Don't allow Satan to put a question mark where God has already put a period.

Oh my goodness.

I hope many of you are reading this because it has seriously touched me.

If any of you are thinking of serving a mission or have wanted to in the past but are now having doubts about it: don't!  Don't allow Satan to put a question mark where God has already put a period.
And for those of you who have already served: continue to serve! Continue to share the light and love with others. Don't be afraid to share the gospel even though you don't have a tag and a constant companion by your side. This post is not only for those who are considering serving, but for everyone.

Today I was at the dentist -Man! My dentist is just the best! Plus, I've known him for forever! :) After he finished working on me, before his next patient, he took the time to tell me a story that really hit home. He was pretty emotional about it while relaying it.

My Dentist knows of a (returned) missionary from Spanish Fork who told him this amazing story from his mission....

The missionary and his companion started teaching an old lady (I think in her 80's or 90's).  They taught her the first lesson, and gave her a Book of Mormon.  She read it and decided she wanted to be baptized.  Soon after she told them that, she let them know she wanted her patriarchal blessing, even though she was in her old age.  She wanted the opportunity to have it before she died.

Some time after getting the blessing, she wanted to hear her blessing again (like we all do after receiving our own).  After getting a printed copy, she asked the Elder to read it to her, in which he replied: "You should read it.  Blessings are very personal and sacred....I don't feel I should read it to you. It's yours."

What the Elders didn't know is that this lady was blind.  She proceeded to tell them this, and said that is why she wanted him to read her blessing to her.  She then let them know that she was able to read the Book of Mormon though a miracle from God -- during her time of reading the Book of Mormon, God allowed her to see the written words. She read the whole book being able to see! Upon finishing the book however, her vision was again gone. But God loved her enough that He had temporarily allowed her to see, so she, too, could learn of the truth and have that happiness in her life.

So, naturally, after hearing this, the Elder gladly read her blessing to her.  (This is the part that really gets to me).  In this lady's blessing, it said that she was supposed to be baptized......but a long time ago.  It told her that there was a young man who rejected a [mission] call.  He was the one who was supposed to be prepared to bring her the gospel, but he didn't serve.  So many years went by before two more Elders were called and prepared, found her, and brought her unto Christ. Soon after becoming a member and receiving her very own blessing, she passed on to be with her Heavenly Father again.

Whether this story be true or not (which I believe it is), it really impacted me.  The message is so wonderful.  We all should try and be more willing to put others first because we don't know who might really be needing it.  I honestly believe only certain people can really get to and touch someone's life. I honestly believe that those who serve missions are called to a specific mission because that is where they are needed most.  This gospel is so beautiful and I cannot wait to go out and share it with others.

Also, this afternoon I went with a dear friend of mine to the MTC and volunteered.  One of the missionaries that taught us was actually a convert himself (I was acting as a convert) and he told us his story and it brought the sweetest spirit!  He was baptized only 15 months ago, and is now on his own mission.  What a courageous young man he is!  You can just feel warm rays of Truth gleaming from him.  His testimony was so, so strong.  Any doubt I might have had about my upcoming mission was washed away!  If he can go out and serve a mission, having the gospel in his life 19 years less than I have had it, so can I....  And I will! I AM! (My call should be here in a couple of weeks. Eeeek!)  I know the Lord will bless me as I serve His children.

Today has been such a wonderful day.  I love the little tender mercies the Lord sends us, and that He sent me today.  I can't wait to proudly wear His name for a year and a half and represent His glorious gospel, helping to bring His children back home.

Don't allow Satan to put a question mark where God has so lovingly and obviously put a period.  Trust yourself and your righteous desires.  Don't let fear hold you back.


Proverbs 3:5-6 
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Sister Kelsie Mariah Hadlock, lifelong missionary

This is SO Big!

Oh my gosh.



Oh my gosh!!!!!

If there is anything I got out of this conference it's that..........I am going on a mission.  I am meeting with my Bishop tomorrow in between sessions to start my papers.

I can't believe this is really happening! 

Some of you may be confused by this, because you know that I just submitted my nursing application to multiple schools and I have not yet heard back whether or not I got in.  I was going to wait a while before posting anything about this decision, but I just cannot keep it contained!  It's just too big to keep to myself!

Life is full of choices.  As President Monson announced the age change for young men going on missions, I just knew that an age change for young women was coming as well.  I thought maybe it was going to be 20, not 19, though.  I started sobbing when I realized what was happening.  I could not stop the tears. I felt so overwhelmed by the spirit and I was just so excited about this crazy-out-of-nowhere news! Not only for me, but for my brother who will be 18 in a couple weeks, who has now decided against completing a year of school but will go on his mission after he graduates in May instead.   My true emotion shone through in that moment.   I could not even believe what I was hearing.

Lately I have been feeling a bit down at life, wondering what it is I am supposed to do, and just sad because I've felt like my life is on hold.  (For those of you that don't know, I applied to nursing school at SUU last semester for this current semester but was not accepted so I am just taking this semester to work 4 part time jobs and take a BYU independent study course.)  But like I was saying, lately I have just been feeling frustrated about multiple things in life, such as:

 --wishing I could continue on with my career plans instead of not doing much this semester with not being in the nursing program right now

   --my dating life not working out while my facebook continues to flood with friends around me getting engaged and starting their "Happily Ever After"

--fighting with myself about what I really want deep down...Would I rather stay and do nursing and get married and start a family? Or would I rather go on a mission and have to worry about finishing school upon getting home? ....What if I forget the things I've learned?

These are the things that have been stressing me lately.

I wonder: is a mission going to be the right thing for me?  I mean, maybe I will be accepted into the nursing program, right?  Maybe I'm supposed to be there. Who knows?  What I do know for sure is, is that I love this gospel.  I love the pure joy I feel when I am able to share it with others who don't know.  I know that I am doing my part by showing my Heavenly Father my willingness to take care of His children.  I'm making this decision to start my papers now so that if I am needed, and don't get into a program, I can go as soon as possible.  On the other hand, if I do get into a nursing program, maybe I will turn them down anyway... until after a mission, that is.....I guess I will just cross that bridge when I reach it.  I will hopefully know if I'm accepted or not by November.


But deep down, I know what will happen.....and I am so excited!  I think a mission is for me.  My mind is practically made up, even though I could always change it and stay for my nursing degree. But a mission has been on my mind since I was 15.  On and off I have really wanted to go, or been so terrified and just wanted to stay here. But my sweet mother has always told me that I'm a "natural-born missionary".  I think I believe her. I mean my heavens!  Lately I've been feeling jealous of the girls who are already 21 and receiving their calls!
I can't wait to go and serve the Lord full time for 18 months, spreading His gospel to many more souls who are searching. When Ruben got baptized a few months ago (see my other posts if you don't know what I am talking about: And He's Getting Baptized!!!!, and A New Chapter Has Begun)  I didn't know he was going to be the first of many that I would bring unto Christ.

What a day this has been....

Tomorrow is going to be even better, I can feel it. 

D&C 18:10, 14-16:

"10 Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; 14 Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people.  15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"