So I am finally in California. That is a good thing!
So on Tuesday, I was at the library and I saw two sister missionaries. I didn’t go up t talk to them because I knew it was their day off (they were using the computers and checking their email). But as I saw them, I was reminded that the sister missionary I keep in contact with in North Carolina had told me that I needed to contact the mission president in North Carolina when I got to California and that he would contact the mission president here in California. So I called the mission president in North Carolina right away. I was disappointed to get his voice mail, but I left a message for him to call me back. I waited two days but I still did not hear back from him.
Then today I was looking at the blog updates on my google reader and I saw an update from one of the “Mormon Mommy” blogs I follow (C. Jane). Anyway, her post was about her nephew who was going to the MTC today. It talked a lot about how even though it was a hard thing to send your child off and not hear from them except for four phone calls and a weekly email for two years, that it was only two years and it was two years of great growth and learning as a family. I was reminded that I needed to call the mission president so that I could meet with the missionaries and get baptized. So I called the mission president and he picked up this time. We had a ten minute conversation about what I was doing with my life and was I ready to be baptized and such. Anyway, I gave him my phone number and address and everything and he said he would contact the mission president and that I should be in contact with some missionaries shortly.
Now I have to admit that that was an hour and a half ago and I have been waiting anxiously for the phone to ring ever since. I mean, I know that is ridiculous because when I was meeting with the sister missionaries, We would be meeting for like an hour to two hours and the would never answer their phone. I know that I have to be patient, but man, I just want to get this ball rolling. Since the phone call with the mission president, I have done my devotions (2 Nephi 28-33) and written this post and written an email to a Morman Women yahoogroup that I subscribe to. I am going crazy. I mean, I might not even hear from the missionaries today. But I want to know if it is going to be sisters or elders. How long till I get baptized. Should I go to the YSA ward or the assigned family ward. I want to be back on the right track. I want to be progressing onward toward baptism and membership and a year after that, being able to go to the temple. I feel like I want it all (patience is not my virtue).
Okay, I am going to pray and try to calm myself down and maybe apply to a couple of jobs. I will try to be patient. Maybe I will go back to the library and pick up the books they have on hold for me there.
Oh, and as soon as I get there phone call I have made the decision that the nose piercing has to come out. This is a big step for me that I don’t want to take. It has been a part of me since my best friend and I did it as a bonding experience when I was twenty. I love the way it looks and it makes me feel like my nose isn’t so big (vain much?) But I know that it is a requirement and that I am stretching it a bit to not have it taken out now. But *insert whinny kid* I don’t want to!
Okay, enough of that. Obviously I did not pay enough attention to my devos today!
Will update when I hear from the missionaries.
Kate,
This post seems so happy. I don’t know what it is, but there is a different feeling to it than to the other posts. That’s good!
I hope those missionaries call you soon. I’m sure they will:) I’m super excited for you!
Thanks Megan. I really appreciate you commenting on the blog. I am glad there is a different feel to the post. I am happy. And nervous. I still haven’t heard from the missionaries but I hope to soon. I will keep you updated.
Kate:
I read CJane and I noticed the comment you left today with your blog address, so I decided to check it out. I have been a Mormon my whole life, so I have never experienced the journey you are on. It was really fun for me to read your story. I can tell you have a great Spirit about you.
As far as whether to attend the YSA or family ward – the church is true no matter where you are. But, if you are in your twenties I think you will really enjoy the YSA ward. The activites are fun and you will be in a similar life situation as many of the other ward members. I was in a YSA ward for five years and really enjoyed it. I made many dear friends that I still keep in touch with.
Good luck with your journey. I hope you make the decisions that is right for you. I hope that your family supports your decision and realize that we all believe in the same God – that he is merciful and loving. We just have different ideas surrounding Him. Your family sounds like they are nice Christian people that know God and serve Him. How wonderful! God loves Mormons and Protestants (just not Catholics……I’m totally kidding – of course He does!)
If you ever have any questions – I would be happy to answer any of them. Thanks for sharing your journey! Lots of love to you and your family!
Wendy
Wendy, thank you so much for you encouragement. My parents have given me a book called “The truth about Mormonism” and have asked me to read if out of respect to them. So of course I feel obligated to read it. Due to that, I can almost guarantee that I am going to have questions. Thanks for checking out my blog… I really appreciate it!
I came over here from Cjane’s blog (I saw your comment) and I feel compelled to tell you how wonderful I think you must be for taking such a huge step in the right direction. It sounds like you have some great friends helping you along the way and now you have one more :).
As far as the nose piercing is concerned, just remember that the Lord knows your concerns and cares. Even though it may seem like a trivial thing, he really does want you to be happy. The great thing about living the gospel of Jesus Christ is that when you make great sacrifices, the Lord blesses you for it.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I believe the same things you and the missionaries do and I am impressed by your desire to follow the voice of the Spirit. I hope you know there are strangers in the world who love you 🙂
Monica- thank you so much for checking out my blog. Honestly, I appreciate each and every person who is there for me or prays for me as I go through this journey. Sometimes it is just knowing that there people out there believing in me and praying for me that has gotten me through this time.
About the nose ring (stud not ring but it sounds weird) I know that Heavenly Father will bless me for me obeying him. He already has when I gave up coffee and black tea. Now I drink a lot of herbal tea and look Starbucks in the face and say “You can’t make me!” It was hard at first but I know that I am a better person for it.
Kate:
I don’t know anything about the book they have asked you to read, so I don’t know how much help I will be. I will try! If you choose to read it, please do so with a prayerful heart. Typically, religious literature that is not written by a member of that religion is often incorrect and biased. For example, if I wanted to learn about the Protestant religion, I would not read a book written by a Mormon 🙂 Because if I wrote a book about the Protestant religion, I can guarantee you that it would not be accurate. I think it would be easy to write a book that tears someone else’s religion down with a spirit of contention (AKA the devil) and stirs doubt — much easier than having faith in the good feelings from the Spirit that have whispered truth. I’m sure your parents have good intentions, so I totally understand wanting to respect them.
By the way, you said your parents live in Africa….why? What part? Just wondering. My husband’s parents served a LDS service mission in Africa (Ethiopia/Uganda) and they brought us home the most BEAUTIFUL souveneirs and jewelry. I would love to visit Africa someday!
Lots of Love!
Wendy
Wendy- My parents are protestant missionaries who serve in Senegal. We used to live in the Ivory Coast but had t evacuate due to the civil war. We lived in Kenya for six months as well. Additionally, my father is South African so I was born there. My mother, however, is American.
I agree with you about what you said about reading a book about a religion written by someone else. The book that I referred to “Facts on the Mormon Church” is what it is called, is only 79 pages. Apparently it was written for current Mormons about their religion so they would “see the light”. I understand that you won’t be familiar with this book, but if I come across something that I have a question on, I will post it on the blog. On the opposite side of the fence, I have the book “Setting the Record Straight: The Book of Mormon” which is written by a Mormon about the LDS Church. I also checked out the book “The Sisterhood: Inside the Lives of Mormon Women” from the library. I am looking forward to reading it.
Africa is beautiful. I miss it from time to time, though to be honest, when I lived their with my parents, it was miserable. I don’t know if you know how many protestant missionaries work but I will briefly explain. They are many time hired for life, or until they retired. My parents went to Africa when I was 11 (miserable time to move a child, let me tell you). You are allowed access to all of the modern things that define our life (internet, phones, etc).
Anyway, thanks for come back, Wendy!
Kate
I too noticed your comment on cjane and am so impressed by your testimony. You are a brave woman. Thank you for sharing. I will be praying for you too.
Lauralee, thank you so much for your support and your prayer. I really appreciate it!
Just like many of the other commenters I also saw your comment of c. jane’s blog post. I am so proud of your desire to join the gospel, be baptized, and go to the temple. I have been a member all of my life but it is truly the greatest thing and I have come to rely so heavily on my savior during the hard times in my life it has been such a blessing. I am currently in the process of putting in my papers to serve my own 18 month mission and your spark and anticipation bring me hope that there are souls just like you I am meant to be able to teach and bring the gospel to where ever I am called to serve. Thank you for sharing your story!
Oh, Juli, I am so happy for you. Can I say that I love Sister Missionaries. The two that I had in North Carolina were the most amazing women ever. They were such an example to me and I can’t wait to see them after their missions are done (we made plans before I had to leave). If it hadn’t been for those two women, it would have been so easy for me to turn around and walk right back out the door. They held my hand through all my questions and my stubbornness to let things go (I tend to get stuck on minor issues and make them to be bigger things than they are). The mission president asked me to spend this next year praying because he thinks I would make a great missionary so that is something I am thinking about doing as well (if I don’t let fear take hold of me). I will be praying for you as you serve your mission. I pray that you meet many other people like me who just want to hear the truth!