My mother served a mission in Columbus, Ohio and loved it. She learned so much and really grew spiritually out in the mission field. I loved hearing mission stories, but I didn't love how it felt like Mom was telling me to go myself. Mom wasn't outright telling me I had no choice but to serve a mission, but she was trying to push the idea of it. Truth be told, I was very against the idea of serving myself. My greatest desire when I was younger was to be a wife and mother and I was hoping I wouldn't make it to 21 and still be single. In my naive mind, 21 was "old maid" status and there was no way I was going to wait around till then just to serve a mission.
So, that was my mindset for several years. Until the missionary age change was announced, and even then, I only began to consider it as an option. Three weeks before I was to leave for college at Brigham Young University Idaho, I met and started dating a boy I met in my home Young Single Adult ward. It wasn't too serious, but we went out several times before I left and we grew close. While I was at school, we still kept in close contact, Facebook messaging and talking on Skype daily. The weeks went by and we grew closer. It was hard because I couldn't balance school work and meeting new people while I was still focused on someone back in Arizona. Plus, I wasn't sure if anything would come of this relationship. He was 24 and had decided that he didn't want to serve a mission himself even though young men are strongly encouraged to do so. Ever since I was little, I have known that I want to marry a returned missionary in the temple. I want a strong priesthood leader who can lead my family. Honestly, I'm not completely opposed to marrying someone who couldn't serve a mission for medical reasons or something like that. But when someone doesn't serve simply because he doesn't want to serve the Lord, well that's saying something. Please don't think I'm too critical and picky. This boy is so good and he will make a wonderful husband and father someday, just not for me. Then, one day while studying my scriptures, the idea to serve a mission entered my mind. I thought about it. What if I showed him how important this was to me by serving myself. He still had time to serve a mission, so maybe he will change his mind. Over the next few days, the thought of serving a mission was on my mind constantly. I studied it out and fasted and prayed, asking the Lord what He would have me do. Then one night, I received my answer. As I was saying my evening prayers, I was overwhelmed with warmth and good feelings. The Lord wanted me out in the mission field, and I knew I needed to serve.
I like to think that I really have been "called to serve." Most people have always wanted to serve a mission and willingly and excitedly submit their papers. It's not that I grudgingly put mine in, it's just that my excitement to serve has grown since mine were submitted. When I opened my call, I didn't cry tears of happiness and I wasn't overwhelmed with excitement. In fact, I was a bit underwhelmed. I had been praying the three weeks I was waiting for my call to come in the mail to be sent to the Mormon Battalion site in California. My family and I had visited there over the summer and I kinda knew what would be expected there. Several of my friends on campus got called to their dream missions, so I figured I would be sent to mine. Imagine my disappointment when I read Alabama Birmingham instead of California like I had been praying for.
This experience affirms to me that the Lord sends you where you are needed. Perhaps there is someone in Alabama that only my personality can teach. I imagine that there is someone who is waiting for me personally to come share the gospel with them. I couldn't be happier to serve in Alabama.
Each day my excitement and anticipation grows. Alabama may not have been exactly where I wanted to go, but if Heavenly Father needs me there, that is where I will go. Look out Alabama, Sister Woodard is coming for you!
