29/10/2015: Still waiting...

There are maps in our YSA building where everybody is guessing where Lucy (my friend) and I might serve. Institute is on tonight, I will post a picture of the guesses so far!

28/10/2015: Call Assigned!!!

Drum roll please.... ..... ...... ......

My call has been assigned!!!
An Apostle has looked at my picture, and received revelation as to where the Lord needs me. It is an amazing thing to think about.

My call was assigned 23rd October. And do you want to know what makes it better? My two friends, there calls where assigned the SAME DAY!!! Which means we will likely get them all the same day.

So, as we are in Europe, they are not posted from Salt Lake. 
They are emailed to Frankfurt, where the call letter is printed, and our pack is made up. This included information about our mission, about our mission president and his wife, what things we should pack, and what things we shouldn't bring. It includes maps, vaccination lists, pre-MTC training. Basically lots, so this can take a few days to put together, Then they are sent to England via church mail packet system, and posted from there. Typically they will arrive on a Wednesday, although that is not always the case! And as a result... the wait continues.

Although I am anxious to know where and when I am going, I am more relaxed about everything. It is just relief that it is nearly over, and I am actually defiantly going on a mission. I don't know why, but I really struggled to believe I would actually get a call letter. 

 How I know my call is assigned!

All guesses are welcome!!! If anybody is reading this (hi there!), please give me a guess!!!
I will post when I get me call, and where I am going!!!

Elder Oakes has a map in his office, where
 all his family missions are marked
on a world map. Him, his wife, sons
, daughters, and grandchildren.

20/10/2015: Visiting the Temple

Oh my goodness, I love this place!!

This is the Preston, England LDS Temple.

On October 15th, I walked through the doors, about to receive my endowments. It is a big deal!! I worked hard to make sure I was ready and worthy to take that step!! The Church leadership advises Converts be in active membership for over 1 year, before they start to prepare to enter the temple. And, it is really all about worthiness, and being prepared for the responsibilities it brings!

I went 1 year and 1 week (exactly) after my baptism, I actually didn't realise it was that specific 'anniversary' until we where walking there.

It was a very, very, very stressful journey. We where truly sabotaged by satnav!! It took us into the middle of nowhere. We had no phone signal to ring anybody, and we had no GPS coverage to recalculate the directions. I was panicking. I was so stressed!! I like to be in control, and gosh did I feel like I was out of control!! But, when I entered through those doors, I was no longer anxious, I was excited.
I had two friends there with me. I was so glad to have them there. Being a convert I didn't have the blessing of my parents, and wider family being there. But, I knew that they would receive blessings from me being obedient and faithful to my covenants. 

There is a lot to take in, it is very different from anything in this world. But, it is truly of the Lord, his hand is seen in everything. I cannot wait to return, to learn more, and to continue to build my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Some may wonder why I choose, or how I was allowed, to take out my endowments before I received my Mission Call. I spoke with my Bishop when I was preparing my papers, that I wanted to start preparing to go through the Temple, that I felt I was ready. It is part of the mission preparation, but I felt a strong desire that it should be almost separate. I had prayed a lot about it, and I was prompted to go through soon, and that it was something I needed. I felt strongly that it should not be something I was doing as a step to going on a mission. My Bishop was very supportive, and we talked at length. He consulted my Stake President, and I was told to follow his counsel, and be prepared to be told I needed to wait for my call. I was blessed with the most amazing interview with my Stake President, and I cannot testify enough to the Spirit that was in that room. It was as if he knew how to answer the questions I didn't even know how to ask! It was amazing!!!

So I went to the Temple before I got my mission call, and I know that was completely the right thing for me. If  anybody is having those promptings, I promise your Bishop and Stake President will give you the best guidance and advice.

If anybody wants to learn more about temples, and temple work, the church has lots of information on this site: Temples: FAQ's.

The Salt Lake City Temple

Hong Kong, China Temple

I love the temple, it is something that I truly feel brings new blessings with each attendance. My days are different because of the knowledge I have received. My responsibilities greater because of the covenants I have made. But, the blessings are even more evident.

I know this Church is the Lord's true church! We are here as part of an amazing plan, to achieve a potential that our Heavenly Father has made possible, through his grace. 

I cannot wait to be able to share this knowledge with the world! I cannot wait to bring others this happiness and peace I feel in my heart, when I remember the love my Saviour has for me.

Have a great day!!

The anxious wait, and my baptisimaversary!!!

Today is my baptisimaversary!!! I know it's not technically a word, but you know what it meant, right?!?

On October 8th, 2014 at 7.00pm I entered the waters of baptism, and came out as a PERFECT PERSON. And then I quickly fell, and became an imperfect human again. But that day was still pretty amazing, lots of obstacles where overcame, and it was pretty great. And, I know that in this past year, I have grown so very much. My life has changed, in fact my goals in life have changed. Let's talk about that...

When I first joined the Church, I scoffed at the idea of a mission. I was going to get married, progress in my job and have babies! Well fast forward to August, a relationship breakdown! A Priesthood blessing, and an AMAZING time as a counsellor at FSY... well a mission was now THE PLAN.
There were a lot of challenges with my papers, I felt like I would never get them completely gone. But finally (FINGERS CROSSED) they are gone! And now I have to wait. This not something I have ever been very good at. So, I am praying I don't have too much longer to wait. I am lucky I have my friend Lucy waiting with me! And another girl... She is planning a bit of a surprise!

So guesses?? Oh, where in the world shall I go?
Well, everybody keeps joking saying Temple Square, we all know the beautiful sisters serve there! But, I know I definitely won't be going there!
I have a feeling I might go Eastern Europe (Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine) or Russia!
My Stake President thinks, France or French-Speaking (<--- that would be cool!).
But really? I know it will be where the Lord needs me! And, I cannot wait to find out where that will be, it is funny to think the Lord already knows!!!

So, these next few weeks, gosh I hope they fly! Next week I am going through the Temple, and I am so very excited for that. I know typically people wait until they have their call, but this is something I am very blessed that I can do now. I am ready, and after prayerful consideration, and counsel with my Bishop and Stake President, I am going! I feel this will help me in my preparation to serve, and hopefully give me peace as I wait.

The Church is True! I am so blessed to have found my way back to this knowledge, and I can't wait to help others on their journey!

So for now, Louise!