Do I know what my plan is? Not a clue. Last Saturday, President Thomas S. Monson, prophet of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, announced the new ages for missionaries. 18 for boys, and 19 for girls. The second I heard this, I started crying my eyes out. Me? On a mission in a year? How is that possible? Then I thought of all my boys that will be leaving right after high school. Parker, Cameron, Landon, Scott.. all of them. It will be a huge adjustment once they are all gone. I am so proud of them and their decision to go on missions and serve the Lord. They are such examples to me, and I don't know where I would be without them.
Tonight in my scripture study, I went over a verse. It was in Alma 58:12. It reads, "And we did take courage with our small force which we had received, and we were fixed with a determination to conquer our enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty." Everyone understands the scriptures in their own way. When I read this, I thought of Temple Tuesdays and my group of friends. At first, it started out as Landon and Parker, Emily, Scott, and myself. Just us five waking up at four in the morning and driving up to the Bountiful temple (Ogden being closed), and do baptisms for the dead. I know what you're thinking. Four? In the morning? Are you crazy? With it being a Tuesday that we go, we have late start. The day to sleep in for high school students. Not us! We take that opportunity and run with it. We went again, two weeks later. This time, we had nine people come. We added four more to the group. We felt so accomplished. We went again this last Tuesday morning. There were eight of us total. More people had planned to come, but things got in the way. I look at my small little group of friends and see the impact we have on people's lives. We got home this week from the temple, and Twitter and Facebook were blowing up with comments about our new tradition. We posted a picture of us at the temple, all together in our church clothes, at about 6:30 in the morning. By the time school had ended that day, we had about 30 likes on Facebook and Instagram. People were tweeting us saying how much they look up to us and our example. I see what my friends and I are doing, and I love it. We are a small force with great courage, and we had determination to do what was right. These kids bless my life so much, and I don't even think they truly understand.
I have started applying for colleges. I had first applied to Utah State University. The application was simple, as was sending in transcripts. Now I wait and see what will happen. I'm interested in a school in New York, called Syracuse University. They're a school solely focused on social work. I would absolutely die to go there! I know that it is expensive, but it is my dream come true.
Although I am stoked for college, the thought of a mission has been sitting in my mind for about 8 months now. I had been thinking about going on one once I turned 21, but now that I can go at 19? It seems like a more valid option. I have thinking and praying to do about this one, but we will see how it all turns out. Wish me luck!
I am so grateful for the life I have been given. Senior year has been one of my most favorite years so far. Between having the best friend group, doing crazy things, getting a job, and almost turning 18 (8 more days), I am loving it. Everything happens for a reason, and I know that I am so blessed.
