Well everyone, the cat is out of the bag. I've been called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Paraguay Asuncion North Mission. I leave for the Argentina MTC on August 13th, 2015. And I'm freaking out.
I think the continuing theme of this blog could be summed up as, "Kaitlin freaks out about everything, but then everything works out and God's hand is manifest." Ha!!! So if I learn anything from chronologizing my life, I should say, "Wow, Kaitlin, there's no need to freak out, because you adapt eventually and always grow and learn so much and then you just fall in love with the changes and everything turns out peachy keen." I'm currently giving myself this pep talk.
Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked. This is gonna be great. I can just see myself, walking dirt streets in Paraguay in the name of my beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. I have this little mental picture of me, dealing with rain and bugs and blisters, and turning around to see incredible love, and miracles, and relationships with people that I will never forget. So half of me is crazy afraid, half of me is so excited I can't sit still, and the other half of me has no idea what to feel!
I feel suited for this mission. I have heard stories of people who felt in their heart where they were going to serve before they got called, but that wasn't me. I felt like I could really go anywhere and do anything and turn out alright. But when I read Paraguay, I knew it could be a good place for me. Considering my experience with Spanish and Latin American culture, and my family background, and my personality traits, I know I can do well in this place. It will stretch me out of my comfort zone for sure, but I will learn to love it quickly, I think. (On an interesting note, Ben's mission is only 16 hours away from mine-- literally he will be the closest person in the world to me. I really feel like this is a very intimately personal blessing from God. Man, He is such an amazing guy. It's a perfect example of the Parable of the Eggs.)
But anyhow, okay. What really happened is this. I got my call on Thursday, meaning it came to my house and sat on my kitchen counter. When my mom texted me a photo of it in the mailbox, I screamed and sang and danced all around the apartment. I couldn't sleep and couldn't think all day Friday, so as soon as possible I gathered up all my things and Tiana and Corinne and we busted a move all the way back to my hometown. Upon arriving, I looked at that envelope and danced around some more. Then, nearing seven, Tiana and Corinne showed up at my house, and my grandma and my biological dad got on Skype. Kira and Abbie were still miles away, so we waited for 12 minutes for them to come and I danced all around and couldn't stay still or think or anything. Then they finally ran in and I got the letter opener and I flipped to my letter and as soon as I looked at it, my eyes skipped down and saw that I was going to Paraguay. I finished reading it, nobody cheered or anything, and I was like, "Well, that's it." Classy, right?! Oh gosh. But my mom gave me a hug and we ate some cookies. I really couldn't think straight for the rest of the night.
I guess at the end of the day I'm just amazed by the incredible amount of support I've gotten. People are so kind, and genuinely trying to connect with me. I'm excited that I get to share this crazy experience with other people, and maybe my story will impact them for good. Having so much support is so comforting because everyone has great advice and there's no way I could do this on my own. So God is amazing.
Let me repeat: God is amazing! I feel like every single thing I've asked Him for, He has granted. I feel like God rarely says no. He mostly says, "I'm so proud of you. Keep moving forward. I am taking on this adventure with you." I feel so stuffed full of just gratitude. Gratitude for my call, gratitude for my family (My mom though, she's kickin'. I have no idea how people survive this life without my mother. She's basically the rudder to this whole mission-ship thing.), gratitude for good friends and bishops, gratitude for the guidance of the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, and an intense, fiery love for my Maker.
Oh man this blog post is getting way too long and I'm going to bore everyone. I'm sure I'll be posting mission updates and all that jazz until I leave in August, so here's to another bazillion Paraguay-themed blog posts! Ha! Another adventure awaits! GOD. IS. AWESOME. Don't forget it!
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