Mission preparation...

I have been struggling a lot since I got my mission call. Not spiritually really, or even any other way. I guess I've been struggling to prepare the right way. I've been studying Russian quite a bit and I'm starting to be able to read the words in their symbols. I don't know what the words or sentences mean yet, but I am able to read the words as they are pronounced. Vocab will be something I work on next.
Anyway, I am nervous about a few things. As I'm sure every missionary is nervous about before they go to the MTC. First, it will be my first time out on my own for so long. Of course I will have a companion all the time and will be around people almost all day everyday. And I have lived with another family away from my own for 3 months. But I'm going to a country I've never been to for 18 months without my family. I will be able to call them on Christmas and mothers day and I can email them once a week and write to them as often as I want. But I'm a little nervous! Even though sometimes I think to myself "I can't wait to be on my own!" Deep down I'm anxious to be away from my dad and family. It will be my first experience as a grown up in the world by myself.
Another thing is I always get really anxious teaching people anything. I'm always afraid I will miss something or they won't listen to me. Or that I will mess up or say something wrong. I know this church is the true church and I know that the gospel has saved me. It's helped me grow and brought me great happiness. I want everyone to feel the happiness I have felt and to progress as I have in the past two years. But I am so worried that I will mess up somehow. I feel very humble when it comes to teaching.

So here's what caused this blog post to come about...
A few weeks ago, the missionaries invited my home/visiting teacher and I to go teach/visit an investigator with them. We did. I wanted so badly to say something and confirm what the elders were saying. But I was so scared!! Finally one of the Elders asked me how the Plan of Salvation comforts me or gives me hope and so I said a little tidbit but it was quick and I'm sure my voice was shaking. It was nerve wracking!
So tonight, while I was getting ready to go to the gym, I saw the Elders walk up to our door and so I went to open it and they asked me if I could go again and teach the investigator again. But this time... I'M TEACHING THE LESSON. WHAT???? They asked me to teach her about the commandment to follow the prophet.
I am absolutely drawing a blank.
I'm studying Preach my Gospel and praying and listening to spiritual music.... I'm nervous to say the least. I so want to get this right.
I know this will be great experience and it will help me in the longrun. I just need to be confident and emote the fact that I know this work rings true.

I am going to do my very best. I know the Elders will help me and I think I'm going to ask my home/visiting teacher to come with me too. She always knows how to help me understand the gospel and scriptures (she was one of my seminary teachers two years ago.)

Anyway... I'm counting my blessings that I am able to do this. Soon I might also be able to do exchanges with the sister missionaries in Vancouver. Pretty exciting.

My shy nature will do me no good in this work. Time for me to get over my shyness.

check out my new video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIIMW8GcZvg

worked hard. 4 hours of editing, drawing, and thinking.
Enjoy! :)

Called to Serve!

Here it is: the magical announcement that is changing my life...

I got my mission call on Thursday afternoon. I opened it with my dad and siblings in the room.

I have been called to serve in the Samara, Russia mission. Russian speaking. I will leave for the Provo, Utah Mission Training Center on June 19th.

AHHH!!! What is this???? Russia was not even on my radar, not even a thought!

I am very excited and the truth is, I am very nervous too. But for now I am doing everything I can to prepare. Since there are no temples in Russia, I will be getting my temple reccomend this month or next so I can go to the temple as much as possible before I leave.