The Importance of Being Lauren

Okay so this picture was actually taken the day AFTER I got my mission call. I got a text Saturday afternoon from my dad saying that it was in. A few minutes after my mom, and siblings started texting. Needless to say, I. Was. Excited. But I was scheduled to work until close, and I wanted to wait to share it with my family. So it was closing time, and the LDS kids who just got out of the dance ALL came in. My milkshake making hands were killing me, and I really wanted to get home and hold my call. But if there is one thing that I learned these past couple months is that patience is everything. All the things that happen, are done in the Lord's time, and I just need to be prepared! I opened my call 7:00pm on Sunday. My boss Kassie, her son Sterling, Loren (from work), my Hawaiian grandma Sister Johnson, my grandma and uncle, my bestie Janice, and then my dad's family all came!! Oh! And my friend Alexis (Panama City) was on the phone!! I loved having the people that ...

The two boys who were interviewed the same night as me, already have received their mission calls!!! I've never been more excited about anything in my life!! I seriously cannot wait to get mine. Last night I had extremely vivid dreams about getting my mission call. In both dreams, I was called to the Arizona, Tempe mission. I don't even know if that is a legit mission! How crazy is that!? Anyway... I am literally counting the seconds before it comes!! Ahhh! I can barely sleep I am so excited!!

Okay. So the title makes me sound more fancy than I actually am....  I am officially done with my associates degree!! I have been blessed with amazing experiences as I have spent most of my teenage years in college classes. I love most of my professors, and still keep in contact with some of them. I also have made awesome friends who are inspirations to me! I have learned so much from them! Also I thankful for my parents who have listened to my whining, complaining, stressing, procrastinating, and helped me through all the other generally unpleasant things that arise in college.  I. Am. Freeeeee. (Ya know, until it is time to get a degree for my career...)(The pink blob says "grad info")  **if you find weird grammatical and spelling errors, please don't judge me. I write all my blog posts from my phone, and my autocorrect is pretty much the bane of my existence! :)  

Last night I had the opportunity to go to my friend Maddie's farewell! She has been called to serve The Lord in England!!!  While I was there I was talking to one of my friends and I found out that the boy who had his mission interview the same day as me, got his mission call yesterday!! Which then means that mine is either ON ITS WAY, or that it will be here soon!! I seriously feel so nervous and excited. I could barely sleep last night! I am so ready to go and serve The Lord.  I love reading about my friends missions from all over the world. I am seriously thankful for missionary work. I have been reading about a lot of different people in the emails, and how The Lord has prepared their hearts to receive the gospel. I am  grateful for the opportunity that I  have to serve my brothers and sisters, and my Father in Heaven. 

So I have been home sick the last couple days. I've been using this time to watch all the LDS missionary videos. (Click on the link below, you won't regret it!!) Hastening the Work of Salvation (Missionaries and Members) I feel the spirit so strongly as I watch the videos about those who are choosing to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I literally have been sobbing like a baby all day. Seriously, each video makes me so happy that I burst into tears. (I know, I am ridiculous. Judge me later, man.) I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have of the saving power of the Atonement! One of my favorite General Conference talks of all time is  Jeffery Holland 's talk, "None were with Him". If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and read it! I cannot get enough of it. "Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so ." I a...

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity at my stakes Interfaith Quilting Bee. I got to enter information about each quilt in order to keep track of them all. The total number of quilts by the end was 400!! It was so amazing to see all these amazing sisters spend so much time making amazing masterpieces to share with with those in need. (Me and my favorite! She is so great! I am so glad that she called me in to help out!!) Helping with the quilting bee inspired me to finish the quilt my mom started a long time ago. I can't wait to develop this new skill!!!

My college algebra final is this morning. Please pray for me!!!! 

My mission papers have officially been submitted! I am so so happy right now! But it feels so surreal.  After my meeting with the stake president I got to go to mission prep for the first time this semester. (I attended mission prep. last year) Part of the lesson was teaching some YW posing as investigators. My friend Alexis and I were companions, and we had to face many challenges in this activity. I found that being prepared it super important, if you do not KNOW the scriptures, people are not going to wait around for you to find them. I am so thankful that my bishop has asked me to learn all the new scripture masteries. I know that my knowledge of them will benefit me greatly on my mission.  I love the scriptures, and I love my Father in Heaven. I have a testimony of the Atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ. I have felt His love and forgiveness. I have had my heart healed, and felt the peace that can only come through the Savior. I cannot wait to hear where I will serve!!! *...

One of my goals before my mission is to read the entire Book of Mormon again. I know that this book was brought forth by revelation from God. I am so thankful for all the things that I've learned by studying it. I also have the opportunity to learn all the new scripture masteries (as per my Bishop's request). I love scripture mastery! I know that as I learn the scriptures, and keep the messages in my heart, that the Spirit will help me to remember them when the time comes for me to share the messages with others. <3

I love the Houston Texas Temple. I have the great blessing of living extremely close to it, and I get to attend quite frequently. I am always so thankful for the peace that I feel in the Temple. I have had so many cool experiences, met amazing people, and I never leave without the confirmation that my Heavenly Father knows me and loves me. I am so grateful for the relationship that I am building with my Father in Heaven. And I cannot wait to share the love and peace that I have found through the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my spiritual brothers and sister. I love the Temple, and as I gain more knowledge, I feel my love for it grow! <3