ELM

I didn't want to make my last post too long, so I saved some extra information for a second post.

Let me tell you a little about this future home of mine: London, England.

My mother was born and raised in a little fishing town on the east coast of England.  

This little fishing town is in the
England London Mission.  

My mom's entire side of the family lives in England.  

Every single British relative of mine lives in the
England London Mission.  

My grandpa was in charge of the building of the fishing town's first chapel.  

Again, this fishing town is the
England London Mission.  

England is, I would say, my second home.  I've always wanted to live there.

I'm going to live in the
England London Mission.

Brother 1 and my grandparents served in the England Leeds Mission.

I'll be serving in the
England London Mission.
Last summer I spent two weeks in England with my mom and fell in love, feeling right at home.
All of my time spent there was in the
England London Mission.

In fact, just a couple weeks ago I said to my mom that if I got sent to England, I probably wouldn't get as homesick because I really feel like it is my second home.  Though she did warn me that if I went to England, I wouldn't be able to live on Cadbury's milk chocolate.  That could be a struggle.

Me and England are clearly meant to be.

Let's just say that Grandpa Coleby and Great-Granddad Coleby had a hand in that one.

I can't wait to serve in the England London Mission.

Called to Serve

I decided on November 18, 2012 that I wanted to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

I graduate from the college this May (yes, that's next month!), and for a long time I had no idea what to do next.  I like to plan ahead and having no idea of what to do after May frightened me to death.  I spent a lot of time praying and going to the temple asking for Heavenly Father to help me figure out what to do.  And when I say a lot of time, I mean I started doing that in August.  Three months later, it hit me like a ton of bricks one day in sacrament.  

"Go on a mission."  

After that, there was no question in my mind.  My mom commented multiple times that I seemed so relaxed and pleased with my decision, and I have felt that way since day one.
The Lord told me, "Go on a mission."  So I am.

Brother 2 gets married July 27th, and there is no way on earth I was going to miss his wedding, so I listed my availability date for August 1, which meant my papers couldn't go in until April 1.  November 18 to April 1 was a long four and a half months of waiting.  It made me extra eager and anxious when my stake president called last Thursday and told me it would be here Wednesday.

My intention was to open it on my own and get comfortable with where I'm going before I shared it with my family, but my sister-in-law (yes, that's you, Alison) did not appreciate that idea.  So all my siblings and their families came over, and I'm so glad they were there to rejoice when I opened my big white envelope.

So today...

I had Mission Prep this morning, then went straight to work, then picking the nephews up from school and then straight to teaching piano.  As I took my nephews from school to Great-Grandma's, we drove past my house to see if the mail had come yet.  Brother 2 was standing on the front lawn waiting for the mailman whose truck was parked in front of the house next door, but he was a few houses away.  I hurried my little boys to Great-Grandma's and hurried back just as the mailman walked up the driveway.  I ran in through the back door, through the house to the front door, but Brother 2 beat me there, grabbed MY white envelope and HELD IT HOSTAGE FROM ME!  I mean it!  He wouldn't give it to me!  I had to go teach piano, so I left with threats that he would open it and read it first.  

Meanie. 

Mom and Dad hurried home from Zions to be home by 5:00; Brother 2 asked permission from work to go in an hour late; sister and husband left work early to get there; little sorority sister, Brother 1 and wife came straight from work.  Everyone, including the pizza man, was there when I got home.  I was too anxious; I couldn't wait very long to open it.  I sat on the piano bench and unsealed it, yelling for everyone to hurry into the living room.

I pulled the papers out, glanced at the last line of the first paragraph (I knew that's where it was) and totally jaw-dropped, bug eyes open.  

Brother 1: "Did you read it?"

Me: "Of course I did!"

This time out loud...

ENGLAND LONDON MISSION

WHAT???!!!
I mean...how appropriate.  Look at my background.  It's been that way for months.