The Why Behind the Nametag

Why am I going on a mission, you ask?  Let me tell you.

There is definitely no all-inclusive reason as to why I am going.  In fact there are heaps of reasons, some being more prominent than others. Let me start with the less influential, more frivolous ones.  A mission is an incredible opportunity to experience life in a whole new way.  Serving in México, I will experience new places, an entirely new culture, associate with and get to know new people, and learn a foreign language.  It almost seems a bit overwhelming, but I couldn't be more thrilled! 

It's true :)

 Let's get a little deeper... I think a mission is an opportune time for personal growth and introspection.  I'm looking forward to finding a little more of who Kalin is while I'm dedicating every moment to the Lord, far away from the influence of friends and family.  

Alright, marriage and family prep... What could be better than a mission??  A time to solidify yourself spiritually, learn crucial teaching skills, and learn how to positively function with the constant companionship of another person.  

President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

"Many young women are serving missions. Many are preparing to serve, not because they aren’t married or have nothing else to do, but because they have a desire to serve and therefore are being called to the work. The reason so many are going is because in the next generation, Heavenly Father will be sending his Priesthood Army to the earth. And He wants to send them to mothers who have been properly trained and taught in the gospel. And what better training can a young woman have than that of serving a mission!"

Alright so let's get at the core... I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I believe that His gospel has been restored upon the Earth and that in it are found essential keys and ordinances for Salvation. Through it, I find incomparable peace, hope, and joy.  I want to share that with others.  I would share it with everyone, if I could.  I want every person to know and understand that he or she is a son or daughter of a loving Heavenly Father and that there is someone that knows and loves them perfectly.  I want them to understand that through Jesus Christ, their mistakes can be forgiven and forgotten.  I want every person to know that families are forever, that there is life after death, and that we will be with our loved ones again.  I believe it.

How To Deal With Pre-Mission Blues

So...... I bought a puppy.  As I drove to West Valley City to pick up my new friend on Saturday night, I felt that I was making a poor, impulsive decision.  My parents went to California for the weekend and I was feeling lonely and wanted to cuddle.  So of course, why not buy a puppy?  Bad idea, right?  WRONG.  Over the past few days I have realized that buying Koby was the best decision I have ever made.  I am in love.  Real love, kids.  Koby (we're debating whether or not to change his name to Toby) is THE cutest living thing on this planet.  He is the most cuddly, playful, and sweet puppy.  Being around him is instantaneous happiness.  He sleeps with me every night and cuddles right up to me.  He gives me kisses and whines and cries when I leave.  He is SO happy when I come home and constantly wants me to hold and play with him.  Who needs a boyfriend, right?   Seriously ladies, when you're feeling desperate and lonely, just go buy a puppy.  It will solve all of your problems.

So I called my parents on Sunday to inform them about the newest member of our family.  Needless to say, they were quite upset.  But I have total confidence that after a few weeks of having Koby around, they will be just as smitten.  Dad keeps calling him a rat... Rude.  Mom is obsessed with her new carpet and will probably kill the poor thing if he pees on it again.  (JK, mom is actually a gem and would never hurt sweet Koby.)  But she does love her carpet... So we are working on that.  Koby went to the bathroom outside today twice... TWICE, folks.  We are making progress :)

The Decision. The Call. The Wait.

The desire to serve a mission came about three years ago.  I was seventeen years old, an energetic junior in high school.  I had recently gone through my own Ammon-like "mighty change" and developed an instant exuberance for the gospel.  With that enthusiasm came a natural desire to serve the Lord and teach others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  When the announcement came almost two years later that women would now be able to serve missions at age nineteen, I was ecstatic!  I would be nineteen in just two and a half months!  In that moment, I knew for certain that I would one day become Sister Orgill, called of God to preach the restored Gospel.  

...But getting to that point was exhaustingly more difficult than I had ever anticipated.  Let's start with my call.  I started my papers the end of May.  I met with my bishop and stake president, completed the online paper work, did all of my medical examinations, and had my papers completely submitted in just over a week.  And then came the waiting...  I waited, week after week, allowing my hopes to rise just to have them crushed with the discouraging view of a vacant mailbox.  (I probably sound a little melodramatic, but you have to understand that almost all of my friends received their call about a week and a half after submitting their papers.)

June 25th of 2013, four weeks later, I FINALLY received my mission call.  Hahahaha you probably thought that was the end of the waiting, right? WRONG.  Unfortunately, my dear mother and beloved sister decided to venture out to the far off land of Gilbert, Arizona for the week.  So, being the patient, loving daughter and sister that I am, I decided to wait for them to get back.  (Because Skype just wasn't going to cut it!)  So my call arrived on a Wednesday and I waited until SUNDAY night to open it.  

(Okay, so I lied about possessing the quality of patience... It was the slowest, most excruciating five days of my life... My Bishop even made the comment "I don't think Kalin even knows how to spell the word 'patience'".  I'm sure he was pretty shocked when I had the self-discipline to wait that long.)  So folks, here it is:

Wow, well that's a terrible photo.  So in case you didn't get any of that... Here it is, again:

Dear Sister Orgill:

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 Mexico Puebla North Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday,  November 13th, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel. You will be an official representative of the church. As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president. As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the restoration and of the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. As you serve with all your heart, might, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.  [So in case the blue highlighter didn't give it away, this is my favorite part]

The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life. Greater blessings and more happiness than you have ever experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among his children. We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president. Please send you written acceptance promptly, endorsed by your bishop.

Sincerely,

Thomas S. Monson [This is the Prophet of God you guys.. and he sent me a letter, no big deal ;)]

President 

So there you have it, kids!  Now, for some photographs of the grand event!

Love this girl.

My Biggest Fan :)

My very best friend <3

Meet Grandma and Grandpa

She was worth waiting for ;)