Wow what a day! My mission call arrived on May 26 at the office, and I opened it June 1st 6 days later. I have never felt so many emotions all in 1 day...after holding onto my call for 6 days so family could be there since it was memorial weekend, it gave me time to process and prepare for my opening it. I felt sick to my stomach during those 6 days...the idea that I could go anywhere in the world put knots in my stomach. Kelz my fiend got her mission call the same day and called me saying, "Nick what does yours say? I told her 1.99, and she replies, shoot mines 1.78 and I'm pretty sure that means I'll stay state side." I laughed cause they say weight of your envelope can let you know if your going state side or foreign, but I didn't believe it I started to look up other people according on social media with that same postage as mine, and they were all going foreign. Anything under that like 1.78, they would stay state side. When I first received my call I felt I was staying state side, especially since I put I didn't really want to learn a language on my papers, but after my "research", my mind started telling me I was going foreign. I felt so anxious and nervous cause the chances of me speaking English were that much less!! So I started telling myself you'll go to Australia or New Zealand, foreign but English:) well....the day came, and I felt nervous as ever! Butterflies, sick to my stomach, dizzy...I had it all😁 I went to work, and left early to come home and get ready. Mom had good all set out, and it hit me that is was all happening so soon. My whole life for the next 18 months was about to be revealed. I said so many prayers that day to feel comfort and at peace, and this was the time i needed that most! People started showing up, and making guesses...Vince thought Russia, mom thought Scandinavia, Gav was set on New Hampshire, Manu and Zac thought Italy, Ozzie said Australia, Paige said New York...most people thought foreign and good old josh guessed salt lake.😄 4 of my friends going are all staying state side, and so they all thought I would too. well the time came and i was ready to open it! I had zacs dad on Skype and kaylee. My whole family was there but Tara skyler, Josh and Eric. It was time...I ripped the envelope and put out my packet. My call was on top so I put it underneath the book so I couldn't read ahead. I was shaking so bad and just paused for a moment to take a breath and start reading.
Dear Sister Rindlisbacher,
you are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I moved my book down to the next down and read a head...You are assigned to labor in the Italy Milan mission. I paused and put my hand over my mouth. I was Im complete shock! What????? Italy???? How is this possible I thought! People yelling, "Nick, read it!" But I was chocked back in my tears I could barley get the words out.
It sounded something like, You are assigned to labor in the Italy m........and then crying. The people that could tell why I said started cheering, and then there were so many that couldn't tell what I said. but in that moment it hit me. NICOLE YOU ARE GOING TO ITALY! I read on, "You will serve for a period of 18 months. You will should report to the Provo Mtc Wednesday October 5th. You will be prepared to speak the gospel in the Italian language." Although I was still shaking, felt sick to my stomach, and still in shock, I felt a confirmation that this is where God needs me. Never did Italy cross my mind....especially since Zac is in Paris which is 8 hours from
Milan, but also speaking a language was the last thing I expected. It took me a couple days to process it all, but my love for the Italian people is so strong, and as much as I'm terrified to learn a new language, I'm grateful to know the lord is on my side and through faith in him, I can accomplish anything. I've met some girls on Facebook who are going to my same mission, leaving the same day so I will be in the same district with them, and maybe even companions with one of them. I love this gospel, and CAN NOT wait to be a missionary!!!
Zac's little tag, (he guessed my mission.)
Manu guessed Italy too!!
I believe
ReplyDeleteIn the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints to be the only living and true church upon the face of this earth. Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, and because of him, we are able to repent and be as he is. I Know Joseph Smith restored this church, and he was a true prophet of god. He translated the book of Mormon which is the word of god. I know the temples are houses of god where we can be sealed as families for eternity through his holy priesthood. I know God loves me, and hears my prayers through miracles and everyday life i've experienced. I'm grateful for this gospel, and the joy as well as hope it's given me throughout my life. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Today is Wednesday which means, MY MISSION CALL COULD BE ASSIGNED ALREADY!!! The feelings of joy, and also anxious are really kicking in. Tonight i was able to go to the temple, and really felt at peace and love for my savior after a crazy day at work, and trying to stay sane knowing my call could be assigned already. It was one of the loudest times I've been inside the temple...(Lots of kids talking,) but in the end, the spirit never leaves when you drown out the sound and ponder, or study the scriptures provided. I love being inside the temple and feeling a sense of peace no matter what's going on in my life.
ReplyDeleteAs far as my mission call goes, my papers were supposed to be submitted 2 weeks ago, but the stake president had to leave town, so they pushed my interview back until we got home from the Philippines. Talk about Santan working his ways on missionaries getting ready to leave...I've had a few experiences between that time and now that were EXTREMELY DIFFICULT and left me with a spirit of disappointment and confusion. Some including close family members questioning my beliefs, my mission papers getting pushed back, Mom being diagnosed with Lyme disease, Zac's dad telling me he is getting heart surgery, Zac being gone, My face reaction in the Philippines, and Rich Haws' passing. I've felt empty inside, and this feeling just stayed around. PRAYER is what got me through it, and looking back I am a different person today than I was 2 weeks ago. God Truly works miracles and can change hearts...I've noticed as I have moved forward with faith, God always makes up the rest and continues to show his love to me as I keep my trust in him. Something I always tell Zac is that going through hard times, we can either choose to be positive or negative, but being negative doesn't get us anywhere in life, so being positive is the better option. :)
Regardless of the hard times I've had the pass couple weeks, I will continue to move forward with faith because my testimony has kept me grounded through trails, and will only continue to grow as I experience all the blessings of a mission. I am so excited an grateful to serve a mission, and can't wait to see where I am called!!!