Here Is Why I Chose To Serve

       For a long time I have made it known that I planned to serve a two year mission.  That service includes postponing college plans, only being able to call home twice a year, only getting to mail home once a week, and having to give up my phone, my social media, movies, and more.  For a long time, as I shared my plan with others as we discussed our post-high school plans, I received various questions, many of which essentially consisted of "Why in the world would you want to do that?" Here is my answer.
       Ever since I was a kid, I was encouraged and expected to serve as a missionary and so for me it was always "part of the plan", but it wasn't until much later that I understood it's importance and figured out for myself why I wanted to be a missionary.  Over time as I got older and learned and gained my own experiences, it became clear to me.  I learned for myself that God loves me, that Christ is my Savior, and the joy that comes knowing and following that Gospel of Christ.  Knowing that, it became clear to me that it was my duty to offer and share that same opportunity with others and sacrifice my time and energy to God to do his work.
       At that point the only question that remained was as to when I needed to serve.  Do I go to college first?  For a semester?  For a year?  Or do I follow the minimum requirement of being 18 and having graduated high school?  As I thought and contemplated I decided that I should serve as soon as I could.  This decision was not strongly definitive however until a trip to the temple during January or February this year.  As I sat in the temple I realized that I had not actually taken the opportunity to ask God if that was his plan for me.  So I asked.  I prayed about whether my decision was the right decision for me and I received an answer.  I felt the Holy Spirit and the peaceful feeling that yes, I needed to prepare to serve this fall.  My future was clear and my decision was firm: I need to serve.
       In the next few months after that experience in the temple I filled out my mission application and submitted it in May.  A month or so later I received my call to go to Sweden.  A few more months of preparation later and here I am ready to serve.  I know that I am needed in Sweden and I am anxious to do my part.  This is what is meant for me and I know that this is part of God's plan for me.  I want to bear you my testimony that I know that God is real and He loves all of us, that He wants what is best for all of his children, and that we have a part in helping each other as God's children.  I bear witness of this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.