As of the morning of October 6, 2012 my life plan is now completely different.
Never did I think that one statement on one day of my 17th year would change everything, yet here we are. I have new short term goals to prepare for the same long term goals in a different order.
This morning, in the first session of the 182 semianual session of General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the prophet, president Thomas Monson, announced the news that changed my life.
I can now serve a mission when I am nineteen.
For the past four years my desire to serve a mission has only grown stronger and has been emphasized in so many things. I have always planned to graduate close to the top of my class, attend either one of the BYUs or SVU for the three years prior to my mission eligibility, then to serve a mission for 18 months and come home to finish out my last year of college and attempt to locate that amazing Priesthood Man to whisk me off to a beautiful temple and marry me.
That has been the plan for 4 years. It hasn't changed much, other than attempting to figure out the place of my dwelling and education for the next three years of my life. Today, hearing that I had two years less to wait was a huge deal!! I have had so many people tell me "Jasmine, you know you won't serve a mission because you will be married your first semester of college." Okay people, A: I will only be 18 and I think it is stupid to get married before you are at least 20 because even then you are trying to figure out who you are and what you love (and what love is). B: I AM GOING TO SERVE A MISSION WHETHER A GUY IS IN MY LIFE OR NOT!!! It has been my dream since I was a little kid. I have said so many times that I won't let a guy stop me from going on a mission. It is my dream and If I am going to marry a guy I want him to be supportive of my dreams 100% of the time, even if that means not getting to see me or kiss me for a year and a half. The lord definitely comes first in that relationship.
Well HA to the people who say that! because Here I go. I have received a calling form the spirit that I have to do this. I can't wait.
My whole life is going to be different now than it would have been yesterday. I am so ecstatic to find out how. In 23 months or less I will be on, or preparing to leave for, my mission! I will then spend the next 18 months teaching amazing children of God how true this gospel is. As to what comes after that I am unaware, but it will eventually include a man, the Lord, a temple, two rings, and one less step toward the Celestial Kingdom.
I love the church. I love the Unity and the Structure that it provides in my life. I love the Prophet Thomas Spencer Monson and his counselors. I love my Savior Jesus Christ.
I thank him every day for the atonement and his marvelous sacrifice for me and each one of you. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the amazing teachings it shares. The Book of Mormon is true. It is the most true of any book on Earth. I love reading it and sharing it.
I am a Mormon.
I know it.
I live it.
I LOVE it.
Jasmine G. Libby
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