And Then There Were Twelve

There are only twelve days.

Beautiful, busy, too-short-of-time days,

before I head out on one of the greatest experiences I will have

in my entire life.

I am going to be a missionary.

I think my heart is finally communicating with my head

with the reality that this is actually happening....perhaps?

Sometimes, to make everything more real,

I practice how I will sign letters, ending with

Liebe, Sister Motto

I get to spend the next 18 months of my life of soaking up

culture, food, scenery, language, & history

in one of the most gorgeous places known to man on this entire planet.

And want to know what makes it better?

I get to do so, all while proclaiming the Word of God and the knowledge of His Restored Gospel to the people of Germany, Austria, & Switzerland.

I'm terrified.

I'm nervous.

I'm intimidated.

I feel completely inadequate to be a part of such a great and marvelous work.

But, oh, how I love those people so.

I don't even know them yet.

How could I possibly love them, these strangers who live thousands of miles away?

My heart swells with compassion, yearning, this inner most drive to bring them to the divine and beautiful confirmation that Jesus Christ lives. His Church has been restored to the Earth. Seek Him, come unto Him, and gain eternal life. I want them to have the happiness this Gospel provides that I too often take for granted. I want them to be comforted. I want them to have peace. I want them to come to know their Savior as I am striving to do every day I live. I want them to know that their God wants them to come to Him, so that He may more richly sanctify their lives with the incredible blessings that the Gospel brings.

It's going to be hard.

It's going to be trying.

It's going to be beautiful.

And completely, entirely, wholly

worth it.

~ Natalie