I Will Go and Do

 It is not a secret that I was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In this church, we have missionaries who dedicate their lives preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ from roughly 18-24 months. I always had a desire to serve. At the time, women had to be 21 years old. When I turned 21, I knew I wasn't ready. So I continued to go to BYU-Idaho. 

There was a  time that I wanted to change my major, yet I was in my Senior year. My request wasn't granted. My heart was shattered. I was mainly sad that I would leave my friends. So I thought I would go and pray to see where I could transfer to. No answers over and over again. So I changed my prayers and ask what God would have me do. The answer came so clear. "It is your time to serve a mission." WHAT??? What will my parents think? They encouraged me to finish school first because that was most convenient. 

I went to talk to my Bishop and he was very supportive. I got the bravery to tell my parents my plans. I was nervous. So I told them it was time for me to prepare to serve a mission. My mother paused and said, "I knew for the last two weeks that you would go." I replied, "Why didn't you tell me? She then said, " I wanted you to figure it out.

As time went on, I filled out the paperwork and did everything I needed to to submit my papers. My mission call came on my golden birthday-my 23rd birthday. At that time, it was the calls that came on paper in the mail rather than electronically. My mom got it from the mail box while I was at work. 

Leading up to my mission call arrival, people asked where I would hope to go. I said anywhere not near the ocean especially San Diego, California (I was mainly raised by the beach in California and I felt it would be too hard).

It was time for me to open my mission call. I was sitting on the computer desk, surrounded by my whole family with my mother and grandma on the phone and my Greathouse grandparents on Skype. 

"Sister Greathouse,

You are hereby called to serve as missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are called to serve in the California SAN DIEGO Mission."

I was shocked to say the least. I thought my family pulled a practical joke to switch the call or something. I was called to go to a place that I didn't want to go, but in reality I wouldn't have changed a thing. I felt I had the advantage, because I myself grew up in California before moving to Utah. 

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