My Mission Call

Almost two weeks ago, I opened my mission call.
After nearly two months of waiting, both patiently and impatiently, it was here. I was going to find out where I would be spending 18 months of my life, away from my friends, my family, my home, and most of the hobbies I have.
I was completely and utterly freaking out.
On the outside, my leg was shaking, quickly bouncing up and down as I waited for my mom to get situated with my call. On the outside I looked somewhat put together, or at least I hope I did.
However, on the inside, my thoughts were everywhere, but mostly, my thoughts were something along the lines of "OH MY GOSH JSBDIGUDIYGWIDGIDIGOGHDOUBGSOUGOSGOFUGOQDGd IT'S HERE. THIS IS HAPPENING? IS THIS REAL LIFE? GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
My breath started becoming fast as I started reading my call.
"Dear Sister Stout" (Oh my gosh, Sister Stout, that's me! That's what they are going to call me wherever I end up going!), "You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Maryland Baltimore Mission." HOLY CRAP.
Honestly, everything after that is a bit of a blur. My hands felt as if they were shaking, even though they weren't. Here it was, what I had been waiting for since February 12th. I, Sydney Stout, was going to Maryland.
The process of getting my mission call was one of the most trying things I have experienced in my life so far, not physically, but both emotionally and spiritually. It took so long for me to get it, for reasons that were very much out of my control.
When I first heard I wouldn't get it soon, my heart broke. This is something I had been planning on doing for years, my heart sang when they changed the mission age! So why? Why wouldn't I get ym call soon, or even possibly not go on a mission at all? Why was I being punished to some extent because I wanted to serve the Lord and spread the gospel?
But then I realized that what was happening is what needed to happen. The day I finally put all of my faith in the Lord, put my life in His hands, things automatically changed, and suddenly my call would be coming in two weeks.
I am not sure if anyone can fully understand how truly grateful I am to be able to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel so much joy and peace realizing that not only will I be able to teach people about the gospel, but I will learn from them, and spend a year and a half completely serving the Lord.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support these past two months.

XOXO, Sydney