For several years now I have planned on serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  These missions are 18-24 months, completely voluntary (as in no pay), and service-based.  They are proselyting missions, meaning that church members leave their homes and families for up to two years (maintaining contact through letters and email, with only a few phone calls) to teach people the beliefs of the church.  Oh, and you are assigned a location, which could be anywhere around the world.

I put my mission application in about 6 weeks ago.  There is a bit of paperwork (medical information, insurance, etc.) as well as two worthiness interviews with ecclesiastical authorities from the local congregation.  Once the application gets sent to Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT, it takes about 10 days for the mission call (location) to be assigned and mailed back to the prospective missionary.

So on January 31, 2014, I received a big, white envelope in the mail addressed to "Sister Decker."  It was two days later than I had expected (see previous blog post) and I had to wait a few hours to open it so that I could skype my family back home in Washington State.

While I was working on my application, and waiting for my call to arrive, all I could think about was that big envelope.  It's a weird experience to know what you are going to spend the next chunk of your life doing, but not where. Weirder than applying for college, because I got at least some say in where I went.  Nothing will prepare you for opening your mission call and reading those precious words, "Dear Sister Decker..."

But that's what I did.  I went to my sister's house, we video called my parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles (everyone was at my parents' place) and I opened that envelope, with shaking hands and a racing heart.  My sister helped my flip it over so that the other information was on top of the actual letter telling me where I was going.  As I slowly revealed the contents of the letter, my heart was full.  How long I had waited and how badly had I wanted to read those words! "Dear Sister Decker..." I''m not going to lie, I lost it right there.  But once I had composed myself, I read the rest of the letter:

"Dear Sister Decker,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  You have been assigned to labor in the Italy Rome Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.  You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, June 25.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Italian language."

So with tears, cheers, and laughter I announced to my family the wonderful news.  And it's all I've thought of since.

I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity to go to Italy and teach the people there the wonderful news of the restored gospel of Christ.  I know that this is where God needs me to be, both for the people there and for my own personal growth.  I know that the message I will be sharing is true; if I didn't I wouldn't have much reason to go.  It's not going to be easy, and it's not a vacation, but I am so excited to go!

ciao! xx