Katie's Call

Katie got her mission call and is going to be serving in the Richmond, Virginia English Speaking Mission. She is excited and shocked. She promised a plate of brownies to anyone who guessed Virginia... I am still waiting for my brownies by the way. I think that she is partially excited because she wants to be a History Teacher and what better place to learn about History then where a lot of it happened. I caught her on Google Maps the other night looking over Richmond. Fun times, I kicked her off the computer and looked up all my houses in Guatemala. As we were looking over some of my areas, my mom asked what the difference between the brown dirt spots and the other brown dirt spots were? I laughed because I think that one of the brown dirt spots she was talking about was the roof of one of my houses. I am excited for my little sister. She gets to serve the Lord on a full time mission and learn what it means to dedicate yourself 100% to the gospel and the way that you have to live in order to be completely in tune with the spirit. It is an amazing feeling. Side note: When my dad, Willy, Jason, Cam, Thanner and I were going out to eat after Priesthood Session of Conference my dad brought up that President Faust had said something to the effect that his mission was the most influential part of his whole life. My dad said that he was surprised that a man that has served in so many church callings and so many different areas would say that the most influential part of his life was while serving a mission. I told my dad that I was not surprised. Although he has been an Apostle and a Special Witness of Christ, the mission is the only time in your life, even if you return with a spouse, that you can dedicate your mind 100% to the gospel and the Lord without having any other worries, concerns, or people to take care of. The closeness one has the opportunity to have to the Lord on a mission can not be faked or found in any other way. I think that is why every young man is asked to serve a mission if he is able. The growing that happens there can not be made up through any course of study, any job, or any relationship other than the daily study of the scriptures, the constant labor of mission work, and the relationship between you and the Holy Ghost as you work to find and help those you serve in a mission. OK, time for me to get off my soap box. Katie, I am proud of you, you are doing exactly what is right for you and I look forward, as much as you should as well, to the growing that will rake place as you serve the Lord over the next 18 months. When you report in July, just remember what President Hinckley's father told him, "...Forget yourself and get to work!". This will make you happier than you can ever imagine, the only thing that I have found to match it is spending time with my, in my case future, eternal companion. Good Luck and Have Fun!!!!