Putting Things Into Perspective

Devotional today was amazing! It was just what I needed to hear today. Last week I started wondering if a mission really is the right thing for me to do. Of course those feelings started to come because of a boy. I knew that something like this would happen just as I was getting everything started. My one goal in life is to get married and be a mommy. I was confused. I knew how strong the feeling was back in November telling me to go on a mission, but I questioned it reasoning that I'd also been told no a year ago when I asked if a mission was right for me. Well, after devotional today, I know that I'm on the right path by going on a mission. The speaker was Elder Claudio R.M. Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy. Our opening hymn was #274 The Iron Rod. Even during the hymn I felt that my mission is right. The scripture that was read was 1 Nephi 4:6 "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do." As soon as he started speaking, I knew that a mission really is right for me at this point in my life. I felt that I will bring people to the Gospel on my mission. Elder Costa quoted 1 Nephi 3:7 "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." The Lord really has prepared the way for me to go on a mission. Everything has come together making it possible for me to be able to go. Despite the overwhelming emotions I felt when I felt the Spirit tell me to go on a mission, I immediately succombed to the will of my Father, saying that I would do what He needs me to do. I spent more time praying in the days after I had that initial impression than I had in a long time. I had many good 'conversations' with my Father, trying to figure things out. Over the past four months the initial emotions that made it nearly impossible for me to do anything have calmed down and turned into excitement. Of course I'm still nervous, but I know that I'm doing the right thing and I don't doubt that the Lord knows what He is doing and has a higher plan for my life. Lately I've been wondering what would have happened if I had ignored the Spirit that day, saying that I had already recieved my answer that I don't need to go on a mission. I don't know that I would have been told again... especially considering the fact that I'd been having promptings that I should pray about going on a mission that I had ignored. Shame on me, and I regret that now. I have certainly been paying more attention to the promptings of the Spirit since then. Elder Costa continuted his talk saying that we are at a point in our lives where we will be making many decisions that will either make or break us. He also counseled us not to make any decisions without first taking them to the Lord and taking time to ponder about those decisions with a heart of fasting and prayer, and spending time in the temple. I spent a lot of time at the temple and praying, and even fasting before I said that I was for sure going on a mission. This truly is a vital time in my life. Over the past four months, the plan I had for my life has completely changed. Before that day when the Spirit told me to go on a mission, I was preparing to finish school this fall and move in with Grandma at the end of the year to do my student teaching down in the Davis School District. That is still my plan... it's just been pushed back. The Lord can see the big picture. I can see where I've been and where I am now, but I can't see what's coming tomorrow. But the Lord can. I have a strong testimony that if I put my faith in the Lord, He will lead me down the path I need to follow and that everything in my life will work out according to that plan and that I will be happy. I know that I won't regret going on a mission and that it will be one of the best experiences I'll have. I will not be the same when I come home. I'm not the same now as I was four months ago. I am stronger, and will continue to grow stronger over the next few months before I leave, and I will not be the same person when I come home that I will be when I leave. There is no doubt of this in my mind. I can't wait to go!