Dear Sister Hendrickson...

I’m going to be a missionary!! After an endless summer of doctor appointments and two very long weeks of waiting after my papers were submitted, I finally received notice from the Glenwood lodge that my call was here and en route to my apartment box! After a very long and agonizing day, the mailman finally delivered my call. Yes, I was waiting for him by the mailbox, and we searched for it in his truck. Yes! Finally! I hefted the envelope in my hand and finally had the privilege of facetiming my family with close friends and family gathered around. When I was speed walking home to get my call (notice I didn’t run…I never run), it just felt right! I felt antsy, of course, but I felt peace and excitement, and I knew this was the right decision.

            Hands slightly shaking, I opened the envelope with more skill than I thought, but I still received some snarky comments from my fam. (which I didn’t hear until I watched Luke’s video of me opening it. He filmed me through the TV, and I watched the video, which included many comments I had not heard through my computer.)

            Dear Sister Hendrickson, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Massachusetts Boston 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, January 13, 2016. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language.

            Not what I was expecting, but oh how it feels so right! I secretly wanted state side, and I secretly did not want to go to South America. And the only reason I wanted to learn a language was so that I could raise my hand with other R.M.s in my classes when asked who knew a second language. Not the greatest desire, so the U.S. is definitely right for me! Sometimes I realize that I AM GOING TO THE EAST COAST TO PREACH THIS GOSPEL. I am so excited that I can’t fully concentrate on my homework or classes. Oh, it feels so right. I can’t wait to go, but of course I will live and enjoy the moments I’m in right now. And here’s an inspirational quote that I just love: “You are not called to serve in a place; you are called to serve in place of the Savior.” I can’t wait to help others find the joy that Christ’s gospel has given me.