The Mission Call

At 4:18pm on December 14, 2012, my mom told me to go check the mail. It had only been 2 weeks since I turned in my mission papers and usually it takes 3 weeks to get the call. Even though I was doubtful it was there, I ran to the mailbox anyway. When I opened the mailbox I saw a few letters and then right there on the bottom, I saw it. That large white packet I have longed for all these years. It's finally here. It's finally my time. I grabbed it, running and screaming back to the house. My heart was racing, pounding. My whole body trembling. This is the moment I've been waiting for since Primary! When I got inside I screamed, "It's HERE! It's HERE!" I called my dad who was getting ready to come home from work. So that's another 30 min wait. He texted me saying the theft lock system on his truck was on so that's another 10 mins. It happened twice. Another 10 mins. 

Excitement. Nervous. Happiness. Thrill. Stomach churning. Heart racing. Blood pumping. Hands shaking. The wait was pure torture!

I called Sammy and KaLyn to come over and when they did they laughed at me for practically hugging the packet the whole time waiting for dad to come home. Then we had to wait to get Skype up for my brother. I was getting antsy and impatient at this point. I just wanted to know where in the world I was going! I held the answer in my hands but couldn't open it yet! It about killed me. 
Finally everything was ready. Family gathered, two best friends by my side, Hayley and my brother David on Skype, Megan on speakerphone from Orlando, cameras out... and GO TIME!

I ripped open the envelope while squealing like a little girl and started reading... California Carlsbad Mission... trying to comfort the tinge of disappointment I scanned down to language where it said "Spanish." Relief and excitement.

I think almost every prospective missionary crosses their fingers for a foreign mission. I was no different. I wanted to go to Germany where my ancestors are from, or Australia because it's just beautiful! After receiving my call and pondering about the area and missionary work I decided that if you want to travel, then travel later in life. The work is the same where ever you go and that's what the mission is all about, sharing the gospel - not traveling and sight-seeing. With my medical history I knew I wouldn't go foreign anyway. If I have to serve in the U.S. what cooler state than California? I'm happy with my assignment! 

I made a pact with Heavenly Father that if I had to stay in the states I wanted to at least learn another language. I had been praying for the gift of tongues months prior to the age lowering announcement. I was thrilled when I read that I would be preaching the gospel in the Spanish language. I know it will be difficult but I'm excited for the challenge! I'm thankful that Heavenly Father has given me this amazing opportunity and I know he will provide a way for me to be successful in it. 

As I continued reading about being a worthy representative of Christ and being obedient, the Spirit took over and tears ran down my face. I get to wear my Savior's name over my left shoulder every day for 18 months. Oh the happiness that wells in my heart!
I am so thankful for this moment in my life that I will never forget. Someone in California need me, needs my testimony. I pray that God will guide me to that person.

Dear Sister Gutknecht, 
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the California Carlsbad Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

"Today many sisters are being called to serve. Many more are preparing to serve. Not because they aren't married or don't have anything else to do, but they have the desire to serve. One reason that the Lord wants more sisters to serve is because within the next generation He will send His priesthood army to earth. He wants to send choice spirit children to mothers who have been prepared, properly trained, and taught in the gospel. What better schooling can a mother have than the experience and growth she gains through serving a mission?" -President Gordon B. Hinckley

Don't I look happy? :)

-Hermana Gutknecht