Sister Elizabeth Rex: Want What You Want #wwyw

Week 2 - May 7, 2020

"You better want what you want because you're going to get it." My mission prep teacher said this one time in class and I raised my eyebrow to it. That seemed totally wrong, life happens and you don't always get what you want.

I stand corrected.

How is the MTC you ask? I LOVE IT. Everything about it has been SO good, I have had so many experiences already that have strengthened my testimony and desire to share the gospel. I wish that it was longer because 2 1/2 weeks seems so short.

Boom. Minutes after telling someone this I received an email saying that I have an extra week in the MTC due to my assignment to Kirtland. We need some extra training to apply our purpose to the Historic Sites.

Almost 2 months ago a friend joked about how crazy it would be if he got reassigned to Bakersfield. I chuckled a little, said "I would pee my pants, no one goes to Bakersfield," and thought nothing more of it.

Here I am peeing my pants. Because that person just got reassigned to the California Bakersfield Mission. I was absolutely shook. Sorry to anyone who lives on Cranberry Way in Springville, this was the news that caused me to yell "You. Are. Joking. I AM PEEING RIGHT NOW." (I found this to be the only phrase to adequately describe how I was feeling.) My "wants" became reality.

You heard it here first. May 7, 2020. I want to be a super fit grandma that owns a cute ranch with horses and corn fields and wrecks her grandchildren in spikeball. I will let you know in 40 years if you really do get what you want.

Real talk. Want what you want. #wwyw Sometimes Heavenly Father gives us what we want, but we are too distracted to see it, or our wants have changed and we want something bigger and better. Want your wants when they become your reality! He knows the desires of our hearts and in the end, we really will get what we want. As you put your trust in God, everything will work out for your benefit. In the moment you may not like what you get, but there is always a lesson to be learned and you will find that God gives you what you want (even if you don't realize you want it at the time). Appreciate what you get! Look for the opportunities that arise with every situation!

I briefly mentioned earlier that I have loved everything about my MTC experience. And I will say it again. I LOVE IT. But it's not just the MTC that I love, it's the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's the people that I've met. It's the experiences that I have each day because of it. I could go on and on about the good and the light and my heart feeling like it is about to burst from happiness. But those experiences are near and dear to my heart and will mean something quite different to every single one of you. I will share them as I feel inspired to do so! All I can say is that this is a time of life that is shaping the person that I hope I can someday become. The. Gospel. Of. Jesus. Christ. Is. Amazing. It will change you if you allow it to.

My capacity and ability to love has been the biggest change that I've noticed in myself in my 8 days as a missionary. An Elder shared with me his lack of confidence in himself. As I opened my mouth to respond, the words just came out. And then he was silent. I was scared I'd overstepped and been too bold with what I had said. Then his head tilted and I saw something click. "I have never thought of it that way." In that moment, I saw his potential and felt the love that God had for this Elder.

Here is my weekly invitation for you. Find your own sacred grove. What would have happened if Joseph Smith hadn't acted on his desire to feel and know for himself? God is our Heavenly Father who loves you and wants nothing more than to hear from you. Find a place that is away from all of the noise of the world and open your heart to Him. What will happen if you don't? Maybe nothing, but I can promise you that if you do, opportunities that will strengthen you and those around you will come.

Love big! Love hard!
Sister Rex