A missionary shower was something that I had never heard of until my friend Morgen had one put on by her ward. It sounded like the greatest idea ever! So the day I opened my call, I floated the idea past my friend Tess, who is an amazing event organizer, and we got things going! It was an amazing time for everyone who came to gather together and to have fun!
We ended up playing pin the tag on the missionary, jeopardy, and taking tons of pictures! What I loved most about this experience was the support I felt from those around me! It made me realize that serving a mission is not only going to affect my life and the lives of those who I teach but the lives of those who I leave behind. My ward, friends, family, and community will all be blessed by my, and my fellow missionaries decision to serve the Lord.
We ended up playing pin the tag on the missionary, jeopardy, and taking tons of pictures! What I loved most about this experience was the support I felt from those around me! It made me realize that serving a mission is not only going to affect my life and the lives of those who I teach but the lives of those who I leave behind. My ward, friends, family, and community will all be blessed by my, and my fellow missionaries decision to serve the Lord.
These girls in the picture above are my beautiful cousins. I was so happy when I heard that Vanessa was going to Young Women's and Girls Camp because I know how much of a difference that influence can make in one's life. To them, I wish to say, cling to the gospel. I promise that as you grow in the gospel and as you strive to become more christlike each day, you will be blessed beyond measure! You will be blessed with a stronger spirit to withstand temptation, guidance from the Holy Ghost, and in your day to day dealings with those around you! There have been so many times in my life where I have been blessed because of my faith in my Savior Jesus Christ and as I leave, that is one thing I wish to leave with you.
Marlee, you have such a strong testimony of your Lord and Savior and as you go through your life I know that you will only continue to grow stronger in that. Whether you decide to serve a mission or not is besides the point, because I know that you are going to do wonderful things in your life any way you choose. You show the light of Christ by just being you and that is one of the greatest things you could ever be blessed with! I love you! Work hard in everything you do and stay close to the gospel and you will work many miracles around you even if you decide not to serve a mission!
Megan! Best Friend! You have been such a support in my decision to serve a mission and I don't know if I could have done this without you! You bring me such strength from your own experiences and faith and I am going to use that strength to fuel my own! I love you more than you know and can't wait for us to start our many crazy adventures when I get back from my mission!
Tess, oh good golly. Evanston would be extremely boring without you here to keep me entertained! We have so much fun together and I love our friendship! I am going to miss you Tess, but one of the greatest things I have been blessed with is the knowledge that we will be friends long after I get home! I hope when you go through life and feel that challenges are overwhelming you, you can remember that your Savior, Jesus Christ loves you more than anything in the world! Know that because of Christ's sacrifice we can always be comforted and strengthened in our time of need! You are an amazing young woman and I know that you are going to do great things!
My beautiful mother! I am going to miss you, dad, and the boys the most! You are the most selfless woman I know and you are always trying to make those around you feel better. You have always taught us to finish what we started and to do our best work all the time! You have taught me how to have faith in my Savior, and have provided me with an amazing example of the strength faith can bring! I know that when I am on my mission I will struggle, but because of the things you have taught me, I will be able to make it through! I will be able to use my struggles to make me the best missionary that I can be because I see how you allow your struggles make you the best person you can be! I know you are a special lady and that our Heavenly Father loves you immensely! I also know that you are the best mother I could ever ask for and I want you to know that I will be thinking of you, dad, and the boys every day on my mission and using those thoughts to push me to do my best! I love you and am so glad that we can be sealed together for all of time and eternity!