Best advice I'd give you when you go on your mission: learn to love it. I'm grateful for the mission I served in. I didn't know it initially, but it turned out to be exactly where I needed to be, for others and myself. It was a perfect fit, despite my initial rebellion against some of the rules, and it awakened something I didn't know existed in me until then. It showed me my potential, and nearly everythig I have done since has been born of those lessons I learned about myself.

And keep a journal.

Yep. I know I’ll be sent where I’m needed. And I know to follow the rules and really try. There’s no point being out there if I’m not willing to work and learn.

Everyone I've talked to has learned a lot on their missions. Even my friend's older sister was only out for 5 or 6 months before covid and was brought back. She's not going back because she feels like she needs to stay here, but she says that it was one of the best (and most challenging) experiences she's ever had.

Anyway, I've gtg. But I'm glad I had the chance to talk to y'all!

I mean, my sister felt like she shouldn't serve a mission, and look where it led her: she's getting married... and she's a professional chef.

Oh. For sure. A mission is definitely one of the hardest things you’ll do, but it’ll be worth it.

It’s not the path for everyone. Some people are needed elsewhere.

Oop I’m sad I missed this conversation

Good stuff, it’s fun to talk with fellow members from around

My issues were never with the white handbook, they ended up being more of me not really wanting to follow what I believed to be arbitrary rules (like the rule that we had to walk "with purpose"... fast). I fought back on my first transfer with my 4th companion, who was very strict about keeping the rules. But despite the rocky beginning, I learned a lot from him and we ended up working very well together.

Near the end, I got a taste of what it must have been like for him.

Yeah. It’s kind of nice talking to people with the same beliefs as you.

It's a nice break.

That makes sense. I think one of my biggest issues will be working with a companion. Where did you serve?

Guatemala Central. I think that they made a separate mission out of a couple of our areas.

Now there's also the Antigua mission, that used to be part of ours.

Coool

Oh. Cool. And, yeah. They have been splitting areas into smaller ones.

Hopefully that means more members

I still have the 8 pages of Q&A with the APs of all the rules of the mission (tie regulations, time allowed to be spent in lessons, prohibited words, the Standards of how many lessons we had and people we contacted, etc.). Strict, but just the environment I needed and ended up craving (and great prep for the Army).

Woah, cool that you still have some of it. Is it the same rules and stuff worldwide?

No, those were mission-specific.

Oh nice

The same basic rules. But different mission presidents have different rules.

Makes sense

I’m pretty sure I want to go on a mission

Sounds stressful but character building

My mission president was awesome, love that guy.

I’m so ready to go. I wish COVID would just leave so I could.

Just dont give up, it's worth it.

Covid messed with two of my cousins missions, they both came home early and are doing service missions now

I put my papers in around early October. And the day I was supposed to get my call, I was asked to wait because I’m high risk. I had the option of a service mission, but I don’t feel like that’s where I need to be.

That’s rough; it’s good you’re doing what feels best for you

Good luck

Yeah. Now I just wait for restrictions to be lifted.

Thanks.

My last piece of advice before I sign off for the night is this: "Obedience brings blessings, obedience with exactness brings miracles"

Good advice. Exact obedience is most definitely the way to go.

Try your best and you’ll be blessed. Goodnight y’all!

Night!

I’m a kinda late but I am also a member and enjoyed reading that conversation ._. 👍