Since I was seven years old I have wanted to serve a mission. I was the girl who got upset anytime they heard that sisters weren't supposed to go on missions. The time came closer to me being the correct age to go, and I decided that I didn't want to be one of those girls who went on a mission because she wasn't married at the age of 21. So when I turned 20 I started to pray about whether or not Heavenly Father wanted me to go. After six months I finally received an answer that I was not supposed to leave on a mission. Instead I found a new job, bought a car, and went about my life. The following year I found out that I had been fired from my job. This news came very unexpectedly and was surprising that I had received a pay raise only a month before. When I asked why they were firing me they told me the shoe wasn't fitting. The answer didn't make me feel any better and I took the news extremely hard.

That same night my friend Corrine and I went to the movies. While there she asked me what my plans were. I told her that I hadn't really had a chance to think about it. She suggested that maybe I should go on a mission. I told her that it wasn't right for me. She said that it was something to think about. Plus I knew my mother wouldn't be happy if I decided to go considering that I had a car payment and other financial obligations. The next day my mom took me out to lunch at the Tiffin room. While we were waiting for our food to arrive my mom asked me what my plans were now that I no longer had a job. I told her I wasn't sure. She then suggested to my surprise that maybe I should consider a mission. This left me reeling and so after lunch was over and we returned home, I packed up my car and told my mom I would call her when I got to wherever I was going. I ended up in Ephraim, Utah and spent the weekend with some friends that were going to school at Snow College. After some time away with them and an entire day spent at the Manti temple I knew what I should be doing. I was going on a mission.

I set up an appointment that week with my bishop. When I told him what I wanted to do he got this stunned look on his face and said, "Uh oh." I looked at him and was terrified that he was going to tell me I shouldn't go. I asked him what the matter was and he responded with, "I have never done this before. I have no idea what to do." I started laughing because I was so relieved. He got his book out and did some reading and by the time I left his office I had the paperwork in my hands.

I was set apart on May 11th. My entire bishopric and stake presidency came which really added to the experience. The stake president had each member of the bishopric share an experience from thier mission. Saying good-bye to everyone proved hard. Especially to the Margetts family. Thier daughter Madison stole my shoes and hid them and then told me that I couldn't leave. It really touched my heart.

I entered the MTC on May 12th. My mom, Alene, & Betsy accompanied me to the MTC. On the way we had lunch at T.G.I. Friday's with Abe & his sister Marjorie. I wanted lunch to end quickly, because I was so excited to get going. The only thing that dampened my excitement was seeing my mom and Alene crying as we watched "Called to Serve". I spent the next three weeks in the M.T.C. We did all the traditional things that missionaries do from taking our pictures in front of the map and through the post office box, to having a cereal eat off in the cafeteria, to working in the call center. I flew to Indiana on June 1st.

Let me share the highlights of my mission and the lessons that I learned. First I had the most amazing mission president and wife. President & Sister Walker were such a blessing to me. I always felt that I was unconditionally loved by this amazing couple. I was blessed to have them around for my entire mission. President was such a guide to me as he led me spiritually and helped me see the big picture and believe in myself. I shared a bond with Sister Walker as I was able to get to know her and be blessed by her teachings and love. I know that Heavenly Father knew I would need this amazing couple during my time in Indiana.

I had the opportunity to serve in five different areas of the state. My first area I served in was Muncie, which is about an hour north of Indianapolis and is the home of Ball State University. My companions were Sister Hall & Sister Bitters. We mostly worked with the young single adults in the area and spent a lot of time working on campus.

My next two areas were my shortest areas. The first one was in Greenwood, which is just south of Indy. I served with Sister Murdoch and we lived with the Sweezy family. The Sweezy's had two little boys and were so much fun. My next area was in the heart of Indy at Speedway. Yep, it is where the Indianapolis 500 race is held each year. I remember being out on my bike and hearing the race cars going at full speed. Here I served in a three-some with Sisters Hein & Pace. We were the three stooges. I was curly and loved to eat pie! This area we lived with sweet Sister Leonard. She always made the best food.

My next area was in the southern part of the state near the border of Illinois in Terre Haute. Terre Haute is lovingly dubbed "The Land of Seven Smells". It is the home of seven types of factories whose scents fill the area. I personally loved the smell of fresh bread in the mornings. My companion was Sister Gorow and we lived underneath two older Catholic ladies and next door to Joyce & Charlie. Charlie wasn't a member of the church and he always called us the nuns. We spent a lot of time in their home and really came to love that amazing couple.

My last area was in the northern part of the state in a town called Huntington, which was on the outskirts of Fort Wayne. My companions were Sisters Gordon, Lazane, & Goletz. Here we lived with Ned & Linda. Neither were members, but Linda's daughters were members. Living with Ned & Linda was fabulous. Ned always teased me and quickly dubbed me Sherm. It was while in this area that I learned that I had broken my foot. After several months of trying to get it to heal naturally, my doctor finally recommended surgery. Due to this situation I ended up returning home three months early, which proved to be a lot harder than, I thought it would be.

I am grateful for the opportunity that my Heavenly Father gave me to serve His children in that beautiful state. During those months I learned how to truly pray and to recognize answers to my prayers. How everything happens in the Lord's time and we just need to be patient and apply some faith. That we truly are blessed to have the knowledge of eternal families. I learned and grew so much during my fifteen months as a missionary. This time in my life has truly helped mold me into the woman I am today.