The day you became a missionary

 On Tuesday, January 12, 2020, we were gathered in our living room at home and were joined by the following: Bishop Rodney Thornell, I was there, Tyler, Christian, Brooklyn, Bryson, Brynlee, Grandma, Cowboy, and Brother John Wolfgramm from the Stake was here as well. 

We had an opportunity to hear from Brother Wolfgramm and he passed on his best wishes and prayers from our Stake President (Johnson) as he is still in Afghanistan serving. I looked around and Kaitlyn had both nervousness and excitement pouring out of her face. She has anticipated this day for a long time and I could tell she was ready to just get into the next step of starting her mission. She told me earlier today that she wondered if it would be like Christmas Eve as a kid where you were so excited about the next morning that you wouldn't be able to sleep. 

I decided to record the blessing that Kaitlyn received as she was set apart as something she would be able to look back on one day. This wasn't the start of her mission. She did that on her own when she took her question to the Lord to inquire if serving was indeed what He wanted her to do. Being set apart was a step in getting her into the mission field and knowing that she would never be alone and included tender words from her Father in Heaven.

Kaitlyn, I know your concerns and worries but I want you to know that as I listened to this setting apart blessing, it was that much more of a faith builder for me that your Heavenly Father loves you and is mindful of you in ALL things. Trust in Him and all things will be possible. I love you to the moon and back, forever and for always. -- Mom

** Blessing of Kaitlyn as she was set apart by Brother Wolfgramm **

"Sister Kaitlyn Rose Garcia through the power of the Holy Melchezedik Priesthood which I hold, and under the direction of President Johnson, our Stake President, who holds the keys in the Stake, I lay my hands upon your head to set you apart as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to serve in the Brazil Recife North Mission for a period of approximately 18 months. And I bestow upon you all the rights and privileges, power and authority that are associated with this call. As a full time missionary you will be doing those things. You will be on an errand for Jesus Christ. You will be able to do and say those things that He would do if He were here. You'll have opportunities to help others feel of the Spirit and come closer to our Savior. It will be a great blessing to you and to those that you teach as they feel the Spirit and they come unto Christ. You've been called to a foreign speaking mission where you will be asked to speak in the native tongue of Portuguese. We bless you with the ability to study and learn this foreign language that you will be able to speak it fluently and be able to teach others in their native tongue. It will take a lot of effort on your part and study and focus but as you do your part, our Heavenly Father will bless you with the blessings you stand in need of so you'll be able to teach and be an effective missionary. Your service in Brazil may be interrupted because of worldwide conditions outside of our control with Covid and other things that might come up. If you get reassigned the important thing to realize is you are still a missionary and you have opportunities to teach others. Always have a good attitude and always willing to follow those that are directing the work. You will be blessed with a wonderful Mission President. Someone who knows the area, knows missionaries. There will be mission rules. It's very important to be obedient. And as you follow the rules, they are there to protect you and help keep you safe and help you be successful as a missionary. You'll have opportunities to have companions. Missionaries always work in two's or more. You'll have opportunities to meet other Sister missionaries and to have them as companions. We bless you with the desire to always get along, to be willing to give and take so you  have the unity and peace within that companionship. It's important that you have that unity because through that, peace will come to you and the Spirit will be able to work for good within that companionship. We bless you too with the ability to increase your capacity to love. To love those that you will be teaching, those in Brazil and in your mission. They will be different in many ways. You're coming from a wonderful family, Mother and Father and brothers and sisters that set a good example for you and love you. Many of those that you teach will not have that same family commitment. They will be different in different ways. We encourage you not to judge but to find the love and desire to teach and help them receive the blessings of the Gospel. There will be many times that you will struggle in different areas of your mission; learning the language, learning the lessons, understanding the Spirit, desire to teach when there will be obstacles in your way. Always be humble and call on those powers of Heaven. Our Father in Heaven is pleased that you have decided to serve a mission and He won't leave you alone. He will be there for you as you call on Him. We bless you with health and strength. Always be mindful of your own health and strength. Eat, sleep, and do those things to assure you have good health and strength. You've been blessed with many wonderful talents. You have your own personality and your gift and talents that you've been blessed with. We encourage you to use those, be yourself and others will be attracted to your wonderful personality to open up doors and allow you to teach and be an effective missionary. We bless your family through you that they will feel of the missionary spirit. That they will be buoyed up and look forward to those regular calls and emails and communications through social media. It will be a great blessing to the family as you share these positive experiences you are having in the mission field. They will be praying for you regularly and you will feel the strength of those prayers. We bless you with these many blessings and any other blessings that you stand in need of, and we say these things in the name of thy son Jesus Christ, Amen."

So much love,

Missionary Momma