I never planned on serving a mission. I thought I had my life planned out. I was going to go to school, get a degree in teaching, or something related to Special Education, and then get a job in a city, creating a way for my students to love learning. That was my plan, but obviously Heavenly Father had a different plan in store for me.
The summer after graduation I decided I needed to pray about if I should go on a mission, or just stick on the path with my life plan. I prayed, and prayed but never received an answer. I was getting frustrated, and honestly a little annoyed I wasn't getting an answer as soon as I wanted. I could not believe that with something as important as a mission, I was not getting an answer. I would go out with the Sister Missionaries, and I loved it! I loved feeling the Spirit not only testify to me, but also to those they were teaching. I watched as one of my good friends joined the Church, and how it started blessing her life RIGHT AWAY! I saw the joy that it brought into my life and also the lives of those the Missionaries taught. I wanted to know if that was something I was supposed to bring others unto as well.
Right before I went down to Southern Idaho for school at Brigham Young University - Idaho, I received a blessing. In this blessing there was a part talking about missionary work. Instantly my ears perked up, and I waited to hear the answer I had been waiting for all summer. There was a pause as the man giving me the blessing, drew in a breath. The words he said next are still swirling around in my head. He said: "If you decide to be a missionary, you will be one of the choice missionaries that will serve no matter where you are needed." My thoughts: "ok, Amber it is up to you." But he didn't stop there. He continued on, "...you will obey your mission rules, and be obedient to your Mission President." My thoughts: "umm... wait what?" He continued on telling me I would find joy and satisfaction as I joined the thousands serving throughout the world. In my mind, I thought the decision was going to still be hard to make. Until he said these words: "Those people whose doors you knock on, they will open them and say please enter and teach me the gospel for we have been waiting." As soon as he said those words the tear floodgates were opened. I was crying not out of fear or happiness, but out of humility. My Heavenly Father knew that was exactly what I needed to hear. He knew that this would be my motivation when the Adversary was trying to take me off the Right Path. He knew that it would be the deciding factor for me in serving a mission.
This experience has made me realize that Our Father in Heaven really is there, and he will answer our prayers. It just might take time, and come in ways that we might not expect it. I know that someone in the California Rancho Cucamonga Mission needs something I have to offer. Someone there has been waiting to hear the Gospel, and they are now ready to hear it. I don't want to let them down, and don't want to make them wait any longer to hear the glorious message all Missionaries carry with them. I know Heavenly Father loves each and everyone of us. I know that he knows our needs, and the desires of our hearts. I am so excited to Serve the Lord for 18 months, and to help bring others to the knowledge of how much Our Heavenly Father loves us. This Blog is going to be all about my adventures and experiences in Rancho Cucamonga, California. My wonderful Mother will be updating this while I am gone. Everyday I check to see how many more days till I enter the MTC on May 21, 2014. I can't wait!
Love, Amber Rietz