Today I gave my farewell talk at church. Today it really started to sink in that I am going on a mission. It's getting so close! Thanks for all those who came out to the talk, open house, or both! It was so wonderful to see all of you guys! I wish I could fully describe how much the support from all of you guys meant. It was so sweet for some of you to travel a few hours to come and see me. For those of you were not able to come here is my farewell talk if you want to read it. It's long so you can just scan through it. Thanks again for all the support! I could not have asked for a more perfect day!
Pictures at the bottom :)
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My name is Audrey Clifton and I have lived in this ward for
about 12 years. I am Blake Clifton’s older sister and I say that because people
still ask me if I am new in the ward. About 3 years ago I was in the church
library with my mom and I kissed her goodbye and I left for my next class.
Brother Cameau was in the library at the time and he asks my mom who just
kissed her. And she responds that it was her daughter Audrey. He was shocked
that she had a daughter. He knew she had a son Blake but he had no idea that I
even existed. It just seems that everyone knows Blake. This kind of stuff
happens regular basis and it’s now just a joke in my family. Now that you know
me— I’m leaving for a year and a half to serve a mission and in the California
Anaheim mission and I leave July 3—just a little less than 2 weeks and I am so
excited to serve my Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
I have wanted to serve a mission for about 3 years when I
was a senior in high school. I don’t know where the idea came from but it just
popped into my head one day and I was determined on serving. I went up to
college at Utah State in Logan and while I was there during my freshman year I
decided that I wanted to receive my patriarchal blessing. During the blessing
the patriarch said that if it was my desire that the Lord wanted me to serve a
mission. When I heard that sentence I could not stop smiling. I just kept thinking
to myself how cool it was that the Lord and I were on the same page. We had the
same idea in mind for my life which is something that rarely happens. And that
line has stuck with me ever since.
Fast forward to my sophomore year in college, it was October
2012 and I was in my bed ready to watch conference on my laptop. I saw
President Monson come up on the screen and I know that it’s going to be good
because it’s the prophet. As we all know he announces that boys can now serve
at 18 instead of 19. I start laughing because the boys in the audience had
their mouths just drop. I was not even thinking about an age change for girls. But
when President Monson announced that it went from 21 to 19 I was silent for a
moment and I processed what was said then I started crying. I think every girl
who cried had tears of happiness but I was the opposite. I had tears of doubt
and uncertainty. As cliché as this is, there was a guy in my life at the time
and I realized I could no longer wait till February to submit my papers because
that was 4 months before I turned 21. I had to decide in this moment what my
decision was. To continue with my desire of serving a mission or choosing to
stay because this guy and I were talking marriage. It was very confusing.
Brother Mellor has asked me to speak on the commandments
that the prophets have given us and which one has helped me ultimately decide
to go on a mission. My first thought was scripture study and prayer. Throughout
my life they have been there for when I needed answers and that is how I gained
my testimony of the church. I have learned through a personal experience that
the Lord loves me. It was something I needed to know and the Lord answered me
through prayer. I have also learned about faith, the reason for a living
prophet, that Jesus Christ is my Savior and he atoned for my sins. About 2
weeks ago I was a little upset because while I was happy to serve I did not
think I would make a difference anymore. Before the announcement, girls’ going
on a mission was not too common but since then almost every girl seems to be
going. So I did not think I would be too badly missed if I did not go. I was
reading my scriptures that night ready to finish the Book of Mormon. I was in
Moroni chapter 10 verses 8-18. In these verses it talks about gifts of the
Spirit.
It says:
“And again I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the
gifts of God, for there are many; and they come from the Same God. And these
are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God
who worketh all on all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit
of God unto men, to profit them.
For behold to one is given by the Spirit of God, that he may
teach the word of wisdom;
And to another, that he may teach the word of knowledge by
the same Spirit;
And to another exceedingly great faith…
And again, to another that he may prophesy concerning all
these things…
And all these gifts come by the Spirit of Christ; and they
come unto every man severally, according as he will.
And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye
remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.”
In my margins from 2010 I wrote “We learn from each other’s
talents/gifts” and I smiled because I remembered writing that during my junior
year of high school but there was also something that I wrote in February this
year. I wrote, “As missionary companions we have different strengths. And one
companionship may be more beneficial to one investigator and a different
companionship to another.” I have no recollection of writing this down but I am
so glad I did. I am glad I read and studied my scriptures 4 months ago and
wrote my thoughts down about these verses. And I am grateful that I continued
to read my scriptures because it was something I needed to see so I would
understand that going on a mission was still the right path for me.
So obviously with all these different experiences scripture
study and prayer is what convinced me on wanting to serve a mission. I wrote my
farewell talk, rehearsed it many times, and I was happy with what I put
together. But a week after writing it I rehearsed it again and I no longer
liked it. Something was off and I did not know what. I read it again and I
started to think on what was wrong with what I wrote. Was something missing or
did I need to take some details out? I could not pinpoint the problem so I shut
down my computer and went to a different activity.
Last Sunday I realized that in a week I was giving my
farewell talk and I had nothing. I no longer knew what commandment I was going
to speak on and I had no ideas. I could not identify the thing that lead me to
serve a mission. I was searching my brain for a memory that helped me decided
to go on a serve.
As I am trying to think of something and I start to remember
the last few months of school. This past year at college was difficult. Not
only did I have a busy and hectic load of school and work, but I had to make my
decision of dating or mission. I really liked the guy so I had continued to
date him but the line from my patriarchal blessing was still on my mind. While
I was dating him I filled out and submitted my mission papers and received my
call.
The day I opened my call I read:
“Dear Sister Clifton,
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 California Anaheim Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.”
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 California Anaheim Mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.”
When I read that first paragraph I knew without a doubt in
my mind that the California Anaheim Mission was inspired and I could not see
myself going anywhere else. But I was still confused. Later that day my dad
pulled me aside and asked how I was feeling about my mission. I told him that I
was still not sure and started telling him everything that was on my mind. He offered
me loving words of encouragement and support. He did not tell me that I needed
to serve instead he told me that I would probably regret not serving. I am so
grateful for my dad for taking time out of his schedule to check up on me and
for his help during tough decision in my life. He is the perfect example of my
Father in Heaven.
This next part is a little hazy but at the beginning of
April I broke up with the guy and after the breakup I decided that I was still
not going to go on a mission but I was going to stay in Utah. There was too much
too give up. My pre reqs for my major changed so instead of being done like I originally
was- I needed 2 more classes before I could continue studying my major. If I
went on my mission my close friends would be gone and I would know almost no
one when I got back. And being the typical girl I wanted to try and see if I
could get married instead. Plus my best friend is getting married in August and
I cannot miss that.
My experience has reminded of the Saviors conversation with
Peter. [John 21] Christ asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him and Peter responds,
“Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” And the Lord tells Peter to feed
His sheep. But Peter continues to fish and go about his life the way it was
before.
Like Elder Holland said in his talk, “The First Great
Commandment” he restated the conversation between Peter and the Savior. “Peter why
are we here? Why are we by the same nets and having this same conversation?” I
have felt that the Savior has said this to me except He was saying, “Audrey why
are we here? Why are we having this same conversation over and over again? I
have told you countless time in a variety of ways that the mission is the best
thing for you to do. Please listen. You will be blessed.” But I was determined
to see if there were other choices for me besides a mission but my life kept
returning serving the Lord in Anaheim. Even though I was persistent in choosing
different paths, I am grateful that the Lord did not give up but leading me on
with much patience.
I have learned that things will work out in the end. The
Savior will help me. For the next 18 months the Savior needs me to preach His
gospel in California. He needs someone who loves Him more than anything. And
that is why the commandment of Following Jesus and His example is why I am
serving a mission. In Luke chapter 10 verse 27 it states, “And he answering
said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as
thyself.”
This is the first and greatest commandment of them all.
Elder Holland states that the greatest way to show love is loyalty. I have a
life of service to give and serving a mission is only the beginning.
During my mission there will be opportunities that I will
miss and events that will only happen once. School could be finished, vacations
with my family, birthdays, and weddings. But none of that is worth going against the
answers I have received and the experiences I will gain while serving the
people in California.
This past year I was visiting my previous roommate Alyse and
while we were talking one of her current roommates asked if anyone has ever
told us we look like twins. We looked at each other and laughed a little
because do not look alike at all. She is taller and has long brown hair. I on
the other hand am shorter and have short blonde hair. We look nothing alike. We
told her roommate that no one has ever told us that. Her roommate then
concludes it’s because we talk the same, do similar hand movements, and
understand each other without speaking a lot. This was a great example to me on
why choosing friends with similar values is so important—I know that choosing
friends helps develop the person you become for good or for bad.
While going on a mission, I hope to become closer and better
friends with the Savior and have his attributes ingrained in my thoughts and
actions. He will bless my life with far greater things than I could have ever
imagined.
I know that this church is true. This church has all the
true principles and it’s complete.
This work is the work of God and it will change the world
and I am very excited and blessed to be a part of that change.
I know that this mission will change others and I know that
this mission will change my life.
I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and I am very
grateful for the work and sacrifice he did to bring this church back to earth.
I am grateful for the Book of Mormon and the answers and power it has brought
to my life. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today and I am thankful
for his example in my life. Once again I know that this church is true and I am
very grateful for the opportunity to serve as a missionary in California. And I
say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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| My Farewell Cake for the Open House |
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