The Beginning

July 28, 2016:  I had been waiting for my mission call for a while now and had just gotten out of school for the day. I had just received a text message from my roommate to hurry home. I asked her why but she was very cryptic about it, so I figured my call had finally come! I got there and both of my roommates were just standing there with the mail key ready to go. As we were all parading out to the mailbox one of my roommates confessed to already coming out to the mailbox because she was waiting for something (I had previously told them that no one was to go check for the mail with out me just in case). With her saying this, I knew what was going to be inside our mailbox... at least I thought I did. As I opened the mailbox I saw it, it was my call!!! I had this big white envelope in my hands holding the information that was going to determine the next 18 months of my life. But I noticed that there were two big white envelopes.  I pulled the second one out and it was my roommate,  Alyssa's. We had received our calls on the same day and for me it was such a fabulous thing to have happen.  I jumped and let out a noise of excitement! It might have been a little over dramatic and everyone that was outside was looking at us but it was definitely called for. It was perfect timing for Alyssa because her mom was in town (Alyssa is from Kansas), so Alyssa, Clara, and I all jumped in the car to go open up her call. I don't think Alyssa has ever driven that fast in her life (which is saying something because she is a pretty speedy driver as it is). We got there and needed to wait for her family at home to get on face time and once we did it all got silent. All eyes and ears were focused on her to see where our best friend, daughter, sister, niece, or cousin was going to go. As she is reading, the spirit just overcame everyone in the room as she reads that is is going to the New York, New York North mission!!! Seeing her open her call I didn't know if I could wait until I was with family to open mine but I knew I would want them to be there with me. I really only needed to wait two days so I knew I could do it.

July 31, 2016: This was an eventful day! My dad turned 42 and I would be opening my call. This day didn't start out as exciting as the day I had gotten it in the mail. Instead I was very emotional but I was doing a pretty good job at holding myself together. I made it through sacrament meeting, then Sunday school happened... I was sitting with my parents just thinking about all the places that I might be going, working on not bursting out into tears, and becoming a little anxious. In the middle of the lesson my dad and I make eye contact and I notice is eyes are a little teary with excitement and love for this next step in my life and that did me in. I silently (at least I hope it was silent) sobbed next to my dad in the middle of Sunday school and once that happened I was a mess of the rest of the day. I got way nervous, I wasn't even going to be able to read my call in the first place but my dad said he would take over if I needed help. As the time that I had planned to read my call got closer the more anxious I became. My family all noticed this so my dad offered to give me a priesthood blessing. It was one of the most beautiful blessings I had ever received. I am so thankful for my father and family. Then the time had come! We had gotten everyone on face time and we were ready to go. There were millions of butterflies flying around in my stomach at a very rapid speed, but once I started to read the words, "Dear Sister Brasher" everything went calm. I gave my self a second to collect my emotions and then continued to read my call. Once I read the words Lima, Peru West mission I had no doubt in my mind that that was where I was meant to go. Sense this moment I have experienced every emotion one could feel about going to South America for 18 months of their life and speaking a language they never had any intention of learning... nervous, excited, anxious, worried, ready, pumped, and so much more. I am thankful for the family and friends who have helped me along the way, who have listened to how I feel and have given me council when needed.  Those who have given me tips and tricks to what I need or want when I am down in Peru. Those who have done nothing but support me through out all of this. I am so excited to serve the people of Peru, to be able to learn their language and teach them about our Savior. I am honored to wear the name of "Jesus Christ" on my chest for the next 18 months. Thank you everyone, I love you and will miss you!