I had always wanted to serve a mission. Both of my parents had served missions and I felt inspired by their example. My mom served in Japan, shortly after her mother passed away, and my dad served in Texas a few years after he himself was baptized. I wanted to follow their example, I wanted to be like them. Then I became a teenager (yikes, haha). Being a teen is hard. I started to think that maybe a mission would be too hard. I didn't want to talk to strangers or knock on their doors. I would miss my family too much. And my little fourteen year old self thought she wouldn't be able to "lock her heart" for a whole 18 months. When I was 17, I went to a church led summer camp. At the time, I was not in a very happy place emotionally. I remember becoming friends with one of the camp directors. I would excitedly tell him about what I was learning each day at the camp. After one such experience he asked if I had ever thought about serving a mission. He told me I had a "missionary vibe" because I would "return and report" on my progress each day. I was surprised, but my desire to serve resurfaced above all my insecurities and worries. I started working to get myself in better place, emotionally and spiritually. The Book of Mormon became my lifeline and best friend. I read it everyday before bed. I cried when I finished it so I stared over from the beginning again. Over the next year, I made wonderful progress! During the October 2019 General Conference of our church, I finally felt that I was ready. As Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared his message titled "Your Great Adventure", the Spirit whispered to me that God was ready for me to join him in his great work. I could hardly contain my excitement!!! That week, I talked to my bishop and started my missionary application. I am now serving as a missionary in the Spain Madrid Mission, and I love being a missionary! It is the most fulfilling adventure! Of course it's hard, but that's part of what makes it so good. I am being refined and changed as I help others to come unto Christ. It is wonderful. If you're wondering if you should serve a mission, if you are worried or scared about talking to strangers or serving in the strange circumstances we live in, don't give up yet! Ask God with faith to help you know his plan for you. As a representative of the Savior, I promise he will guide you and strengthen you and watch over you as he has done for me.