CALLED TO SERVE HIM

"Dear Sister Hendricks, 

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 GERMANY BERLIN MISSION. 

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, October 22 2014. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the German language."

I have waited to read those words for as long as I can remember. I AM GOING TO SERVE IN BERLIN! 

After 7 hours of classes and a midterm, I was in my room reading a message given at the Provo MTC by Elder Jeffery R. Holland concerning missionary work and the Atonement. Our room phone rang and my branch president told me that he had something in his hands that was very special to me. I ran up the stairs and proceeded to freak out - my mind was racing at a million miles a minute. I got a few close friends together and we walked to the Orson Hyde memorial garden on the Mount of Olives - the place that I had previously designated after reading Matthew 24 and learning about Orson Hyde as the first missionary in this part of the world and the man who gave the dedicatory prayer consecrating Jerusalem as the Holy Land. I got to Facetime my mom and sister Maddy as I opened my call! Then I got to call my dad and talk to my siblings and grandparents. 

As I read my call, I had so many thoughts running through my head. So many emotions. But all of them were positive - that's how I know that this is where I am supposed to go. And GERMANY? Can you think of anywhere better for me to go?? I am so blessed and SO excited. 

I will be serving with one of my best friends from freshman year - Elder Brigham Gallacher! I will also be serving with my friends Elder Jacob Clarke and Sister Hayley Walker. Maybe Hayley and I will be companions! 

After I opened my call, we had to hurry back to hear His Excellency Ambassador Lazzarotto (a delegate for the Catholic Church here in Jerusalem) speak to us about the Catholic church and his experiences as the ambassador here. It was so unbelievably cool. Such a happy and passionate man. 

Thank you everyone for your love, support, and role in helping me prepare for a mission. I am so excited to serve the people of Berlin and teach them about WHY I am so happy!!! If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask me. 

The Church is true. I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and knows me. I know that He loves and knows the people of Berlin. And my job is to let them know that!