100 days to go - My bucket list!

I am so excited that I only have 100 days left before I go on my mission. I can't wait to serve the people of Ecuador. Hopefully the Spanish I learned in High School and College will come back quick as I struggle I am sure to speak the language. I hope that I don't do anything too embarrassing like fall as I walk down the cobble streets but I have learned to laugh a lot in those situations so I am sure I will do GREAT.

So in honor of my 100 day count down I put together a little bucket list:

• Spend as much time with family as possible!
• Go camping A LOT, including the backyard (it's family tradition)
• Swim in the Lake
• Spend time with friends
• Go to the fair and ride the rides until I get sick
• Attend an Indy Car Race weekend in California
• Visit my best friend in Utah
• Take a vacation before my mission from work
• Enjoy the sunsets at the Beach over the Summer
• Read a good book
• Do something special with each of my brothers and sisters
• Plan a outing just for my sister in laws
• Tan naturally so I don't burn at the Equator (yes this is on my list - I may be Hispanic but we can turn shades of red too).
• Read the Book of Mormon again
• Memorize the Articles of Faith
• Watch Monsters University and Fast 6
• Attend the Temple as often as possible
• Visit my Grandma Em as much as I can (She's already 100)

I am so thankful that I will have ALL summer to spend with my family and friends. It is my favorite time of year besides Christmas.

Let the SUMMER OF FUN BEGIN!

Am I scared?

I get asked a lot if I am SCARED. Am I scared of where I was called to serve a mission? Am I scared to go to a different country? Am I scared to leave home? Am I afraid for my safety? Am I scared because I don't feel prepared?

The answer is...I would be lying if I said NO. But the real answer is I worry. I worry a lot that I won't be prepared enough, or that I won't pick up on the language as fast as I would like. I worry that my mother will be worried for me 24/7 and not get enough sleep. I worry that she will feel lonely even though she is surrounded by family and grand kids. I worry that Satan will distract me as I wait another 3 months to leave for my mission.

I am a planner. I literally plan all the family vacations, where we are going, what we are doing, how much everything costs, and places we should eat. As you can image I like to know what is going on. When it comes to going on a mission, I have no control over anything (this must be a test in patience and complete patience :D). So I constantly have to remind myself that the Lord is the master planner, he knows what needs  to happen and when.

So I have to constantly remind myself that:

1. The LORD will be with me every step of the way!
2. I must be OBEDIENT in all that I do.
3. I must act on FAITH in everything I do and I will be blessed.
4. I must do all I can to prepare spiritually, emotionally, and physically and through Christ I will receive GRACE and he will make up the difference.
5. I must continue to strengthen my testimony.

I know that if I am a faithful servant to the Lord that I can make it the short 18 months on a mission. I have been called as a Missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I can't wait to fulfill that calling. It is my greatest calling thus far. I know that while I am on my mission my family will be blessed and I will have the constant companionship of my father who is in Heaven. I know that he will be with me every step of the way and that he can also comfort my mother and be close to her as well. We will all 3 be able to be missionaries for the Lord, what a dream come true! (My mother and father were called as Ward Missionaries in 2011. My father served as a Ward Missionary until he passed away in March 2012, he know serves as a Missionary in Heaven. I was called to serve as a Missionary in Ecuador Guayaquil West on April 25, 2013 and I report in September!)

Left to Right: Mom, Me, and Dad :)

My Complete Sister Missionary Packing List

Updated list as of April 2014. I have edited this list since I first left for my mission, as I have a little more experience with what is really needed. 

I leave in a little over 3 months for my mission. Packing is one of my least favorite things to do. Anytime we travel I usually pack the day I leave or late at night the night before. When I pack for my mission I hope I don't procrastinate that much but we will see. I am so worried I will forget something but I know it will be fine. Here is my list of things I am not leaving home without! I hope this helps someone else as they prepare for their mission.

You can also watch this awesome video by International Luggage on the best way to pack your suitcase so when you get the field it's easy to hit the ground running!

Spiritual Preparation

-          Finish Book of Mormon

-          Memorize Articles of Faith

-          Read D&C

-          Study and become more familiar with Bible

-          Share testimony repeatedly

-          Finish online mission prep

-          Study PMG, focus on Ch.1, 3-6 (Strong focus on Ch 3)

-          Go to Mission Prep class

-          Go on splits with the Sister Missionaries/Ward Missionaries

Language Preparation

-          Study at least an hour a day

-          Use duolingo.com and mango languages!

Physical Preparation

-          Work out at least 1 hour a day

-          Carry at least 10 lbs so you get used to carrying all of the missionary supplies

Bags and Suitcases

-          A larger cross-body purse

-          A smaller cross-body purse

-          Backpack/Shoulder bag

-          2 suitcases (62 dimensional inches)

-          1 carry-on suitcase (45 dimensional inches)

-          Luggage Tags

-          Camera case

-          Toiletry bags

-          Scripture case

-          Passport holder (waist)
            >Check with your mission, they may keep your passport in the office,                if that is the case, you really don't need to spend money on this. 

Underclothes

-          14 regular garments

-          2 white running sports bras

-          3 white bras/nude

-          3 slips (white, black, tan)

-          3 white Boyfriend Halftee shirts (high quality, long lasting)

-          1 black Boyfriend Halftee shirts (high quality, long lasting)

Feet

-          3 Dressy flats for Sundays

-          2 pairs of good quality walking shoes (black & brown)

-          Waterproof black flats - If you are going somewhere where it rains a lot                and is sunny.

-          Black waterproof boots

-          2 pair shower flip flops

-          1 pair of slippers

-          Tennis shoes (used for woring out & Service)

-          10 pairs of ped socks (6 nude/4 black)

-          5 pairs of running socks

Workout Clothes

-          3 short sleeved running shirts

-          2 Knee-length shorts

-          1 Running pants (leave at home if you are going somewhere hot)

Service & Sleep time clothes 

-          2 pairs of PJ pants or 2 pairs of PJ shorts (depends on where you serve)

-          2 pj t-shirts

-          1 pairs of jeans (used for Service & Pday)

-          1 robe

Outer wear 

-          1 hoodie

-          1 light weight rain coat & 1 light weight rain coat waist length
           OR
       1 jacket & 1 peacoat (if you go somewhere cold) 

-          2 blazers (black and a fun color)

-          5 cardigans (solids and prints)(if you go somewhere hot, leave at home)

Everyday Wash and Wear 

-          10 skirts (4 print & 6 solid)
       3 - 4 dresses

-          8 shirts (2 white, 2 black, 4 colored)

-          Belts, belts, and more belts

-          Earrings, bracelets, necklaces

-          2 small leather watches & batteries

Bathroom Supplies

-          2  micro-fiber bath towels OR 2 regular towels (depends on where you                serve) 

-          1 face towel

-          Face wash

-          Face lotion

-          Mascara

-          Eyeshadow

-          Makeup brushes

-          Eyeliner

-          Chap stick, lip gloss, favorite lip butters!

-          Body wash

-          Razor, Refills, and Shaving cream

-          Perfume

-          Deodorant

-          Body lotion

-          Nail polish

-          Toothbrush

-          Toothpaste

-          Floss

-          Hair spray

-          Hair brush

-          Hair ties

-          Bobby pins, lots of

-          Mini Blow drier

-          Curling iron

-          Straightener

-          Shampoo

-          Conditioner

-          Feminine supplies (Enough for 18 months – tampons & pads for foreign)

-          Midol (Enough for 18 months if serving foreign)

Protection from the elements

-          Umbrella

-          Insect Repelent (contains DEET, 20%-35%)

-          Sunscreen 45 SPF

-          Aleo vera

Bedding

-          2 flat twin sheets
       2 fitted sheets

-          2 pillow cases

-          Blanket or Comforter

-          Small travel pillow

Other items 

-          Alarm clock with no radio

-          Tide TO GO pens

-          Small photo album

-          Workout Book

-          Hair style book

-          Recipe book

-          Address book

-          Stamps

-          Envelopes

-          CD’s with CHURCH MUSIC or USB

-          First Aid Kit (multi-vitamins, cold meds, decongestant, fever reducer, pain reliever, anti- diarrhea meds, antibiotic ointment, anti-itch cream, anti –fungal cream, band aids)

-          Diabetic Medical ID bracelet

-          2 sets of Glasses (cases and cloth to clean glasses)

-          Sewing Kit

-          Thermometer

-          Laundry Bag

-          Hair dye 2 boxes

-          Space bags

-          Gallon zip lock bags to carry items in my backpack

-          Duck tape

-          Flash light

-          Batteries

Church studying

-          My Scriptures

-          Permanent markers

-          Journal

-          Spiral notebooks

-          Pens, pencils, colored pencils, highlighters

-          Copy of blessing

-          Copy of call letter

-          Mission approved books

-          Pedigree chart (4 generations back)

Medical Items

-          Prescription for any perscibed pills

-          Prescription for Eye glasses

Items to not leave home without!

-          Current temple recommend

-          Government issued ID

-          Immunizations Record

-          DMV Driving Record

-          Passport & Visa

-          Give parents a copy of all cards/items taking in my wallet (front and back)

-          $200 dollars for travelling expensive

-          Quarters to make calls from the airport

-          Sign Power of Attorney for Mom & Sister

-          Give LastPass login/password to Mom & Sister

-          Make sure School Loan is deferred

-          Sign papers for tax information while I am gone

I hope this helps you future sister missionaries!

Hermana Weller