When I was around 12 years old I attended a fireside where a lady who had served a mission was telling us all about her experiences, what she learned and how she grew so much! Prior to this fireside I knew that girls could go on missions but I had never met a returned sister missionary. At that moment I was determined to go! I wanted a testimony as strong as that women's and I knew that the refining events of a mission would do the trick! From age 12 to 19 I prepared myself to come out into the mission field to share the message of the restored gospel without thinking twice. It was while in the mtc that everything settled in and I thought to myself, "wow, what have I got myself into? I have prepared for this for so long and it has always been part of my life plan, but now I'm like here and actually doing it" It was a little overwhelming at first, but I was calmed, shortly after, by the comforting feelings of the spirit that assured me that the journey I was about to take was exactly what I needed in my life. I am so grateful that I decided to come on a mission! The last 6 months I have grown closer to my savior than I ever have before! I have made friendships with people that will last forever!! I have seen the atonement work in people's lives and I feel so privileged and blessed that I have the opportunity to be a part of this great work! I know that my redeemer lives and that he is always there to pick us up when we fall down. I have found that when we put Christ in the very center of our lives and devout ourselves to him and to serving others, we ourselves grow in incomprehensible ways! I'm grateful for the wonderful people of raymond who have taken such good care of me the last 6 months! I am so blessed and thankful for all that my mission has done for me!!!