So I have been trying to put my thoughts together to put this part of my journey into words.
In September of 2013 I received a prompting from the spirit that I needed to do something and that something was a mission. The Primary presidency had found a video to show the kids during sharing time, and that video touched me so much that I started to cry. I went home and did some thinking about what I had seen and felt. Then after some prayers, going to the Temple, and a blessing from my home teacher I went to conference with a big question for the Lord to answer. Because President Hinckley always stated that if you have a question it can and will be answered during conference if you asked in Faith.
So after conference I had my answer, now I needed to do something about it. I talked it over with my parents and they thought that this would be a good thing. I then went to my Bishop and floored him with what I was telling him. He said lets do this and get going on the paperwork.
I met with the Bishop the second Sunday in October and had all my paperwork done by the end of November and met with him the first week of December. That's when I found out that I would need to lose some weight before I went out. OK lets do this. I can do this. I know that the Lord shall prepare a way for me to serve Him and a path will open up.
So by the end of January I was down 15 lbs and needing to go from 285 to 235. A total of fifty pounds. Knowing that I lost about 15 lbs when I started at the DI, I knew I just had to get more active and I would do this. I started playing tennis 3 days a week against a ball machine. I would play for three to four hours and started to see some more weight come off. I have lost 25 of the 50 lbs I need to lose, but have lost a total of 45 since moving to Saint George.
I talked with my Bishop about getting my papers turned in with an exception and see what happens. I asked for some fasting and some prayers on my behalf and is seems to have worked as I was blessed to receive my call on Friday August 22, 2014. I have never felt so much love from my Father in Heaven as to when I held that white envelope in my hands. On Saturday August 23, 2014 I opened my call and now know that I will be serving in the Mexico Monterrey East Mission from January 7, 2015 - June 2016. I am in awe of the faith that my Father has in me to do what He has asked and is sending me somewhere where I will be able to use my strengths and talents to benefit Him and glorify Him. I am so blessed and so very thankful for all the He has blessed me with.
