I don't really think of myself as a patient person, but after the experience of waiting for a mission call, I could actually say that I was pretty patient. I was very impatient to turn them in, but after that I was okay. I decided not to worry about it anymore (because I had worried about it for the previous 6 months) and just put it in the Lord's hands. I received my call exactly 2 weeks after sending them. I was super excited and grateful to have it so quick, when others had waited closer to a month or more for their calls. Now, even though I am patient, my mother is not. I opened my call as soon as I got it, waiting only for nearby family to come to open it. And, boy, was it a shocker.
Dear Sister Berry
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Brazil São Paulo East Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.
You should report to the Brazil Missionary Training Center on Wednesday November 5, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language.I definitely had not expected to go somewhere so far away from home. I had expected to go stateside, and even wanted to a little. I also would have the privilege of learning Portuguese, which was also very unexpected to me. Living in southern Arizona I know a lot of Spanish speakers, and I had hoped that Spanish is what I would speak on my mission. That being said, this call might not have been what I hoped for, I am convinced that this is exactly what I need. Even though all this was unexpected, I am so grateful for this call to serve. I know that Heavenly Father knows who I am and where I am supposed to be, even if I don't know or understand everything. I cannot wait to go and serve the people of Brazil, and I know that God will help me every step of the way.
