We know that I’m a service missionary. It’s no secret. Here’s the thing. There’s a lot of confusion with what I do. How I do it. And so on and so forth. I’m gonna be real honest with you here. I don’t know. I genuinely do not know what I’m doing or if I’m doing any of it right.
In 2019, the church changed the service missions and how they serve. There were more rules. It’s no longer just a few days a week. You can’t date. You could before, that’s why I added that. You could have a job before. Things are so different now, but along with that, there’s still a lot of leeway. I get questions about my “rules” and what they are. I was given a pamphlet that is the size of the “For the strength of youth” pamphlet and it’s basically the same things. Most of it says something along the lines of “wholesome and uplifting” and basically be as Christlike as possible. I was told that a lot of it is up to personal interpretation. As long as it doesn’t distract from the spirit, it is fine. That’s the gist of it. I don’t have curfew. I don’t have a companion. Well, I do, but it’s completely different.
My mission is completely different than the “norm” which is why I think people need to talk about service missions even more. There’s a stigma with service missions and whether or not they’re real missions. I’ve heard some people say that service missions are just the easy way out. They come with their own trials. They’re not easy. There’s challenges, just maybe not the typical challenges you face on a proselyting mission. Yes, my “rules” are more flexible, but it’s still challenging. There are worldly temptations every way I turn. I can watch movies still as long as it’s “wholesome and uplifting” as well as listen to music. I don’t get to wear my badge all the time. Only at the studio and at church which may make it seem like I’m not a “real” missionary. I am a missionary. My mission experience is SO different. I was called to a service mission and I was told that I would be a pioneer through all of it. There are many trials I face with living at home. It’s nice that I’m at home. There are many blessings, but I promise you this. I did not take the easy way out. My life may seem all sunshine and rainbows, and for the most part it is, only because I have learned to rely on my Savior more than ever.
I think I’m always going to question whether or not I’m a good missionary. Whether or not I am doing a good enough job. Whether or not I am following all of the rules. There is still a lot of confusion with what I do. I get it. I’m confused as well. We’re all still trying to figure this out because it is still a new concept to all of us. This is a new experience. It’s different in so many ways, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve had many experiences that have had happened that I wouldn’t have gotten had I gone on a proselyting mission.
This is my mission. It’s not normal, but let’s be honest, none of my life is really “normal” at this point. This is my mission. MY mission. It is completely my own. It is different in so many ways, but that’s what I prayed for I suppose. I’m the youngest of 5 kids so it’s not very often that I do something that not everyone else has done. I couldn’t wait to go on a mission so I could finally have my very own experiences. I didn’t know what the Lord had in store for me, but He sure did answer my prayers. I’m still learning the ropes of the service mission life. I’m doing my best. I really do try. But if I have learned anything, the Lord loves effort. I’m giving it my all. I know I post a LOT about my life on social media (I think it’s important to show the realness and rawness of life), but believe it or not, I don’t post every detail about my mission. There’s just too many details to share. BUT if you want the details of everything I do, let me know if you want my weekly emails. You get all the behind the scenes actions *wink wink*. My mission has been the BEST experience for me. I have learned so much. My testimony has grown a whole lot. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and I could not be more grateful for this experience.
Anyways, end the stigma that service missions aren’t real missions. They’re totally valid. Service missions do SO much that know one really knows about. Ask me about it. If you have questions, ask me about it ! It’s not taboo. It’s not uncomfortable. If you don’t know, simply ask.
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