A Bit About Us

Lauren: Why I'm a Missionary

Since I was a kid, I wanted to be a missionary. I even dressed up as a missionary for Halloween one year collecting candy in a scripture bag. However, I got married young to a man who hid his true self until after we were married. After three and a half year in a marriage of lies, we got a divorce. I suddenly found myself desperate for direction and purpose. Through the next year I traveled extensively and eventually returned to college in my search for purpose. Every day I deepened my relationship with my Savior.

When I finally felt I had my feet on the ground again, I received a sudden prompting from the spirit to serve a mission. I was terrified. However, after much fasting and prayer, I wrote to church headquarters requesting permission to apply for a mission. Two months later,permission was received. I submitted my papers and was called to the West Virginia, Charleston Mission. My mission changed me completely. I found pure joy in the service of others and witnessed miracles every day. Although I no longer wear the black badge, I now love teaching at the Provo,UT Missionary Training Center and living a Christ-centered life. I hope my every action is an invitation for others to know Christ.

I will always know that the greatest miracle I have ever witnessed is the change Christ has worked and continues to work in me.

Ben: Why I'm a Missionary

I always thought I was going to be a missionary growing up, until life took some unexpected twists and turns. After my parent's divorce and family's inactivity, I found myself unsure if the church was something I wanted to be actively a part of. From the age of 11-19, my faith felt crushed. However, I never stopped believing in God, or really, in the church. However, I figured such a lifestyle was not one that was compatible with my foreseeable future.

Then one day, my student ward Bishop told me I could submit my mission papers. I had been telling people for the previous eight months that I had made my decision NOT to go. However, in that moment, when I was told I could go on a mission, I said "Yes." A few short weeks later I was in the Provo MTC heading to the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mission. I had only read the Book of Mormon once and still didn't know it took place in America. However, I never looked back.

I consciously put myself through as much of the Refiner's fire as I could on my mission, diving deeply into my soul and Christ's healing atonement. Two short years later I was home and had more spiritual momentum than I knew what to do with. Working and being led by God, I am now graduated from college and married to my dream girl. My greatest desires in life are to share the gospel with as many people as I can and to live my soul purpose.

We Were Sealed in the Provo, UT Temple Sept 1, 2012