Why Serve a mission?

When I was 15 years old I listened to the mother of a close friend talk about serving a mission. For the first time I remember really wanting to serve a mission when I turned 21. I just had to hear hundreds of missionaries sing "Called to Serve" in the MTC! Time went on, and I prepared for the different eventualities of life. When the age sister missionaries could serve dropped to 19, I was super stoked! I was 19, almost 20! I could go early! Well, it turned out that wasn't the time for me. November of 2013, I felt strongly like I should reconsider the mission idea. I did, and the pieces of the puzzle fell into place :) This is all really nice, but it's not really the WHY, it's more of the HOW.

So WHY am I choosing to dedicate 18 months of my life away from my family, friends, school, and a closet full of clothes to talk to people in Missouri? Well, 33 years ago, 2 male missionaries started talking to my dear sweet Momma. The message they shared with her changed the course of her existence, and our family. I'm so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and the knowledge I have of who He is, and what His plan for His children is. I can't help feeling like if I choose not to share this message with others that I'll be ungrateful for the amazing gift that I've been given. I've also been blessed with some talents that I'd like to give back to the Lord. As much as I love my family and the other things listed above, I love my Heavenly Father and Savior more. They have called, so I'm answering.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left.." D&C 84:88


"I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left.." D&C 84:88

Hello Everyone!

I hope this email finds you all happy and well. Things are going so well here in St Louis, MO! We have been seeing so many miracles! We've also been laughing a lot and working hard. It's the best!

So last Monday we were at Target and our checker told us that we looked Fierce! We asked her what she meant, and she said, "You two just look spot on!" It was neat because we explained to her that as missionaries we're representatives of Jesus Christ. We got her number and started teaching her! Sadly we discovered she's not in our area, but the YSA sisters will take good care of her. It's amazing how much the Lord hears and answers our prayers for people to recognize us as His representatives.

I know I mentioned it before, but we've been taking the bus lately, and man there are SOO many adventures! Monday night we were talking to this guy outside of the bus who teaches dance. We talked with him our whole trip home. We pulled the string to get off the bus, and he asked us, "Are you going to teach someone here, or do you live here?" We were kinda creeped out, but he said, "I live here! I wondered how you knew that." We got to talk with him some more. It was really neat to see how the Lord placed us in his path. That seems to be a common trend lately!

On Tuesday morning, we took the bus to go help someone clean their house, but it didn't work out, so we did some street contacting instead. We got so caught up talking with this man that we had to sprint to catch our bus! Later that SAME DAY we were with a young Mom we're teaching, and she was pretty depressed and needed motivation to go and take care of some very important paperwork since she's an immigrant from Africa. We knew she wouldn't do it if we didn't go with her on the bus, so we went with her. The walk to the bus would normally have taken 20 minutes, but we had to do it in 8. We sprinted up the SAME HILL we had earlier to catch the same bus! While we were running, I was praying for everything to work out. The scripture in my subject line kept coming to my head. The Lord promises us as missionaries to prepare the way. I felt like Sister Dahlberg and I were doing that for the young Mom we're teaching. I was running ahead to slow the bus, and Sister Dahlberg was carrying her purse so we could make it. If we were willing to do this small thing for someone that we love, just imagine what our Savior is willing to do for us! It's truly amazing to me :)

Yesterday, that young Mom came to church and brought her 2 year old son. It was so great! When I first met her she told us, "Sorry, but I dont' think i'll ever step foot in a church building again." She also had a lot of anger and hate built up from the things she's experienced in her life. Now, little over a month later, after coming to know and love our Savior Jesus Christ, her eyes are filled with greater light and love, and her smile comes from her heart. It was so great to see the transformation that has occurred within her. I am looking forward to see the rest of the transformation in time.

I love you all and hope all is well. Don't forget you have a loving Savior who cares so much for you and is there for you. He has "gone before your face" and prepared a way we can return to live with our Father again. I love this work! I am learning so much and growing so much as well. Keep up your good work!

Lots of love and support,
Sister Edgel

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