Why Did I Decide To Serve?

So since I'm new to this whole blogging thing, I thought I would post one thing just to see if I knew what I was doing! So either my mom or my sister, Miranda will be updating this blog weekly (or monthly...or daily. Or maybe yearly! Who knows...) to keep y'all updated on me and my southern adventures teaching others about the joy the gospel of Jesus Christ brings me.
So here's a little back story that about 98% of you know already. I was incredibly lucky to attend the Saturday morning session of General Conference (Oct. 2012) when the AMAZING announcement was made by our dear prophet, Thomas S. Monson, that the mission ages for girls had been lowered from 21 to 19. I had just turned 19 four days prior. It's safe to say that I almost vomited with excitement. It hit me like a full-speeding train that I needed to serve a mission. I wasn't quite sure why yet, but it just felt right. Upon my return to BYU-Idaho, I started immediately on my papers. It took a little longer to get all my papers submitted than I had hoped, but I was continually reassured by friends and family that my report date would not change regardless if my papers were submitted a couple weeks earlier than planned. After weeks of ridiculous emotional roller coasters (it was ridiculous--I'm not blessed with patience), I finally opened my call on December the 5th, 2012. It was such a fun little get-together. I had lots of friends in my apartment, as well as my whole family on Skype. When I read the call, my first thought was, "YES SOMEWHERE WARM!" I hate cold weather, and had some awful fear creeping around in my mind that I would serve in Russia or Canada or something. I knew that Florida was the place I needed to be, for more reason than one.
Of course, since my parents' recent divorce, I had wondered how this would work out or how I could leave my family behind in such a difficult time, especially when finances were not so abundant. I prayed and prayed to my Heavenly Father, pleading that I would receive confirmation that my family would be taken care of. Within the next couple weeks, I received incredibly generous tips from customers at work, and encouraging words from my Bishop and ward members. I knew that my family would be taken care of and that finances will not be a burden on my family.
I want to serve because I want others to feel the same joy and purpose I feel in my life this gospel brings me. I know it to be true, and I cannot wait to serve my Heavenly Father by bringing His children unto Him. I know it will be hard, but more importantly, I know it will be worth it. My testimony and my love for this gospel are what keep me moving forward with a bright hope.
I leave in two weeks from today and could not be more excited! Florida (and Georgia and South Carolina), here I come!