NEW BLOG

Hey everyone i'm starting a new BLOG-
www.letmewriteaboutit.BLOGSPOT.com
It its where I will be posting all my new thoughts and adventures!

A summer to remember!

Wow has it been a great summer so far! I have been in 5 different states, worked 7 weeks of EFY and just enjoyed ever moment of it. To say the least life hasn't been boring. I am so grateful for the hand of God in my life. I hope to come update this soon but i wanted to stop and let you all know I was alive and well.

Another Adventure Awaits

Well I am home and it has been so busy. I can't even express how grateful I have been for the hand of the Lord in my life. On Thursday I am off to Provo for the Summer to be working EFY again. I will be a BC- A counselor to the counselors- It is going to be wonderful and a true adventure in the making. I pray you are all well and I will continue to update as I can.

-A.kerr

Coming Home

Angela Is Coming Home

Angela will be home this Thursday at 9:25 pm after a quick In-N-Out Burger and a good nights rest she will meet with the Stake President early the next morning. We are all excited to have her home and to hear all about her travels and her Mission. She will be speaking in Church on May 8th (Mother's Day).

Yeah I know, its about time for an update!

Hi everyone. Angela is probably going to be bummed when she comes home and sees how little I have posted on her blog. We receive the most amazing emails almost every Monday and I guess I have been a little selfish in keeping all her adventures and experiences to myself. I will try to be a little bit better before she returns home from England.

Last weekend Angela was able to participate in the baptisms of two of her investigators. Edward and Jovy are their names. Edward is an old English Navy man who has been so grateful to have found the gospel. He is a widow and is thrilled to know about the Plan of Salvation. He is constantly thanking Angela and her companion for bringing him the gospel. Jovy is a young adult who is really happy to have the gospel in her life now too. After her baptism she commented about how happy she was. Angela said you could really see her happiness in her countenance. Angela and her companion Sister Maughan sang at the baptism. They have been doing a lot of singing over in England at church meetings.

The weather is still incredibly cold in England. We have nothing to complain about here in California.

Life as a missionary is the best thing ever for Angela. We got to Skype with her on Christmas day and it was the best gift. She is still Angela. She had us laughing so much with her English imitations and accents. A lot of people there think she is from Ireland. She has had blood pudding and said it wasn't as awful as she was expecting it to be. I think she is trying to get a taste of everything before she comes home in April.

Well, thats it for now. Hope you enjoy! By the way, the picture is of Angela and her cute companion Sister Maughan from Cache Valley, Utah.

-Shauna

The pictures below are from Angela's birthday, her worn out shoes and socks (great sign of a good missionary) and her and her companion that she is training. She is loving her mission and trying to focus on making her last 6 months amazing and unforgettable.

Some updated Photos From Sister Kerr!

Sister Angela Kerr's New Address

Hi there-
Its Shauna - the not so good blogger for Angela. I hope she forgives me when she comes home. Anyway, Angela is in a new area and has a new address if you would like to send her a "post".
She is no longer in Wales but is now in Liverpool. The area is much bigger and more populated. She really loved Wales but is excited to see what can happen in Liverpool. Here is the new address:
Sister Angela Kerr
26 Bethel Grove
Merseyside, Liverpool
L17 2BJ
England

*Sorry no pictures this time. My techno savvy family is not here to help me. Ha Ha

Even Missionaries Can Visit Castles!!!

These are some pictures of Angela and her companion visiting a castle in Wales on their P-Day. Pretty cool stuff. She is doing well and loving her mission. She is trying to keep us on our toes with her uplifting letters.

A Letter to You All From Angela and Her New Address

Hello everyone from the other side of the world!

Well as you have already heard I am now serving in Wales! Ah! I am serving with Sister Lau. We were both in Swinton and actually knew each other from BYU-Idaho. I am so excited for this chance to serve with her here in this area. She is a Chinese Speaking missionary and it is perfect because we are teaching a lot of Chinese students in this area. It is amazing and there is so much work to do. We live on the Island of Angelsey off the coast of Wales. The town i live in has the 2nd longest name in the world (54 characters) and is amazing! I'll have to type it out when i figure out how to spell it, and say it. (it's in welsh) We cover a university town called Bangor. We drive over a beautiful bridge every morning and i cannot put into words how beautiful it is here.

We are the furthest away from missionaries I've ever been in my mission. We live a 40 minute train ride from our District leader. Compared to having at least 2 sets of missionaries in each ward, it is a huge difference, but I am glad we get to become completely engrossed in our work. Our area covers a ward and a branch. The address to write me at and Google search is

9 LLys Marquist
Holyhead Road
Llanfair, LL 61 5TX
Wales

We have only been in the area for a few hours but i already love it. Sister Lau and I both want to be exactly obedient in all things this transfers and i think it is going to be a great blessing. In my last area my study table was a very small table on the floor of my room. Today i was able to study at a proper Study Table. Wow, the difference was amazing. Although i am sleep deprived in so many ways, today was the best study i had in months. I know that when we are diligent and study correctly we can receive the spirit more fully and have a great access to personal revelation.

Tonight we are having some members feed us and I was in charge of the lesson. I would like to share some of it with you. Isaiah 40:11 (look for the key verbs). In this simple verse about the Lord as our Shepherd there is so much we can learn and apply as members of the church. We can feed, carry, gather, and lead the sheep. Each has application to missionary work and life as a member of the church.
Feed- We are counseled to feast upon the words of Christ, upon the Words of God. We are to share the scriptures or words from the prophets with everyone. I realized the importance of using the words of God is talks, lessons, and council. If we stick to these basics we can be good under Shepherd's to the Lord
Gather- Invite! Invite others to church, activities with the ward, or even just wholesome activities in our homes. We are counseled to gather together often to strengthen and edify one another.
Carry- This is one of my favorites, as members of the church we are each given responsibility in Visiting and Home Teaching to help and care and carry those of the gospel. I know the importance of being a good VT or HT, I see what happens when people don't do their reponsiblilties to strengthen one another. Each of us has the capability to be good VT HT and fellowshipper to the missionaries to help carry the lord's sheep.
Lead- By example and through testimony. The spirit is never stronger than when ones bares pure and powerful testimony of Jesus Christ. When we do so we invite the powers of heaven as our aid. Be the example, live the gospel, love the gospel and when opportunity presents, testify of it!

I want you to know that we are each called to help the Lord in his work. We each have the chance to help His lost sheep and strengthen those already in the fold. I hope this all made sense. I just love the gospel and i love having personal time to study the blessings of the Scriptures.

I have a question for each of you that i would like some help with. Will you read Enos 1:2 and help me by telling me what you Understand "wrestling" with the Lord means? I will ponder upon it this week, and I ask that you do too!

Well I want you all to know that I love this gospel and I know it to be true. I am so excited to be serving here in the most beautiful place in the mission. I feel so blessed to be here with the companion I have. White washing an area is a little weird, because we have no idea where we are, but i am grateful we can really rely on the Lord for his help.

I love you all with all my heart, I pray for you individually! Thanks for your prayers in my behalf!

Love
Sister Angela Kerr

Hey everyone. Angela is still in love with cars as you can see. She is in a new area and would LOVE mail. Her address is:
8 Church View
Park Street
Swinton, Manchester
M27 4UP
U.K.
Angela is now Senior companion and is in a 3 sister companionship. She is having lots of success in England. There are many people who are interested in finding answers to their questions about religion and the missionaries have been finding them! As you can see from the picture Angela has cut her hair and it is dark! Seems to work well for her in rainy England. Well thats it for now!

Merry Christmas From England

Here is a pic of Angela on Christmas Morning. We started our wonderful day with a phone call from her at about 7 a.m. It was great to hear her voice and spend an hour on the phone with her. She got to talk to all of her sisters so that was way cool. She spent the morning at a members house and the afternoon at the Mission President's home. They got to watch movies. She said that felt a little bit wierd. We could tell that she is picking up some of the English terms in the way she talked. We thought it was kind of neat. She said that driving on the left side of the road is "wicked wierd". They have been having lots of success in sharing the gospel with those who want to hear about our beliefs of Jesus Christ and his restored Gospel. She did say that it has never been colder anywhere else that she has lived including cold, windy Idaho!

Just kidding - here are the pics!

Updates of Sister Kerr's Adventures

Hi everyone. Angela is loving her mission - even though she and her companion were asked to get off a bus because they were sharing the gospel with an interested young man. I guess the bus drivers don't look too kindly on proselyting. I of course want to smack that bus driver but since I am too far away I will try to be angelic like Angela and shrug it off.

It is getting cold in England according to Angela. Good thing she lived in Idaho so she wouldn't be totally shocked by the cold. They eat most of their meals in their flat. They get 1 hour for lunch and 1 hour for tea (dinner). Good thing she is a good cook. I know she is not starving! She and her companion are working well together. She is asking for a Christmas letter from any of you who would be willing to write. She particularly is asking for YOUR conversion story. If you are interested the address is: Sister Angela Kerr, England Manchester Mission, Springwood Suite G5, Booths Park, Knutsford, WA16 8QZ, England.

(Each comma is for a new line on the address).

Angela is working closely with a sister investigating the Church. She has chosen a baptism date of December 19th! Very cool.

This pictures here are of her and all the missionaries in her ward (its a BIG area), and the other one is a service day they had. I am a spaz at blogging so the pictures will be in the next post. Sorry. Momma Shauna

Angela is in her first area!

Angela has finished her time at the MTC in Preston, England and is in the mission field. She is assigned to the city of Manchester. Her companion is from Utah and her name is Sister Schmidt. Angela loved the MTC and was the Supervising Sister over the other 9 sister missionaries. She says the chocolate in England is amazing. Can't wait to try some myself! As she would say, it is "lovely" there! This is a picture of President and Sister Bullock on the day she had her first mission conference training. The other picture is Ang and her companion. Thats it for now. Cheerio!

Mom is learning to blog for Angela!

Hi everyone -
Angela (Sister Kerr) is almost ready to begin her journey as a missionary. She leaves early tomorrow morning and I am cramming to learn how to keep up her blog.
Thanks for all the love and support of her family and friends. I will do my best to keep you updated on her wonderful new adventure.
Bye for now. We need to get some sleep before 4 am tomorrow!
Momma Shauna

God be with you till we meet again!

Well it's only a few hours till i get set Apart as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are a lot of emotions but i guess i can just say i'm excited. I don't really know what to expect but i know this is where the lord wants me to go.
I fly out Thursday at 6am and i will be back April 2011... If you would like to stay updated on my mission happenings, my mother will be posting emails here for you all to read. Please Pray for me and send me letters! i love mail! Thanks to you all for your wonderful love and support i wouldn't be who i am today with out all of you... Thanks Love you!
Sister Angela Kerr

My Farewell Talk

This is for all of Those who weren't able to make my farewell, Thanks again for all of your support- ( ignore errors in the type)

Good after noon brothers and sister’s So, Tanner and I have been talking about this moment for weeks and it’s hard to believe it’s here, I honestly felt it never would. He and I were up all night baking cookies and if you’d like help us eat them, you can come by the Hemphill’s tonight maybe around 7. Oh how lovely was the morning. Radiant beamed the sun above, Bees were humming sweat birds singing. Music ringing through the grove. When within the shady woodland Joseph Sought the god of love. I truly feel privileged to be standing here before you this day to speak to you on a subject that I hold very dear, the importance of the first vision. I pray that the spirit will be upon each us as to bear witness of the truthfulness of our topics.
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, apostasy gradually became widespread. The Savior’s Apostles were rejected and slain, His teachings were corrupted, and the priesthood of God was taken from the earth. The ancient prophet Amos had foretold a time of apostasy and spiritual darkness:
(Amos 8:11–12). “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it”
One of those seeking the word of the Lord that had been lost from the earth was Joseph Smith, a young man living in Palmyra, New York, in 1820. Joseph was a hard working young man. He had little education beyond the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic. Young Joseph was only 14 years old during a time of great religious excitement.
I have searched for words to describe the event but no words bear greater validity than the testimony of Joseph himself. Joseph Smith history reads.
“There was in the place where we lived an unusual excitement on the subject of religion. It commenced with the Methodists, but soon became general among all the sects. Indeed great multitudes united themselves to the different religious parties, which created no small stir and division amongst the people, some crying, ‘Lo, here!’ and others, ‘Lo, there!’ Some were contending for the Methodist faith, some for the Presbyterian, and some for the Baptist. …
10 In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be aright, which is it, and how shall I know it?
11 While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of aJames, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack bwisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed bwisdom from God, I did; for how to act I did not know, and unless I could get more wisdom than I then had, I would never know;
15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was aseized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick bdarkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.
16 But, exerting all my powers to acall upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into bdespair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of clight exactly over my head, above the brightness of the dsun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself adelivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I bsaw two cPersonages, whose brightness and dglory defy all description, estanding above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My fBeloved gSon. Hear Him!
18 My object in going to ainquire of the Lord was to know which of all the sects was right, that I might know which to join. No sooner, therefore, did I get possession of myself, so as to be able to speak, than I asked the Personages who stood above me in the light, which of all the sects was right and which I should join.
19 I was answered that I must join none of them, for they were all awrong;
20 He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me. It seems as though the cadversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me?
Young Joseph Smith’s search for truth led him into a grove of trees to ask God for the wisdom he needed. In answer to his prayer, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him, opening the way for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days.
Elder Ezra Taft Benson said, “The appearance of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ to the boy prophet is the greatest event that has occurred in this world since the resurrection of the Master”
Although there are countless importance’s of the first vision today I would like to bring to light four specific things to express to you the importance of the first vision to me.
First, That this, The church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints, is the only true church on the face of the earth for it is the restoration of Christ’s church and Christ himself is at the head of it. Second, that god lives, and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings with body of flesh and bone. Third That Satan is real and is aware of this great work which is rolling forth and fourth that God still in fact talks to his prophets and he hears and answers our personal prayers.
From the beginning prophets as prophesied of a great apostasy to come upon the world. When the apostles were killed the truth and priesthood of god was taken from the earth. Only through Jesus Christ would these keys and truths be restored to this earth. When Jesus Christ was on the earth, He established His Church among His followers. After His Crucifixion and the deaths of His Apostles, the fulness of the gospel was taken from the earth because of widespread apostasy. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith, our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ restored the fulness of the gospel. The first vision was the beginning of the stone which would be cut from the mountain with out hands and would roll forth until it filled all the earth. Through the Prophet Joseph Smith Jesus Christ himself has restored his church and he continues today to lead it through his living prophets. What greater leader can we have than Christ himself, the creator of all, our brother, our mediator, and the Savior to each one of us. When the boy Joseph inquired of the Lord, he was told by Christ to Join no church, but he was instructed by the Lord to restore his perfect gospel in its fullness.
Second that God the father and his son are two separate beings and that they have bodies of flesh and bone and that we were made in the likeness God. There has been much deliberation among many different sects of religion as to the oneness of Christ and our Heavenly father. From the Prophet's account of the First Vision and from his other teachings; we know that the members of the Godhead are three separate beings. The Father and the Son have tangible bodies of flesh and bones, and the Holy Ghost is a personage of spirit. The first vision leaves no room for question for Joseph SAW god and his son Jesus Christ as two distinct and separate personages. Although they are two separate beings they are forever one in purpose and gospel.
In Genesis 1: 27 it reads So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him. We were created from the beginning in the image of God our heavenly father. When Christ suffered the atonement he then gave his life on the cross at Calvary. He was laid in the tomb and three days later he arose, breaking the bands of death, rejoining his body and spirit once more. Joseph vision affirms that stories of the bible that tell of his glorious resurrection and that he lives, he lives.
Third that Satan is real. When Christ fasted for 40 days Satan appeared to him and tried to tempt him with temporal thirst and hunger. When Joseph First began his prayer in the Grove he too was faced with Satan who overcame him with a dark force which bound his tongue. Satan is very aware of us when we are striving to do what is right for we prove destroyers of his plan of wickedness. I personally can testify of this truthfulness. No, I was not taken over by a dark force or did Satan tempt me with temporal things but I have felt Satan’s negative influence have an effect on in my preparations to serve my mission.
I have been told by many people that Satan would try to do anything in his power to keep me from going on a mission. I heard their words but I didn’t really understand them until recently. I very recently felt Satan trying to find ways to discourage me. On Monday night everything kind of hit the fan for me and I felt overwhelmed with discouragement, discontent, contention, and heart felt sorrow. Not being at school when classes began threw me out of sorts. I felt out of place and longed for the life I am putting on hold for 18 months. I was upset with something someone had said at work and the feelings of self doubt and sadness it had brought were heart breaking, and I had felt sorrow and contention towards some other personal events in my life. Together they seemed too hard to handle and was scared confused and lost. I wasn’t questioning whether I should serve a mission or not but I was discouraged about my currently predicament and just wanted to leave it all behind and serve the lord.
I tried to hold it in but by the end of the day I sat in tears trying to figure out what to do and how to over come it. I couldn’t literally see it but there is no doubt I could feel Satan trying to manipulate my heart to fill it with darkness and despair. According to a talk given in last April’s General conference Satan’s most powerful tools along with temptation are doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience, and disbelief. I am sure we have all felt moments in our lives where Satan has tried to work upon or hearts using one or even many of these tools, but I know that sometimes the greatest trials precede the greatest blessings. As Joseph knelt in the grove Satan knew the significant and tried to stop it but despite his dark power the power of our lord and savior is far greater. If and when we turn to Christ we all can be delivered from the darkness we face for Christ has the power to help us overcome and break Satan’s darkening hold upon is.
The final importance I want to mention today is that God still hears and answers prayers today. We are told in the bible James 1:5 if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of god who giveth to all men… and it shall be given him” Why would god say something and it still not be true today. For isn’t god the same yesterday today and forever? Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." Many feel that with the death of the apostles’ revelation had ceased. I know that the verse in the bible which prompted young Joseph to pray nearly 200 years ago is still true, that is we humbly go before God and ask in prayer not only will he hear us but he will also answer our prayers. Today we have a living President Thomas S Monson who is the only man who can receive revelation for god in behalf of the church as a while. Prophets are the only people who can receive revelation for the Church, but they are not the only ones who can receive revelation
We each can receive personal revelation and answers to prayers. We cannot expect to see visions but if we open our hearts we can feel of the witness of the holy Ghost and let it bare witness of truth, Brothers and sisters I would like to share with you a quick story as to why I personally decided to serve a mission. It was late January of this year when I found my mind troubled with many things and I decided to take my concerns to the lord. Two of my dear cousins had recently become engaged and I found my self feeling concerned as to what I should do with my life, is I should find someone to marry? Was it even the right time? Where I should apply to grad school? And many other questions plagued my mind. On Saturday morning I thought no better place to inquire of the lord than in his holy house the temple. What I thought was going to be a quick trip turned into a 4 hour wait and a long needed answer to a prayer. Let me read you an excerpt from my journal that day.
“ Since I soon realized I had a long time ahead of me I thought I should read, I picked up a Book of Mormon and said a silent prayer and opened the book, I feel open to D&c6 and I felt a feeling of peace overcome me. It talked about how Christ hears me and knows what is going on, I felt as though he was speaking to me personally, that the scripture was written for me, the peace I was seeking for was found and now all I needed was the answers to my questions. I picked up an old New Era magazine; it was a special issue about preparing serving a mission. I turn 21 this year and I read and read and soon a warm confirming impression came “ I am to serve a mission. I knew it is not required of but I feel strongly that this is where the lord wants me to take my life.”
I didn’t see god but my prayers were answered that day. I will admit I have moments since where I would second guess the answers I was given but each time I inquire of the lord I again felt the conformation that this is where the lord has need of me right now.
Going on a mission for me was an answer to pray that will change my life for the good. Joseph Smith’s answer not only changed his life but would forever change the world for the best. Adam prayed, Jesus Prayed, we all know the outcome of their prayers. He who notes the fall of the sparrow surely hears the pleading of our hearts. God hears your prayers. God answered prayers then and I promise you he answers prayers now.
President Gordon B. Hinckley once said
“I read this morning a part of Joseph Smith’s testimony of the First Vision. You are all familiar with it. His going into a grove, pleading with the Lord, a light shining above him, and then the appearance of the Father and the Son. I read that testimony and thought of it. I said to myself, ‘If every one of us knew in our hearts that that statement is true, then we would know that all else which follows it, which came through the restoration of the gospel, is true also.’ And we would walk and live with greater faithfulness.
“Tithing would not be a problem with us. Temple service would not be a problem with us. Keeping the Sabbath day holy would not be a problem with us. … Missionary service would be no problem with us.
“All else that follows would be true. We would know it in our hearts if we had a solid, firm, immovable conviction of the truth and validity of that great vision wherein God the Eternal Father and the risen Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the boy Joseph Smith and the Father said, ‘This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!’”2
As Joseph faced much persecution and trial for proclaiming he saw a vision he said he felt as Paul and his account of seeing a vision and hearing a voice. but still there were but few who believed him; some said he was dishonest, others said he was mad.. But all this did not destroy the reality of his vision. He had seen a vision, he knew he had, and all the cpersecution under heaven could not make it otherwise, Joseph Said: So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two aPersonages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was bhated and cpersecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it,
Brothers and sisters I challenge each of you if you haven’t already done so to read of Jospeh’s account of the first vision and to humbly get down on your knees and ask heavenly father if this is true. And I promise if you listen you will reveice a confirmation of it’s validity, Mathew 7:7 reads, Ask and it shall be given you, Seek and ye shall find, Knock and it shall be open to you.
I too know that Joseph Smith saw God the father and his Son Jesus Christ. I look forward to the time soon at hand where I will be able to labor among the people of the England Manchester Mission and proclaim the truthfulness of this vision and of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in it’s fullness. I have a testimony of the atonement of Christ, and that when we turn to him and repent we can receive peace and know that we have been forgiven. There is no greater peace than that which comes from Christ. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have an eternal family. This is the only true church, and Christ himself leads it, the book of Mormon in addition to the bible is another testament of Jesus Christ- In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

What on earth am I thinking?!

My mind and heart and everything else are racing with thoughts of so many things. Part of me is freaking out realising for the first time in 16 years I'm not in school in September, part of me is so excited to leave for my mission, part of me is taking a stroll on memory lane, and part of me is thinking " holy crap, I'm gonna be in another country for 18 months". I know it's normal to have so many thoughts but I wish there was a way to simplify it all RIGHT NOW. OK well i guess there is, and that is called prayer, But that is how this whole thing started. For those of you who don't know the story of why i decided to serve a mission, here it is.
On January 31st of this year, it was a Saturday, I decided to go to the Rexburg Temple for Baptisms for the Dead. I had a lot of questions i needed answers to and i thought there was no better place than the temple to be able to get them. I was considering dating a boy, i was thinking about grad school, and maybe a mission was somewhere in the back of my mind. I thought i was getting there early to beat the rush but i ended up being stuck in the middle of a 4 hour wait. That day was already busy and as i sat the first two hours waiting for my clothes thoughts of "why am i still here, i have Home work to do, i could be getting so much done"- all passed my mind. I tried to concentrate on the work i was going to be doing and why i was really there so i read some scriptures. I read D&C 6, then i read my partiarchle blessing, Then finally i changed. When i sat back down on the 3rd row i believe i began flipping through an old New Era magazine. It was the special issue on "Preparing to serve a Mission" i began reading it and for some odd reason began to tear up. I didn't know why but the impression came to be I needed to start preparing for a mission. It was so clear and so simple but it hit me hard. So i said Ok- " I'll go where you want me to go" I went home after the temple and wrote down the experience but i had yet to tell anyone about it. The next day at Church everything seemed to point to missionary work, we even sang " I'll go where you want me to go" in relief society, I called my parents and told them.
Other then my sisters i didn't really tell anyone. Some time went by and i began to ask Heavenly father, Are you sure? Me? Why me? It was the night before Conference in April and i asked for a answer again and i heard " didn't i already give you my answer?" He had, and i knew what it was. The whole experience, there is no words to decribe but i know it even now brings me great peace. I got my answer, i know what i need to do.
After typing this i feel very calm again. I will still wonder about my friends at school and try to figure out things that will happen 18 months from now, but no matter what I need to remember I already got my answer. I am going to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am going to be a representative of the Church in England where I will get to labor to teach the people of the truth of our savior. I am going to have moments where i second guess myself, I'm indecisive, it happens, but I know this is where the Lord has need of me. Everything else will be taken care of.
For those who are reading this, i don't really know why i am posting this other than the fact that it is making me feel better. All i have to say to you is remember when the lord has need he will provide a way. I have seen his hand in my life, and i know this is HIS will. No matter what you do in life, remember to turn to the lord in prayer and ask as young Joseph did when he followed the direction of the scriptures " If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of god..." (James 1:5).
God hears YOUR prayers, and he knows who you are and the struggles and joys of your heart. I am about to do something i never thought i would do, but the way is being prepared and i pray i will have the faith to be the best tool in his hands that i can be.
A.Kerr

You are amazing but...

Well i got the line again. You are amazing but.... The line never fails its just the follow up that differs. I have had so many men tell me " you are so amazing (pause) But...." Yeah, sure i believe them but i can't help but think the guy who changes the " you are amazing... Pause.... AND..." is going to be one lucky guy! But seriously!
Well although when i get that line i usually end up in tears tonight was different. I feel more peaceful then i have in more than a week. It has been eating me up inside and i feel so calm it is WONDERFUL! I cared for this person yes, i always do before i get the line but this time, it was the closure and line i needed. I just realised that it really isn't the right time, i can say i tried and i will never have to regret it. I am a whole hearted person i don't do anything half way and i care for people the same. I don't regret the care i had and i still have genuine concern for this person but i know that i don't regret anything
My advice to anyone- Live life whole hearted, don't live with any regrets. Know your standards and live up to them. Yes. it is true sometimes you will get hurt- but in the long run i know when things to work out the feelings you will have then will be far greater than any pain you've felt. I don;t know how or when things will work out but i know it WILL. When the time is right.
I know now more than ever I am needed to serve my mission. Tonight was the icing on the cake i needed to help me focus will all my soul on the task i have before me.
I know that my Savior Jesus Christ lives and that he Truly knows me by name. I know he died for me, and that because of him i can, through repentance, literally be saved and have a chance to receive salvation. I know that Joseph Smith saw god and his son Jesus Christ. Prayers are answered and heavenly father is aware of our struggles. I am so grateful for a living prophet on the earth today. i know that if i follow his counsel i will be protected and never be led astray. I am so excited to serve in the England Manchester mission. I dont know what to expect but i know it will be hard. I plan on putting my whole heart into it and returning with the mind that i did all i could to preach the gospel of my beloved Savior. I pray he will give me strength and guidance. I am a daughter of God. The temple is the place to be and i am grateful for peace. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
A. Kerr