DC pics

At the end of my Senior year of high school, tears were plentiful and everything seemed like it was ending and changing. Nothing would be the same, I would never see some of these people again, my life was evolving rapidly. And in many ways it did. College changed me for the better, I learned a lot, I didn't live at home anymore, I've lost contact with a few people. But, for the most part, every really good thing has stayed. Social media makes it so easy to at least be caught up on friends' lives, I moved back to K-town for the summer, I see tons of high school friends at Institute, and I get emails from mission friends. 

LIFE GOES ON.

A few months ago (I guess it's been a whole year now, so twelve months) I never would have imagined how exciting and happy this time of my life would be. I expected to be happy and to look forward to the future, but I imagined everything "post high school." Now my friends are on missions, some are married, some are rocking it at school, and I love it!!! I started getting emails from Ash Pag and my favorite twins Anna and Sarah Kletzli. I used my mission email address so I can still read them on my mission, and I LOVE reading them on "MyLDSMail."

A few days ago the thought of being dropped off in Provo for three months not knowing anyone or a bit of the language was a little overwhelming. I had to learn Chinese in a few short weeks, then fly across the world and try to convince people to join a church that was very different than their culture and beliefs. I would have to get along with one person 24/7 and be able to teach effectively about a topic of eternal significance. The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like 'mission impossible.' Why wasn't everyone going on a mission just freaking out? 

But then I realized, Golda you are right. You can't do this. But you don't have to, the Spirit does all the 'impossible' stuff. Heavenly Father will strengthen you to be able to follow the Spirit's guidance. The Spirit has done this before, and so have other missionaries. Obedience, humility, study, and love bring about miracles. Heavenly Father is eager to bless His missionaries, and His children in Hong Kong. I will be surrounded by people who love the gospel, and who are willing to sacrifice everything they have and are for 18-24 months. It is such a huge blessing. Yes it will be hard, it will be trying, it will be scary, it will be long at times, but it will be one of the biggest blessings I will ever receive in this life. I will be blessed as I follow Jesus Christ and learn to pattern my life after Him. I will be reminding my brothers and sisters of their divine identity and of truth that they have already accepted and know. 

I am so thankful I will never be doing this alone.