With a little patience it finally is happening...I am going on a mission! It was certainly a challenge to get my paperwork together. Back in October I set up an appointment to meet with the bishop and begin my paperwork, however, my appointment got canceled and then that Sunday we got a new bishopric. So I didn't even bother to try and meet that day. Then for the next two weeks I did an internship where I'd work odd hours, like 10am to 3am. So I just didn't have the time to meet with the bishop.
When my internship ended I called the clerk to set up an appointment for that Sunday and was told the bishop was trying not to do interviews on Sunday. So I then I asked about that Wednesday and was told he couldn't because of the ward temple trip. Then I pleaded to have an interview for the upcoming Sunday and he said he'd squeeze me in after the Bishops morning meetings.
When I woke that Sunday morning I got a call from the clerk and was informed my interview was canceled. Not again! :( However, he told me he'd get me in during Sunday School. Yeah! I met with the bishop and he informed me he didn't know how to start mission paper work and that he'd be gone for the next two weeks! :( I was devastated, frustrated and on the verge of tears. It was already November and I had to wait again.
I sat in Relief Society crying out of pure frustration. As the lesson began, the teacher announced today's topic was on PATIENCE!!! {It's times like these that I realize God has a great sense of humor.} I smiled,shook my head and asked God, Why!?! A week later I got an answer.
A week after that Sunday I went up to New Jersey with my mom for a funeral. A lady we knew died suddenly. While there I talked to my old bishop about my mission paper woes. {A little background, about two years ago I had started my papers but quit to finish school instead. This is the bishop who started them for me. Then while I was in Idaho I tried to start my papers again before I graduated, but they couldn't find them nor could they start a new set of papers for me. So I decided to worry about it once I got home.}
Anyways, as I talked to my old bishop he informed me that my papers were in the Stake Presidents hands just waiting to be sent it. I was shocked! This consequently made my life a whole lot easier in getting my papers ready. As soon as I got home I e-mailed my current Stake President, President Nixon to request my mission papers from my old Stake President. I threaten to stalk and annoy him until it was done. Within the next couple of days it had been done and I received instruction to re-do my physical and dental. Which I did within the following week. Then I set up my appointment with the President Nixon for Sunday, December 12th and made sure my appointment with the bishop would happen before then, which it did.
My papers were sent in right after my meeting with President Nixon. At church my bishop walks up to me and warns me that President Nixon will be gone for the next three weeks. I tell him with a smile I already met with him and my papers got sent in today. "Really? That's good", he replied with shock and a smile. I told him how I was determined to get my papers sent in before I left for Arizona on December 13th for the next two weeks.
After the whole drama of getting my papers together and sent in it was all really easy from then on. I went to Arizona, had fun, danced and then came home on December 28th with my mission call waiting for me. It was awesome. While in Arizona we wrote a list of my families predictions of where I'd go.
- Clint: Chile
- Lisa: Argentina
- Sarah: Brazil
- Travis: Switzerland
- Patrick: Argentina
- Wryan: Arizona
- Cory: France
- Dad: French Speaking to Cameroon
- Kip: Hungary
- Grandma Hosman: Norway
I really wanted to go to France and never once did I consider an Asian country, nor did any of my family. Needless to say I was pleasantly shocked to find I was going to Korea and grateful I was not being sent to Temple Square! No offense to those who have, I just didn't want to give tours is all.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to go serve a mission. It truly is a blessing and a privilege to be able to do so. I am excited for the adventures that await me. I know it will be hard. I am already nervous about learning a language. But it''s amazing how the Korean I have learned is sticking in my head and coming easier to me then French or Spanish ever did.
Anyways, I started this blog to keep everyone updated with mission preparations and the adventures I will be having starting March 23rd! In the side column I posted my address at the MTC and e-mail. Please everyone write me! I want to hear from you and I will do my best to write back. Many of you already know I am absolutely awful at such things, but it's my new years resolution to do better...it could happen :) Oh and make sure to follow me if you want to know what's going on as I am out serving in Korea!
P.S.: I just have to say as I watched this video of myself, I never realized how silly sounding my laugh was until now. I had always been told I had a funny laugh. In fact Heidi's little brother Adam always laughs when I would do my deep "ah-ha". Now I can see why! I am so embarrassed.
P.S.: I just have to say as I watched this video of myself, I never realized how silly sounding my laugh was until now. I had always been told I had a funny laugh. In fact Heidi's little brother Adam always laughs when I would do my deep "ah-ha". Now I can see why! I am so embarrassed.
