Sister Jessie Linford has been CALLED TO SERVE the wonderful people of BERLIN, GERMANY!!! I don't know that they know what they are about to get.....But what lucky people to have Jessie come teach them of the Truthfulness of the Restored Gospel!
Here is my perspective of watching Jessie get to this point....
I have been waiting for this moment for quite sometime. Before I left for my mission Jessie would tell me that she may be gone before I get back, which of course is heart wrenching....3 years! But as we wrote back & forth she would go back & forth on the idea of serving a mission & every time I would just tell her she needed to do it! I don't know why?? I didn't ever tell anyone else as frequent or as bold as I would with her. Well I then arrive home to find my dear sweet Jessie still here, still going back & forth. We would talk occasionally about it. Then one day.... I will never forget the conversation we had. I am driving not sure where to, but I was in the canyon leaving Logan & Jessie & I were talking once again about her serving a mission. I knew that she knew she needed to go, but in all honesty sometimes that answer is a hard one to face. I remember telling her to just go forward, don't fear! Do it & you would never regret it! You have your answer it is now time for you to be acting upon it before you can receive more revelation. We laughed & talked like we usually did. I didn't think too much about it, we have had that talk many times. But this time it was different. I got a call a few days later, she had an appointment with the Bishop, the next thing I know she is calling me telling me how different she feels, a feeling I remember well. We would talk about it often. Then before I know it my dear Jessie has submitted her papers. I couldn't believe it! I have been so overly excited about this whole situation. The next thing I know her call will be here on Wednesday! She is opening it at 6 that night!
Wednesday comes & I ended up coming down to SLC with a friend of mine & Jessie was going to come pick me up (don't ask why I would ask her to come do this for me, she had enough going on) However I am grateful I did because I was able to share such a special moment with her! Needless to say the girl was freaking out. I was dying of laughter in all honesty. I remember her asking if I had ever seen her like this, she quickly recovered with don't answer that! We got off the freeway & were minutes from her house & she turns to me & says Caitlin I need you to say a prayer!!! I answered like out loud or in my head? What do you want? She said out loud now!! So I began to say a prayer for my dear Jessie & that her nerves would calm. That she could feel the love He had for her. Thanking Heavenly Father for the opportunity Jessie has for the opportunity to serve the Lord full-time & what a blessing it is! I ended my prayer to find Jessie a bit of a different person, a little calmer. There was the sweetest spirit in that car! It is an experience that I will always treasure sharing with her!!
We arrived at her house & all her family & friends were there! You could see the nervousness on her face that comes from opening a mission call, but as soon as she began ripping open the envelope all you can see is pure JOY!!! Naturally when you are holding that paper in your hand you jump down & read where you are going & show your excitement then read it to everyone!
She did just that & finally read, "labor in the Berlin Germany Mission!!!"
Who would have thought?? She reports on a special day...Leap day Feb 29, 2012!! I couldn't be more excited for her! A mission is hard, but I know Jessie is a tough cookie that will tackle that challenge! Germany just fits her! I love Jessie with all my heart & the girl she is & I can't wait to see how much her mission will change her life!
Dear Berlin,
One of my best friends is bringing you the greatest message you will ever hear in your life! Please take the time to listen to her! Please love her & take care of her like I do!
Love, Caitlin
Jessie girl, I love you with all my heart! I am proud of you for
making this decision & I know it will be one you will never regret! Go get 'em girl!......&
Welcome to God's Army!!!
P.S. I will be here when you get back...hahaha!
