One More Week!!!

Oh my goodness! I cannot believe how fast this summer has gone by. I am so very excited. I've started fritzing out, just a little bit. You should see my mom, though. She's freaking out more than I am. It's cute though. 

So for the past year or so, I have been reading other Sister Missionary Blogs, which inspired me to create my own, to help other future Sister Missionaries.  In this post and some future posts, I'll take snippets of posts I have found extremely helpful. So here we go.

From Sister Case (http://sistercarlylynncase.blogspot.com/)

Her post is titled "Mission Be Betters"

• Bring snacks, because there will be times you feel like you will truly starve.
• Mints and Listerine strips shall be your new bff, missionaries cannot chew gum.
• Earrings can only hang 1 inch from your earlobe
• Write down birthdays, addresses, everything else you'll need, so you don't annoy your mother too much while you're on the mission
• Make goals of what you want to get out of your mission and the MTC, so you have something to work and focus on.
• Flashlight-bring one or die when trying to get off the top bunk.
• Allow Elders to be gentlemen and open your doors and stuff. It won't kill you.
• Our district president liked us to do district spotlights every night--where we spotlight one person, and each person asks the "spotlight" a question so we can get to know that Elder or Sister better, and then everyone goes around again and gives one compliment. It's a great way to bond!
• We did spotlights in our bedroom too, and that helped us Sisters grow so much stronger together because you can be more personal, and it's just fun girl time.
• You don't need ugly shoes
• Be yourself
• Make it a goal to make each of your companions your best friend
• Make others feel welcome and try to get to know everyone as quick as possible. 
• Smile CONSTANTLY. A smile can go a long way
• Don't complain. Be positive!
• You will survive fast Sundays. Don't cheat and it will be a great day,.
• Have a bunch of  notebooks for different things--weekly plan out for emails, Christlike attribute notebook, companion notebook, daily miracles, grateful journal, favorite scriptures, one for meetings, a journal... anything you want.
• Each night, write down 5 things your companion did that you admired or they did well that day, or things you like, and then "we're companions because...." and write a reason why you are together. If your mission president believes you two need to be together, then start figuring out why!
• Bring pens you KNOW you love
• Try to volunteer as much as possible at the MTC. The MTC is where you learn and train for the real deal. 
• Bring a blanket
• Be 5 minutes early for EVERYTHING
• You can have logos and things on your t-shirts for gym time
• Be honest and open with your teachers! They love and care for you and want to help in any way possible. Let them know of your fears and struggles and they will do everything they can do to build you up.
• Go to the temple on P-day with a question in mind.
• Be exactly obedient with your emailing and you'll see miracles from it.
• Have your companion sign your 'dork dot'
• Do something fun with your companion, We always match on Wednesdays. Find something and have fun with it.
• Make a list of all the ways to make outfits. Such a time saver!
• Eat wraps at the MTC..YUM YUM YUM
• Each night, we chose one elder and wrote a whole list of how he's a great missionary and then gave it to all of them on the last night. It helped us think of ways that they help our district and helped us love them more
• Watch Character of Christ at the MTC. Best Sunday movie
• If you're like me and fail at opening letters, bring a letter opener.
• Start NOW to memorize 1st Vision, D&C 4, How To Begin Teaching, and How To Be A Successful Missionary
• Bring pepper spray... you never know if you'll need it.
• Bring two large ziplock bags, and have one for "To Write" and the other for "Responded". Then you won't forget who you have already written back.
• Carry a little picture book of your family and things you did before the mission. Everyone likes to see pictures and hear stories of those back at home.
• Make sure you have a sit down with your bank, and that they understand what you're doing, so they don't put a stop on your card.
• For those days when you feel like you're nothing: Write down the good things that your companion says during companion inventory. Sometimes you can't see the great things you're doing and don't notice in yourself.
• Start birth control before coming out to make sure it's right for you
• If possible, get the mini scriptures quad. You carry your scriptures with you everywhere. The lighter, the better
• There are books "The Missionary's Little....." They are amazing. From Object Lessons, to Quotes
• Have someone write down your setting apart blessing! Then you have it for when you feel a little low, and it's a great reminder of the blessings you can receive if you're being exactly obedient.
• When you're not being exactly obedient, you're not only hurting yourself, but the people you're teaching, because you don't have the Holy Ghost with you. Remember that.
• You are a representative of Jesus Christ at all times, in all things and in all places.
• Go to each district, zone, conference with an inspired question, and it WILL get answered.
• Commit people to baptism on the first lesson. Be bold. Who do you fear more--Man or God? Who are we to judge whether or not people are ready for this gospel? Unless the Spirit full on says NO, then go for it. If you're questioning if you should do it, it's Satan trying to get into your head. Never let him win.
• Write "For When" Letters to those you love. For when they go on their first date, junior prom, musical, first day of school-- the little things you won't be there for, but can still celebrate.
• If you're always cold, bring lots of sweats
• As each companion what her pet peeves are. Better to just know those things at the beginning than later finding out.
• Write down the tender mercies and things that you're grateful for each night. You'll see the hand of God like never before.
• Make your letter/emails home meaningful. Sure, everyone wants to hear of the funny things you are getting to experience, but don't forget the spiritual things. you never know who will read your letter. You're a missionary at all times. Share your testimony. Let people know who you're teaching and how each of you are growing closer to Christ.
• Never miss an opportunity to share your testimony.

I am so very excited to be a missionary! Thank you to all of those people who have helped me get to this point in my life. 

TTFN,

-Hermana Dean