Called to Serve

Ever since I was little I have dreamed of serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Singing the primary song "Called to Serve" I dreamed of the day that I could don the black name tag reading "Elder Eyre."

Now, years later, I wait. In 99 days, I enter the MTC to serve a mission in the Cochabamba Bolivia mission. How cool is that? I will get to go to a foreign country and serve the Lord for two years. Every day, for the next 99 days, I am going to be thinking of the people thousands of miles away needing the gospel.

Hanging above my desk I have the following:

"Dear Elder Eyre,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Bolivia Cochabamba mission."

I've never realized how long two years is until now. My little siblings will have grown up so much, my little sister will be dating (I cannot believe I am going to miss this), and my older sister will (hopefully) have a child. Though it is a sacrifice, I know that this is what the Lord wants me to do. He needs me in Bolivia, he has issued the call, and I have accepted it.

I know that the gospel can change the lives of the individuals there, and that the Lord needs me to serve in Bolivia at this time. His children are there, waiting for me.

I have been Called to Serve.

Becoming a Great Learner

Throughout the talk, "A Child of God" by Elder Henry B. Eyring, Eyring explores what it means to be a true learner. He gives his insight on how to "pursue excellence and humility simultaneously" (Eyring 2) as well as characteristics on being a good learner. I thoroughly enjoyed this article. In the LDS faith, we are constantly encouraged to pursue education but it is rare to have a step by step understanding of how to obtain that zeal for learning. Eyring's steps provide an easy way for any individual to become a diligent learner. The words throughout this article provided comfort as I start my second semester at BYU. Between 14 credits, a social life, a church calling, and a love for sleep it is difficult to balance everything at hand. Eyring provides a way for us to be successful in the face of so many tasks calling our name. I would highly recommend reading this article as a way to understand the steps necessary to become a "great learner."