Not The Place, But The People

-It's not about the place your called to, it's about the people you are called to. That is one of the most important things I learned about during my training at the MTC. So many people were so excited about the state, country, or place they were going to, when all that didn't really matter at all. WE are not here to go on a vacation to an exotic island or different country. We are here to find people, our bothers and sisters, to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to. Christ himself didn't travel around during his earthly ministry to see different places. He traveled around for the people. 

-You can pray all you want in hopes of being called to another country or exotic island for your mission, but all it really comes down to is where the people Heavenly Father has prepared for you to teach are at. 

-Not only does that apply to the people you'll meet on your mission, but also the people you meet in the MTC. The beautiful people I met while at the MTC have forever changed my life. My district was what helped get me through the MTC, I could not have done it without all of their love and support. If I had been called to a different mission, I would have been in a completely different district and my life would have been forever changed for it. I wouldn't trade my mission or first district for the world. The friendships I've made will not only carry on throughout this life, but throughout all eternity as well. I thank God for this wondrous opportunity and those wonderful people in my life each day. 

- God knows us so much better than we know ourselves and He knows exactly who we need in our life. So it's truly NOT about the place, but the people, and knowing that makes all the difference.

Making the Choice

A mission is hard. And I don't just mean hard, I mean extremely hard. Never have I had a trial like this in my entire life. Coming here has caused my testimony to be shaken completely down to its core. The first day I didn't think I could do it. I got here and was thrown directly into missionary life and about wanted to cry and walk back out the front door...but I'm glad I didn't. Making the choice to go and serve not only shook my testimony down to its core, but it also strengthened it up higher than the skies and it's all because I made the choice. As soon as you walk through those MTC doors and put on that name tag, you have a decision to make. You have to choose whether or not you believe this. Whether or not this is for you. Whether or not you are truly believe in the gospel that you will be sharing and teaching to the world for a year and a half. It was a hard decision to make at first. I walked in terrified, not knowing or understanding anything I thought I did anymore. This was a completely different realm of the world for me and that terrified me. But nonetheless I made the decision. I chose to stand up straight, wipe away  my tears and walk forward with a smile on my face because I remembered, I'm not alone. I don't have to make this decision alone. When I was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I was promised I would always have the spirit of Christ with me wherever I went and it's true. I put all of my trust and faith in Christ and I said goodbye to my family for a year and a half and walked on a plane and flew hours away from home, to a place where I knew no one, and the only way I was able to do that was because of Christ. He willingly left his Father in heaven and came down to Earth for us, so why couldn't I? I love my Savior and Heavenly Father and I'm so grateful for the choice I made to become a missionary. 

Mission Call Opening

Dear Sister Smotherman:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Colorado Colorado Springs Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English Language.