Missionary Announcement

Wow! My heart is so completely full right now. When President Monson started speaking on Saturday morning, my heart filled with peace. It was a peace that I had been lacking for a little while. Then came the big announcement.

Young men who have graduated high school (or its equivalent) can now serve a mission at 18 year of age. That was an amazing announcement. To see the faces of the young men in the congregation was so moving. Some could not wipe smiles off of their faces. Then came the announcement that young women could serve at the age of 19. At first, a twinge of jealousy hit. However, I would not have changed anything with my process or when I served. Honestly, I needed the experiences that I had before the mission to put my life where it is now.

Sister missionaries are amazing and with them able to serve at younger ages, I believe more young women will serve missions. Sister missionaries have a wonderful way of touching people and bringing people to the truth. This is going to make a wonderful advancement in missionary work. I believe the force will be larger, stronger and more humble. I believe more young men will serve missions now. They will be able to leave right after high school and not get focused in the drive of schooling, careers, sports, etc. This is huge!

I was elated with this announcement and my dear, sweet young women came to mind. Some of these girls could be serving missions in the next couple years and we have the responsibility for preparing them. One in particular came to mind. I have been so impressed with her testimony and her example to the other young women and how well she relates to others, both old and young. She, along with others, has a testimony that needs to be heard. During the rest of President Monson's talk, I could see her as a missionary teaching, serving, helping and loving others.

The mission was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There have been wonderful experiences since. The mission helped to mold me into who I am now, as each new experience has since. It took a quiet, insecure, and somewhat hesitant girl and gave her more confidence in her testimony and more faith in the love of her Heavenly Father. It has given me more compassion to other and more love for my Savior. It has made him a more central figure in my life.

Since this announcement, my heart has been full and the rest of the session was amazing. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of the session to get the rest of this spiritual uplift.