The Best Way to End This Blog: MY MISSION CALL!!!

So this brings me to the end of my trip, which happens to be the start of a new adventure! 

My last Sabbath in Jerusalem I received my call to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I am so excited and feel so blessed to serve in the Arizona Tempe Mission! I wanted to record some of this process:

So in October, President Monson--the Prophet of the Lord that leads our church--announced a change in the age of prospective missionaries. Now, young men can serve a mission at age 18 (instead of 19) and women can serve starting at age 19 (instead of 21). (the announcement can be read here) I was so excited when I heard this announcement, because I have wanted to serve a mission--and felt as though missionary service was something that I needed to participate in--for several years. So I was immediately excited. However, within a few hours (by the end of that session of General Conference) I knew that the timing was wrong. Shortly after that, I found out that I was accepted to Jerusalem and decided to study at the BYU Jerusalem center. I continued praying about my decision to go on a mission, particularly about the timing of it all.

In February, I had several very personal spiritual experiences that led me to the conclusion that I wanted to go on a full time mission as soon as possible, and I know that this is my Heavenly Father's plan for me. Earlier that week, I found out that I had been officially accepted into my major which would mean that I would have to start the program in the fall, and I was accepted into a study abroad program in England for the summer. However, after much prayer and fasting, I decided that I needed to go on a mission this summer. I started my papers immediately (and had everything completed within 24 hours) I was then able to have my interviews with my Bishop and Stake President over skype. 

So anyway, in order to go on a mission, you need to obtain a medical examination which includes some bloodwork. The doctor at the JC (Dr. Bench) was able to do my medical, and we went to a hospital in Jerusalem to get the bloodwork done. I went with a few other girls who were also putting their mission papers in, and it was quite an experience... This hospital seriously belonged in a horror film.

I hate needles... so I was freaking out a little bit...

This was funnnn

Kara needed an X-Ray for her visa papers to Figi, and this sign on the door signified that it was the "X-Ray room"

Kara getting her X-Ray...this was a funny experience to watch...

Also, my name was misspelled on all of my tests...oops...

So after my papers were submitted, I contacted my summer Study Abroad and my major's office and informed them that I would be unable to participate in both. I was thrilled to find out that my major (English Education) is allowing me to defer my acceptance to the semester I return to school after my mission! What a tender mercy! :-)

SO after playing the waiting game for a while, I checked my email after church on the last Sabbath we were in Jerusalem and I saw several messages from my parents with these photos attached...

My mission call arrived!!! I called my parents immediately (even though it was 3am their time)

I was able to skype with them and I had them both take their glasses off so that they wouldn't be able to read my call when they opened it. They then scanned my call and emailed it to me. So I was able to open my call with my parents via skype and email (and Katie and Rachel were also there). It was really great!

My reaction as soon as I saw my mission call... (I took some screen shots from the video Rachel was taking, which by the way is hilarious--my parents are the funniest!)

I am so happy!!! As soon as I saw that I was going to Arizona, I knew immediately that it was the right place for me! I feel so at peace with my call and I know this is the timing and place that the Lord wants me!

Later that evening (after calling the members of my immediate family) I was able to open my mission call in front of my friends at the Jerusalem Center

Yup, still great!

A lot of my friends are from Arizona, so they were all very excited too!

I am so happy :-)

My mission call!!!

And here is a screenshot of my mission call!

So I am the 20th and final person at the JC to get my mission call this semester :-)

our map showing where all of the missionaries from the JC are going!

And I was able to get Jenni to take some photos of my with my call and the city behind :-)

Basically, I am thrilled. I know that this is a call from the Lord, and I am so excited to be a missionary in Arizona! I know that this gospel is true and I can't wait to share the good news of Jesus Christ on my mission. 

-E