What I Wish I Would've Known 4 Months Ago...
Hello There! Welcome to my Blog! I'm Sister Breanna McKinley Burton and I leave for the Provo MTC in 3 days to serve in the Halifax, Canada Mission and wanted to make a personal post before taking off. First of all I am SO Excited to serve! For those of you preparing to serve, believe me, time flies! I wanted to write down a few things I have learned in the last 4 months that may be helpful to you as you prepare. So here's a list of (in my opinion) things that would've been nice to know 4 months ago! :) I am no expert, but I hope you find something helpful!
- Buy clothes you are comfortable in. No matter how cute it is, if it doesn't fit right, is a little too tight, or short.. Don't Buy It! Keep looking and something else you love will come along. Old Navy and Downeast became my favorite stores to find nice, comfortable and inexpensive tops and for skirts, try the Sister Missionary Mall in Provo.
- GO TO THE TEMPLE! I went about 3 months before my reporting date and I still wish I would've had more time to go. The temple is an incredible place that can really help in preparation. It helps keep things in perspective and is totally worth going every week!
- Don't be afraid to call your mission office with questions specific to your mission. They're there to help!
- Watch the district.. and then watch it again, and again. It is SO helpful and you'll learn something new every time!
- Skinny belts are so helpful when feeling like some shirts look a little awkward tucked in. I have one in just about every color!
- Read through your call all the time. It helps remind you why you're doing this in the first place.
- Pick up cute stud earrings. They'll be nice to have in an assortment of sizes and styles.
- Attend institute if possible. I learned so many good things that have helped me prepare in my institute class.
- Buy Stickers to take with you! Everyone loves stickers and you can find inexpensive ones to put on letters and such.
- Read "Our Search for Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard. It's written by an apostle, to explain our beliefs to a non-member and it's the shortest book in the Missionary Library. What more could a missionary ask for?
- I bought space bags to try and fit more clothes.. and wasn't very successful. However, the travel space bags worked INCREDIBLE with my towels and sheets. I definitely would recommend them for that!
- Hair Donut = Awesome! I told myself I wouldn't.. but I had to. It's such an easy, cute hairstyle. If you don't know what it is, look it up and see if you're interested. It really only takes like 3 minutes and you're good to go all day!
- Get the Mini Hand Sanitizers from Bath and Body Works. They're cute, smell good, and are travel sized! Plus, you never know how many hands you'll be shaking and where those hands have been.. let's keep it clean right?
- I bought colorful pens to use to make writing letters and taking notes in class a little more interesting. I found great ones at the dollar store!
- Join a gym! If you don't have a workout routine already set, this is a great way to get started. I joined Planet Fitness for only $10 a month and it's worth every penny! Its a great way to relieve stress, and get your body ready for the demands of missionary life.
- Duct tape helps a TON with blisters. If you don't believe me, try it out. But I didn't want to pack those huge rolls of duct tape so instead, I took the tape and wrapped it around cut up straws. (I took the idea from the masking tape at the church library). It makes them small and travel sized so it doesn't take up any room in your suitcase.
- Pack, and then unpack and then pack and unpack again. My family has made fun of my mercilessly because I have been packing for the last month but it's helped a ton! I realize what suitcase, and order to pack things in so the things that need to be easily accessed, are on top, and everything is organized so I can find whatever I need. Plus, you'll be a little more confident on the day you leave that you aren't forgetting anything because you've packed a hundred times before.
- Check out store.lds.org. I had no idea this existed until about a month ago. It's an incredible place to purchase things you can use to prepare, and the best news?? FREE SHIPPING! You can buy scripture mastery flash cards and bookmarks, missionary handbooks, pass along cards, mini preach my gospel for only $4, pamphlets to practice teaching the missionary lessons, missionary preparation manual, the adjusting to missionary lifestyle booklet, and even order different types of garments to try. There are special edition church magazines you can purchase for only $1 including...
- 2 New Eras on Missionary Preparation
- The Book of Mormon Ensign
- The Lord Jesus Christ Ensign
- Previous Conference Issues
- Write a missionary serving in your mission. I'm sure they'd LOVE to hear from you. I follow a few blogs of people serving in Canada that I wrote and they had GREAT advice for things specific to my mission and answered any questions I have.
- Make a mission binder. I made one as soon as I got my call. I love it so much and use it daily. You can make it your own and include in it what you like but it helped me stay organized and not lose important papers. Inside is
- a copy of my call
- my mission booklet
- a copy of my patriarchal blessing
- a map of my mission
- the letter from my mission president
- the letter from the temple
- 4 generation pedigree chart
- pictures from the day I got my call, went through the temple,my missionary photo shoot, and from my farewell.
- receipts of things I've bought for my mission in case I have to make returns
- a list of things I still need to do, or buy
- simple recipes I'd like to make
- A list of birthdays and dates to remember
- other letters, notes, and important things I want to take with me.
Love Always,
Sister Burton
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