Opening and Accepting the Call

Dear Sister Bastian:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  You are assigned to labor in the Argentina Neuquén Mission.

Teaching the Gospel in the Spanish language.

Opening this letter was the most nerve racking thing ever! I never thought that I would be able to serve in such an amazing place! So far away from home!

I received the envelope on Thursday, April 18, 2013.  I was currently living up in Ogden, alone.  No family around.  I had it in my mind that I wanted my family to be there when I opened the call because I will be leaving them for eighteen months. We had it planned that on Sunday, 21, 2013 we would have a big family dinner and open the call then.

Everyone around me thought I was crazy, getting the mission call and not opening it right away.  I got so many comments.  "Just open it." "Open it and reseal it." "You're crazy to wait."  Everything, but I knew in my mind that if my family wasn't around me... I wasn't going to open it.

The time felt forever, I'll be honest.  I wanted to open it so bad.  Sunday couldn't come fast enough and when Sunday did come.  The time for the dinner couldn't come fast enough.  The only bad thing was that I heard my big brother Josh, wasn't going to be able to be there.  Since he had to work...  It was saddening, but I had made plans with him to call him so that he would know right when I opened it and where I was going.
On my way there I got a call from his fiancé and my best friend.  Mariah.  Telling me that he will be there.  He was able to come home, but it wouldn't be till about seven.  Which honestly, I was more than willing to wait two more hours to open the envelope just so my big brother could be there.  He made it xD  

True blessing in my life to have all my brothers there!

When I opened the called and saw that I got Argentina I couldn't believe my eyes and reading down more to learn that it was for sure a Spanish speaking mission! I had been given more than I asked for.  I simply hoped for a Spanish speaking mission and in return I had received that and so much more!!! I am truly blessed and grateful for this chance and opportunity in my life.  To not only be able to share my love and joy with the people in Argentina, but to be able to learn the language that I find amazing and beautiful! 

I depart to the MTC in Provo, Utah, for a couple weeks on August 28, 2013.  There I will be preparing and learning the language that will allow me to communicate with the people in Argentina. 

I am so blessed and hope that I will be able to bless the lives that I come in contact with while out in Argentina for the eighteen months.

I thank the Lord for this huge blessing and new challenge in my life.  I will do everything in my power to make him proud. I love the Lord and will never be ashamed to do his work and glory on this earth.

Thank you,
Have a Wonderful and Outstanding Day! 

Love,

Hermana Bastian