It had been a long week at school. My anatomy class was killing me! With the holidays approaching, and dreams of turkey and mashed potatoes, all that seemed to be occupying my thoughts was my mission call, which was now submitted. My Dad, who is also my Bishop, had helped me get my papers in in a timely manner, (having your Dad as your Bishop does have its perks!). He had been following the process online, and called me a couple days before to tell me that my call was on its way. This meant, that it would be arriving on Thursday. My anxiety shot through the roof and schoolwork became so trivial. How could I memorizing where the extensor pollicus longus muscle was, when I was going to find out where I would be sharing the gospel in two days?! I was supposed to be studying for my Muscles practical exam, but I just couldn't seem to focus. When I came to the realization that I was most likely going to fail the exam, I decided that I just wouldn't take it at all! (Don't worry, our teacher let us drop one test at the end of the semester). I figured that this would be the best one to drop, and it allowed me to come home earlier than expected! I made plans to come home on Thursday and made it through three hours of Anatomy and Statistics lecture. The car ride there was agonizing! I was hours away from knowing where I would be going and I was confined to a space that felt much more like a small cardboard box than a 2004 Dodge Neon. For the five hours, I daydreamed of the many places I could go. In my heart, I knew I would go to South America. I had always dreamed of coming home and speaking Spanish with my Dad who served in Peru. I even had a dream that I was going to his exact mission. I honestly believed that I would be sent somewhere in South America.
Finally, the dreaded car ride was over, and I arrived home. That white envelope laid on the kitchen table, and I swear it was glowing... It took all the self control I had not to open it right then and there. It was only 5:00, and we were expecting friends and family to come at 7:00 to watch me open it. I did everything I could to keep busy, except eating; I was too sick for that. I've sung in front of countless audiences, but nothing compared to the nerves I experienced that night. Around 7:00, my guests began to arrive. There was my brother and sister-in-law, the Cottle family, The Hansen Family, The Johnson Family and then a number of relatives and friends on face-time and phone calls. My shaky fingers struggled to open the packet (I've never been good at opening letters). I read the first couple lines, and I have never experienced so many emotions in such a short amount of time before. I was overwhelmed with shock, happiness, excitement, fear, wonder, and more shock. Birmingham, England!!!
I know that this is where I am supposed to be. I get the best of both worlds! Foreign and I don't have to learn a language :) I feel so incredibly blessed. I can't wait to serve the wonderful people of England in February.
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