The final decision

". . .we have also given consideration to the age at which a young woman might serve. Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."(President Thomas S. Monson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints October 2012 General Conference)


This moment forever changed my life. I have always had a love and fascination for missionary work, but if you would have asked me a year ago, I would have never guessed I would be going on a mission. Of course I always said the typical mormon girl answer, "If I'm 21, not married and not in any program i will go." But I never actually thought it would happen. 

I have been extremely blessed in my life with so many amazing missionary experiences. I have watched as some of my best friends have taken the missionary lessons and received the companionship of the Holy Ghost. Watching the people I love become converted to Lord is the most amazing thing, and nothing makes me happier. So why not serve a mission? It made me sad to think of all the wonderful things I would miss out on at home if i decided to serve a mission, but I know that I would be missing out on so much more if I didn't. I had to take a step back and look at things with an the eternal perspective. The experiences I will have as a missionary will shape me and my future in ways that would not be possible without the sacrifice to do so. The decision to put schooling, friends, family, dancing, dating, and everything else on hold for a year and a half was not easy, it took a lot of praying and fasting. Once I actively made the decision and began talking with my bishop, everything began to fall in place, I felt at peace with my decision and all those things began to seem so insignificant.

I received my call February 14th, 2013. I had to wait until the next night to open it, I have never felt so many emotions in my life!! I was nervous, excited, anxious, stressed, happy, everything! Part of me wanted to rip it open but the other half of me wanted to just throw it in the trash and pretend like it never happened. 

Dear Sister Dumas,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Philippines Tacloban Mission!!!! Speaking the Cebuano Language!!! I report to the Provo MTC June 5th 2013!

HOLY! 
A. Where even is the Philippines? South America??
B. What the heck is Cebuano? I can't even pronounce it!! 

I was so worried that when I opened my call I wouldn't be excited about where I was going, but the second I saw the Philippines, I was overcome with a peaceful spirit and I knew that it is exactly where I am supposed to be. This whole experience has been a huge testimony builder that the lord knows me personally. 

Upon further research I can totally see that this truly is the perfect mission for me. We all know how much I love the heat and the rain, but let's just see how much my hair loves the humidity.