OFFICIAL BLOGGING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE CALL OF SISTER SHELBY NICOLE BRADLEY

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI VISITORS CENTER
December 17, 2008

As you all know, I have decided to dedicate the next 18 months of my life to the Lord. I submitted my request to serve on Thursday, October 9; had my papers processed on Thursday, October 16; received my call on Thursday, October 23; and opened the anxiously awaited letter on Saturday, October 25 with most of my friends and family present.

As I was preparing for my mission, I was faced with so many life changing questions. Will you be willing to serve where the Lord sees fit for you? Are you going to be disappointed if you don't go foreign? Are you sure you can handle all the stress and emotions that come along with this decision? Could you really survive leaving before Christmas? It is easy to say yes to all of the above questions if you aren't bombarded with the reality of it all as you are answering them. Flashing back to my conversation with President Lundburg, finally taking in the reality of it all while reading the call I had received from the first presidency, I momentarily second guessed myself...CAN I really deal with this reality? It only took microseconds to realize that this is what I want. I KNOW that I am on the right track and doing what is right for me.

INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI?? Definitely NOT what I was anticipating! I had contemplated church history sites while tossing possible destinations around in my head, and exuberantly anticipated such an opportunity, but never considered Independence! Palmyra, Nauvoo, Kirtland...all locations that had run through my mind (even temple square)! But why had the anticipated destination for the New Jerusalem not come to mind? At this point it finally hit me how absolutely BLESSED I am to have been called to serve and teach on such sacred grounds! I was ASKED to take the opportunity to build up Zion on location! Peace, gratitude, and tears overtook me at once.

No, it is not France or England, I don't get to learn Portuguese or Italian, I won't come home with a wicked Irish or Australian accent, but I will have a direct hand in so many more gratifying experiences. I don't need to go foreign in order to come home with amazing stories that will no doubt be passed down my long line of posterity, nor do I need to get a passport to feel like I have made a difference in the lives of my lost brothers and sisters. I can do that right here in America just as well as on any other continent.

I KNOW that I am physically and emotionally capable of taking on the Savior's name and making him proud. My actions and my thoughts will reflect him in every minute I am blessed to wear his name alongside mine on that precious little black badge. I can assure you that it will be difficult and stressful in the mission field at times, but I am ready for the challenge. The sorrow will be far outweighed by the blessings; the chance to change lives forever. I do not regret that I am not guaranteed to see numerous conversions, teach the discussions to an eager eight-year-old anticipating the waters of baptism, witness the softening of a potential convert's heart, knock that last door of the day to find a soul who has been praying to be found, or discover cold, hard rejection in the form of a slamming door millimeters from my nose. I refuse to dwell on these common missionary experiences that I may potentially fail to persevere because I know there is an experience awaiting me that will mean immensely more; the conversion of a current member's heart, teaching the rich church history and all that our brothers before us endured on OUR behalf, strengthening seeds of testimony that have long been planted, and sharing our amazing gospel with people who are searching for it! I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who have made the decision to learn more about and witness firsthand the things we have been taught since primary. I GET TO SPEND MY DAYS TALKING, not only visiting with my long lost brothers and sisters all day long, but I get to share with them experiences and events that most of us cannot even fathom enduring. Plus I will have backup from the spirit that will be felt just from standing in such monumentous sites of our past. There is no better call for me!

As for leaving right before Christmas, yes, it will be difficult, but think of the incredible adventures in store for me as I undergo Christmas in the MTC! I feel as if there is no better place to spend my first Christmas away from home. Where else would you feel the true meaning of Christmas more exactly while feeling love, acceptance, and a strong sense of being a part of something more, something bigger than yourself? What an amazing high to leave the MTC and enter the mission field on! Besides, whoever said we couldn't celebrate Christmas 9 days early? haha ;)

I am excited for my call, the opportunity to serve and teach, the mid-calf length skirts, the temple experience, the stress, the investigators to come, the blessings, the ugly, but comfy shoes, the spiritual overload, the MTC, the happiness, listening to strictly church music, the constant companions, the badge, the complete lifestyle change, the LETTERS/PACKAGES, the new-found friends, the opportunity, no, the REQUIREMENT to carry my scriptures with me wherever I may go, wearing only "conservative" jewelry and clothing, the conversion of my own heart while delving into our gospel head first with nothing wavering, just my faith to guide me as I put my whole trust in the Lord, just...EVERYTHING! :D

Anyways, I just thought it would be appropriate to express my giddiness as I announce the mission call for Sister Shelby Nicole Bradley. I want to once again express my gratitude to each and every one of you, whether you be family, friend, or both...I would not be the person I am today, and I wouldn't be making this choice without the positive influence each of you have impacted upon me. I honestly believe that you have all had a hand in molding me into the remarkable young lady I have become. Thank you for that!