Because I Have Been Given Much.

Thanksgiving may be over, but I am not done being thankful.  I just had such an awesome week last week because my family drove up from California to spend the holiday with my sister and I here in Utah.  We all hung out, ate great food, watched tons of stupid/funny YouTube videos, and went to every BYU athletic event that we could (Women's Volleyball, Men's Basketball, and Women's Soccer).

By far, the highlight was Friday evening when I got to share the experience of opening my LDS mission call with my family and friends.

For those who are unfamiliar with what a mission exactly is in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, young adults are given the choice and opportunity to go out and serve in an assigned area of the world as a full-time missionary (older couples also have the option to serve).  This means that all of your time and energy is put toward one goal: to bring others to Jesus Christ.  For young men, this is a period of 24 months.  For young women, this is a period of 18 months.  You essentially hand over your time and pursuits in the service of God and your fellow man.

Ever since Thomas S. Monson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, declared the age requirement to serve a full-time mission had been lowered (to age 18 for young men and age 19 for young women), I had prayerfully considered whether this was the right decision for me in my life.  A mission for a young woman is very different from one for a young man.  For Sisters there is no pressure to serve a mission; it is an option and is not an expectation like it is for Elders.  I know many Sisters who I just love and look up to that have chosen to serve missions or are serving right now, and I had always entertained the idea of going myself.

I had a great experience six months prior to this announcement, during the April 2012 General Conference, where I had made the decision that I would serve a mission at 21 years old --the age at which girls used to have the option to leave for a mission-- if I was able to at that time.  But in the weeks that followed this last October's General Conference, it became clear to me through constant prayer and the impressions I had from the Spirit that at this time in my life, a mission is the right decision for me.  I feel that it was no coincidence that this option became available when it did, and am so grateful that now I can leave to serve my Heavenly Father months before my 21st birthday.  I am so eager to go and share this wonderful message!

During that time, I decided not to share my decision with many until after I had finished the process of submitting my papers to the Church for an assignment.  I know that a lot of friends and loved ones were surprised to hear that I am even going on a mission, and I am so grateful that I have had nothing but love and support from everybody.  Hopefully it was a pleasant surprise :)

Signed by the prophet!

Future Hermana Bledsoe

I will be serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Peru Lima East Mission and will report to the Peru Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.  I am so excited to go to Peru and I know that that is where the Lord wants me to be.  The more I learn about the country, the people, and the work being done there, the more excited I get to leave. March seems so far away right now... more time to learn Spanish I guess! This is also so special to me and my family because my dad served in the Colombia Cali Mission back in the late 80's, and Colombia borders Peru in the North. I was interested to find out that my Mission President had served with my dad in Colombia and that the Lima Temple President had lived in my mom's ward when she was a child.  So I know that I will be in good hands!

Friends who came out (:

Most of the guesses were in Europe, but Kim got it exactly right!

I completely acknowledge the fact that God has blessed me so much in my life.  I could go on for days listing everything I am thankful for (which I have been known to do on this blog).  But by far what has most impacted me to my core is my faith.

I love the gospel of Jesus Christ so much because it has brought me such incredible hope and strength.  I grew up a member of the church, but I am grateful for the hardships that I have encountered over the years that have caused me to turn to my Savior in times of need and to grow closer to him.  God loves us all so much and wants us to be happy in this life, but he gives us trials and disappointment and frustrations and hurt so that we can conquer them and become stronger and grow closer to him.  When we err, or when we are wounded, he is waiting to receive us with his arms outstretched.  He wants the message of eternal families and of the amazing power of the atonement of Jesus Christ to reach his children all over the world because he has provided a way for us to be happy and someday live with him again.  This makes me so happy and I want to share it!

Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord

I'll share thy love again according to thy word

I shall give love to those in need

I'll show that love by word and deed

Thus shall may my thanks be thanks indeed.

Thanks for reading all of this... love you all!

Elissa