Let the wait begin

 

MISSION PAPERS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED!

 

Every soon-to-be missionary gets a little stressed out when handling their paper situation,

but I was in a major time-crunch to try and get everything submitted before I left Rexburg. 

 

Everything happens for a reason; it all works out in the end.
Just had to keep reminding myself

 

But here's why I was so caught up in it all: 

During Thanksgiving break I had my dental appointment, in which I found out I was blessed with only 3, underdeveloped wisdom teeth that will
never need to be taken out.

There's one thing I won't need to worry about before the mission. 

 I was terrified of going under and not knowing what I was saying. And being deathly afraid of pain, there's no way in heck I'd stay awake for it either. So in other words... it's just

SUCH GOOD NEWS.

Sorry world, you'll never see a "Courtney West after wisdom teeth" video on YouTube. {enter tears here}

 

 

My missionary physical was up here in Rexburg, that all went smoothly (although I'll never willingly wear nothing but a tiny paper-towel dress ever again). Thankfully, the entire office was so understanding and helpful. Also, my doctor was incredibly kind. I left wanting to bake the whole office cookies for helping me so much in my time-crunch.

*Madison Women's Health Clinic. Rexburg Idaho. I'll vouge for it up and down*

 

Side note- You can't schedule an appointment to submit your papers with the stake president until your dental and doctor paperwork has been received by your bishop. My dental was in, but I was hoping to submit my papers the very day I could (120 days before April 6th), on December 8th. My physical was on the 4th, plus I had to wait 2 days for test results. And I'll be heading home on the 14th...

 

Somehow, someway, President Riggins was able to fit me in on the 9th to submit my papers.

 

God's timing is perfect

 

I believe that one of the main reasons I was placed where I am up here in Rexburg was to meet my stake president, President Riggins. If there's one person that has influenced me the most regarding serving a mission, it's him.

He's the type of man that as soon as he speaks, you instantly feel the humility, sincerity and love in his voice. He makes everyone feel like they matter, because they do. 

 

President Riggin's preparation advice to any soon-to-be missionary is simple, but profound.

1) Prayer. Begin praying now for the people you meet and teach on your mission. Pray that as you open your call, you will instantly feel love for those people. Pray to have your heart softened.  Pray that they will recognize you and notice something different about you, that they will be willing to listen.

2) Read. "Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You!" by Elder Russel M. Nelson and prepare to be that type of missionary. Study it, know how to help and serve with "the sole hope of making life better for other people".

3) Temple. Spend a solid week studying just about the temple. Read "Preparing to enter the holy temple". As soon as you get your call, meet with your bishop, meet with your stake president, get your temple recommend and go- OFTEN.

4) Mission Prep. Go through Preach My Gospel and create a scripture chain for every lesson. Along with that, create a margin of topics and questions that people might ask, with scriptures that support them.

 

"If you do these things, I promise you won't go into the field as a greenie."

I like that promise. Challenge accepted.

 

Now for the wait...

The ideal situation would be for my call to come in two weeks, which would be a few days after Christmas.

Some friends are leaving early January on their missions, some are going back up to school after break... I want them all there when I open it! Which might be selfish, but we'll see what happens.

Also, I might just want a Christmas tree in the background of my "opening the call" video.
I think it'd add a nice touch.

Doctrine & Covenants 4:3-4