By small and simple means...

I've been on a bit of an emotional roller coaster during the process of submitting my mission papers. There have been times when it's all I want to do, times when I dread it, times when I'm excited, and times when I've been extremely nervous. I know this is what God wants for me right now and it's been so difficult for me to want it, too. I want to want it, though. But, something happened this week that has given me so much more confidence in my decision to serve a mission. On Friday, my mom and I dropped Sonja off at the airport to go back to school. While we were there, we saw a stooped, humble old woman walking down the hall. She was a nun dressed in a white habit. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. I thought about how she has spent her entire life, probably since she was my age, serving God. She gave up everything for Him so she could serve His children. I thought about this woman and the joy she must feel every day in sharing God's love with everyone she meets. I realized that it should not be a difficult thing for me to give up 18 months of my life to serve the Lord. It's the least I can do. This sister probably doesn't know the impact she has had on my life or the lives of so many others, but I will be eternally grateful. This experience has strengthened my testimony, and I know now more than ever, that God is mindful of every one of us. He has a plan for each of us and will help us to realize that plan and the blessings that come from living it. The tender mercies of the Lord are numberless and limitless. I pray that we can all learn to open our eyes a little wider to see His hand working in our lives. He loves us and knows us completely. He finds ways to show His love and guide us to where we will be the happiest and grow the most.