Hey Everyone! So this has been one heck of an exciting week! I was waiting all week... and I finally got my mission call! Ugh, the wait was torture. Ha I felt like I was stalking the mailman all week. I kept thinking it would come on Wednesday, Thursday... and on Friday I was to the point of do or die. Ha meaning my call needed to come that day or I would die ha ha. I was downstairs talking with a coworker and we were in mid conversation when I saw the mail truck. I literally freaked out and yelled "mail!" in the middle of my sentence! Ha my coworker just laughed at me. I then stood at the door until the mailman came and then jumped up and down when I saw the envelope that said The Church of Jesus Christ in the corner. Well then the phone calls began and I realized that I would not have a time to open it with all the people I love unless I waited until the evening. So I waited to 8 pm to open my call. The wait felt like agony ha ha but then 8 pm was finally here and I got to open my call!
I am going to Seattle Washington! Now those of you that know me may be a little shocked. I know I was... Here is why:
I know the dots are kinda hard to see, but I am going on my mission 3 hrs. north of my home town! Wow close right? So you can say I was a little shocked to say the least. I have attached the video of me opening my call for you all to see ;)
Video of me opening my call
After a night of thinking about my call and where I am going and my purpose I am geared up and ready to go! I was still super excited last night I just had to take some time to let the shock wear off ha ha. My friend Alex pointed some fun insights out though that I enjoyed. I am currently living in Mt. Rainier Md. and starting in Aug. I will live by the real mount rainier.
I am also working in Washington DC right now and I will be working in Washington State. Ha ha isn't that great! Oh how I love the irony. Even though Seattle is practically my backyard there is a lot of plus sides to serving there which I will label below.
Benefits of my Seattle mission:
1. I will be stateside which means AWESOME PACKAGES! ha ha ha basically I already told my parents I expect homemade cookies and other great things in packages ;) Also If I ever really needed something my parents could mail it to me or they could drop it off at my mission home on an afternoon trip.
2. I will definitely be able to go back and visit my investigators and converts. My brother served his mission in Africa and it is not likely that he will be able to go back very often to visit. He is able to go to the reunions in Salt lake but who knows when the next time is that he will get to go back to Africa. Meanwhile I will be able to return on a day trip if need be to see people I will meet.
3. I now have an excuse to watch sleepless in Seattle over and over again until August 28th. Hello research ;) Ha who doesn't love sleepless in Seattle. Just saying.
4. There is very much so a lack of sun in Seattle which is wonderful for me. I am allergic to the sun. (I swell really bad in my face and have to take prednizone for it to go down ) And apparently Seattle has less sun then Oregon. Perfect.
5.Also because I am an Oregonian born and raised I know how to handle the weather of Washington, and I don't have to change my style at all! I love me some cardigans, boots, and scarves and that works pretty much year round in Oregon and Washington :)
6. My parents now have no excuse to not pick me up from my mission. ;) Seeing as it is one small road trip away I already know they will come get me and meet the families I have been able to teach. :) and I won't have to fly home... YAY!
7. Look how beautiful Seattle/washington is :)
Unfortunately I am still on the east coast and I will be right up until I leave so this may be my path home. :/
DC to salt lake then drive to rexburg and see my sisters, go through the Rexburg temple, and then head down to Oregon city. Give my farewell, go to my brothers reception, get set apart and head to the MTC and then 6-10 days later fly to Settle ha ha. Nothing like back tracking a lot right? goodness!
Well that is pretty much what I had to share. :) I also included pictures of the Seattle temple and the boundaries of my mission :D
Finally I wanted to share something I found on my phone today. I was in a theater class at BYU-I during my Sophomore year. I had to put together a 5 min. speech from scriptures that all shared a similar topic or message. During this time my brother had just entered the MTC and missionaries were on my mind so I chose the topic of missionary work. There are some weird breaks here and there and I don't have every scripture/hymn I pulled written down, but here was my presentation.
Go forth with faith to tell the world of Jesus Christ our lord. Bear witness he is God's own son; proclaim his wondrous word. Go forth with hope and courage strong to spread the word abroad, that people of all nations are children of our God.
16 ¶ Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
23 That the fullness of my gospel might be proclaimed by the weak and the simple unto the ends of the world, and before kings and rulers.
For behold this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man
24 Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they might come to understanding.
30 And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—
37 Search these commandments, for they are true and faithful, and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled.
Go forth with love to tell the world the joy of families- that we may be with those we love through all eternity. Go forth to serve and do your best with no thought of reward; then you shall know the boundless joy of serving Christ the lord.
38 What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.
NOW behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.
3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.
6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.
7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Go forth with power to tell the world the gospel is restored, that all may gain eternal life thru Jesus Christ, the Lord. Go forth to preach his glorious truths of peace, of joy, and love, that all who heed his holy word may praise the lord above.
and thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God. Wherefore, I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer; for thou hast beheld that in the fullness of time he cometh to bring salvation unto men.
39 For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever. Amen
Well everyone that is all for tonight :) Happy readings and good night :)
-Love the official future Sister Franzen
