Crash Course to Sisterhood.

Let me preface: I am terrible at telling stories.

That said, I will attempt to explain my thoughts, reasons, and frustrations as concisely as possible, but no promises kids.

When I first kicked around the idea of going on a mission, a lot of factors went into it. People ask me all the time, "WHY?" and I guess it's something those WHY people may never understand, but I know, and that's all that matters. More on that later, though :)

I decided in March that I was going. Over 6 months before my 21st birthday. Some might say that's a little crazy, but we'll call it "directed." I might be a little bit OCD about planning. Let me tell you though, the wait was KILLER. But after I waited my little heart out, I came home from BYU in May, and I went to talk to my Bishop.

Needless to say, he was a little surprised. But his surprise turned quickly to enthusiasm. He gave me a little worthiness interview, we talked about how great it was, etc. and then I asked him when. When could I turn my papers in. You can imagine my disappointment when he looked it up and told me. The problem: Sisters have to wait until 4 months or 120 days prior to their 21st to turn in their papers. WHATTTTT?? No worries, haha, just more waiting. NBD. Soooo I waited some more.

June rolled around. I did all my doctor's appointments, paperwork, interviews, etc. I went to my physical and it just so happens that my physician is also my Stake Pres. I joked about just getting my interview done at the same time, killing two birds with one stone, you know? Yeah, he wasn't having it. So more waiting. Finally, the 23rd of June I submitted my papers.

As soon as I got them in, I started my research. My brother had just gotten his mission call a few months before and there was a lot out there for him to check out so I assumed there would be for me too. Wrong. I checked for tips on the web. Nope. I looked for websites dedicated to sisters. None. What was this? Was my search going to be unyielding? Yes. Just kidding, I did find some good stuff, nothing like what I expected though. When I signed up for this, I went in with the assumption that there was a plethora of resources out there. You know, ones to help me PREPARE? Alas, there was no Sister Missionaries for Dummies. Not even close. Since when do we let the guys one up us on this stuff?? Aren't we the planners? So here is my little attempt to help you girls out.

Now when I say I have stumbled through this, I mean that quite seriously. I have stumbled. I haven't been graceful or demure about it at all. So learn from my mistakes (I hope!) and maybe you other planners out there will find some nuggets of wisdom. Or maybe you'll just like laughing at me as you follow my pre-mission saga. In any event, you can consider this my "Crash Course to Sisterhood." <3