Dear Sister Rowley:
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Washington DC North Mission. In addition to your calling to share the gospel, you will be assigned to serve in the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, September 25, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.
i was showered with tender mercies that day. my sister was back from school, my uncle was in town, an influential visiting teacher was home from germany, another uncle was able to get off work early, kelli arrived just in the nick of time, and despite my last minute inquiry… hailey was available and entirely willing to share her talents. satan tried to weasel his way into the goodness of that day, but once i spotted that mission call in my mailbox all feelings of frustration and hunger vanished. from that point on, everything ran smoothly. the stresses were relieved, the problems were resolved, and the spirit re-entered my heart. the story of the map – although long, and probably quite boring – is a story of yet another tender mercy and an ever-loving god. it wasn't necessary that we have a map, but heavenly father knew the desires of my heart and made them happen. it was very evident that he wanted this day to be special, even if that meant helping me find a relatively large world map on a state holiday when stores were closed and possibilities were limited.
our mail never arrives before before 3pm, never! i checked the mailbox at least twice before noon knowing it wouldn't be there but trying anyways. on my way to walmart (for the second time) i decided to check again even though it was only 2pm. i opened the mailbox and about died when i saw that big, white envelope inside. leaving all other mail in the box, i ran in the house with a big smile, a happy heart, and a letter addressed to sister rowley. never before has a mail delivery been more important, more satisfying, more relieving, or more beautiful (can mail be considered beautiful?). while i could have chosen to open the call then & there or in the privacy of my bedroom, i chose to wait about six hours for the arrival of friends and family.
there wasn't a single moment that entire day when nervousness crept in, not even for a minute. i was at peace with my decision to serve and had already internally accepted the call to go wherever i was asked. i was excited, but in a calm sort of way that allowed me to patiently go about my day without peaking into my future. every amazing detail of that party (yes, we had a party) deserves an applause for my mother. she worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make that day as special as she could. if i can adopt mom's work ethic and selflessness and take it into the mission field with me, then i'll have nothing to worry about. i was surrounded by many friends and family members that evening, and for that i am grateful. it wouldn't have been the same without the excitement and support of everyone there, including two best friends who made the effort to attend via facetime.
looking back, it all feels a bit surreal. there i stood, in front of the people who matter most, reading (in a rather ungraceful manner) my future. i was overflowing with feelings of gratitude when i read that letter, and i'm overflowing again as i write about it now. i knew it the moment i saw it and i know it now, washington DC is exactly where i'm meant to be. i know that this call was heaven sent and perfectly tailored to fit who i am now and who i will become in the next 18 months. my preparation time is short, i leave in 58 days, but i think it's a good thing. heavenly father asked me to serve a long time ago, but i wasn't ready to listen. as soon as i committed, everything happened quickly. i feel relieved to be assigned to an english-speaking mission and equally relieved to be traveling somewhere within the US. i feel honored to be a sister missionary, especially one that will serve in the temple visitors center. to think that god trusts me enough to be the face of his holy house is extremely humbling. above all, i feel grateful to be a daughter of god and to have the knowledge that i do. the gospel of jesus christ is the single most important thing in my life and i'm excited to share that light and joy with the people and tourists of washington DC.
Hey Kylee! This is Kristen Moore. I've read your blog off and on but just saw that you got called to the DC North mission, my brother is serving in that same mission!! He absolutely loves it. He gets done this December/January. They just got a new mission president and he loves him. Anyway, just wanted to tell you congrats and good luck!!
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