Titles

Throughout the last few years of my life, I have had quite a few different titles to certain people {children} in my life. 

From Kendra to Miss Kendra to Miss Haynie and Mrs. Haynie to 'hey teach' and, my latest favorite from my kindergartners, Mrs. Teach. I have loved all of these titles and love the memories that I associate with each of them.

Although I will miss those titles for the next little while, I am even more excited to take on the new title. 

That of, "Sister Haynie."

That's right all, I will be serving as a full time missionary (18 months) for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

I have been working on my papers and by the end of this next week, they should be in! Should I have waited until they were in to make this announcement and actually post it on my blog? Well, probably. But I am just so stinkin' excited!!

When I think about it long and hard, I get really nervous that I am not capable enough to be an actual missionary. What if I don't know enough? Or what if I am not able to feel and interpret the spirit? What if I am just not good at talking to people? (This one should not really be an issue..) What if I am not able to study for two hours+ a day? What if people don't listen to what I say and no one wants to get baptized? What if I get really home sick? What if... What if... What if...

Then I realized, that I had a good answer/come back to all of my ridiculous questions. I have a testimony of this Gospel and because of that, everything else will fall into place, that will be enough. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and I know that he wants me to serve a mission. Because I know that, and because I know he qualifies those he calls, I know that I do not need to be afraid. Will a lot of learning have to take place? Most definitely. But with God's help, I know that I can succeed. I have been so blessed throughout my life to have the knowledge of the Gospel. To be raised in a family where it has been ingrained into every facet of my life. I get to be the one spreading that good news to the rest of the world...at least a small portion of it. I can not wait to get out there and spread the word about the greatest thing in my life. I am so extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity!

Elder Andersen said it best -- "Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the beginning or even along the way. Our conversion comes step-by-step, line upon line. We first build a foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We treasure the principles and ordinances of repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We include a continuing commitment to prayer, a willingness to be obedient, and an ongoing witness of the Book of Mormon. (The Book of Mormon is powerful spiritual nourishment.)

We then remain steady and patient as we progress through mortality. At times, the Lord’s answer will be, “You don’t know everything, but you know enough”—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right."   -Elder Neil L. Andersen

From Kendra to Sister Haynie...and I could not be more excited!

P.S. Stay tuned for the actual call... it will be announced here first! :)