Called to serve

I have chosen to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I'm a Mormon. I  know it, I love it. I live it! There is nothing in this life that has brought me more happiness, comfort, light, and gratification than the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know I am truly blessed to be apart of this church. I don't know how I got so lucky to be born into it but I couldn't be more grateful. The church has given me a family that I know I can be with for eternity. It has blessed me with answers to questions in my life and given me the gift of the Holy Ghost to be my constant companion as long as I am worthy of it. It has blessed me with the most amazing friends and Ward families. It has brought me the purest of joys and truths so I know what I need to do to live with my loving Heavenly Father again. 

I have been so blessed in my life and I want everyone to be as blessed as I am by having the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives! 
Choosing to go on a mission was not an easy decision for me. 

In the October session of general conference our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson announced a life changing to a lot of people announcement. Guys were now allowed to serve missions at age 18 and girls at the age of 19. (to read that talk click here) As I sat in my apartment watching all by myself I was in complete shock. I couldn't believe it. A mission was always just a thought to me. I thought, "Maybe if i'm not married and am in a place to serve I will" but thats as far as I went. I never really thought I was truly going to have to make the decision. Going on a mission has not been a lifelong goal of mine. As I sat listening to the prophet speak I then thought "holy cow, I am 19 years old. Am I going to serve a mission?!" 
At this point in my life I was all ready to go to Ecuador. I had already signed up and was counting down the days. I told myself I would make my decision after Ecuador. I figured I would feel like Ecuador was my mission and that was good enough or that it would leave me wanting to do more. 
All while I was in Ecuador I thought, and prayed, and pondered about the decision. Some days I wanted to start my papers that second and other days I wanted nothing of it. I left Ecuador still with no decision. When I came back I knew I really needed to decide. And now I'm here, writing this blog post. 
I cant exactly say I ever got a "full lights completely on". (Have you seen this Mormon message? It's one of my favorites) I had more of a "walking through fog" kind of answer. And it wasn't very easy making this huge of a decision while walking through fog. Luckily I kept on going and found my way. 
I had so many great places to look for light. 

I thought about my time in Ecuador. This was a time where I was not living for myself. I gave everything for those sweet children. As hard as it was I was so happy and felt so fulfilled. I didn't realize it as much then as I do now. I miss that life of giving. Therefore it makes me want to do more. And a mission is just the place for that. 

I have so many great examples in my life. I think about the wonderful Sor Kristina. She was the Nun who worked in the orphanage and became one of my biggest mentors. She has dedicated her whole entire life to giving. If she can give her whole life, I can give 18 months. I think about my loving parents who both served missions. I have been counseled to look for the good choices they have made in their life and pattern my life after them. A mission is what I believe to be one of those. 

I think about how I wouldn't be apart of this church if it weren't for missionaries. My mom was taught the gospel at a young age by missionaries. I am grateful for them teaching her so I was able to grow up in gospel centered home. As I was watching the news today about the tragedy that happened in Boston yesterday they showed a family. The dad had just finished the marathon. The mother, 2 sons and 1 daughter were watching on the sidelines. When the bomb hit the 8 year old son was killed, the young daughter lost a leg, and the mom is in critical condition with injury to her head. This poor families life has been completely shattered. All I could think to myself was someone please tell this family about the gospel! They need to know that they will see their son again. They need to know that their daughter will be resurrected and her body will be made whole and perfect. I feel like the gospel could bring so much comfort to them! (You better believe if I get called to Boston I will hunt these people down). Not just this family but so many more peoples lives could be made better by the gospel. And I want people to know! 

I mainly had to rely on my own faith. I read the story in Alma 32. I had faith. I had a desire to go on a mission. Although I didn't know exactly what would happen, I believed. And my faith grew just like a tiny seed. As it grew slowly but surely through different personal experiences I knew that a mission was the path my life was supposed to take. I know that sacrificing and serving for 18 months was only going to bring me blessings for the rest of my life. 

Satan definitely has done his duty on me. I have had many moments of apprehension. Luckily Heavenly Father is much more powerful and has guided me through. 
I know that this will be no cake walk. I know that a mission is a very tough thing. But I am ready for it. I am ready and willing to sacrifice 18 months of my life to hopefully bless others and share the gospel! I am excited for all the more knowledge I will also gain. 

These are just a few of the many reason why I am choosing at this time to serve a mission. I am excited to serve others while serving my Lord. I am excited for the 18 months I will have ahead of me. 
My call should be here in about 2 weeks... start your guesses. 

My trip to the Amazon!

I know, I know. This post is LONG overdue. But better late than never right?

At the end of my trip to Ecuador I signed up to go on a trip to the Amazon Jungle. 4 days, 3 nights living on the Napa river. I was pretty excited for this adventure. And an adventure it was!

My friend Karissa and I signed up together and it ended up only being me and her on the trip. Basically we got a private vacation. It was just me, her and our tour guide for those 4 days.

We left Quito at 8am on Tuesday. We then drove to the airport and took a 30 minute flight to Coca. We got picked up by a taxi and our guide and took a 2 hour truck ride to the edge of the river. We then took a 10 minute boat ride and arrived at our location. Quite the day of traveling. We arrived at around 2pm. 

The original lodge that we were supposed to stay at was closed for construction so we had to stay a little bit farther down the river in "dorms" with the local high school students. Well these dorms weren't exactly nice. It was wood walls with chicken wire windows and a door. No electricity, no service, bugs everywhere, and mosquito nets to sleep under.

This was our bedroom. We weren't exactly thrilled but we managed to survive. 

Yes, we went to the bathroom after about 5 minutes of being there and came across this thing. It was huge! We let it be and then on the last day our guide told us that it is one of the most dangerous spiders around. I am grateful I didn't know that till the last day or I don't think I would have slept at night. 

These were the bathrooms and toilets. Doesn't that look so nice? 

The sink and only mirror.

The "hall way" to our room. 

This was where we ate all our meals. 

After we got settled in and had a chance to look around the activity planned for that day was to go for a walk to the community and to go see the old lodge. 

Wow, was this like stepping into the movies. 

This was the community that was closest to where we were staying. It is probably one of the nicest ones. 

The way these people live was mind blowing. I didn't realize people really lived like this. They lived in these wood huts. Coco and coffee beans are what they harvested the most that brought in money. Most of the people live on a salary of $600-$1,000 a year. The rich people could buy a fishing net for $100 and make money from that. The wives would all just sit around, nursing their children and hang out while the men were working. Some women did work though, panning for gold or making bracelets to help bring in a little more money. They lived so so simple but they were so happy. Our tour guide told us that no American could come into this lifestyle and survive. It was such a beautiful life for them but I am grateful for what I have!! 

Beautiful views all around us

Me and Karissa standing on the old lodge looking over the Napa river

Beautiful sunset

For the next days ahead of us we just did a lot of hiking. We hiked through lots of rain forests, and jungles. I saw the most beautiful views I've ever seen in my life! We saw lots of monkeys and cool colorful birds. 

One day we hiked to this community. This community was just this single house that a family lived in.

This was the grandmother. She was so content to just sit there and hang out. 

The kitchen. 

The grandfather was a Shaman. Their local medicine man. He "cleansed" us. He smoked some tobacco and then blew it on us. Basically second hand smoke spread around with a leaf. It is a very mental thing and the people their totally believe it. Me, not so much. haha. But it was an awesome experience that I'm sure I will never be able to experience again. 

Our guide being cleansed. He was a believer. 

We then learned how to use a blow gun with darts. It was so much fun! And really not too hard. 

I got a bullseye! 

Some muddy trails we waked on! Every thing was so so muddy. 

Beautiful forests. 

Huge huge tree! All trees around were normal size and then there was just this random one huge tree! It was so cool. 

The Napa river. It was awesome because one second we would be walking in thick forest and then it would open up to this beach and river. 

This was very Survivor looking to me. 

One time it started raining really hard while we were out walking. Our guide just pulled out his machete and cut us a leaf. And wa-la, an umbrella! So smart. 

Our tour guide had a great sense of humor. He told us to close our eyes and then he stuck these on our noses! Haha. Very funny. 

Every day in the large community at 4:30 all the guys came together and played soccer. It was a huge deal to them. They would make bets and played very seriously. It was fun to watch. 

Muddy everywhere! 

One of the coolest things was that it would start pouring rain and we would only hear it but not feel it because we were so covered by trees. Such an awesome sound! 

One day we took this truck ride around to see different birds. It was a nice break from walking miles on end and cool to see more wildlife! 

This is the chocolate pant that they harvest. Taste nothing like real chocolate. 

Canoe ride on the river. 

Scary bridge we had to cross. It was just bamboo and very shaky.

Muddy feet from not wearing boots the first day. 

All in all my trip in the Amazon was so much fun. If you are ever in Ecuador I totally recommend visiting here! 

It was an experience I will never forget. 

And now when people ask me what the coolest thing I've ever done...

"I lived on the Napa River in the Amazon Jungle for 4 days" will always be my answer.