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Saturday, June 8, 2013

So I'm going on a mission...

After hearing those words most guys these days are rolling their eyes.
Ok yes I know it may seem like everyone and their dogs are going on missions, but hey, at least the word of God is spreading rapidly!

Truth is... I'm going on a mission!

No, I'm not going because I can't get a boyfriend.
No, I'm not going because I don't want to go to school.
No, I'm not going because all of my friends are going.

Yes, I am going because I KNOW it is the right thing for me to do with my life right now! :)

But since I have uttered these words things seem to be a bit different in my life....

For starters I have noticed a TON more of way cute guys!

But once I tell these cute guys that I'm going on a mission I suddenly receive a really short hair cut and change genders. I become one of the guys, not that guys are bad or anything, it's just that I'm kind of a girl if they didn't notice, and I still like going on dates and getting to know guys.

If that doesn't happen, I just become invisible all together.

But now we get to the part of this post where I decide to stand on my soap box about dating and engagements, and of all things missions!

1. DO NOT call him or her YOUR MISSIONARY!!!!!!!
They are not out there serving you, they are the Lords missionary, and that is who they are serving! They for the duration of their missions are your friend, nothing more, nothing less. Which leads me to...

2. YOU are NOT ENGAGED and on a MISSION!!!!
I think the first presidency would have a heart attack if they heard this, I'm sure even stake presidents would have heart attacks if they heard this!!!!
If you are engaged, get married. As women we have the obligation to begin families if the opportunity presents itself. A mission is not a saving ordinance, Marriage is. Missions are not bad, but if you are engaged and really think that you will end up with that person, just get married and begin that eternal mission together, if not then c'est la vie.

3. 3%
That is the percentage of couples who write each other through the mission and get married. I know it sounds like a nice happy dream fantasy land, but that's all it is. This does not mean that your feelings right now are not real for each other, they are real, but let's be more realistic.

4. STOP BEING DISTRACTING!
If you are reminding a missionary of you, and how much you miss them all the time that takes their focus off the Lord and what they are out there to really do. If you guys are supposed to be together it will happen, don't force it!

5. Don't post it on Facebook
Yay you have dated the guy for a long time and you are so happy, don't put it on Facebook. Write it in your journal. He broke your heart, write it in your journal. Facebook does NOT equal Journal. Sorry if that is too blunt for you, but think about if it doesn't work out, you don't want to see all those post later down the road.

6. For the Guys
You can still take out girls on dates even though they are going on missions. Think about what if you guys are really supposed to end up together and you are going to receive this revelation on that date, but you didn't because you thought it was a waste of time and money.... shame.


Ok enough ranting, now for a few interesting statistics about marriage and missions!


So you may know that the divorce rate in America is right around 50%. Then you may think... I'm LDS, we believe in eternal marriages, so the divorce rate must be less among the LDS community, right? WRONG, it's actually the same 50%. SO now you may be in shock... breathe because I have another shocker. The divorce rate among men and women who have both served full time LDS missions is... 2%. So if you are afraid of the possibility of getting a divorce in your life time serve a mission, and marry someone who has as well.

- Side note, all the boys who are belly aching that all the girls are leaving them, just think of all the future prospects in about a year from now. Your chances of divorce are less, and happy eternal marriages will thrive longer!!!

But really think about it, missions teach you how to work with a companion, and the Lord. IT'S PERFECT MARRIAGE PREP!

So now you can be happy that more girls are going on missions and such!
Good luck!

Love,
Afton Michelle

oh, p.s. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way, it's just my personal opinions and you don't have to agree with them.

P.P.S Check out the next post  What you didn't know, for more info!


18 comments:

  1. Hahah oh my lanta! You sound like me and my sisters talking about life!!! I like your little rant. It makes sense. :)

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  2. I dont know you but I totally agree with everything you have said! Way to be real and have some good sense! p.s. good luck on your mission!

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  3. Do you have sources for the statistics you mention in this post?

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    1. The first one about only 3% getting married was done in some study... I'm not sure the study but it was cited by my courtship and marriage professor.
      The second one about the divorce rate being 2% was actually given to me by my Bishop.
      I'm going to do a little more searching to find more exact sources for ya!

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  4. I absolutely love this! I totally agree, and I also love that you made clear your reason for serving a mission. Good luck! And thanks especially for the Facebook not being a journal comment. :)

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  5. This is FANTASTIC! Thank you! This is exactly how I feel!

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  6. What drives ME crazy are the girls who say that "satan is tempting me" when they keep having attractive guys flirting with them. No. If those guys are temple-worthy returned missionaries, then that isn't Satan sending them your way. Eternal marriage is first and foremost in God's plan for us, and refusing to date because you're prepping for a mission when God is literally throwing hot RM's in your face is like a slap in the face to those of us who don't have your "problem"...

    Girls on this page seem to be forgetting that a mission is not the point of their existence, and they can be a missionary without going on a full-time mission. Right now i'm going to be serving as a ward missionary because I got the revelation to stay home for now AFTER getting my mission call. Just because you get one revelation doesn't mean that you shouldn't keep praying to make sure it's still what the Lord wants you to do at this time. Sometimes he's prepping you to meet your future spouse.

    Okay now that i'm done ranting, I super SUPER love what you said about mushy posts on facebook about "my missionary" when it's possible they aren't going to get married when he gets home

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    1. I agree with this too! I'm pretty sure satan wouldn't be tempting girls with a celestial marriage to a great guy. He's got better things to do, and why would he tempt us with our whole purpose for this mortal existence?!

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  7. I don't know you, but I saw a link to your blog and had to congratulate you on your maturity and readiness to serve the Lord. Being a returned missionary (27 years returned) and my own daughter with a call (leaving for Philadelphia Sept. 4th) I love your advice. The gospel according to me states that although there are millions of spiritually good reasons to serve a mission, there is only one that is necessary - that you love the Lord and want to share that love and joy. And you are so very correct, marriage should come before a mission for young women if that is the Lord's plan for her. There is never such a thing as "your" or "my" missionary -- even for us mothers. And whether you think there is someone you would like to, or might, or could, or hope to end up with after your mission, go out and serve with your whole might, mind, and strength. Don't let any part of you not be present on your mission! And even if that guy that seems hesitant to ask you out because you already have a call, but he does, and you find yourself hoping that he writes you throughout your mission, that's OK -- as long as you keep things in perspective. You are right -- the blessings that come from serving the Lord, your companions, and the people of your mission will serve you, your eternal family, and all those that you touch throughout eternity when you serve with the right attitude. Whether he writes or not.

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  8. THANK YOU!!! All of these things have been bugging me like crazy! Took the words right out of my mouth. Good to know someone else out there shares my opinion. :)

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  9. All I have to say is ditto :) Thanks for voicing it! I loved reading the stats on this :)

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  10. lollllll. you are perfect. (: love this!!

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  11. Hahaha! I agree with everything you said! "YOU are NOT ENGAGED and on a MISSION!!!" was my favorite! I'm grateful there will be sisters like you who are going to be out in the field, it will be very refreshing!

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  12. i love you. i agree with you 100%. can be please be friends? PS - i love your honesty!

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    1. Um yes!!! and I know that guy in your pic! I think we live in the same area. Add me on FB.

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  13. this needed to be said SO badly. I absolutely loved your posts!

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