Called to Serve.

Hello!
Well, this isn’t a total goodbye…it’s more like an “I’ll see ya later!” 
The time has finally come for me to be leaving to head out on my mission. I am so so very thankful for this opportunity that we have in the church to serve as a full-time missionary. This was never in my plans before because the age to serve was 21 when I first joined the church. Now it is at 19 and we have over 80,000 missionaries serving worldwide. Incredible, right??

How did I come about this decision to serve then? 
Well, I joined the church on April 8th of 2012. Twice a year the church holds what’s called “General Conference(GC).” Once in April, once in October. April GC had just passed so my first GC ever was to be in October. Prior to the conference I knew all about missions, but like I said I never thought I would be able to serve. Especially given the circumstances of school and finances, I could not afford it what-so-ever. Anyway, my first GC the age changed for both the boys and the girls. The men can now serve at the age of 18, it used to be 19. And the girls can serve at the age of 19, it used to be 21. As soon as I heard the age changed, it hit me really hard that not only did this changed happen for all of the young members of our church, but especially for me. I knew that I joined the church at the time I did JUST SO I could go off and serve a mission. We can plan life all we want, but it always ends up turning out how God has destined it to be! Always. Because I had this plan of serving a mission, I knew that I needed to be in a better surrounding of the LDS lifestyle. Allowing myself the opportunity to learn and progress so I can be the best missionary that I can be. I was currently attending Polk State College in 2012 after I graduated from high-school. It was such a blessing because my parents had prepayed my schooling, so the money I had not needed to worry about. But for some reason, I could feel Heavenly Father telling me that it wasn't where He wanted me to be, and that he had some place better in mind. So I had a friend from church who was attending Brigham Young University in Idaho. He said nothing but great things about the school and how it’s such a perfect place to be in preparatory to a mission. I decided why not, why not apply and see what happens. Needless to say, I was accepted! So I attended school there from January 2013 to July 2013. What an UH-MAZING experience. While I was there I battled back and forth with a mission. One day I was feeling really good, the next I wasn't sure if that is what Heavenly Father wanted for me. I didn't have a lot of support from home, so that made it pretty tough as well. But that was only because they didn't understand, which was okay but hard for me to be okay with. 
After returning home from school, I was able to visit with my family once again and see how they were doing. Life was good. Both of my parents had come to know that me being a member of this church wasn't going to change so they were supporting me, that’s all I have ever wanted. Then, once again, I received that prompting from Heavenly Father, “Layne, you need to serve a mission.” I took it seriously this time and fasted and prayed. I decided that the way I shall know if I am to go is if once I go to tell my parents of my decision and they say yes, then that’s it! I am going! After I prayed hard for a week then fasted on the last day, right after I broke the fast I went into my parent’s room and talked to them. I reminded them about how they love to see me happy with a smile lit up on my face. I said, “I know you both like seeing me happy and what I am about to tell you makes me do that exactly, if not more. I want to serve a mission.” Their reply was much to my surprise, they said YES! I just knew that it was what I needed to do. So I got together with my Bishop, filled out my papers and sent them off! I now am going to be serving as a missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. I am so excited and so ready for this!! I enter the Missionary Training Center this Wednesday, December 4th. I would love to hear from you all! Just click on the “Contact Me” button and my info is all there. I love you all! I shall see you in 1-1/2 years
Eternally, -Sister Garretson-