I may or may not have freaked out this morning when I saw mail in the mailbox, but no big white envelope. For ten minutes, I was contemplating what I would do for the next 10 days if I had to wait until after our vacation to find out where I would be spending 18 months. But good news people, that was yesterday's mail, and there was still a good chance that I would be receiving a call today. My mom, Owen, and I headed to Salt Lake to get some things for our vacation. It was a good distraction and we had a neighbor who dutifully watched for the mailman. Somewhere in the middle of shopping, she texted us that the mail had come. We had her go check our mail and, sure enough, it was there. She kept it at her house for safe keeping from 2 certain curious brothers that would be out of school soon.
I should add that I have been feeling incredibly sick since last night. Like the kind of sick that means an organ needs to be removed. I don't have many options left as my tonsils, adenoids, appendix, and gall bladder are all gone. Everyone else cleaned up and got ready for people to come over while I laid in bed and tried not to die. I finally felt like I might live about half an hour before people showed up.
We made our guesses, ate fruit and cake, and then it was finally time.
"Sister Smith, 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 Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission."
I will be speaking English and I report to the Provo MTC on September 4th.
I made plenty of guesses, but Philadelphia never crossed my mind. I was really hoping to go foreign, but the idea of not having to get any shots is really appealing. I told everyone I wanted to somewhere warm. I hear it will be for about half the year. And well, the other half will be bitterly cold.
Things have really fallen into place lately. I've been accepted into the Studio Art Major at BYU and I've had a lot of business opportunities present themselves.
I am so excited to serve the Lord in Philadelphia. The mission boundaries actually spread into 4 states, so I am excited to learn exactly where I'll be. Though I wanted to go out-of-state, I am excited that I will get to start teaching immediately instead of learning a new language first.
My dad would really like me to extend for a month so he can catch a baseball game when he and my mom pick me up. I'll see what I can do, dad.
P.S. I give all my friends posters like this one when they leave on missions. You can order one for your own missionary in my shop.