggles, some focus on the blessings. I just need to go in there ready to work and not let my nerves get the best of me. I’m not going on a mission for the Lord, I’m going on a mission with the Lord; and with Him I can do all things.

This weekend I attended the 178th General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I like to go to conference with questions or problems to see if I can get a little insight from our beloved leaders, and by golly by the end of the first session all my questions had been answered, my problems were addressed, and my fears were calmed. And I’m sure many of you had similar experiences. Even if answers weren’t directly given from the pulpit, the Spirit whispered things to my soul that my Heavenly Father desired me to know.

Among the many answers I received was a feeling of comfort. I desired to know how to prepare to serve a mission; how to be ready to serve the people of Chile to the best of my ability. I was worried that I didn’t have enough to give.

“You don’t know everything, but you know enough.” – Elder Neil L. Anderson
His whole talk was awesome. I needed every word of it.

“Put everything into preparing”- Elaine S. Dalton

President Monson’s address taught me that if I put my all into preparing I will be allowed to teach with the Spirit, I will be given the energy, direction, and the words that I will need while serving a mission. The Lord takes care of his missionaries, but I have to do my part. As worthless as my efforts may be, if I do what I can, He will provide what I lack.

Conference was great, and I am ready to keep pushing forward.

Daisy's and the color yellow

October just started, and things are well in order for me to become a full-time missionary. My dad and I bought a bunch of luggage last night. One of them is like a closet on wheels; Lanny said that would come in handy (since I’ll be living in places often referred to as a “dump”).

I’m becoming best friends with all the people I work with, too. I’m trying to get to know the people better so I can practice sharing the gospel with them. It’s working so far! I see one guy in the gym all the time and he comes over by my office every now and then. Laura came in really excited today and said he was asking about me- she stressed that he was single and good-looking ;) Although that is totally not my focus right now (disregarding the fact that he’s in his mid 30’s), I think that gives me a good “in”. Flirt to convert, right? Hah! Just kidding!! (…well, as a missionary I’m kidding, as Brittany Mayhugh, I am not.)

Everything is going beautifully and preparation for the mission couldn’t be better! I have everything I could ever need at my fingertips and a loving family to support me in all I do. The church is so very true and I’m excited to devote all my time and energy into proclaiming that simple, essential notion.