My List of Reasons to Serve a Mission

Recently, I have been thinking to myself about why I want to serve a mission. My report date is fast approaching {even though it doesn't quite feel like it is} and I'm trying to remember all the reasons that gave me the desire to serve. I'm noticing that Satan is throwing little subtle things in my way to steer me off my path to serve. I just want to add in that I am so thankful for this blog because it has given me a way to put down my ideas and remember how important my decision is. Anyways, I just want to make a list on why I want to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

1) I am a lover. I love everyone I meet and even those I haven't met. I want everyone to be happy. Because I have the truth and way to happiness, I want to share that with others and help them find their own happiness.
2) I love to serve. I have always loved to help people, whether with big service projects or with simple daily tasks. What better way to help people than by serving a mission? 

3) I know that my Redeemer lives. Because of His infinite mercy, I can be cleansed of my sins and live with Him again. I can also live with my family for eternity. This knowledge is such a great blessing in my life and has brought me so much happiness. I want others to have the happiness I have.
        {As I write this post, I have come to the realization that all the reasons I have to serve a mission revolve around love: Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for me and everyone else, my love for them and the gospel and my love for other people. I am noticing that love is the number one factor in my choice to serve.}
4) I know it is the right thing to do. Heavenly Father has someone out in Alabama for me to connect with and teach spirit to spirit. I need to follow His direction and timing if I want to truly be happy.
5) It will help add some direction to my life. I have attended a whole year of college and have absolutely no idea where I want to go with my education. I've heard many stories of friends figuring out what direction to go after they had served a mission. I'm hoping I will be so in-tune with the Holy Ghost that I will easily know which direction the Lord wants me to go.
6) People change for the better in the mission field and I'm hoping I will too. Right now, I have no time management skills and I am the worlds biggest procrastinator. I am decent at scripture study and prayer but there is definitely room for lots of improvement. With a schedule as consistent as the mission one I am about to live for the next 18 months, I'm hoping something will stick.
7) It will help my testimony grow. As I teach others the things that I know to be true, I know my testimony will be strengthened. It will be impossible for it to not grow as I focus on only the gospel for a year and a half.

I know that serving a mission is not going to be easy but I know it will be so worth it. My mom shared with me some words of wisdom as I have been preparing. She told me that I will have the opportunity to get married or go to school or do a number of other things in the future but I will never have the opportunity to serve a single mission by myself ever again{I'll probably serve with my husband on a couples mission}. Now is the time for me to serve and have these experiences by myself. They will benefit me and my family in the future and I will be so thankful I have them.