Questionnaire

I found this questionnaire on another blog I was reading. It was interesting to read her responses so I wanted to give it a go:

Did the age change affect you? If yes, how long did it take you to decide to go? 
So I was going to school at BYU-Idaho when the missionary age change happened. All of my friends and roommates decided to go to Salt Lake City to watch General Conference. I was going to go, but I felt like school was taking over my life, so instead I decided to stay home to study, and watch conference on TV. A few girls in my ward didn't want anyone to be alone during conference so they invited me over to watch it with them, which was very sweet. When President Monson made the mission age change announcement, it literally changed my life and all of my plans. As soon as the announcement was made I gasped and burst into tears, and couldnt stop crying. There I was, a blubbering mess, in the middle of a room full of girls I didn't even know, probably all thinking, what is her problem? Immediately my phone started buzzing nonstop from the text messages and Facebook messages that filled my inbox. so many people were congratulating me and telling me I was the first person they thought about who would be effected by the age change. This was something I had been looking forward to my whole life, everyone knew I wanted to serve a mission. Paying attention to general conference that day was next to impossible. I was 19 turning 20 the next month, so the age change really only nocked a year of waiting off for me, but still, I didn't even have to wait to turn 20, I could start my mission papers asap, NO MORE WAITING. I honestly couldn't believe it. It was such a blessing and an answer to prayer. The week before I told Heavenly Father in prayer that I was feeling like the chance for me to serve a mission seemed so far away. Friends were getting married, having babies, and I felt like I was in limbo just waiting to serve a mission before I could get on with my life. I was feeling the desire to be married, and wondered if I would ever make it on a mission. After I prayed I instantly felt peace. it was a feeling of don't worry Malia, just keep on going, everything will work out how it is supposed to. It was like my pre-answer to the mission age change. It was comfort that I would get an answer.
As far as how long it took me to decide to go, I decided immediately, but then as I realized how many girls were jumping on the band wagon with this missionary thing, I felt like maybe I was doing the same, and maybe I wasn't prepared. I also knew that If I were to serve a mission right away it would change my plans for then next year. I was planning on having 2 years of school under my belt before I went, and this announcement nocked off a whole year. So I decided to fast about it. I fasted to know whether I should stick with my original plan which was to wait until I was 21, or to get started on my mission papers right away. I got my answer, I needed to get going on a mission.

Did you always want to serve a mission? Why/why not?
YES, since I was 8 years old. I remember sitting on the couch in the foyer of our chapel after I got baptized, feeling so happy and warm. Even though I really didn't know the full gravity of what it meant to be baptized, I knew what I was feeling inside, and I wanted everyone to have that feeling too. I wanted to share it with everyone. I knew that day that I was going to serve a mission. I don't know how long it took me to tell my parents, but honestly almost my whole life I knew that serving a mission was part of the Lords great plan for me here on earth. Most people told me that I would probably be married by 19, but I have happily proven them all wrong.

Where did you want to be called? Why?
For years, I wanted to serve spanish speaking. I wanted to learn spanish SO bad. I have tons of family member who speak spanish and who have lived in Mexico. For a long time I was focused on serving a mission for the aspect of learning a new language. Then things began to change. As time got closer to being old enough I realized that anywhere in the world would be amazing, including North America. Then once I got my papers in, I decided I knew exactly where I was going. I DID NOT want to serve an asian mission. The idea of having to learn an Asian language scared me to death. So I concluded that it was exactly where the Lord was going to send me. Somewhere in Asia. But because I became so convinced it allowed me to fully accept that possibility too, and I even became excited for it. I knew that no matter what It would be the right thing, and I knew I would love it more than anything. I even imagined myself serving the people and coming to absolutely love them. I wasn't afraid anymore. But, as I really thought about it, and prayed about it, I realized that the true desire of my heart was to serve in English, and if there be any possibility at all, to serve the Native American people, or Aboriginal people of North America. I realized that I didn't want to have to fumble with learning a new language, I just wanted to get right to work, I felt like a language would just be a barrier between me and the message I would be trying to share, so deep down inside I really just wanted to serve English.
Being a quarter Aboriginal, and my dad being half I feel such a love for Native American people. I love teaching them, and I feel like the Book of Mormon is so specific to them. I love them so much, and feel so connected to them, and couldn't think of anything greater than to teach them the Gospel. Well I'm not sure how it will all work out, but turns out I am going English speaking (YAY) and that California has the most tribal nations in it than all of the United States. Not sure how accurate that is, and if I will even get a chance to teach any Aboriginals, but I thought that was pretty neat. I am so glad that the Lord took my heart into consideration.

Was your call surprising? How do you feel about it?
Nope, it was perfect. Everything about it was perfect. The place, the language, the date, everything. I felt so at peace about it all. It couldn't have felt more right.

Share an interesting missionary experience or story.
There are so many, and I don't feel like going into specifics, but let me just say, missionary work brings so much happiness. There is nothing greater than bringing souls unto Christ.

Why are you serving?
I am serving because I love the Lord so much. Jesus Christ is everything to me. He is my source of hope, peace, love, joy, forgiveness, healing, salvation, and eternal life. I would be so lost without Him. I love Him with all of my heart, and want to serve him. Christ said "if ye love me, feed my sheep" and that is exactly what I want to do. I love Him, so I will serve His people. I Love Him because He loves me. He made made the impossible of returning back to my Father in Heaven possible. He is my Savior, my comforter, and friend. That is why I am serving a mission, because I want to share with people my greatest source of happiness, and help others to find it for themselves too.

Any advice for future sisters or girls still deciding?
Ask yourself why you really want to go. What are your reasons? What are your intentions? Go because you want to to serve people. Go because you love them. Go because you love the Lord. Serving a mission should not be about receiving glory for yourself, but rather the glory of the gospel. Though there are great lessons to be learned, memories to be made, and challenges to be met, don't go on a mission because you want all of those things for yourself, go because the gospel brings you so much joy you can't bear to keep it from anyone. Include the Lord in your decision making. Get a confirmation from the Lord through sincere prayer, Fast about it if you need to. You will get an answer, and when you do, no matter what it is, have the courage to follow through with it. If you feel like maybe the Lord has other pans for you, realize that it takes just as much courage to NOT go. Follow the Lord's will for you and have faith in what ever that  may be. If your answer is to go, then GO. The Lord NEEDS more missionaries. Don't be afraid, the Lord qualifies who he calls. The only regret you will ever have is NOT going if opportunity permits. It will bless your life, and countless others. If you are sincere in your desire, the Lord will pave a path and make it possible for you to go no matter your circumstance, just have faith. 

Any other thoughts?
Nope.
The church is true, the book is blue.
Amen.

Malia

The Opening

This is when I opened my call: 

Don't mind my sudden inability to properly read a sentence. I was so nervous! And everyone was staring at me! 

If you have never experienced opening your own mission call, and being a newly called missionary, let me explain what it is like. Everyone's is different, but this is what mine was like:

Almost the day after the stake president officially submitted my papers, I was already having to refrain from checking the mail. I did have some self control and let a week to go by before I allowed myself to start checking the mail. Even after a week I knew there was no way it would be there, but I couldn't help myself. The very earliest it could get to me would be 2 weeks, and I highly doubted that was even possible since it would be sent internationally. by the time I hit the 2 week mark, I was starting to go crazy. I graduated from walking to the mail box, to running to the mailbox, to riding my bike to the mailbox, to driving at full speed to the mailbox. Keep in mind that the mail box is only at the end of the street. I think heavenly father was watching over any possible children that might have been playing in the streets during the times of my mailbox runs. 

I'm sure my mom was amused when I knew very well that the mailman wouldn't come before 2 pm, and yet I would still check it at 12, and then at 1 again, and then watch through the window until I saw the canada post car drive up to the mailbox. I couldn't help it! I was so excited!

Many times I felt like I was in competition with Shae, only she didn't really know we were competing. I definitely felt like she was winning though. Every time I checked there was a letter or package for her, and nothing for me. I came to realize that Heavenly Father loved her more than me during those weeks. Kidding! I do think He has a bit of a sense of humor though. I envision Him watching me walk to the mail box with high hopes, and my call actually sitting in the mail, but just as I turn the key to open it He changes it really fast to a letter for Shae, just for his own kicks. Silly. The funniest/worst was a time I checked with Cheyenne. It went something like this:

"THERE'S A KEY IN THE MAILBOX"

Me jumping up and down and all around.

"Maybe you should use it then"

Cheyenne using her braincells.

Me escalating.

We opening it up and saw a large mission-like envelope. Unfortunately it was pitch black outside, and our street doesn't have streetlights.

Me freaking out!

Cheyenne keeping calm and collected, grabbing it from me and waiting until a car drives by to use the light to read the envelope.

Cheyenne reading,"Sister Carter"

Me, screaming, snatching it from her hands, and running towards the house at inhuman speeds... Or jogging...

We got to the house, burst through the door and read it again, "Shae Carter"

-_-

 Fine. I wasn't excited anyway.

When I finally did get my call in the mail, Cheyenne conveniently decided to take a last minute trip to Florida 3 days before... There was no way I was going to open it without her, meaning I would be waiting at least another 5 days. So I had to pretend I didn't notice it sitting there staring at me on the kitchen table for 5 days. The little crack in the bottom of the envelop wasn't helping at all. My dad kept smelling through the crack and claiming that it smelled foreign. My mom kept threatening to steam it open so she could read it before me (she hates surprises), and maybe even put a fake call inside. She was so offended that I actually didn't trust her. But if you only knew my mom. She gets clever mischievous little ideas in her head and if someone like Denna Kaopua eggs her on in the slightest, she can be quite the prankster. Ask me sometime about the time when she created a profile for me on LDS singles without me knowing, making me look like the biggest joke. I have to hand it to her, It was hilarious. I laughed so hard when I discovered it. So nonetheless, sorry mom, you can't be trusted. 

FINALLY the evening of my opening came, Cheyenne was finally home and guess who we were waiting for this time? Cheyenne again. She decided an hour and a half before I was to open my call that she would go to the gym with a friend... Without a cell phone. I love Cheyenne. 

That whole day I was SO stressed. I had so much anxiety. Normal people would probably be excited through the roof, but I was so anxious. I didn't know where I was going, what language I would be speaking, or when I was going. I was in limbo. All of the answers to my questions that had me sitting, waiting and not moving forward with my life were found wrapped up in that little envelope on the kitchen table. I wanted to call it the evil envelope, but I guess it was the source of all my joy for the past 3 weeks.

You cant see by the video, but when I finally opened and read it, I was washed over with a wave of peace. I went from no answers to all the answers. I finally had a time line, direction, and no more fear of a new language. Most people felt bad for me that I had to wait 5 months, but I was so satisfied just to know. And who doesn't love more time. Everything about it felt right. I never would have guessed California, but now it feels PERFECT! And yay English. Yep, I was so perfectly content, and happy. So happy. And I still am. I have had moments of wishing I didn't have to wait so long, but then I remember to be grateful for time.

My favorite question people like to ask me is, "Are you excited?"

Nope. I am not excited... Haha of course I am! I don't blame people for asking. I would too. It is just funny as a newly called missionary to get the same repeated obvious questions over and over and over again. Usually at church in the hallways. 

"Malia, where are you going on your mission?"

"Santa Rosa, California."

"When do you leave?"

"End of July."

"What Language are you speaking?"

"English."

"That is so exciting! Are you excited!"

"So excited!"

At this point there are no more questions to ask and they don't really know what else to say, or even how to end the conversation, so they awkwardly say something like, "... cool" and shuffle away, leaving me to wait for the next person to begin the questioning. I find it quite entertaining actually. And when you are a social butterfly like me and can't help but say hi to everyone, you find yourself in those conversations a lot. 

Yay mission! 

Malia

Not sure if it's too early to be calling myself "Sister Carter"

Quick Introduction

I used to think missionary blogs were so corny. Then I got called on a mission and found myself obsessed with reading sister missionary blogs, especially this one. Now here I am, the hypocrite, with my very own mission blog, and SO excited about it.

I have been called to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints to the Santa Rosa, California Mission. No big deal or anything... but AHHHHH!!! My soon to be mission is all I ever think about. I might think about other things sometimes too.
I report to the mission training center (MTC) on July 24th 2013. less than two months away. But feel bad for me because I have been waiting since February. Woe is me. Actually, I have loved waiting because I get to make up for lost time with my family from when I went away to school at BYUI. I love my family. Plus, having all this time to earn money has been such a blessing.

Attached is my mission call letter, and a map of the area I will be serving in (the yellow). Yippy!! This is so great!

Malia