Is it the 27th already?

So umm...it's already the 27th, which means that tomorrow is the 28th, which means that I report to the MTC in less than 18 hours. I am so beyond excited that it is here. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to serve on my mission and I know that it is going to be an incredible experience. Thanks so everyone who came to my farewell! It was great to see people and to be surprised by old faces that I haven't seen in years. :) It's been bitter sweet these last couple of days because I've said goodbye to so many people...I love you all and I'm grateful for the friendships I've made and the awesome influences of my soon to be missionary friends.

I'm not really sure what else to say because I've basically been just waiting around for the past 3 months waiting for this day to come. Now it's almost here and I can hardly believe it!

I get set apart in exactly 1 hour and 15 minutes. I just wanted to bare my testimony that I know this church is true. I wouldn't be leaving everyone and everything behind for 18 months if I didn't know without a doubt that this is the true church. I know that Joseph Smith restored the gospel with divine help and that he translated the Book of Mormon. I know that we can grow closer to our Savior by studying this book and praying about it's truthfulness. I'm so grateful for a living prophet who counsels us in these latter days and seems to know exactly what it is that I need to here. I know that the Lord will provide for me and my family while I'm on my mission. I love this gospel and I love the Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Mission Pictures :)

So about two weeks ago my awesome cousins took my missionary pictures outside of the Ogden temple. I had so much fun walking around and taking pictures in front of this beautiful temple! While we were there a lady came up to me and said she was from Washington and asked where I was going. I told her that I'd been called to the Federal Way mission and she said that I was going to love it there. I'm so excited for all of the green and the rain <3

 In other news...My momma got married! She is now Mrs. Nicole Marie Drage. I'm so excited for her and Chad. I love them both and I know that they'll be awesome together.

Today is one of my best friend's farewell! She's going to be serving in the Orlando, Florida mission leaving November 4th. I can't wait to hear her speak and I know that she's going to kick butt out there.

It seems crazy but I opened my mission call 76 days ago...I report to the MTC in 10 days!! My farewell is next week, and I get set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 9 days. I can't wait to serve the Lord and the people of Federal Way. These next 18 months are going to be the hardest yet most fulfilling time of my life.

#Ionlyhave10daystogo
#Sistermissionary
#Ican'twait

 

Conference and My Bday :)

Well, I started to pack up all of my stuff. I started going through my things and throwing out everything that I've been hording had since junior high school that's taking up way too much space in my room. Also, to the pleasure of my younger sisters, I went through my clothes and gave them everything that I didn't want when I come home in 18 months.

On Friday I got my missionary pictures done by my incredible cousins, I can't wait to see how they turn out. We did them at the Ogden temple and it was so much fun <3
 
 
 
 
The first week of April and October are my favorite weekends in the whole entire world. Why, you may ask? Because it's General Conference!! I love sitting in front of the TV with a notebook in my hand and ready to write down thoughts that the speakers have been inspired to teach. There were many incredible talks, especially hearing the testimonies of our 3 new apostles in the Sunday morning session.

Speaking of that session...Please pray for our beloved prophet. He gave an incredible talk about being a light to the world. He also spoke of one of my favorite scriptures, Matt. 5:16. "Therefore, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your father which art in heaven."
But, nearing the end of his talk, President Monson could barely stand at the pulpit. It brought tears to my eyes as I watched him struggle through the last few words.

One girl who was there posted on Facebook that President Uchtdorf was sitting on the edge of his seat, waiting to rush to the prophet's aid should he need it. Then, as soon as he finished his talk, Uchtdorf was right there, leading him back to his seat. I know that it's almost our prophet's time to return home to our Heavenly Father and to see his sweet wife again. But I'm going to miss him... He's been the prophet that I've grown up with. Courtney and I had the opportunity to run into him in the baptistery of the Salt Lake temple on a ward temple trip. He signed my mission call. This man has been an incredible servant of the Lord and I know that He is proud of him. I only hope that Monson can go quickly, because seeing him speak nearly broke my heart...

In happier news, I'm 19! I am officially the age required for girls to be recommended for missionary service. Which means I am old enough to serve my mission in Washington! When it came to birthday gifts, my family was clueless as to what to get me, so my mom gave me some money that I used to get some cute boots for Washington's winter months ;) I also got an umbrella from Courtney! <3 My friends got me a necklace and a scarf that said, "a missionary leaves her family for a year and a half so that other families and be together for eternity." They also got me a couple of books full of scriptures and other uplifting quotes that I can use in lessons and discussions. Another friend got me a cute little package for writing letters! And McKenna got me an awesome picture collage full of our adventures over the years. I love my friends and family and I'm so grateful for the blessing and strength that they've been in my life and the support that I have from them to serve my mission.

It's getting close! 22 days. For those who don't know. I am having my farewell on the 25th at 1:30 at the Mountain Green Stake Center. I would love for everyone and anyone to come. We'll also be having lunch afterwards at my house.

#22daystogo #washingtonfederalwaymission #SisterHammond