Off I go!

March 14th, 2013. I checked the mail and found a big, white envelope.

"Dear Sister Van Wagenen,

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 Brazil Curitiba South Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. 

You should report to the Brazil Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, July 24, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language."

"Oh my gosh, I'm going to learn Portuguese! Oh my lanta. I'm going to Brazil!"

I was not expecting Brazil. But as soon as I got my call, I knew that Brazil was exactly where I was supposed to be. I honestly couldn't imagine going anymore else, Brazil already has a special place in my heart.

Here I am. A little over 4 months after that day, about to begin my journey, serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 18 months.

Four months gives you a lot of time to question why I want to go on a mission...but I know that a mission is exactly where I am supposed to be. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ is true with all my heart. I am so excited to Preach the Gospel to the people of Brazil and to testify of Jesus Christ each and every day. I can't wait to see people's lives change as they accept Jesus Christ into their lives, and to see the happiness that the gospel brings.

"Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world."

-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

If you want to know what it means to be a missionary or what it is that I will spend a year and a half of my life teaching people, go HERE

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can change your life, as it has mine.

Well friends, I am off! You can hopefully follow all of my journeys here! If you feel so inclined to write to me...I would LOVE to hear from you!! (Just click on that little "addresses" button up there.)

Have a great year and a half!