I wrote a chapter in a book that is going to be published next week! The book is a compilation of essays written by and for sister missionaries and is called Do Not Attempt in Heels.
My chapter is called The First Three Months: Diary of a Greenie, and it chronicles my struggles adjusting to missionary life through my journal entries.
My hope is that it will help future missionaries know that it's OK if you don't fall in love with your mission right away. Even though I had wanted to be a missionary my whole life, even though I had worked hard to prepare, and even though I had already lived abroad and learned a new language before, the first three months of my mission kicked my butt. Because I was under the illusion that everyone loved every moment of their mission, I felt really guilty about it. Hopefully this chapter will help dispel that myth.
The books' editors are Elise Babbel, a friend of mine from college, and Jenn Rockwood, a family friend from growing up. I was so excited when Elise asked me if I would be willing to write a chapter, and even more excited when they accepted my submission.
I'm going to do a book giveaway here on my blog on our release day, Tuesday Feb 11th. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment, any comment! Just make sure that your comment has a name on it and isn't "anonymous," so that I know how to track you down if you are the winner.
On Tuesday, February 11th, I will video myself doing the drawing and then post the video and the results. Good luck!
Here are some other ways you can help spread excitement around the release:
- pre-order the book for $11.99 on amazon here
- like our facebook page here
- check out the official website here
- spread the word to your family and friends
- stay tuned for our official book trailer video, and then help it go viral
This book is perfect for women who are considering whether or not to go on a mission, women who are on a mission, women who have served missions or anyone who is curious about the sister missionary experience.
Here are the first five journal entires from the beginning of my chapter. To see what happens with my next companion, what happens when I have an allergic reaction to mangoes, and whether or not I finally figure it all out, you'll have to get the book!
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Sister Nuckols has embarked! My time at the CTM has ended, and I am about to missionary as soon as this plane lands in João Pessoa. Holy excitement! I’m not nervous or worried or sad, just peaceful and ready. I already miss my two great CTM companions, but in a few hours, I will have a mission president, a companion, and an area. I have felt the searing power of the Holy Ghost confirm to me the reality of the existence of God, of the Savior, of the Book of Mormon. It is all true! I love it and am privileged to be a part of it.
Thursday, July 18, 2002
Oh my gosh! This is so hard. I’m in shock. I’ve been all teary these last two days. I cried last night when I was going to bed, and again when Sister Santos (another missionary in my house) asked if there was anything she could do to help me. This morning, I did a good job holding it in until I got into the shower, but when the cold water hit the back of my neck, I sobbed. Later, I had to say a prayer at the home of one of our investigators, and as soon as I said, ‘Pai Celestial’ (Heavenly Father), I lost it. I felt the Spirit a lot while we were teaching, but as soon as we would walk outside into the street, I would start to cry again.
What am I doing here?! There was one good hour today in the middle of the afternoon when I was able to focus and get some memorizing done (I have to get all theses discussions passed off!) but for the most part, I have been walking around in a shocked daze. Yesterday the excitement from the airport wore off, and I didn’t even have the desire to go out and contact and it was my FIRST day! My companion, Sister W, does not like tracting or contacting people and I think that we spent too much time visiting members. The hours between 2 p.m., when lunch ends, and 9:30, when we go home, seem SO LONG especially because we do not have things scheduled.
This is a bigger sacrifice than I ever before realized. A year seems impossibly long, not to mention sixteen more months.
Friday, July 19, 2002
I had a good cry today at lunch and let it all out. What if this emotional overload is just PMS? Sometimes it seems like I’m watching a movie of someone else’s life, because this does not feel like my reality. When the Lord asks us to sacrifice all that we have and all that we are, He was not asking for a little. This is the big time! I really feel the magnitude of this sacrifice. I don’t even have time to explore or enjoy the culture because it’s all about teach, teach, teach. I can’t really imagine this level of intensity for sixteen more months: an endless Sabbath!
Saturday, July 20, 2002
I’ve been praying so much during free time that I have hardly been working on memorizing at all. I’ve needed so much help! I’ve especially needed help controlling my thoughts and keeping them focused on people here, and not elsewhere, or on other people from other parts of my life.
Tuesday, July 23, 2002
My first zone meeting left me in tears, The whole thing was just so discouraging. Once again, it seemed like I was watching a movie of someone else’s life. We walked in and found the elders wrestling each other in the gym, and then once the meeting started, I had a hard time understanding them as they shared tactics about how to find more men to teach. The gathering also made me feel isolated and unknown: I’m really not part of this group yet, of this culture of the João Pessoa mission.
We walked all the way back to our area from the zone meeting and then we walked even further to our lunch appointment. I’m grateful that I felt divine strength sustaining me when I really should not have been able to walk anymore. Later in the day, Sister W and I stopped at a member’s home to set up an appointment with her, and she made us fried meat cakes and put church music on in the background. As I shared my little message with her from 3 Nephi 11:15, I felt the strength of the Spirit and the strength of that woman. She nourished us both physically and spiritually.
