PREPARE TO SERVE

The decision to leave home for an extended period of time to serve God as a missionary was a relatively easy one for me.

Growing up I felt fairly indifferent to the idea of one day serving a mission. I really didn't want to at one point. However, as I approached my last year of high school in late 2012 to mid 2013, I began to feel it was the right thing to do.

(Senior Photo, Lindsay Kay Photography)

There were several things that began prompting me that I should go on a mission. One of the strongest began when a large surge of hype about serving missions began to enter the hearts of my peers and other young people around the world after President Thomas S. Monson's historic announcement that lowered the church's age policy for young Elders and Sisters.

Here is that announcement:

"...effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19... able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."

"We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty—and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable to respond to the call to serve."

-President Monson

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This announcement changed the lives of many of my peers who were now able to serve at a younger age. Many prepared themselves to recieve their assignments and promptly left just after their high school graduation!

Despite the energetic hype surrounding me, I firmly held to the plan that I wanted to leave at age nineteen. It had been the standard my whole life and at the time of the announcement I was only a few weeks away from turning eighteen. I still had school to finish and I also needed to make sure that I was prepared spiritually and financially in order to heed this special call.

That's right. You heard me correctly; financially prepared.


(Senior Photo, Lindsay Kay Photography)

A mission is not a cheap experience in any sense of the word. After I graduated High School my family made a quick move out of state and I began working at my local Subway Cafe as a "Sandwich artist".

For several months, creating custom subs, washing dishes, manning the drive-thru, preparing pre-cooked meats, slicing veggies, rotating storage, cashiering through painful lunch rushes and baking bread became part of my normal routine.

This job helped me save enough money to help me get on my mission. Though it was challenging, I look back fondly on the learning experiences I had and many wonderful people I had the pleasure of forming lasting friendships with.

During this time, I began meeting with my local Bishop to begin the process of becoming a missionary. Lots of interviews and paperwork!

One of the most special means of preparation for my mission was to enter the Temple to make sacred promises with God to serve Him and love those around me.

Many of my close family members were able to be with me that day to see me go through for the first time. It was one of the most special and spiritual experiences of my life. I will never forget the special spiritual impact this experience was.

Finally, after months and months of appointments, long hours of work and anxious anticipation, a white envelope with details of my assignment arrived in the mail...

...and my anxiety began to increase.