2 More Weeks!

I did not know how fast time could move. Wow! If someone would ask me how I'm feeling about leaving in 2 weeks, I'd say I was anxious, excited, nervous, flabbergasted, and many more of the same sort of feelings. 

I just got back from a family vacation in Oregon. It was so fun, but the 5 days we were there ZOOMED past. Sometimes, I am so grateful that time is zooming, but other days it makes me so scared and so nervous. Being at home for the month before I left has been so helpful, and it will be hard to leave. But, I know that it is all for the better. 

After spending the last 5 days in Oregon with my better half and family, it kind of hit me really hard that I was leaving. I'm leaving my whole entire life behind. My friends, my family, my boyfriend of 2 years, getting a college education, my phone (sounds silly, but I use my phone for so much), and life as I know it. It is scary! I'm not vacationing through Italy even though it is a dreamy tourist location. I am giving up eighteen months of my life to serve my Savior, Jesus Christ. It won't be easy. I'm going to be a different person when I get back. I'm going to learn more about myself in the next year and a half than I ever would going to school. But it will be worth it. Where else would I learn the things I am going to learn? Nowhere better than on a mission. 

Scary? Yes. Exciting? Yes. Easy? No.

But, the one thing I know is that I need to be there. There is somebody in Italy who needs my help to bring them closer to Jesus Christ. Somebody who needs to feel happy again. Somebody who wants to the know why they are on Earth and what we need to do to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. I know that there is somebody who needs me to teach them that. My personality, my humor, my life experiences. Time and time again I get the answer that this is for me. This is what I need to be doing, and this is what I need to spend my time and my energy on. 

My favorite scripture right now that brings me so much comfort is Matthew 16: 25-26. 

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

I'm losing my worldly life by serving a mission, but I know that I will find a new life. A life through Jesus Christ. A life of spiritual growing and learning. A new, better life. And that is what I am excited for. 

2 MONTHS

Today marks 2 MONTHS until I report to the Provo Missionary Training Center to serve in the Italy Rome Mission for a year and a half. If the next 2 months are anything like the last week has been, I'll be daydreaming a lot, not focusing at all, wishing time would move a lot slower and faster at the same time, and attempting to learn a little Italian, but not being very successful (at least I know how to say hi, butterfly, and I don't drink coffee; I'm sure that will help me a lot!)

Time is kind of a strange concept. When I opened my mission call, I had more than 4 months to wait. Now that has been split in half and the whole thing is becoming more and more real. I'M GOING TO ITALY! And I finally get to be a full time missionary and wear Jesus Christ's name over my chest. Sometimes time seems to take forever and sometimes it moves too fast. Some days I feel ready, and some days I don't. It just depends.

I'll be done with my first year of college in 3 weeks. I get to see my best friend (Tyler) in 4 weeks. I get 3.5 weeks to spend with my family. I have to say goodbye to my sister in 3.5 weeks since she will be in Idaho when I leave. 5 more weeks until I go to Oregon for 5 days. I have 7 weeks until I give my farewell talk in church. 8 weeks until I leave. 16 weeks until Ty leaves for the MTC, and 25 weeks until he will be in Japan. 14 weeks until I'll be in Italy.

I am so excited to start this new adventure in our lives. Japan and Italy are totally different places, but the gospel is the same. I can't wait to share my testimony and the happiness the gospel brings to me with the people in Italy. I am in for a real treat and a lot of hard work. But, it will be worth it in the end. This is going to be the best year and a half of my life so far.

Let the countdowns begin!

Ciao,

Liz