A Marvelous Work

It seems like the past two weeks I've had about a billion friends leave on their missions. It still amazes me that even just a year ago, missionaries still seemed way older than me and I didn't think I would ever be close to someone who was leaving, but reality finally hit. I made SO many friends at school and enjoyed making memories and being in wards with young men who knew how to have fun, honored their priesthood, and were working towards going on missions.

Yesterday, after I got off the phone with a friend who went into the MTC today, my mom and I were talking. She said, "I wonder how many friends you've said goodbye to and sent off on their missions?" Well I was curious too, so today I added it up.

21. Can you believe that? It was a lot more than I thought it was going to be and really I was just surprised that I even had that many friends, and that's only the boys!

I then went through and made a list of all the places they are going. All around the world and even across the United States...

Argentina

New York

Colombia

Mexico

Texas

Germany

Peru

Spain

Australia

Poland

Panama

Taiwan

Missouri

Russia

Brazil

Nevada

Paraguay

CRAZY!!! I feel so blessed to have so many great examples in my life. These young men have such strong testimonies and have lived their lives in such a way that they are able to go serve the Lord for 2 years. It's been so fun to keep in contact and to see their testimonies grow and to read about their challenges and successes. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and for the many opportunities I have had because of it. I know that it is the only true church on the earth and hope that while I am away from BYU and its huge LDS population this summer that I will be able to be an example to others and do a little bit of missionary work on my own here at home.

In about one year from now, I will be able to submit my own mission papers and although I don't know what's in store for me, I think it would be an amazing experience to serve a full-time mission for the church. Preaching the gospel and sharing with others the great plan of happiness. But for now, I'm happy to experience it vicariously through all of these young men. They truly are God's army going out into the world and I wish them all the best of luck!

In other news:

I just finished the book Leaving by Karen Kingsbury. It was fabulous and I think I liked it so much because the girl reminded me a lot of myself. She has such great faith, loved to be on stage and was determined to accomplish her dreams, loved her family and spending time with them, loved to watch sports, and really cared about people and her relationships with them. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.

And Day 23: Technology