Once upon a time, before the day I received my mission call I had dreams. Big dreams. I fantasied about the places I might go and the things I might do there. There are so many great places to go, but I had my preferences.
First I thought about Washington state. Mostly Seattle. I imagined rain all the time, walking around with my companion with umbrellas overhead and the color green as far as the eye can see. Every one there would love me, mostly because of my witty sense of humor and my love for The Beatles. Their love for me would lead to a bond, which would lead to trust, which would lead to them wanting to hear anything and everything I had to say about the Gospel. Which would lead to conversion and a very successful mission. On P day my comp and I would head down to Pikes Place Market, we'd buy fresh fruits and vegetables to eat throughout the week and put them in the basket we brought to avoid any unnecessary plastic bags, because we in Washington care about the environment. We would become familiar with the delightful market people and they would learn to love us, which would ultimately lead to conversion. Are you seeing a pattern here? Perhaps one day I would run into Stephen Christian coming out of Starbucks before preforming with Anberlin. I'd discuss his music for a minute and then offer him a Book of Mormon, he would take it, read it and realize that he was meant to be LDS. When I was done serving my mission I'd have so many connections with all the people who love me it would be easy for me to move there permanently, I would then live out my life in Seattle wearing peacoats and rainboots being indie, artsy, creative and of course very happy.
Next I thought about heading out of the country. The ideal place for this would be England, I'd come back so classy. I imagined it to be foggy there and my companion and I would live in a little stone house on a cobblestone street. Every morning we would walk out the door drinking apple cider and pass by the large windows of designer stores which would lead to me being very fashion forward upon returning to Utah. We'd convert little old men with crooked teeth and fish off docks while discussing the meaning of life with investigators all to the soundtrack of Coldplay singing about 'missionaries in a foreign field' in the background. I would, at some point, help in the conversion of a Pattinson-esque beautiful Englishman who can play the piano, guitar, is a perfect gentleman and has a gorgeous accent. Of course we would one day be married...and spend the rest of our lives in England wearing peacoats and rainboots being indie, artsy, creative and of course very happy.
My mission call came on Wednesday and it was not at all what I was expecting. It was very surreal to read the words Texas Houston East mission, Spanish speaking. I know several people who have served there and for the last 10 months I've been getting an email every week from a friend serving there, Elder Brandon. It is weird to think that this place I've been hearing about, a place that people obnoxiously refer to as THE mission is the place that I'll be going in 3 months. It's like one of those things that you hear about, but never think about actually experiencing, not that it's a bad thing, you just never see yourself being there. I was surprised how excited I was to be going to Texas. Then little by little I started realizing things about Texas that I don't like such as heat and humidity. I was told about the dangers of chiggers, fire ants, ticks that fall from trees onto your head, armadillos, and rattlesnakes!
I've come to realize that my rainboots and umbrellas will be replaced with cowboy boots and 10 gallon hats. Rain will be replaced with hurricanes, British accents will become Spanish accents and southern drawls, instead of basking in the greenery around me I will be avoiding it's hidden dangers at all cost, I'll be forced to wear sunscreen and insect repellent (both of which I hate with a passion) and the only fog I will be seeing is my own sweat evaporating before my eyes.
But this is what I signed up for, I told myself that I'd take what ever I got with a smile. And so I will, how could I not smile? I'm going to THE mission! When I come back in April 2011 I will be a Texan and look down upon the citizens of all other 49 states, I will idolize John Wayne, be fluent in Spanish and feel the need to deep fry all my food. I can't wait.
