"It may not be at the battle's front..."

 "I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19.... I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21." -Thomas S. Monson

The announcement that changed the life goals of so many young men and young women, myself included. I've made it very clear that this what I plan to do when my 19th birthday approaches. There have been two things in my life within the last year that I have been 100% sure about and that is one of those two. I began preparations for my mission immediately. I started my mission papers in December 2012. I remember starting them and becoming so excited to serve. It was all becoming so real to me. I couldn't wait! 5 months later that all changed.

May 2013 - Much to my dismay, due to health problems that I have no control over I was not granted the chance to serve a proselyting mission for my church. I couldn't believe it. All this preparation I've put in towards getting ready to leave...was it all for nothing? I can't even go? I met with my bishop and we talked about the different options open for me. I went home and after a lot of prayer and counsel with my parents and my bishop I reached a decision. I was going to serve a service mission. It's not what I planned at all. I feel so confident that this is how my Heavenly Father plans to have me serve for him.

I've learned a lot with this decision. I have had to learn to have faith in my Heavenly Father and his path for me. There are so many things that we can do to fulfill the things we have been asked to fulfill in our lives He would never ask something of us without providing a way to accomplish it. Why would he? He our Father! We are his children. He cares so much about us. He knows what we need to do in order to grow and build our testimonies up. Sometimes I get a little down when I hear the growth of the missionaries in the field. It's difficult knowing that I won't be one of the sisters adding to those numbers.

I'm reminded of the Hymn called "I'll go where you want me to go".

Verse 1: 

It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea,

It may not be at the battle's front

My Lord will have need of me.

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I'll go where you want me to go.

 I see those words in a different light now.  It might not be out proselyting that I'm needed. No matter what I end up doing I am still serving the Lord. That was my whole goal in leaving on a full time mission in the first place. In the end I am still doing exactly what I wanted to do. Truth is I am still super excited! I can't wait to serve! I want to do it more then anything! :)

It made me wonder...

     I had a rather interesting and almost scary thing happen to me on Monday night.  Coming home from SLCC I was transferring from one bus to another bus.  This guy got off the bus at the same time and immediately started talking to me.  The general conversation was as follows:

Him: How are you?
Me: Good (I'm listening to my music...don't interrupt that man! :P)
Him: Where are you going?
Me: Home
Him: Where do you live?
Me: *Pretend I don't hear him and continue to listen to the music*
Him: What's your name?
Me: Meghan
Him: You should give me you number.
Me: No.
Him: You should!
Me: No.
Him: Do you have any friends?
Me: Yes
Him: Do you guys drink?
Me: No, I don't drink.
Him: Do you want to try now?
Me: No, thank you.
Him: Do you smoke weed?  I have some weed.
Me: No, thank you. I don't smoke weed.
Him: I also have cigarettes...want one?
Me: No, thank you.
Him: Where do you work?
Me: Downtown
Him: I bet it gets stressful, huh?
Me: Not really.
Him: I have some safe pills in my bag that will help you relax.  They are called "relaxing pills".  Do you want some?
Me: No, thanks.
Him: But they will help you relax and not be stressed.
Me: I'm plenty relaxed.

At that point in the conversation I texted my dad and asked him to call my cell so I could have a distraction.  After my dad did that the guy seemed to take the hint and leave me alone.  As scary as this was it's led to a lot of thinking for me since then.  It led me to think about how unhappy this guy must be.  How messed up his life must be.  I began to feel sorry for him! 
  It makes me think about what it is going to be like wherever I am on my mission.  The kinds of people I may encounter.  It has led to an even bigger desire to help them!  Help people recieve the atonement into their lives and live more happily!  I want to be a "Good Samaritan" and help others.  Help them become the kinds of people we all can be!  Beings that are just like our Father in Heaven!  He created us to become so much!  More then we can even imagine. 

I cannot even imagine what life is like for people who live like the guy at the bus stop.  What it feels like to be so entangled by something so evil and horrible.  What it feels like to have no control over your own life when in use of those substances.  I also can't even figure out why people wouldn't just jump into the power of the Atonement.  Jesus Christ suffered for every sin and sorrow we have encountered in our lives.  Why let it go to waste?  One of my favorite passages of scripture comes from the Bible.  It's Hebrews 12:1-3:

"1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the ^asin which doth so easily ^bbeset us, and let us run with ^cpatience the race that is set before us,

 2 Looking unto Jesus the ^aauthor and ^bfinisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him ^cendured the cross, despising the ^dshame, and is set down at the right hand of the ^ethrone of God.

 3 For consider him that endured such ^acontradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."

Jesus Christ is our Savior!  Without him we would be drowning in our sins and life would literally be like hell.  I know that He suffered for my sins and I am so excited to help others discover the happiness I feel from the atonement. :)

I knew right then!!! :)

   








The past few weeks I have been in a great deal of confusion with matters in my life.  Not sure what path the Lord wants me to take and even what I wanted to take.  My original plan was to go up to BYU-Idaho this winter, but due too some issues and  a little bit of slacking on my part it just didn't look like it was going to happen when I wanted it too.  During this confusion I went to my Doctrine and Covenants institute class.  Brother Bracey offered us the challenge of taking the week before General Conference to ponder about something we wanted to know in our lives.  After thinking about it on Friday night the night before Conference started we were told to offer a prayer and ask Heavenly Father our question or tell him what was going on and ask for an answer.  Brother Bracey promised us that if we did our answer would come through General Conference in some way.

I have done this before and it has always worked, but once again I decided to put this promise to the test.  I pondered my life and what direction I needed to go with it.  Then on the night before I said my prayer and it was very comforting to me.  I knew that my answer was going to come very soon.

The next morning I got up and went and got Nathan and we got breakfast then came to my house for the first session.   That was the session when President Monson made the announcement that has changed my life!  When he started to talk about the men and the age change with them I looked over at Nathan and he was sitting there taking notes then he slowly lifted his head and looked at the TV as if he was processing what was said.  Then out of nowhere he jumped out of his seat in excitement! It was an amazing reaction!! Then the prophet announced the change of a young woman's age.  Everyone looked at me and all I could do was sit there in awe,  The announcement hit me like a wave and right then and there I knew exactly what Heavenly Father wants me to do!  Never in my life has something hit me with such power and confidence!  I know without a single doubt in my mind that I am to serve a mission for my Heavenly Father!

I have always said I wasn't going to serve, because waiting until 21 seemed almost pointless in my mind.  By 21 I hope to be in school and hopefully close to marriage!  A mission just seemed to interfere with my plans for life.  I know that sounds horrible, but it was my way of thinking.  Leave it to the Lord to change my view of things in a matter of seconds!!  Mow I am so excited to do this!  I am excited that I get to prepare even more to go through the temple!!  I am even more excited to share this amazing gospel with those who don't know it!  I know with all my heart and soul that this church is the ONLY true church on the earth at this time!  I hope to help many others learn that too!  Someday I wish that everyone on this earth could know this for themselves!  

My adventures with Nathan Stolp :)

Yesterday I had one of the funnest days all summer!  I went to Valley Fair Mall with Nathan Stolp and messed around and saw a movie and then he came to my house and had dinner and we went a rather funny walk around the block! :)   I had a TON of fun!! :D

I dared him to fit inside the ship!! ;)

"You're taking pictures???!!" :P

Stole the hat ;) Well he gave it to me :P

That grin!  Haha makes me giggle a little every time I see it!  ;)

My arm wasn't long enough..... :P

Do you see his face??  He climbed my tree! ;)

With me down at the bottom freaking out that he was going to hit the electrical wires  that are right above that tree.... :O

The hat that I gave him for his birthday! :D Says it's his new favorite! :D

Love this kid!  Best friends!!! :D

My, my, my.... :)

Life has been just grand this last week!  I am going to start with last Friday!  I went to the Empress yet again to see "Oliver!" with Nathan Stolp and the Holgerson girls (minus Sequoia...).  We had an absolute blast!!  Nathan and I hung out outside of The Empress while we waited for the Holgersons and we eventually flew to the moon! Haha, don't ask :P
Afterward we took him home and I think it's safe to say that was the funnest car ride home I've ever been on!  Gotta love good friends!!

On Monday night I had Family Home Evening at the Singles Ward. Let me tell ya, I am loving being with people my age!  I love it there!  Tonight we are going to Manti to see the Manti Pageant! :D  Our activity on Monday was a cook off and we made a really yummy food that I am not so sure what to call....

It is a shortcake with a banana slice on bottom, a mixture of chocolate pudding and  cool whip, with some chocolate chips, and a banana slice on top.  It was amazingly delicious, but then again...it had chocolate!  I was satisfied! ;D

  On Wednesday I went on a really fun shopping trip with Kelsey!  It was awesome!  We interrupted Empress rehearsal by blasting One Direction past them twice!  I have been converted to One Direction completely!  I absolutely love them!  My current favorite is "Na, Na, Na"  :)  On the way to Plato's closet we were singing a song, talking about them, and then we drove past the Maverik center where the sign for their concert next year showed and we both simultaneously slapped each other, pointed at it, and screamed!  Hahaha!  It was the funniest thing ever!  I have noticed that One Direction has turned a lot of my friends (and me) into screaming girly teenagers!  Haha!  It's funny!   I got a couple new shirts at  Plato's which are pretty cute and they make me feel cute :) I love how I look in them!  I'll post a pic in a sec :)  I have to share one other thing that happened on the way home.  We were driving behind a car that had a stuffed animal type thing hanging off it's back end.  IT was funny!  Now the pics! :)
The picture of me is only of one shirt. I wasn't having a good hair day when I wore the other one :P

I don't like pics I take of myself very often, but this one isn't to bad!  :D

BAHAHAHAHA!!! :D I want one!!

Well I have more, but....I think I will be done for now :)  More later :) Have an amazing to whoever reads this.  As far as I know that is only one person, but hey!  Have a great day to Perry! :P

WARNING!! You are about to start reading a really, really, really, (etc.) long post! Goodluck on your journey!

Time for another update from Meghan! ;) Life has been very...interesting the last couple weeks. First off: IT'S SUMMER!!!!!!! :D  So now what am I doing to make this summer so exciting?  Let me tell you!

 A couple weeks ago my choir friends left me all alone (not really....haha I have a life! I swear! ;D) while they left for California on tour. :)  During that time I decided to try to do something worthwhile!  So I did two things!  1. I cleaned my room 2. Studied for my ACT test.  Oh yeah!  My life is that exciting!!  Jealous, right?? ;-)  I took my ACT then that night I went to a Magna Region Dance (I'm not yet 18...I can still "legally" go to those....) with my best friend Ellen! :D  Never have NEVER gone to a region dance and felt as old as I did at that one.  I have one more left in my life time.  Then onto the YSA dances :D

Last Thursday I went and saw the one movie I have been dying to see the most with m y friend Brianna Ekker :)  That movie is now my second favorite movie!!  Nothing beats Megamind in my world. :)  That movie was The Avengers!!  AMAZING MOVIE!!!  I was converted to Iron Man for a couple days after seeing it, but now I am back to Superman.  Nothing beats Superman for me :) He's been favorite for as long as I can remember!  Who's your favorite?

Day after I saw Avengers I had my graduation party! It was a blast!!! :D  My friend Nathan Stolp and I eloped that night as well ;)  We were listening to my friend Tyler talk about his "two wives" and his newest "engagement" and Nathan got feeling lonely so we decided to get married! ;)  We eloped to Disneyland where we found the preacher that was working part-time as Captain Hook and he married us.  Haha, if you can't tell my friends and I are big dorks!  Anyway, the friends that came were: Nathan Stolp, Tyler Barber, Katie Ann, Ellen Jensen, Sequoia Holgerson, Kaelene Holgerson, McKenna Holgerson, Perry Whitehair, and Chris Richardson.  I have some of the most awesome friends alive!  A few of them made some real sacrifices to come even if they could only come for a few minutes.  Thanks guys!  It really means a lot to me!  Now...picture time!  I do need to mention that I forgot to take pictures while Tyler, Katie, Perry, and Chris were there....oops!

Nathan: Smile?  No..you should take a picture of her :)

Nathan: Ok fine!  I will give you a goofy smile! :)

Meet Nathan Stolp my "husband".  ;)  Haha, good times! :)

Sequoia was smelling my "manly" hand sanitizer and it exploded right as I took the picture!  Haha! Love the face! :D

Sequoia tried to make a goofy face and just couldn't do it :)

This was not really posed on Quoia's side!  Haha!  Another perfect picture!!

Nathan: Take a picture of the back of my shirt! Me: ....okay.  Ellen leans in for the eyebrow raising face :)

Take 1....try it again!

Take 2: One more!

Take 3: We'll get it next time!!

....Take 6:  It works! :)  MY FAVORITE!!  I got this picture printed and it now has a special place on my headstand with my other favorite picture of my friends :)

On Sunday I started my "officially old" ward. :) That's right I am now going to the Singles ward!  I am SO excited!!  I have been ready to be out of YW for a while now....I love it and all, but it's time. :)  I am so excited for everything that happens with it!  I went to Family Home Evening with them last night and we watched "Meet the Robinsons".  It was a blast! 

After that I came home to have less than 2 minutes before my friends came over to say hi and goodbye.  Sequoia left for a 5 week trip to Cali this morning so she and her sisters came over to say bye to me.  What made it even more awesome was that my best guy friend (who might I mention I have not seen in 2 1/2 weeks....I don't count seeing him for 30 seconds at my party) came with them!  So I got to spend 45 minutes or so in my front yard with Sequoia, Kaelene, Kenna, and Perry!  It really made my day!!  I am going to miss Quoia a lot though!  Hope she has fun!!!!

Holy crap!  This is a long post!  Hope you made it! ;) That's not all I was feeling like typing, but this post is long enough! :) 

Happily Ever After ♥

Happily Ever After by Jenny Phillips :)

This is our song we are learning for Girls Camp this year :)  It is so beautiful!!  This is one of those rare songs that I feel confident in my singing abilities :) I encourage you to listen to it!  Just the beauty of it is amazing!! ♥