Well, I am here in Utah counting down the days until I leave for my mission in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. I have started getting a little nervous, but mostly because I am a bit of a control freak and struggle to feel at peace when it comes to the unknown. This week I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life that kicked my fear of the unknown out the door, and replaced it with enormous amounts of peace.
On Tuesday night, my little sister Megan and I were on our way up to Pocatello, Idaho to visit some family friends. We were at the turn off in Tremonton, Utah (a place I will remember forever) when I received a phone call from Bishop Tripp, the bishop of the ward I will be leaving from. He asked me if I was still planning on going. I jokingly told him that at the moment, yes, I was still planning on going. Bishop Tripp then told me he had some news for me. To be honest, I really had no idea what to expect. I thought perhaps he was going to tell me that I couldn't leave from that ward since I wasn't currently living in the area or something like that. His news was nothing but good news, and something that, for the first time in my memory, brought me immediately to tears that lasted the final hour and a half of our drive.
Bishop Tripp told me that a person (who wished to remain anonymous) dropped off a check to him that day to pay for my entire mission. My initial reaction was tears of joy and thankfullness, along with shock. I don't think I have ever been so greatful or humbled in my entire life. I had been stressing about the money for my mission. I knew my parents were going to take care of it, but again my control freak nature was coming in and I stressed about not actually being around to make sure it was getting paid. I even began considering pushing back my mission for six weeks, so I could make a bit more money at the hospital I work at. I hadn't seriously decided, but I was going to council with Bishop Tripp about the possibility of needing to push my departure date back. Now, not only have I received a very generous gift but I have also received a sure confirmation that my time to leave for Guatemala is June 29th.
I am not really sure what I have done in my life to receive this gift, but I am thankful beyond words. This gift has answered many prayers and has become the first of many blessings I know my family will receive through me serving a mission. This amazing ward has been so generous to me throughout my entire life, it was the ward I grew up in and will always be my family ward. Just thought I'd share this amazing experience with my family and friends, thank you for the love, prayers, and support you have always shown me!
21 days and counting:)
