Holy Moly!!

Ok, So, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed, but TOTALLY excited to embark on this next chapter of my life!! I can't wait to get out to the mission field to spread the "good news!" I am SO grateful for my family and friends that have helped, supported, and prepared me for this awesome experience!! I want to send a special shout out to my mom who has pretty much taken care of almost everything! Words cannot describe exactly what I'm feeling at this moment! Pretty much every good emotion with a little nervousness mixed in..is that even a word? I have a very simple, yet strong testimony of this gospel. I know that God lives, that He is my eternal Father, I know he loves me. I know that He sent his son, Jesus Christ, my brother, to live, die and suffer for my sins, weaknesses, and imperfections. I know that God has restored the same gospel that was on the Earth with Jesus Christ through a boy prophet, Joseph Smith. Who, like all of us at one time in our lives, wanted to know the truth. And that Heavenly Father answered his prayer in the sacred grove, and that He and Jesus Christ did appear to him and gave him the knowledge and throughout the following years all the Priesthood keys of the restored gospel that we have today. I am grateful for the sacrifices of Joseph Smith and all the early saints, the hardships and struggles that they went through so that we would have the church today. I know the Book of Mormon is true. That it is another testament of Jesus Christ, and that it was written by ancient prophets of God, and translated by the prophet, Joseph Smith. I love to read the Book of Mormon. It helps me with all sorts of things. Questions, trials, and comforts me as I read it. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God. That he receives daily revelations directly from our Father in Heaven in regards to the welfare of His church and how He wants it to be led. I have a testimony of family prayer, daily scripture study, and having family home evening. I am grateful for parents who have taught not only in word, but by example. They have given me the best gift I could have ever received, the foundations of the gospel which throughout my life I have been able to build my own testimony of the truthfulness of their teachings and also have been blessed with awesome family members, friends, neighbors, and church leaders who have also taught by example. I will miss you all and home, however, I am excited to have this opportunity to go and teach this message to my brothers and sisters in the Philippines. I know the Lord will bless me, and sustain me in this calling. There is no place I would rather be, than doing the Lord’s work. What an amazing experience I am about to have. I know that this is the Lord’s will for me at this time, and I am just glad that I finally got to this point. To know that this is the path that I am to take. I know that we all can receive answers to our prayers and that the Lord will counsel personally with us, if we would ask what His will is for us at this time. I love the Lord, I love this gospel, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.