113th Ward Missionaries

Missionaries from the YSA 113th Ward 

Today was my last Sunday at my college ward. It was also our Christmas program, so it was a wonderful Sunday! During our last hour, we were combined for Elders Quorum and Relief Society, and it was such a fun meeting. During the meeting our Bishop had us who have received our mission calls and who will not be returning next semester, stand and tell everyone where we will be serving and when. It was such an amazing experience to see a ton of my friends stand and talk about their missions. You could see in everyone's faces that they were just so excited! I know I'm excited to serve in Peru! It really was an awesome experience to be apart of. I'm so lucky to have known these amazing Elder's and Sister's for this long, they are truly wonderful! Watch out world!! You have some amazing missionaries coming your way!

I'm so grateful that I was able to be in such a wonderful ward for my first semester of college! I couldn't have been more lucky. They have all been the most amazing spiritual giants in the world! I love each and every one of them and I'm going to miss them all very much! See you soon guys!

YSA 113th Ward
(Please pardon my Bishops finger in the corner)

Amazing Sisters

As I've been preparing for my mission, I've been really reflecting on amazing women I can look up to. Of course one of the most amazing women that I personally know in my life is my Mother. I don't know where I would be without her. She's been my inspiration and I hope I can be at least half the woman she is. I miss her deeply, and I'm looking forward to the time that I get to spend with her when I get home for the holidays. In the Scriptures, and throughout all of Church history, there are many women that we can all look up to. I'm so grateful for each and every single one of them. Esther, Eve, Sariah, Mary, and so many others! They did so much for us. One of my absolute favorite women in church history is none other, than Emma Smith. 

This song is one of my very favorite church songs, ever! I remember the first time I heard this song, I was at a Joseph Smith Tribute concert. Ever since then, I have loved this song. To reflect on all that Emma went through, is amazing. She's such an inspiring woman. I cannot believe all that she went through and she was so strong throughout the entire thing! I think often times Emma Smith is overlooked or downplayed in the role she played in the restoration. This song gives me chills as I think of all the things she had to endure. I know that she is a great example to me as what a righteous woman should be. 

Listen, it won't be a waste of time, I can guarantee it.

111 More Days

Lately all I can think about is, Peru! Peru this, Peru that, Peru everything!! It's also brought up some amazing missionary experiences that I don't think I would have ever had without my mission call.

The other day I was at the train station waiting for the train on my way back from Salt Lake where I had a doctors appointment. A man sat down next to me, and he started a conversation with me. He told me that he had just returned from a medical trip in Peru, and of course I jumped in and told him that I would soon be traveling to Peru to serve a mission! He asked me what that meant, and I proceeded to tell him about missionary work, which was very exciting for me! It was a really great experience for me. It made me feel like a missionary, and I can honestly say, I loved the feeling! Heavenly Father places us in certain situations for a reason. I'm so thankful for that sweet man sitting next to me and letting me share what I know is true! I cannot wait to serve in just a short 111 days! I'm so anxious to get out there. 

Dear Sister Karratti:

I'm going on a mission!! It was the greatest moment of my entire life! So I drove down from college, after I got out of class on Friday and after my brother finished work. We drove home, and usually the drive is only 4 hours long, but this specific drive felt like the longest 4 hours of my entire life! I felt like home would NEVER come! Finally, after a long time I got home. I walked in and I immediately looked for where my call was. I saw it on my fireplace, and I just stared at it. Finally after waiting for another really long time, we were able to get my daddy on Skype along with my roommate from college. I then started reading one of the most important letters of my life!

Dear Sister Karratti:

You are hereby called to serve as a mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the
Peru Lima North mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You should report to the Peru Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

I'm so grateful for all of my family and friends that have been such amazing examples to me my entire life. I wouldn't be who I am today without them! They're everything to me and I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life! I love this gospel with all my heart, and it truly has made me who I am today. I am so happy and excited to serve the people of Peru. I can't wait!!

https://db.tt/rHjE2LLh 

(Link to my call)

The Wait is Killing Me!

As you all know, I'm off at college, and my mission call was sent to my home. About 200 miles away... Yesterday my mom checked the mailbox, and guess what was inside? My mission call!! When I was sent this picture, my heart started racing! I have a mission call, I have a mission call, I HAVE A MISSION CALL!!  Like an official envelope, with my own name on it. It's just way too exciting. I'm going crazy.  The really hard part is that I have to wait... Since I'm off at college, I have to finish my week before I get to travel home and open it! I want to open it right now. Right this very second, but I only have to wait a few more hours. Yikes!!!  I couldn't even sleep last night, that's how excited I am. My heart is still just pounding, I don't think it will stop until I open that envelope and start reading, "Dear Sister Karratti, you have been called to serve as  a missionary..." Oh my goodness! This wait is killing me! Can it just be tonight already?

Mission? Assigned!

So, my mission papers have officially been submitted. That was a fun experience all in itself. Up at college, wards and interviews are a little bit different than back home. If you want an interview with the Stake President, you need to sign up for an interview. My ward meets at 9 am, so I went into the Stake President's office to sign up for an interview, and they said that they could take me back right then! So I might have missed the first little bit of sacrament meeting, but it's okay! I met with President Rasband, and at the end of my interview he turned around his computer and said, "Sister Karratti, will you do the honors?" So I pressed, yes, and my mission papers were officially submitted! I was so happy! But my happiness didn't end there. 

Yesterday I received this text from my Bishop saying that they've assigned me a mission! So now the real countdown begins! This week I'll have my mission call!! It's all becoming so real and I couldn't be more happy! I have been waiting for this, my entire life! I cannot wait to get out there and serve my Heavenly Father. I've wanted to serve a mission for a really long time, I just can't believe that it's here. 

Another step closer!

Dentist time!
(By the way, it's so awkward
 taking a picture at the dentist...)

So I'm off at college at BYU, and this past weekend I was lucky enough to travel back home for a few days. I wanted to spend all of my time with my family, but sadly I couldn't... I spent most of it with wonderful doctors. But hey! Now that it's done, I'm one step closer to serving!

This is just a sample of how my weekend went. 11 am, Physical, where I got multiple shots in the arms, my arms still hurt from those! 1:20 I had an Ortho check-up, 2 was a dentist, 2:30 cleaning, and I had to return to my doctors to check on my TB test later... Doesn't that just sound like such an enjoyable weekend? I know, I can tell you're all very jealous right now.

Belle costume with Aaron (Bryant's friend)
Can't miss Bryce photo-bombing us though!

After the hectic doctors, I was able to have more fun! I was really lucky enough to attended my old calling, also my favorite calling in the entire world! Special Needs Mutual. It was their Halloween Party, and I dressed up as Belle from Beauty and the Beast. It was so much fun! I had the time of my life seeing all of my old friends. It was amazing!

My last day home wasn't so bad either! I spent my morning, just relaxing at home. Laying on the grass with my dog, talking with my mom, just relaxing! (It's been a long time since I have just relaxed for a few hours) And at night I was so happy because my little brother, Bryant had a swim meet. That little (not so little) guy is so fast! He is just amazing! I couldn't have been more proud of him!

I'm so happy that I was able to see my family this weekend, I really miss them a lot. But seeing them was such a blessing! I'm also thrilled that I'm one step closer to serving my mission! I cannot wait!!

My taxi to my doctors appointments.
I have the greatest Daddy!

So happy to see my crazy family!!  

Mission Papers... Started

Last Sunday I started a huge chapter in my life... Mission Papers! The time has FINALLY arrived! It's really scary how fast the time has flown by. A few months ago I graduated high school, I started college a month ago (Go BYU!), and now it's time to start Mission Papers! I honestly, can't wait to serve! It's been my goal since I was a little girl. Ever Since my oldest brother, Brandon was on his mission. I had this crazy idea that I wanted to serve my mission in Jamaica but I later found out that I wouldn't be allowed to serve there. But it's okay! Because where ever the Lord needs me... I will serve!

Mission Papers are started!! I'm going to be a missionary!