Buenos Dias brothers and sisters (Hermanos y Hermanas)! My name is Addison Doezie, but in just two short weeks, I will be referred to as “Hermana Doezie”!
Four LONG months ago I received a mission call to serve as missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I will be spending the next 18 months of my life inviting others to come unto Christ & standing as a representative of Him, serving in the Spain BarTHelona Mission!! The time has finally come, but surprisingly way quicker than I ever thought, and I am so SO excited and thrilled to get on with this next adventure in my life.
Ask me maybe two years ago, and I don’t think I would have ever imagined myself standing up here, giving a farewell talk, actually planning on going out to serve as a missionary for the next year and a half. I just never felt the desire or need to, and I just didn’t feel like it was for me. However, it has been quite the journey to get to this point and I have learned that the Lord definitely works in mysterious ways...
I’d like to share with you today my experiences of how I decided to serve a mission, because I think there are some good life lessons to be realized from it…
About a year and a half ago, our dear family friends, the Kellys, were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My family and I had the blessing of sitting in on a lot of their discussions with the missionaries, while they were investigating the church. I witnessed a lot of prayers answered, testimonies gained, and LOTS and LOTS of light and happiness overcome their family throughout that whole journey. I remember feeling so full of joy and the Spirit being able to help contribute in conversations and bearing testimony. And it wasn’t until I experienced this and watched how the gospel of Jesus Christ could truly change and affect someone so greatly, that my heart had become softened and I had this little, tiny thought of a mission in the back of my mind.
Around this same time, acceptance letters to college were being sent out. I hadn’t been accepted in BYU Provo, which I was kinda bummed about. However, my parents and many of my leaders and friends were a great support to me and helped me realize that Heavenly Father needed me elsewhere for my freshman year of college.
This last fall I went off to Rexburg, Idaho and attended BYU up there. I went still with the little thought of a mission in the back of my mind, and the instinct that I would see how the school year played out and then decide according to how I felt.
I honestly wouldn’t have traded my freshmen year in Idaho for anything. Heavenly Father knows EXACTLY what he’s doing and sends us EXACTLY where we NEED to be—even when we don’t understand quite why at the beginning. I KNOW He places certain people in our lives to help us grow and learn and for so many other special purposes. The people I met up in Idaho have changed my life for the better.
I was so blessed to live with the most amazing girls. At the beginning of the school year, our bishopric would call us in quite often. They mentioned they were concerned with our apartment, not because we were getting into trouble, but because we were all 18-year old freshmen from California who had never truly experienced the rigorous, icy Rexburg winters. *HAHA*. Only two of us were truly set on serving missions in the beginning, but now, ALL SIX either have a call in hand or are already out in the field.
My roommates taught me true Christ-like love through little acts of service and always being present with an accepting heart. Some of my fondest memories with them were when we would stay up way late, and have deep conversations about life and the plan of salvation. We’d be there for each other, help encourage one another fulfill our church callings, wake each other up early in the morning to try to make it on time to church, and help one another be their best selves. I have found how it is SO important that we surround ourselves with people and friends that can be uplifting to us and we can be uplifting to them. A quote I saw on Pinterest the other day that I really liked reads “We are all just walking each other home”. And it is true!! I am so grateful to have had grown up and gone to school with so many friends who have the same standards as me and strive to do what is right. It is because of their examples and light that had really helped me want to come to know what path Heavenly Father wanted me to take.
Before I went up to school, I had the tiny thought of a mission in the back of my mind, but by midway through first semester, I now thought about it constantly throughout my days. I think I was a little bit scared to ever pray if I should serve a mission, because I was scared what the outcome would be… but I was greatly humbled and I felt like I needed to do just that. So I did…
Some things that I have truly received a huge testimony of are: prayer, the temple, patriarchal blessings, and the scriptures. Throughout my whole deciding process, and trying to receive answers of what Heavenly Father needed me to do, I couldn’t seem to get an answer. Elder Russel M. Nelson, says ““I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, ‘Why?’ I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time.”
I felt like I was doing all that I was suppose to be doing—reading my scriptures, saying my prayers, attending the temple, etc. And I felt discouraged at times, but as I look back now, Elder Nelson is right. Heavenly Father has a broader perspective than we do. We are running on His time table, not ours. Prayer has become something very special to me. Before, when I was deciding to serve, and now, as I am preparing to leave to serve, I have found so much peace and comfort being able to just pour out my heart and feelings when I pray. Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers and will never leave us stranded. He not only shows His love and communicates with us through other people, but also when we read the scriptures with pure intent, actively searching and looking for things to act upon.
There was a specific night up at school where I was talking to one of my roommates about a certain scripture we heard that day in John 21: 15-17… “If thou lovest me, feed thy sheep”. We discussed missions and how when I think of NOT being able to serve a mission for some reason, I’d start to feel a pit in my stomach and feel sad. She told me to read D&C 4:3, which says, “If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work”. Though those are simple and few words, the spirit that overcame me was indescribable and confirmed to me what I was reading was true. My roommate helped me recognize that I had gained a desire to serve God and His children, because I love Him. That scripture ran through my mind for the next week or so… I wanted to do what was right for me, and I prayed to Heavenly Father throughout that next week, basically asking him for a direct answer if I should serve. Whatever answer he’d give me, I’d be obedient to it. However, a light bulb went off in my head one day…. I wanted the answer right then and there, but Heavenly Father wasn’t just going to hand it to me on a silver platter. There’s a scripture that reads: Faith without works is dead. The major key I realized I was missing in this was the word : WORKS.
Elder Harold B Lee said, “‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.’ Then he quoted these 18 words from the Book of Mormon in (Ether 12:6):
“‘Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith’”.
I knew I had gained a desire to serve, and I knew I needed to feed upon that desire. SO, I decided to move forward with faith, knowing that the Lord would give me more clarity and bless me with my decision.
Our prophet, seer, and revelator on the Earth today, President Thomas S. Monson said, “As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’”.
The temple has also played a role in my decision of serving a mission. Elder Boyd K. Packer described the blessings of attending the temple when he said: “When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective. There, during the time of the temple service, we are ‘out of the world.’” Leading up to the time that I could actually submit my mission papers, feelings of doubt, and thoughts of “Can I actually do this? Am I ready? Do I know enough?” set in for me quite a bit. My friends and I tried to make a goal of attending the temple once a week to do baptisms for the dead up at school. Each time I went, I felt all of my worries and concerns completely dissolve. I felt at complete peace and comfort, and it was way easier to have an eternal perspective.
One visit, we were in the confirmation room and I was the last one of my friends left in the room. The ordinance worker paused for a moment before he proceeded to do the work and asked me if I knew who the people were that I was doing work for. I hate to admit in front of my father aka “Family History fanatic”, that I didn’t bring a family name that day, so I was doing temple names of people whom I didn’t know. The worker told me that the people I was doing work for, even though I had no idea who they were, had been waiting for ME, specifically ME, to come and help them do their work. I made a promise with them before this life, that I would find them and help them return back to our Heavenly Father. When the ordinance worker told me these things, I couldn’t help but feel so overwhelmed with peace and assurance that there are people out there in the world that I, myself, probably made a promise with in the pre-existence that I would come down to this earth, and find them, and help them return home. And now that I have my call to serve in Spain, I know that there is a special reason why the Lord has called me there. I feel so humbled to have this opportunity to wear His name on my tag, and be a representative of Him, gathering his children in Spain.
I have seen His hand in my life with callings and with things I’ve had to overcome. Over the past few years I have been given callings that have stretched me and given me opportunities to grow in ways I that I would have never imagine. I truly believe that every calling I have been given has prepared me for this next moment and to help benefit me in the future. I know he only gives us tasks that he KNOWS we can accomplish. With the Lord, all things are possible.
I’ve found that every little opportunity that I’ve been able to have to share the gospel just leaves me feeling so happy and pumped up on the spirit. And knowing that I’ll be able to do that everyday for the next 18 months just makes me soooo happy and excited! I already feel so much of God’s love for his children in Spain, and I can’t wait to meet and serve them there!
I know this church is true. My knowledge is very simple, but I know when we are on the Lord’s errand, He will give us strength. One of my friends emailed me this quote “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called”. When we have a desire to serve, he will give us the mental, spiritual, and physical strength we need to do His work. We can all be spokesmen for Him. We don’t have to be on a mission to actually be a missionary. Service is the true love of Christ and when we serve, we are helping others feel Christ’s love for them.
I know my mission will not be easy, in fact, it will be very hard. I will have to approach people everyday, a lot of people who will not want to hear or have to do with anything I say. I’ll have a lot of rejection. It will be exhausting. Mentally, spiritually, and physically strenuous. My mission is a walking mission, so we’ve been told to expect to walk around 8-12 miles a day. I will miss home, my family, friends, the beach and much more. This is something totally and completely out of my comfort zone. However, it isn’t about me. It’s about the people that I am about to go out and serve. The line “Where much is given; much is required” comes to mind… The Lord has blessed my life in so many ways, that the least I feel I can do is to dedicate these next 18 months to serving him and his children.
A few months ago, one of my best friend’s from college passed away in a semi truck and tractor accident. He was definitely one of the people I think Heavenly Father needed me to meet in Idaho, because his example would make me want to carry on the legacy that he left. A little motto he created was: “Hate sin, love others, enjoy life”. He was one of the most Christ-like people I’ve met—never saying anything bad about anyone and always putting others before himself. Something I’ve learned from this whole experience is how excited I am to share with others that this life is not the end. It is only a tiny fraction of our existence. We can live together with our families forever, even after this life. And I know that he, along with many others on the other side of the veil, are doing exactly what I’m about to go out and do! Sharing the gospel and serving…
The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple; yet, it brings so much hope and peace and love and happiness!!!
Leaving them for a year and a half is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I know this is exactly what the Lord needs me to do in my life right now. I feel so blessed to have grown up in a home where the spirit could be present. For my parents and siblings and their examples of striving to do what is right, for raising me in this gospel, and for their counsel. I am so grateful to have grown up in a home where my parents have always made prayer and scripture study a priority and teaching me to always put the Lord first.
Four LONG months ago I received a mission call to serve as missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I will be spending the next 18 months of my life inviting others to come unto Christ & standing as a representative of Him, serving in the Spain BarTHelona Mission!! The time has finally come, but surprisingly way quicker than I ever thought, and I am so SO excited and thrilled to get on with this next adventure in my life.
Ask me maybe two years ago, and I don’t think I would have ever imagined myself standing up here, giving a farewell talk, actually planning on going out to serve as a missionary for the next year and a half. I just never felt the desire or need to, and I just didn’t feel like it was for me. However, it has been quite the journey to get to this point and I have learned that the Lord definitely works in mysterious ways...
I’d like to share with you today my experiences of how I decided to serve a mission, because I think there are some good life lessons to be realized from it…
About a year and a half ago, our dear family friends, the Kellys, were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My family and I had the blessing of sitting in on a lot of their discussions with the missionaries, while they were investigating the church. I witnessed a lot of prayers answered, testimonies gained, and LOTS and LOTS of light and happiness overcome their family throughout that whole journey. I remember feeling so full of joy and the Spirit being able to help contribute in conversations and bearing testimony. And it wasn’t until I experienced this and watched how the gospel of Jesus Christ could truly change and affect someone so greatly, that my heart had become softened and I had this little, tiny thought of a mission in the back of my mind.
Around this same time, acceptance letters to college were being sent out. I hadn’t been accepted in BYU Provo, which I was kinda bummed about. However, my parents and many of my leaders and friends were a great support to me and helped me realize that Heavenly Father needed me elsewhere for my freshman year of college.
This last fall I went off to Rexburg, Idaho and attended BYU up there. I went still with the little thought of a mission in the back of my mind, and the instinct that I would see how the school year played out and then decide according to how I felt.
I honestly wouldn’t have traded my freshmen year in Idaho for anything. Heavenly Father knows EXACTLY what he’s doing and sends us EXACTLY where we NEED to be—even when we don’t understand quite why at the beginning. I KNOW He places certain people in our lives to help us grow and learn and for so many other special purposes. The people I met up in Idaho have changed my life for the better.
I was so blessed to live with the most amazing girls. At the beginning of the school year, our bishopric would call us in quite often. They mentioned they were concerned with our apartment, not because we were getting into trouble, but because we were all 18-year old freshmen from California who had never truly experienced the rigorous, icy Rexburg winters. *HAHA*. Only two of us were truly set on serving missions in the beginning, but now, ALL SIX either have a call in hand or are already out in the field.
My roommates taught me true Christ-like love through little acts of service and always being present with an accepting heart. Some of my fondest memories with them were when we would stay up way late, and have deep conversations about life and the plan of salvation. We’d be there for each other, help encourage one another fulfill our church callings, wake each other up early in the morning to try to make it on time to church, and help one another be their best selves. I have found how it is SO important that we surround ourselves with people and friends that can be uplifting to us and we can be uplifting to them. A quote I saw on Pinterest the other day that I really liked reads “We are all just walking each other home”. And it is true!! I am so grateful to have had grown up and gone to school with so many friends who have the same standards as me and strive to do what is right. It is because of their examples and light that had really helped me want to come to know what path Heavenly Father wanted me to take.
Before I went up to school, I had the tiny thought of a mission in the back of my mind, but by midway through first semester, I now thought about it constantly throughout my days. I think I was a little bit scared to ever pray if I should serve a mission, because I was scared what the outcome would be… but I was greatly humbled and I felt like I needed to do just that. So I did…
Some things that I have truly received a huge testimony of are: prayer, the temple, patriarchal blessings, and the scriptures. Throughout my whole deciding process, and trying to receive answers of what Heavenly Father needed me to do, I couldn’t seem to get an answer. Elder Russel M. Nelson, says ““I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, ‘Why?’ I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time.”
I felt like I was doing all that I was suppose to be doing—reading my scriptures, saying my prayers, attending the temple, etc. And I felt discouraged at times, but as I look back now, Elder Nelson is right. Heavenly Father has a broader perspective than we do. We are running on His time table, not ours. Prayer has become something very special to me. Before, when I was deciding to serve, and now, as I am preparing to leave to serve, I have found so much peace and comfort being able to just pour out my heart and feelings when I pray. Our Father in Heaven hears our prayers and will never leave us stranded. He not only shows His love and communicates with us through other people, but also when we read the scriptures with pure intent, actively searching and looking for things to act upon.
There was a specific night up at school where I was talking to one of my roommates about a certain scripture we heard that day in John 21: 15-17… “If thou lovest me, feed thy sheep”. We discussed missions and how when I think of NOT being able to serve a mission for some reason, I’d start to feel a pit in my stomach and feel sad. She told me to read D&C 4:3, which says, “If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work”. Though those are simple and few words, the spirit that overcame me was indescribable and confirmed to me what I was reading was true. My roommate helped me recognize that I had gained a desire to serve God and His children, because I love Him. That scripture ran through my mind for the next week or so… I wanted to do what was right for me, and I prayed to Heavenly Father throughout that next week, basically asking him for a direct answer if I should serve. Whatever answer he’d give me, I’d be obedient to it. However, a light bulb went off in my head one day…. I wanted the answer right then and there, but Heavenly Father wasn’t just going to hand it to me on a silver platter. There’s a scripture that reads: Faith without works is dead. The major key I realized I was missing in this was the word : WORKS.
Elder Harold B Lee said, “‘You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you.’ Then he quoted these 18 words from the Book of Mormon in (Ether 12:6):
“‘Dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith’”.
I knew I had gained a desire to serve, and I knew I needed to feed upon that desire. SO, I decided to move forward with faith, knowing that the Lord would give me more clarity and bless me with my decision.
Our prophet, seer, and revelator on the Earth today, President Thomas S. Monson said, “As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation. The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’”.
The temple has also played a role in my decision of serving a mission. Elder Boyd K. Packer described the blessings of attending the temple when he said: “When members of the Church are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily upon their minds, it is a common thing for them to go to the temple. It is a good place to take our cares. In the temple we can receive spiritual perspective. There, during the time of the temple service, we are ‘out of the world.’” Leading up to the time that I could actually submit my mission papers, feelings of doubt, and thoughts of “Can I actually do this? Am I ready? Do I know enough?” set in for me quite a bit. My friends and I tried to make a goal of attending the temple once a week to do baptisms for the dead up at school. Each time I went, I felt all of my worries and concerns completely dissolve. I felt at complete peace and comfort, and it was way easier to have an eternal perspective.
One visit, we were in the confirmation room and I was the last one of my friends left in the room. The ordinance worker paused for a moment before he proceeded to do the work and asked me if I knew who the people were that I was doing work for. I hate to admit in front of my father aka “Family History fanatic”, that I didn’t bring a family name that day, so I was doing temple names of people whom I didn’t know. The worker told me that the people I was doing work for, even though I had no idea who they were, had been waiting for ME, specifically ME, to come and help them do their work. I made a promise with them before this life, that I would find them and help them return back to our Heavenly Father. When the ordinance worker told me these things, I couldn’t help but feel so overwhelmed with peace and assurance that there are people out there in the world that I, myself, probably made a promise with in the pre-existence that I would come down to this earth, and find them, and help them return home. And now that I have my call to serve in Spain, I know that there is a special reason why the Lord has called me there. I feel so humbled to have this opportunity to wear His name on my tag, and be a representative of Him, gathering his children in Spain.
I have seen His hand in my life with callings and with things I’ve had to overcome. Over the past few years I have been given callings that have stretched me and given me opportunities to grow in ways I that I would have never imagine. I truly believe that every calling I have been given has prepared me for this next moment and to help benefit me in the future. I know he only gives us tasks that he KNOWS we can accomplish. With the Lord, all things are possible.
I’ve found that every little opportunity that I’ve been able to have to share the gospel just leaves me feeling so happy and pumped up on the spirit. And knowing that I’ll be able to do that everyday for the next 18 months just makes me soooo happy and excited! I already feel so much of God’s love for his children in Spain, and I can’t wait to meet and serve them there!
I know this church is true. My knowledge is very simple, but I know when we are on the Lord’s errand, He will give us strength. One of my friends emailed me this quote “God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called”. When we have a desire to serve, he will give us the mental, spiritual, and physical strength we need to do His work. We can all be spokesmen for Him. We don’t have to be on a mission to actually be a missionary. Service is the true love of Christ and when we serve, we are helping others feel Christ’s love for them.
I know my mission will not be easy, in fact, it will be very hard. I will have to approach people everyday, a lot of people who will not want to hear or have to do with anything I say. I’ll have a lot of rejection. It will be exhausting. Mentally, spiritually, and physically strenuous. My mission is a walking mission, so we’ve been told to expect to walk around 8-12 miles a day. I will miss home, my family, friends, the beach and much more. This is something totally and completely out of my comfort zone. However, it isn’t about me. It’s about the people that I am about to go out and serve. The line “Where much is given; much is required” comes to mind… The Lord has blessed my life in so many ways, that the least I feel I can do is to dedicate these next 18 months to serving him and his children.
A few months ago, one of my best friend’s from college passed away in a semi truck and tractor accident. He was definitely one of the people I think Heavenly Father needed me to meet in Idaho, because his example would make me want to carry on the legacy that he left. A little motto he created was: “Hate sin, love others, enjoy life”. He was one of the most Christ-like people I’ve met—never saying anything bad about anyone and always putting others before himself. Something I’ve learned from this whole experience is how excited I am to share with others that this life is not the end. It is only a tiny fraction of our existence. We can live together with our families forever, even after this life. And I know that he, along with many others on the other side of the veil, are doing exactly what I’m about to go out and do! Sharing the gospel and serving…
The gospel of Jesus Christ is simple; yet, it brings so much hope and peace and love and happiness!!!
- I know we can find the most peace and clarity in the temple. And I know families are forever and that we can see our loved ones again.
- I am so grateful for patriarchal blessings. I know if you read it often, you will begin to recognize new little things each time you read it. It is your own personal little scripture that brings so much guidance and comfort.
- I know we have a true and inspired prophet on the earth today, President Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides our church.
- Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. We might not comprehend everything at once, but if we have faith and look to Him, he’ll lead and guide us.
- I’m so grateful for the leaders and teachers I’ve had throughout my life and their testimonies that have stuck and influenced my life.
- I am so grateful for my family and for so many of them traveling from far away to support me. I don’t know how I got so blessed with them, but they are truly my best friends.
Leaving them for a year and a half is definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I know this is exactly what the Lord needs me to do in my life right now. I feel so blessed to have grown up in a home where the spirit could be present. For my parents and siblings and their examples of striving to do what is right, for raising me in this gospel, and for their counsel. I am so grateful to have grown up in a home where my parents have always made prayer and scripture study a priority and teaching me to always put the Lord first.
- There’s nothing else I want to do more than serve my Heavenly Father and his children in Spain for the next 18 months. I love my Savior, and I am so grateful for his Atoning sacrifice so that we can one day return to our father in Heaven and the strength and hope the atonement it gives me. I love my Heavenly Father, we are all His children and He loves us and will never abandon us, no matter what. I am so grateful for all of you and the love and support you each show me AND I CANT WAIT TO SHARE THIS GOOD NEWS and everything I have learned and know to those in Spain and bring them happiness! And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.