This is where it all began...opening of the letter.

Kim and I (Laverne & Shirley). My other half and best friend from LA.

“Visitor Center, Temple Square,  Idaho, Asian, European…” were a common theme among “guesses” of the location of my future mission call. Admittedly, some places were more dreaded than others (cough, Visitor Center), but I had confidence the Lord would send me where my individual personality and character would be most useful.

After a month of every continent, country and potential living situation stampeded through my head – the letter finally came. Excitement rose to the maximum level along with a jolt in my stomach, and it was time to do the unveiling of my mission call that arrived Thursday, January 7, 2010. One line in the envelope I was holding would decide the next year and a half of my existence and circumstance. Amazing.

My close friends came over in anticipation, my parents and grandparents listened on various cell phone lines,  and visions of opening the letter and reacting to the sentence “You are assigned to labor in the [insert every place imaginable]…” replayed in my mind. Then followed a thrilled, disappointed or hmm reaction.

Regardless, I prepared myself to serve anywhere. Even though I must admit my prayers went something like this,  “I will serve anywhere you want me to, BUT please send me to a place I will be at least a little excited about! Pretty please with cherries on top!” My prayers were answered…

“You are assigned to labor in the Italy Milan Mission.” Hush, silence, then excited uproar filled the room.  I report to the MTC April 14, 2010. The countdown begins…excited, terrified, and every emotion under the sun is and will be experienced. Ready or not – here I come.

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.