Worse Than Christmas Eve.

Ok. Here we go post #2.

Soo... This summer after I submitted my papers I was terrified that I would get my call during the 2nd week of July, the week I would be at GIRL'S CAMP.

I was called to be Assistant Camp Director because for some reason, when you put in your mission papers everyone seems to think you're the bee's knees. So that calling in and of itself was huuuuuuge and I was already way stressed out by the fact that I had so much to do and so little time, and then there was the small chance that my mission call would come that week. AHH I was freaking out a bit.

But because Heavenly Father knows us and He never forgets us in our moments of need, I got my call about a week and a half after submitting my papers, July 6th, 2011.

To be honest, the experience was kind of surreal. I remember going home for my lunch break like usual and then checking the mail to see if I'd gotten any letters from my friends serving missions. I opened the mailbox and I grabbed all the stuff out. As I sifted through the mail I recognized the big, white, thick, familiar envelope. My  heart jumped. As badly as I wanted to rip it open right then and there, a mixture of guilt and fear prevented me from doing so. I called everyone important to me and gave them the news!

I went back to my quiet desk at work. Finished out the day. Went home and struggled to occupy my mind. I remember updating my Facebook status to something like "this is 15768748794538974209003402305420 x worse than Christmas Eve." Finally, the hour had arrived. My family was there and on the phone. My friends were there and on Skype. My hands were shaky. Letter opener in hand, this was the moment. But I hesitated. A million thoughts were running through my mind. What if I don't get called where I want? What if I can't do it? Maybe I shouldn't even open it. Maybe I should just forget it. Where could I possibly be going?! Will people judge me?

I took a deep breath and ripped it open. The most intense fear of my life hit me. I jokingly read the header. Everyone laughed which eased the tension. As I read the words "Sister Jensen, you are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Florida, Tampa Mission. You will be teaching in the Spanish language." peace just washed over me. It was the kind that feels like you're safe, or you're home. I knew I had been called to go where I was needed.

Cliche, but true. I knew without a doubt that I was going where He wanted me. Where He needed me. And although I have my doubts and fears, they're washed away because I know with a surety, that as Mosiah writes: "I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

I'm one lucky girl. I know I'm blessed to be able to serve. As I knelt in prayer that night, I thanked Heavenly Father for that chance and I prayed for the people of Tampa to be prepared for me. As I prayed, I knew He'd been preparing me all along.

Crash Course to Sisterhood.

Let me preface: I am terrible at telling stories.

That said, I will attempt to explain my thoughts, reasons, and frustrations as concisely as possible, but no promises kids.

When I first kicked around the idea of going on a mission, a lot of factors went into it. People ask me all the time, "WHY?" and I guess it's something those WHY people may never understand, but I know, and that's all that matters. More on that later, though :)

I decided in March that I was going. Over 6 months before my 21st birthday. Some might say that's a little crazy, but we'll call it "directed." I might be a little bit OCD about planning. Let me tell you though, the wait was KILLER. But after I waited my little heart out, I came home from BYU in May, and I went to talk to my Bishop.

Needless to say, he was a little surprised. But his surprise turned quickly to enthusiasm. He gave me a little worthiness interview, we talked about how great it was, etc. and then I asked him when. When could I turn my papers in. You can imagine my disappointment when he looked it up and told me. The problem: Sisters have to wait until 4 months or 120 days prior to their 21st to turn in their papers. WHATTTTT?? No worries, haha, just more waiting. NBD. Soooo I waited some more.

June rolled around. I did all my doctor's appointments, paperwork, interviews, etc. I went to my physical and it just so happens that my physician is also my Stake Pres. I joked about just getting my interview done at the same time, killing two birds with one stone, you know? Yeah, he wasn't having it. So more waiting. Finally, the 23rd of June I submitted my papers.

As soon as I got them in, I started my research. My brother had just gotten his mission call a few months before and there was a lot out there for him to check out so I assumed there would be for me too. Wrong. I checked for tips on the web. Nope. I looked for websites dedicated to sisters. None. What was this? Was my search going to be unyielding? Yes. Just kidding, I did find some good stuff, nothing like what I expected though. When I signed up for this, I went in with the assumption that there was a plethora of resources out there. You know, ones to help me PREPARE? Alas, there was no Sister Missionaries for Dummies. Not even close. Since when do we let the guys one up us on this stuff?? Aren't we the planners? So here is my little attempt to help you girls out.

Now when I say I have stumbled through this, I mean that quite seriously. I have stumbled. I haven't been graceful or demure about it at all. So learn from my mistakes (I hope!) and maybe you other planners out there will find some nuggets of wisdom. Or maybe you'll just like laughing at me as you follow my pre-mission saga. In any event, you can consider this my "Crash Course to Sisterhood." <3