Called to Serve

"After all that has been said, the greatest and most important duty is to preach the Gospel." ~Joseph Smith

For me the decision to serve a mission was not an easy one. It took me 10 months of prayer and a historic announcement before I got my answer. Let me explain.

Ten months before President Monson's announcement I got the impression that maybe I should serve a mission. It was a nice thought, but I had 2 years before I could even go so I kept trying to put the idea out of my mind. Heavenly Father had a different plan though. No matter how hard I tried to avoid praying about serving a mission, there was always something to remind me I should start. So finally I gave in and started praying. I still didn't understand. I was only 19 and wouldn't be able to serve for 2 years, so why did I need to worry about it now? I kept this up for months and finally decided I wasn't going to serve. I didn't want to leave everything behind for 18 months when I was 21 years old and I mistook my selfish desires as an answer to my prayers. Then general conference arrived and President Monson announced the age change.

"Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."

I knew immediately that this was the real answer to my prayer. I could just imagine Heavenly Father saying, "You don't want to go when you're 21, well how about now instead?" As stubborn as I am, it still took me a few hours to admit that I needed to serve a mission, but when I finally did I knew that this was the path Heavenly Father had designed for me.

Several months later, on April 17, I received my call to the Arizona Tempe mission. I spent the next few months preparing and now here I am, 3 days away from entering the MTC. But before I do I want to share my testimony with all of you, my friends and family.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of Jesus Christ restored on the earth today. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and I am so thankful that he had the faith to ask which church was true and help bring about the Restoration of the Gospel. He translated the Book of Mormon, an incredible book of scripture that contains the truth of the gospel, a book that I have read and know to be true. I am also thankful for the knowledge that I can spend the rest of eternity with my family if I live worthily. I am thankful for my family and all the love and support they have given me throughout my life. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet on the earth today, and I am thankful that he has the authority from God to lead our church. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is there to guide me when I don't know where to go or what to do. I am also thankful for a loving Savior who suffered for my sins and died for me so that I could one day return again to live with him.

I am so excited to spend the next 18 months of my life teaching and serving the people of Tempe Arizona. While I'm gone my sister will update my blog every week with my letters home and keep my address up to date. I would love to hear from you. Here is my contact information while in the MTC.

MTC Address
Sister Baylee Melling
JUN18 AZ-TEM
2011 N 900 E Unit 204
Provo UT 84602

Email
baylee.melling@myldsmail.net

I will be busy and may not respond to letters and emails quickly, but I promise I will write back eventually. I'll see you all in 18 months!