This whole going on a mission thing started way back in January of 2012. I was a happy little freshman attending Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. I was in my third semester and LOVING it with all of my heart :) I wanted nothing to change, I had fabulous roommates, an awesome FHE group, the best FRESHMAN WARD ever, and I enjoyed my classes most of the time. I honestly probably should have worked harder in my classes and spent much more time in the library than I did. (I have since repented of my ways oh and I did a summer term before starting my freshman year, hence three semesters for all you confused ones scratching your head like a monkey :)
I grew up hearing about my father's travels in Israel. I have also had multiple aunts and uncles travel to the Holy Land, so the Jerusalem study abroad program has always had a place in my heart, but I never thought I would actually get the chance to go because Mulah people! It's quite expensive! (Although there are ways to get scholarships and government money for anyone considering applying, which you should absolutely do!) Anywho I was walking home from campus one day when a very strong thought came into my head. "Ellen, you should apply for the BYU Jerusalem program for this fall." Done. That's all my thought said, but my initial reaction was "Are you crazy Ellen?! You don't even have a major, it's way too expensive, and you have housing for next year, there is no way you can go to Jerusalem!" Well, I thought about it for a couple days, called my mom to ask her what she thought, and she said "Nooooooo, sorry bells! (that's my nickname) Too expensive! Maybe another year." So, I went on my merry way and didn't think about it again.
Fast forward to March, approximately five days before the application deadline. I was eating dinner with my lovely roomies (Quick SHOUT OUT to my freshman roomies who were the best roommates EVER! Anne Katherine Toronto currently on a mission in Anaheim, California-Spanish speaking, Elise Christensen on a mission in Louisville, Kentucky-Spanish speaking, Alysha Carroll going on a mission to Natal, Brazil- Portuguese speaking, Emily Christensen going on a mission to Calgary, Canada- English speaking, and finally Rachael Davies is getting married to Colton Riner this December and I can't be there so sad! But, I do love these girls so much and they have inspired me so much!) Anywho, so I'm sitting at the dinner table and I hear Emily and Elise talking about the Jerusalem applications they were turning in that week because they wanted to go that fall! Uhhh.... where had my mind been, but for some reason I had never heard them say they were applying! Emily turned and looked at me and said, "Ellen why don't you apply! You would love it" It was like a light bulb went off in my head, I felt that same strong thought come into my mind that I should apply to go to Jerusalem. So, what did I do? I applied :) I was then accepted at the end of April and proceeded to have a life-changing semester in the Holy Land. If you want to hear about my experiences go to ellisms.blogspot.com.
We will now fast forward to October 2012, I was in the Holy Land at the point, more specifically I was sitting in the auditorium of the BYU Jerusalem Center watching General Conference when the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson began the opening session. It was the traditional beginning, we sang a hymn, there was a prayer, and I wrote "October 2012 General Conference Morning Session Thomas S. Monson" in curly-cue letters all across the top of my page like I always do. President Monson announced the new temples, thanked us for all being there, and it was business as usual! All of the sudden he said.... Well Here, I'll just have you watch it :) It was truly stupendous and made me have chills all over my body!
My jaw literally fell wide open. As you can see, all of the other young women were in awe as well, but I can honestly say that I know without a doubt that the Prophet and his apostles received this revelation directly from God. The age change for young men and young women happened for a reason. I felt the Spirit (the Holy Ghost which is a gift you receive at Baptism) testify to me so strongly that this was doctrine from God.
I spent the next few days praying and thinking about this new option for young women. I prayed and did receive an answer as to whether or not I should go on a mission. The answer was simply that I should wait and see. So, I put my question on the shelf of my mind and didn't worry about it for the next few months because I knew if I was supposed to go that it would all work out. Luckily, God knows me better than I know myself and he gave me the necessary amount of time (roughly four months) for my heart and mind to change. I hadn't ever really planned on going on a mission, it wasn't a part of my "life plan", but over the next few months I started to really think about whether or not I should go on a mission because I knew if I decided to go that I would give my heart and soul to that work. That I would 100 percent commit myself to serving the Lord with "all my heart, might, mind, and strength." Was I really willing to make this commitment?
My next blog post will tell you the answer :)
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