...It Came.

Well, everyone, I think the world already knows it, but I'll just post it here for fun:

I'm going to UKRAINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it. When I opened my mission call, I couldn't even read the word Kyiv, which is the name of the city I've been assigned to. I don't think anyone minded too much, though; they were busy screaming. It was a really, really weird experience. I can't believe it's been a week. I'm so blown, and I've had a full 7 days--count them, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday--to think about it, and my main emotion is still surprise. I don't know. I guess I don't get this feeling very often, and for most people (myself included), surprise isn't always a pleasant feeling. That's not to say that I'm not thrilled! I just still can't bring myself to believe it.

I think I was expecting Spanish speaking. As many of you know, I was longing for a foreign mission. I don't know why. It wasn't because I secretly wanted to travel the world when I submitted my papers. I can tell you honestly that wasn't the reason. I just felt a great draw in leaving the States and spreading the Gospel to people around the world. I don't know. I just knew, deep down, and I know I talked about it often, I felt a foreign mission was a better fit for me as an individual. Apparently Heavenly Father agreed, which is also a strange feeling.

If any of you guys haven't read the conference talk about how they select mission calls, I earnestly urge you to seek it out. It's incredible, whether or not you have much interest in missionaries at the moment. It makes me tremble to know that President Eyring pulled up my picture, smiled (I hope!), said, 'Hello, Sister Stiles!', then beseeched the Lord for inspiration--inspiration specific from the Lord on where and what I should do to serve Him for eighteen months. Wouldn't it be nice if the rest of our life were so direct? I have often reflected on the blessing of revelation so pertinent to me. Clearly, the answer received was Ukraine. Oh man! I'm shaking. It's such an incredible thing to know how President Eyring received this revelation directly from the Lord.

One moment, it's a country in Eastern Europe I don't know anything about, and the next, it's my whole life! I never take more than a minute or two to think about anything else, and I always find myself thinking about it again and again. It's going to be a part of me... I guess that's the weirdest part.

I'm so excited. SO excited.
Go Ukraine! :D

It's Coming

Oh man. This week. It will be here this week! I can hardly stand the suspense. GAHHHHH.

Ok, but seriously. It's coming. What am I going to do if it says Provo, Utah? What am I going to do? See the beauty in not recording? I kind of want to open it in my closet... I wish I could, but I don't think that's fair. My parents really want a recording, and I know my amazing roommates are going to support me wherever that call reads.

I can't believe it. I hope Wednesday gets here soon! Not too soon, though, as I have a couple tests in between, an oral report, and a paper. Oh, and I need to start reading Hard Times. I just can't stop thinking about it. Any free moment I have is spent just fantasizing. It's going to be crazy to actually hold a letter from the First Presidency in my hands. Holy dang!!

Well, wish me luck. I won't be posting anything on facebook (and maybe not here, either), so you had better find some more direct way of contacting me if you want to know. :)