The Mission Call

I received my white envelope just a couple weeks ago on Saturday, Sept 3rd 2016 and opened it the next day at the Sacred Grove, in honor of receiving my prompting to serve a mission.

Before the magical paper came, I would joke around with the sister missionaries in my branch about serving in Utah, Idaho, or Arizona. I desperately desired to serve somewhere out of country, speaking a foreign language, and riding a bike (high maintenance, right!?). Admittedly, I was crushed when I held my small and thin white package. I didn't want to open it. The next morning before church, I went to the grove with my letter to pray and receive comfort over a letter that contained the next 18 months of my life.

5pm rolled around as some family and friends gathered in the visitors center for the big reveal. Still anxious, yet frightened this is what my letter said: "Dear Sister Garrow, 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 Utah Salt Lake City West Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months." Complete peace and comfort filled my heart. Although we do not remember our plan that Heavenly Father has given us before birth, being called to serve in Utah felt familiar and right. I do not know why I am called to serve in the Utah Salt Lake City West Mission, but I know that as I dedicate myself to the Lord's work, using the spirit as a constant companion, I will truly find my purpose as to why I was sent to that specific location, at that very time. I know this church to be true, I have felt pure joy and happiness as I strive my best each day to follow Christ's example in the way that He lived his life. I am so excited to serve! I report to the Provo MTC in less than a month, on the 19th October. Time is going by too fast, but not fast enough!

My Desire to Serve

Not a lot of people would know this, but the main reason why I have a desire to serve a mission is to better prepare myself for a future family. Growing up in a home where the spirit was hard to feel taught me the importance of having a Christ-centered home. From observations as a little girl, the atmosphere from a family where both parents served always felt a bit more uplifting from families where only one parent or no parents served. I want to make sure I fulfill my duty to become the best daughter/sister/friend/companion/future wife and mother that I know I can become. Not only do I have a desire to bring those closer to Christ but to also serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength; gaining all the knowledge that Heavenly Father would have me know. I have felt much joy and happiness in this gospel and am extremely excited to share it with those around me -now and wherever the Lord sends me!

The Call to Serve

In January 2015, my family and I took a road trip out to Palmyra, New York to visit my grandmother for Christmas Break. While visiting Palmyra, I desired to know the next step to take in my life as I was not enthused about my first semester of college (University of Minnesota Duluth) and my mind wrestled with career possibilities such as enlisting in the Air Force to Law School. I became desirous to know Heavenly Father's plan for me. A couple mornings after Christmas I decided to go for a walk as my grandfather and I would always do before he passed away in 2011. In his loving memory, I set out for the grove which was filled with many empty wooden benches until I came upon one particular bench sitting up on a small hill, next to a thick tree. Quietly I sat there, looking around to see if anyone were about and began to say a prayer with all my heart, truly speaking all that was on my mind to my Heavenly Father and pleading to know the direction to take in my life. Once my prayer was finished, I sat there quietly as a primary song filled my mind so strong that I tried to force myself to think of any other song but could not break the tune or words to the primary song I Want To Be A Missionary Now. I was completely and utterly in denial. I surely thought "No, not me!" for at that time I knew that I wasn't worthy and had at the time no desire to serve a mission. As I was leaving the grove that morning, another song entered my mind as I began to sing the words to I Am A Child Of God. In that moment did I truly feel at peace and was comforted, knowing that I was loved from a wonderful Heavenly Father and desired to change my life and become the very best daughter of God that I can become. Not my will, but thine be done! 

Although Christ and Heavenly Father did not visit me in the grove, there is no denial to the sweet spirit that was felt that morning and to the great impact that day had on my life. After that experience I completely have devoted myself to the work of the Lord, going where He would have me go, and doing the things He would have me do. I learned through this experience that a mighty change within ourselves starts with a deep desire for better.

3 Nephi 27:29 -Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

The Sacred Grove -Palmyra, NY