Sister Kate Mathieson is the first Sister Missionary to serve from the Burleigh Heads Ward, Gold Coast Australia Stake. When President Thomas S. Monson announced the lowering of the missionary service ages for men to age 18 and for women to age 19, on the 6th October 2012, Kate Mathieson had just turned 18, and the thought of serving a mission was nowhere on her radar.
In March 2013, Kate said farewell to her boyfriend Elder Marvin Boyce as he left to serve in the Ukraine Kiev Mission, never realizing that in just six months, she would be saying farewell to her family and friends as well.
Kate’s previous plan was to continue studying Occupational Therapy at Southern Cross University to graduate before Elder Boyce came home.
About two months after he left, Kate began to feel little promptings from the Lord that she too should prepare to serve a mission. As this was not a part of her plan she tried for two weeks to ignore them and push them away, not mentioning a word to her friends or family.
When Elder Dallin H. Oaks came to speak to the YSA in Brisbane, Kate felt the promptings even stronger than before.
At lunch that Sunday when her mother Debi mentioned that she thought Kate would make a wonderful missionary, Kate shared the promptings she had received with her family. Tearfully, her mother explained she had received the same promptings for the past two weeks but was reluctant to say anything because it wasn’t a part of ‘The Plan”.
Kate knew her feelings were from the Lord and couldn’t not deny them, so she called her Bishop for guidance.
Bishop Tony Hayden-Smith had no doubts that Kate should serve a mission, and during their visit shared that there are people somewhere on Earth she had promised in the pre-existence to find. This fact hit home to Kate.
After fasting and sincerely praying with a willing heart, she received her answer and began preparations immediately. Within two weeks all her paperwork was completed and submitted, which was a testimony to her that the Lord provides the way, when we do as he commands.
Kate received her call three weeks later to serve in the Korea Daejoen Mission, reporting to the MTC in October 2013.
“Wherever we are called, is where we are supposed to be. I cannot wait to wear the Lord’s name right next to mine” said Kate.
“I'm so grateful for my membership in the Church. The blessings and happiness that it brings to my life is incomprehensible. The Saviour undoubtedly has a beautiful, personal and specific plan for every single one of us. I can't wait to share his love and truth with others.”