"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.