Blog #5: My Brother's Mission Call

My brother got his mission call today! I have been so nervous and so excited, so when I found out it finally came I was so happy. My brother is only 16 months older than I am, and we are very close. This whole experience has meant so much to me because my brother is such an awesome example. He got his call to the Russia, Rostov mission. This meant a lot to me and my family because when I was six my dad was called as a mission president to Moscow, Russia. My family and I lived there for three years, so Russia has a very special place in our hearts. Rostov is just south of Moscow, so he will be very close to where we used to live. This whole experience has really made me appreciate missionary work more and increased my desire to serve. I have always known that I wanted to serve a mission, but it seemed to me a huge sacrifice. The timing with school and my plans for the future seemed very inconvenient. However, I have really come to realize that when it comes to doing God's work, nothing is truly inconvenient. I would be so ungrateful if I was not willing to give up some of my time to the Lord, because the Lord has given me all. Why should I be selfish with what is truly His? I have covenanted with the Lord that I would do my part to build the kingdom of God. Part of my duty is to serve a mission. I think of all the people who are wandering through their lives without guidance, not knowing their purpose or their mission. The thought of living my whole life without the Church makes me cringe. I want others to be able to partake of the light and knowledge I have. I can see some of God's plan for me, and He continually helps me along the way, step by step. Those who have no greater picture can simply see a life, followed by death, followed by no more. That must cause so much pain and confusion. People must be constantly looking for something more, something to add meaning to this mortal existence. I have that something. I want to let others partake of that something. I want others to know of Christ's love for them, as I know of His love for me. So plain and simple I will serve a mission. I will help people come to their Savior and I will watch the happiness and the meaning enter their lives as they discover who they really are and what they are to do.