Missionary Call Acceptance

I received my mission call over a week ago. It was the most thrilling and anxiety filled day of my life so far. Not only had it taken four long months to finally get it, but I then waited patiently by my standards to open in until everyone could come together to hear my great news. So much emotion and tension on one little piece of paper that will tell me where I could finally go and teach others about my testimony, and about my experiences that have truly given me the knowledge that THIS CHURCH IS TRUE!! So finally I am tearing the corner of the big white envelope. (When it came in the mail I couldnt believe it and almost overlooked it. I know everyone is thinking how could that be possible. Well when i finally read the name Sister Jessica Bell. I started jumping up and down and screaming. Might have gotten a few strange looks from neighbors who were outside.) Well I got the packet out and threw the envelope down. Not realizing that the call was in fact on the piece of paper still in the envelope. Ok side note. I didnt care where I was called, I didnt have a preference, I knew I would go where the Lord wanted me to. However everyone had told me I was going to go to Russia. I really didnt think that I would, and I hadnt hoped  to, except when I read where I was going I was a little disappointed that it was not to Russia. Everyone is yelling at me to read it our loud. How could I read it out loud when I was letting it sink in where I was finally called to serve. I had to laugh because never had I thought that i would be called to the California Rancho Cucamonga mission. I could barely pronounce Cucamonga let alone serve there. The funny thing is my aunt, uncle, and cousins had just gotten back from a trip to Disneyland where they had driven through Rancho Cucamonga, and had said wouldnt it be funny if Jess went here. Well I didnt think so. Except when I was reading down further I knew that I needed to go here for some reason. I would help someone or someone would help me. I would grow in California, and I would gain a stronger testimony of the church. Was I nervous? YES!! Who wouldnt be? I am leaving my home, the people I love, and my comfort zone to go somewhere I have never been. To teach people I have never met. And to live with another girl that the only thing we may have in common with is that we are serving a mission in Rancho Cucamonga for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What was I thinking? I cant even stand working with some girls, and hanging out with some girls for a night let alone sharing the same space for a whole 18 months with lots of different girls. Almost all my friends are guys because of the simple reason I hate drama, and basically everything that girls do. I am seriously a Tom Boy.BUT GUESS WHAT? Heavenly Father knows this. Heavenly Father will be with me every step of the way and will help me get over all my fears like the ones about my companion. My fears of being someone new( which isn't actually that big of a fear, I great at making new friends and talking to people. Kinda happens when you move 15 times in your life and you are only 20) And my fears of being inadequate in my knowledge of the gospel. 
So I being to look at the packet, now that the cat was out of the bag everyone realized how hungry they were and I became less interesting than the food that was before them, Which tends to happen a lot. Food is good. Somehow, in the process of submitting my mission papers, I didn’t quite realize that I would be required to actually write a letter directly to the First Presidency in order to accept the call.  When I got my call and read the accompanying packet, I was a little intimidated–what could I possibly have to say to the Brethren?  I think this is probably the reaction a lot of new missionaries have. So I put it  off, that and the fact that last Sunday was Stake Conference so I couldnt have given it to my bishop to send anyways. Then on Halloween Josh's dad (my missionary out in the mission field. So proud of that boy. He still doesnt know where Im going) said well i assume your acceptance letter is in, and then I remember that I still had not written the First Presidency. What am I suppose to say, I know that I want to serve a mission. and I know that the Lord wants me to serve the people of Rancho Cucamonga California, however how do I do that. So I did what any good Mormon girl does when she doesnt know what to do. I prayed. I got on my knees and told Heavenly Father to help me to know what to write to accept my new calling as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Well he answered. I wrote my acceptance. here it is:

Dear Brethren:
I gratefully accept the call to serve. I have never been so sure about any decision I have made in my life, except for this one. I know in my heart that I am doing the Lord's will. I am going out in search of that one lost sheep. I know with Heavenly Father's love and support I will be able to help serve the sweet souls in the are of Rancho Cucamonga, California. I know that this is the path that I will follow to be closer to my Heavenly Father. and to have the great blessing of the Spirit in my life. I have faith that with Him I can fulfill my calling as a missionary, without Him I will fail. "I will boast of my God, in his strength I can do all things." (Alma 26:12) I thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to go out and do the work and serve. I know the blessings will be numerous and my testimony of the gospel will grow. 
Sister Jessica Bell 
I know that Heavenly Father was helping me to write this. I could have never done it on my own. For months I have been getting answers to my prayers about serving on a mission, and it finally happened. I have the ability to serve. But, I dont have to wait to share my testimony of the gospel, and invite others to come unto God. I have been preparing for a mission my entire life, through hearing the testimonies of my teachers, bishops, friends, and prophets. I know that this church is true. There is something that my missionary shared with me the night before he left to the MTC. Well I guess it was from his uncle,who just got back from a mission in Africa. But anyways he said. "You will have good times and you will have bad times. And when those times come get on your knees and the Lord will help you to know that you are blessed and that you are loved . Everything is going to be just fine. " 

Never have I felt more love and support than I do right now, because I have submitted everything I have to the Lord. And my will, will be His for 18 months. I know that I will grow, I will be come more patient, loving, and an all around better person because I am dong what the Lord asks us to do. I am Following Him . I am serving Him, and Finding that one Lost sheep that has gone astray.  "This could be the best two years of my life, but it will definitely be the best two years for my life." I know this is true. There is something that Josh shared in his letter today that I wanted to share. 

Stand TALL. 

Reach High. 

You personify, the image of God above.

Be glad you are you. 

Lay Claim to your due. 

Of His glorious light and love. 

I am a MORMON. I know it. I live it. I love it. Nothing will ever change that for me, I have know since I was 12 that there was something special about this church that I never wanted to lose, and I am determined to never quit having that special feeling each and every time I talk about the gospel, or go to the temple, or do something that I know is right. I know that when I am on my mission, I am going to make it the best 18 months of my life. I will grow, I will teach, I will love, and I will share my passion for what I know is true. A missionaries success is not from the amount of baptisms we do. It is about the true conversions we make happen. All we have to do is plant the seed and let it grow. It will blossom eventually. Just like in the Disney movie Mulan, "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." The entire world is in a state of adversity, Satan is all around. However, Light always overcomes darknes, and the flower will bloom,and once they realize how important the gospel is they will never let it  go.