Sister Kati Ford...Happily Serving in Ukraine! : Mission Advice

Dear Family and Friends,

Well...I think that everyone in our family is thinking about the same things right now, mainly HOW SOON JACOB LEAVES ON HIS MISSION! 9 days! WOW! I'm so excited! :) I can't believe that he is going and leaving and will be in Mexico and in the MTC there... wow.

So I have been thinking a lot about my mission and things that I wish that I would have done different or that I would have known...so that will be the theme of my email today. But even if you aren't a missionary, or if you won't ever be a missionary, just remember that "every member is a missionary" and I'm sure that there will be something here for you :)

MY ADVICE FOR FUTURE MISSIONARIES :) (cough, cough... Jacob) :)

Being a missionary is the best :) Just remember that the mission can for sure be the best 18 months or 2 years of your life, but it is your choice :)

Related back to the last point, although sometimes 18 months or two years can seem like forever, the time that you have to serve is SO SHORT! You can't waste a minute!

Set goals and plan well. :)

This one may just be me, but sing together in companionship study everyday. Singing makes missionaries happy!

The mission is the best time to start good habits. If there is something that you have always wanted to do (like study the scriptures everyday), the mission is the best time to start doing those things everyday, and those habits that you start now will turn in the lifelong habits if you do them everyday on your mission.

Speaking of habits, I will mention a few:

Journal writing. Write about everyday, what happens, good things, funny things, sad things, miracles, so on and so forth. You will regret it if you don't have something written about everyday. And plus, it makes writing letters home easier.

Exercise. As President Klebingat would say, "Sweat is weakness leaving the body" Don't be lazy and actually do some good exercise. Like run :) Or like I did today, play basketball

Be clean. Do you dishes. Organize yourself. You can feel the Spirit more strong when your surroundings are clean. Plus as a missionary, you don't have that much stuff, so there is really no excuse. :)

Get enough sleep. Go to bed early and wake up early. This is a habit that I am trying to set in stone for after my mission. There is so much that can be done between 8-11 in the morning, so I think it is better to get to bed early and use that day time wisely!

Learn how to cook :)

But back to general advice:

The best way to learn the language is to speak it. The best way to understand the language AND the people is to listen. Find a good balance.

Create a good relationship with the members of the church. Let them know who you are. Be the awesome missionary that you always wanted to be around at home.

Take with you a photo album. Put in there pictures of your family, but also add pictures of you and friends, hobbies, pets and so on. Have a couple funny pictures. Share those pictures with the members, so they can get to know you. Ask to see their pictures too!

You can't love the Lord if you don't love His rules. You can't love your mission if you don't love the mission rules. Learn to love your mission rules and be exactly obedient. Just be obedient because you have too, be obedient because you want too! Always try to be more exactly obedient! And be obedient even and especially if everyone around you isn't obedient! Be the example

ALWAYS have a back up plan. Because if you don't your first plan will always fall through. like clockwork...

Don't be afraid to love the people. LOVE them with all your heart. Let them know that you love them. Love is the secret (one of them) to missionary work!

Missionaries are examples to people all the time. Remember that you are an example to everyone around you. Live worthy of their trust!

Count your blessings daily! Be thankful and don't complain! There is a miracle everyday, if you can just see it! Look for the little happy things every day

Love the food. Enjoy trying new things, even if they are gross!

You determine your destiny! Take the high road and work hard and choose to be happy and successful!

Love conferences, love the temple, love the general authorities of the church. First off, that sets a good example to others, second off, seriously, for missionaries, zone conference, mission conference and especially general conference are like holidays and same with going to the temple and having meetings with any church leaders. Don't forget how big of a blessing those are :)

Don't be upset by the small things!

Take LOTS of pictures! And take pictures with everyone! You don't want to forget!

Bring an English dictionary. People that are learning English will know random words that you don't know.

Remember that all you have to do is try your best. Do your best and put the trust in Him! You aren't perfect, but he is! He has all power! And together with him, we can be all powerful! The Lord qualifies those whom he calls! And he has called us!

Be yourself! The Lord called YOU!

Play sports :) With members, investigators, missionaries! Sports are the best!

Remember that you represent Jesus Christ. Remember that it is really not about you, but all about who you represent! Let people come to know CHRIST! You represent him in all that you do!

Don't be afraid to INVITE! Be bold. An invitation born out of love can't offend anyone! Let them know that you care by inviting them to change, act, and repent!

Learn of Christ and his Atonement and how it can strengthen and empower you! (See The Enabling Power of the Atonement)

Speaking of the last point, my testimony of this has really grown in the last few weeks of this. I remember that I was really worried when the doctor asked me to stop eating gluten. I was worried about all that I wouldn't be able to eat. So I prayed for strength to continue on and I have seen and felt that strength. The Lord didn't take away the intolerance that I have been having to gluten, but he did strengthen my will power. He has helped me so that I don't desire or feel sad about not being able to eat those foods that I miss. He has helped me learn to love even more fruits and veggies and rice! And he has blessed me to be happy and healthy so that I can keep doing his work here! He loves us and is always close to strengthen and help us!