Dear You (yes, that means you)

I have great potential. That is something that I've been told basically all of my life. I don't say it to brag, or to put myself above others. Everyone has great potential. We just have to know how to reach it.
I learned how to work hard when I was young, and it's something that has stuck with my throughout my life. And this is something I really feel will help me to get there.

This was most evident in school, where I devoted a lot of time, effort, and thinking. So much so, that my parents had to discontinue their agreement of $100 for every straight A report card. (I'd be rich by now!) I loved the satisfaction that came from successfully completing projects and fully understanding concepts. I strove to make my parents, myself, and my teachers proud! Some of my teachers realized my dedication, and were constantly encouraging and pushing me. I felt closer to them appreciated their dedication to their students.

One of these teachers happened to come into my work today, and I couldn't help but feel about 2 feet tall! I could tell he was surprised to see me there, but maintained a polite composure as he asked "So this is where you are now?"

Honestly I was probably judging myself way more then he was me. I never really imagined myself working right out of high school, and especially not at a fast food joint. (Sorry, Fan Food not Fast Food™.) My plan was always to just go to University.

But the reality is, Life Isn't Free. I have to work to be able to get anywhere. And I am! I am working, and I will be going places! I'm working two jobs, anywhere from 30 to 50 hours a week, so that I can create a future for myself and meet my goals. If I'm completely honest, I would tell you how most days I think of quitting. That I tell myself it's only temporary and a stepping stone to what I really want to be doing. If it wasn't, I can honestly say I wouldn't be there.

If life was free, if I didn't have to pay for anything, I would be in school right now. I would have gotten a whole year in before my mission, and would go back immediately when I get home. But I still am going to Nursing School. I will still get a University degree, and nothing can change that! I'm just doing it slightly differently then society expects me to.

I am so excited for my future career! I literally feel so much excitement every time I think about it. Nothing will ever get in my way of that! But I know I am suppose to go to Mexico first. I'm not serving a mission because my friends are doing it, or to avoid going to school. I'm going because I know that it is something I am suppose to do. Because I know of the peace and the joy that is found in the gospel. And that the skills I am going to learn there, and the experiences I am going to have will better prepare me for my future and help me reach my potential than anything else.

My first elementary school's motto was "Follow Your Dreams" and that is exactly what I plan on doing.

Kate's Mission Call

In the Beginning...

I opened my call yesterday (Saturday, December 21), surrounded by so many family and friends. My poor little house was bursting at the seams! Everyone kept asking me where I thought I was going, but all I felt was that I might be speaking Spanish. Much to my delight, I was right!

I have been called to serve in the Hermosillo Mexico Mission, and report to the Provo MTC on April 30th!

I have set up this blog to keep everyone up to date! My Mum has agreed to post my weekly emails and photos, so check back here to know more of what I'm doing!

The first time I truly remember having a desire to serve, was at a stake conference back when they were held in the Bingemans! A sister missionary had just returned home, and shared her experience. I don't remember who she was, or what exactly she said, but I felt the Spirit so strongly, and knew that given the chance, I would choose to serve! Then when I turned 16 years old, we got Sisters in my ward. They brought me teaching, tracting, and just around regular mission life. I loved it, and hoped that somehow after Nursing school I would be able to go. When President Monson announced the mission age change, I knew that it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up! 

I'm super grateful for my cousins, and the sisters who were serving in my ward at the time who shared experiences, and encouraged me. As much as this is stressful half the time, I also feel as though it is the best time of my life. I literally feel as though I've been preparing my whole life to go on a mission, yet I feel like I will never be prepared enough! 

I made it my New Years Resolution to prepare to serve, and I think I can say I've definitely done a fair bit towards that! But now I have so much to do. So far I've been working on saying my mission name correctly, as well as La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias. I probably am saying them with a terrible Canadian accent, but everyone has to start somewhere!