I am adding this page because as I was preparing for my mission, I had a lot of questions. Hopefully is someone else finds this, it will be of some help. My sources of information are a few friends who have recently (within the last year) left on missions. Their sources of information were usually their older siblings who had already gone on missions.
Note: I guess some of this information applies mainly to Sister missionaries, the Clothes part in particular. But I think the general Prep stuff would apply to anyone.
Suitcases/ Luggage
After talking to lots of different people, it looks like I am going to take a 29", a 25", and a backpack (my carry-on item). This may not actually be the best way, but that's just how it is going to be. I might have to pay extra in the airport because the 29" is over the 62 total dimensional inches allowed, once the wheels are included. No one I talked to was able to give me any advice on that part.
A carry-on/ backpack is useful during exchanges and stuff.
Leave room for the study and language materials you will receive in the MTC. They will literally weigh just as much as it says they will in your call packet.
I think that Kohl's had some pretty good options for bags. Like everyday messenger bag/shoulder bag purse things. But I don't know if it is always like that.
Clothes
For the Provo MTC at least, I have heard that a bathrobe is a nice thing to bring.
Try to go through the temple before you do most of your shopping.
According to some of the stateside Sister missionaries I talked to, you can find some of the best clothes at thrift stores. The only problem with this is that they may wear out faster. Depending on your area, it may not be very easy to replace them while on your mission. But whatever works for you.
Not Going Crazy While Waiting
You wait for your interviews to turn in your papers. You wait for your call to arrive. You wait longer for your call to arrive. You wait for Skype to work so you can tell your relatives. You wait to go to the temple. You wait for Mondays to ask any missionaries you know questions about preparation. You wait to actually leave. Your life turns into waiting. Don't worry. You can make it. And at the same time, weeks and months will fly by unbelievably fast.
Don't procrastinate. Do a little bit of studying/shopping/exercising/learning to cook/something every day. It will keep you busy.
If you need to stay even busier, do family history work. It brings the Spirit, and it can also help you connect and bond with family members who you won't be seeing again for a year and a half/two years. It adds a sort of eternal perspective to "hastening the work".
Write in your journal every day. There will be no other time like this in your life (I think). As you prepare, there will be small miracles in your life that you won't want to forget.
Go to the temple. I think my roommate went like once a day for two weeks. But you can do that sort of thing in Utah. Anywhere else, it might not be so convenient. Good luck.
Watch The District videos. Good stuff.
If possible, go teach a lesson (or a few) with the missionaries in your ward. From what I have heard, the people who are most prepared in the MTC are the ones who have already gotten a lot of practice teaching.
Not Driving Other People Crazy
You will be think about leaving A LOT more than other people will be thinking about it. It will be all you think about some days. Sometimes, you will want to talk about your mission more than the people around you want to hear about it. Just be patient.
Talk with random people. When I was getting my passport, I talked with the lady behind me in line, which was cool because her son was getting ready to go on a two week humanitarian mission trip to Haiti or something. People ask you what you are doing or why you are buying whatever you are buying, and it leads right into some great conversations. Don't be shy. This is good practice.
Find your thing, the thing that allows you to express yourself without annoying the people around you. Mine is writing.
Every time you talk with missionaries (but mainly Sisters), mention that you are preparing for a mission. Their reactions are priceless, like they suddenly realized that you are their long-lost childhood best friend or something. So much excitement. See "More Prep Stuff".
More Prep Stuff
Write out a few talks now, because you won't be able to go on lds.org while on your mission. At least not currently.
If I haven't already mentioned it, read Preach My Gospel. Find people to practice teaching with. Other people who are preparing for their missions are good. Younger siblings are...slightly less good. But we still had fun and it was decent practice.
If possible, go to a missionary transfer meeting. Ask the missionaries in your ward when/where they are. Go like half an hour early. Talk with people. This is where I play my favorite game of Telling Sister Missionaries That I Am Going On A Mission. I gained like 10 new friends in under 3 minutes. They are great. Bring something to take notes with for the meeting. It is really cool to just see a glimpse of what you will be doing soon.
Note: I guess some of this information applies mainly to Sister missionaries, the Clothes part in particular. But I think the general Prep stuff would apply to anyone.
Suitcases/ Luggage
After talking to lots of different people, it looks like I am going to take a 29", a 25", and a backpack (my carry-on item). This may not actually be the best way, but that's just how it is going to be. I might have to pay extra in the airport because the 29" is over the 62 total dimensional inches allowed, once the wheels are included. No one I talked to was able to give me any advice on that part.
A carry-on/ backpack is useful during exchanges and stuff.
Leave room for the study and language materials you will receive in the MTC. They will literally weigh just as much as it says they will in your call packet.
I think that Kohl's had some pretty good options for bags. Like everyday messenger bag/shoulder bag purse things. But I don't know if it is always like that.
Clothes
For the Provo MTC at least, I have heard that a bathrobe is a nice thing to bring.
Try to go through the temple before you do most of your shopping.
According to some of the stateside Sister missionaries I talked to, you can find some of the best clothes at thrift stores. The only problem with this is that they may wear out faster. Depending on your area, it may not be very easy to replace them while on your mission. But whatever works for you.
Not Going Crazy While Waiting
You wait for your interviews to turn in your papers. You wait for your call to arrive. You wait longer for your call to arrive. You wait for Skype to work so you can tell your relatives. You wait to go to the temple. You wait for Mondays to ask any missionaries you know questions about preparation. You wait to actually leave. Your life turns into waiting. Don't worry. You can make it. And at the same time, weeks and months will fly by unbelievably fast.
Don't procrastinate. Do a little bit of studying/shopping/exercising/learning to cook/something every day. It will keep you busy.
If you need to stay even busier, do family history work. It brings the Spirit, and it can also help you connect and bond with family members who you won't be seeing again for a year and a half/two years. It adds a sort of eternal perspective to "hastening the work".
Write in your journal every day. There will be no other time like this in your life (I think). As you prepare, there will be small miracles in your life that you won't want to forget.
Go to the temple. I think my roommate went like once a day for two weeks. But you can do that sort of thing in Utah. Anywhere else, it might not be so convenient. Good luck.
Watch The District videos. Good stuff.
If possible, go teach a lesson (or a few) with the missionaries in your ward. From what I have heard, the people who are most prepared in the MTC are the ones who have already gotten a lot of practice teaching.
Not Driving Other People Crazy
You will be think about leaving A LOT more than other people will be thinking about it. It will be all you think about some days. Sometimes, you will want to talk about your mission more than the people around you want to hear about it. Just be patient.
Talk with random people. When I was getting my passport, I talked with the lady behind me in line, which was cool because her son was getting ready to go on a two week humanitarian mission trip to Haiti or something. People ask you what you are doing or why you are buying whatever you are buying, and it leads right into some great conversations. Don't be shy. This is good practice.
Find your thing, the thing that allows you to express yourself without annoying the people around you. Mine is writing.
Every time you talk with missionaries (but mainly Sisters), mention that you are preparing for a mission. Their reactions are priceless, like they suddenly realized that you are their long-lost childhood best friend or something. So much excitement. See "More Prep Stuff".
More Prep Stuff
Write out a few talks now, because you won't be able to go on lds.org while on your mission. At least not currently.
If I haven't already mentioned it, read Preach My Gospel. Find people to practice teaching with. Other people who are preparing for their missions are good. Younger siblings are...slightly less good. But we still had fun and it was decent practice.
If possible, go to a missionary transfer meeting. Ask the missionaries in your ward when/where they are. Go like half an hour early. Talk with people. This is where I play my favorite game of Telling Sister Missionaries That I Am Going On A Mission. I gained like 10 new friends in under 3 minutes. They are great. Bring something to take notes with for the meeting. It is really cool to just see a glimpse of what you will be doing soon.