PreMee

Hello Family and Friends!
I'm beginning this blog so you can know how I'm faring during my mission I'll be serving in the Adriatic South. This mission includes four countries: Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Macedonia.
My mission home is in the capital of Albania, in Tirana, where you can surely send me packages full of treats and memories and love, but mostly treats. (All of my mailing stuff will be in one of these tabs on the blog, if you can find it... good luck.)

I'm so excited to do this. SO EXCITED. As most of you know, I've been planning to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since I was around the age of eight. Since that time, I've waxed and waned in that desire, but it has never left me. Still, it was a difficult decision to leave behind a year and a half of college, family, friends, weddings, birthdays, homecomings, and some cute boys to date to do this! :)

In all seriousness, it was a difficult, but totally easy decision to go where I was called and serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.

Before I leave in two days, I want you all to know how much I love my Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Through all of my years of increasing in learning, in my travels, and in my comprehension of how the world works, I have found that my love has grown as I've begun to understand who He and what He intends for His eternal Family. I have grown in love for my fellow men as well as love for myself. As I have come to understand my role in His family, I have been able to alter my decision-making skills based on what I believe to be true, therefore a knowledge of what proves itself to be true.  I've come to understand the reason for opposition and for struggle by studying the teachings of Jesus Christ and reading the Book of Mormon. Because of these things, my heart has been filled with a knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, what is solid and what is fleeting, and what has depth and what has destructive properties.
There is a peace and understanding that comes from transforming my thought process into one full of discipline, relaxation, obedience, faith, and unconditional love.

I have no idea what's in store for me, but I know for a fact that I'll love it because I want to love it. The people there are just like me and you. We are all a part of a family that deserves to be shown love, support, service, and understanding, just like any other. I'm going there to do just that!
Check back every week, if you so desire! And please write, I can't wait to hear from all of you!

With much love and a little nervousness,

Arianna Kokol, Soon to be Motra Kokol. (??!?aahhh!??!)