Title: “10 Steps for Missionary Prep”
Exhibitor: Amber Jack
Description: 10 easy steps that will help you prepare to serve a full-time
mission. “The Lord’s work needs the very best you are capable of providing. Now is the time to prepare for that service.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1982 Conference Report)
How To’s:
Steps 1-3
Steps 1-3:
One way to prepare doctrinally is to become comfortable with
the scriptures. By memorizing scriptures
you will be more confident when you teach and will be able to better assist
those you serve. Perhaps you memorize
easily, try one scripture a day. If
that is too difficult try one a week. If you are consistent it will get easier and you will rely on those
familiar scriptures often when you teach.
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Step #2: Strengthen
Your Testimony
It is very important for each missionary to have a solid testimony
of what he or she is teaching. If
you already have a testimony of the first vision, pray for that witness again
and again. If you aren’t sure if you
have a testimony on modern day prophets, pray that your heart may be opened
to the spirit so that you can know and then testify with power. This step will not stop once you get on your
mission or even when you come home. Always
look for ways to strengthen your testimony. Sharing your testimony will also help. Take the opportunity in fast and testimony
meeting to share your testimony and you will feel it grow and become stronger.
Step #3: Study, Work and Pray
Now is the time to prepare to serve the Lord. If you will study, work and pray now, before
your mission then it will be easier for you to continue that habit on your
mission. Study the gospel principle
from the study guides and scriptures. If
you are able to understand the basic gospel teachings then you will be able
to share them with others. Work hard
every day! A mission is not always
easy and you have to push yourself to work hard day in and day out. Try doing something each day before you go
on your mission that you don’t want to do and do it with a smile. This will help you to be ready to work, work,
work. While you study and work pray
for the Lord to help you. He wants
you to be ready to serve him and he will help you know what you need to do
specifically to be better prepared.
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Step #4: Self
Confidence
Believe in yourself! Teaching the gospel is wonderful and exciting but it can be challenging. If you are confident in yourself and what you are teaching then you will be confident when teaching others. Give talks in church to help you speak in front of people. Take a missionary preparation class if there is one available to you in your area. Go on exchanges with the full time missionaries in your area and take part in the lessons. Do everything you can to help you feel comfortable and confident when teaching the gospel.
Step #5: Physical Fitness
Mission life can be rigorous. You will walk many miles, even if you have a car and you will need to be prepared to “hit the pavement.” An intense workout program in not necessarily what you have to do but just do the small things that will help you feel healthy. Eat well balanced meals. Make sure you get all your food groups. This may sound silly but you never know what you will be eating and a good start will help you along the way and give you a foundation for healthy eating while you are gone. If you enjoy exercising take a jump rope with you. It’s easy to pack and you can do it in your apartment. For weights try canned pears or beans, they work great!!! Try eating new foods before you go. Don’t tell yourself that you are going to not eat for 2 years or 18 months, have an open mind and enjoy the food where you serve.
Step #6: Financial Preparation
If you haven’t saved money for your mission for your whole
life (like me) then you can start now to save what you can. As a Sister, I didn’t always plan on going
on a mission so I didn’t have a mission fund like many boys do but I still
tried to save what I could. Set aside
money each month or week for your mission.
Get all your finances in order before you leave so you don’t have any
delinquent debts.
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Steps 7-10:
Step #7: Smart Shopping
Your goal is to look professional, clean, and sharp, yet be comfortable too! When you do your shopping check the kinds of fabric you are buying. If you go foreign you may not be able to dry clean and hand washing will be your only resort. I found that if my shoes were comfy I was happy and if they weren’t I was not a happy camper. You will be on your feel a lot so choose a shoe that fits well and gives you support. It may not “in” but believe me you will want it to feel good. Take things you can mix match. Basic colors are easy to trade around and you will increase your wardrobe significantly. Buy clothes that you like! You have to wear them for 18 months so get what fits you. Just remember who you represent if you match the message you bear.
Step #8: Little Helpers
There are a few little things that will help you survive while in the mission field. Take hand sanitizer with you at all times. You never know where the nearest sink will be and you will be happy you have it. Nylons are great but tights are even better! If you serve somewhere very hot this may not apply but if you are required to wear nylons, tights are not much warmer and they don’t snag as much and are more comfortable. Baby powder for your shoes will help odor living inside your shoes and will help your feet not to sweat. The last little helper you don’t need to pack because you already have it with you…your talents! Use your talents daily to reach out to others. Your personality is your greatest tool so make sure you take that with you as well!
Step #9: Packing Secrets
When you can only take so much and it can only weigh so little be sure to start early so you aren’t stressed at the last minute. Try and be as organized as possible when you are packing up to go to the MTC or leave from there. Use every space available. If you do this in advance you won’t be throwing things in that you forgot. Use the list you received in your mission papers and leave all the unnecessary things at home.
Step #10: Easy Fixins
This final step is not really to prepare you but rather something you can practice before you leave and then take it with you. Here are a few quick things you can make to eat while in the mission field. You may eat with members but I promise you will have to cook at least a few times! *Tomato Soup with Grilled cheese sandwich
*Pancakes (from scratch, they may not have Bisquick!)
*Fruit Salad- healthy and fast
*Chicken and rice
*Pizza
*Steamed Veggies
*Chocolate chip
cookies
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