why am i serving a mission?

In less than 24 hours I will be set apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As I reflect on the past 10 months and what has brought me to this point in my life I thought I might share the email I sent to my little sister, who was serving her mission in Scottsdale AZ at the time, to let her know of my decision.

October 12, 2014

HI!!!!

So hi. I don't even know where to begin. Soooo.. On thursday I was texting Shauna Blotter (We're pretty much BFF's and I love her). She asked if we could get together and catch up because it had been so long with the Temple Dedication and Conference and us not being in Beehives together anymore. I picked her up to go get Orange Leaf. We talked about my dumb drama for a while and talked about Josh and you and Trev and just everything. It was nice to talk with her. She is such a wise woman! So as I was dropping her off she asked me if I had ever thought of a mission... Not the first time I have been asked that question ha. And I gave the usual shrug answer I give people. She said "Well this Sunday is fast Sunday and you should fast about it". And out the door she went. I kinda thought about it a little bit but not really. Last night came and I was getting ready for bed I thought eh, might as well begin my fast and it might as well be if I should go on a mission. 1. I have never truly really started a fast on my own the night before. 2. I've never had a direct question like if I am meant to go on a mission. So not the most whole hearted start to this story but its more than I've ever given to a fast. So the meeting starts and Nicolle Ensign gets up and talks a little about missionary work... Then Diondra gets up and bears a simple but STRONG testimony (her homecoming is next week... can't give too much away ;) ). But the two that hit me hardest were David Oman and his daughter. She was visiting and they got up about the same time but she went first. She has three little kids and talked about how her husband was out of town during conference but they watched all the sessions together. She was so cute and you could tell what an awesome mom she was. Next Dave got up and said "If you couldn't tell... She's a return missionary." He talked about one point when he asked her about her decision and she said "I wouldn't know what I would have missed if I didn't go." 

Susi taught half of Sunday School. She touched a little on her mission on the lesson was in Isaiah 22: 24-26; 28-30. I love her. 

Relief Society was the kicker... Our opening song was Hymn 270 I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go.... Tears. Then the lesson was given by Teresa Giles: Proclaiming the Gospel to the World. I think it is the only lesson that 100% focused on missionary work. The closing song was Hymn 249 Called to Serve. Do you think I should go? haha. I think I have come up with every excuse not to go over the past year and Heavenly Father knew he had to be as blunt as possible with his answer to my fasting and prayers (as weak as they were). He loves me. He knows me. He has a plan for me and I know I have to work so hard. As soon as RS ended I went straight to dads office. I told him I had been fasting to see if I should go on a mission and that I got my answer and I need to go on a mission. He looked at me with tears in his eyes, gave me a hug, told me he loved me and that I am going to be a great missionary. He had other things going on so it was short and sweet and he said he'd talk to me when I got home. I have told our family and a few friends. After everyone had left it was just me and the 'rents. Dad looked at mom and asked if she was fasting today and she said she did but didn't say what for. He looked at me and said " I was fasting for you today". Tears. He said he didn't know exactly what for but that he should fast for me and that he hadn't in about a year. We are lucky She. We have the coolest parents in the world.One of the HUGE reasons I have found excuses not to go is because of how awesome our family is and how I don't want to miss anything. 

We are studying Joseph Fielding Smith in RS. He was called to serve a mission 1 month shy of his 1 year wedding anniversary.... That would suck. But he went and one of his first letters home to his wife said: “I know that the work I have been called to do is the work of God or I would not stay here one minute, no, I would not have left home. But I know that our happiness is dependent upon my faithfulness while I am here. I should be willing to do this much for the love of mankind when our Savior could suffer as He did for us. … I am in the hands of our Heavenly Father and he will watch over me and protect me if I do his will. And he will be with you while I am away and watch over you and protect you in all things.” Tears. I still have a long road ahead of me. My availability date will be August and I'll start my papers in Mayish. The adversary will be strong in my life. Probably stronger than he ever has and I need to make sure my faith is that much stronger. I love you. I am so happy that I will be able to learn so much from you when you get home and for all you have taught me while you are out serving. I love you i love you i love you i love you. I love you. Now I hope you will wait for me.... But I will be okay if you don't.

MUAH

Ri

I have never been so sure of any other decision I have made in my entire life. I love you all. You will be in my prayers. Keep me in yours?

With all the love that I poses,

Sister Riley Christensen