Keep Calm and Carry On Part Two

A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled "Keep Calm and Carry On."  I was definitely at a low point in my life. I was struggling.  I did not know what to do.  I was stuck.

One thing I was really struggling with was deciding whether or not to serve an LDS Mission and dedicate eighteen months of my life to the Lord and spreading the Gospel to the world.  When the mission age change announcement was made, I had no desire to go on a mission.  But towards the middle of February I had begun receiving promptings and feelings that I needed to go on a mission.  I had prayed, fasted, went to the temple, and sought guidance from church leaders and my parents multiple times, whether or not to go on a mission, but I was not getting an answer.  It was always blank.

Well March 28, 2013, Hayley, Anna and I had a meeting with Bishop Harding to be set apart as counselors at the LDS Oakcrest camp for this summer.  As we were talking with Bishop before being set apart, I could feel the Spirit so strong and knew something was going to happen.  I had no idea what it was but I just had a good feeling.  Hayley and Anna both received their blessings and I was last.  I knew Bishop had to be the one to give me my blessing, I did not know why but I just knew it.  In my blessing, Bishop addressed my concerns and needs for working at Oakcrest, but then towards the end of my blessing, he said something along the lines of "think of Oakcrest as your mission."  I was in tears.  I knew right then that that was what I needed to do.  I did not need to go on a mission.  It is not what I am supposed to do.  Heavenly Father has something else in store for me.  I can not tell you how happy, excited, calm, nervous, and overwhelmed I was all at that moment.

"In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it."--Deuteronomy 30:16

This experience was such a testimony to me about how Heavenly Father really does know us and he does love us and he knows our concerns and needs.  He really does have a plan for each and every one of us and if we listen to the Spirit, we will be guided down that path that He has planned for us.  Heavenly Father loves to bless us.  He really does.  I love Heavenly Father so much and am glad that I had this opportunity to listen to the Spirit and learn from Him.