Prep Your Missionary How Precious is Journaling By Allison Beckert
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plans aren’t useful, but your circumstances and needs ost returned missionaries, however long it will shift. When talking with some currently serving has been since they returned from the field, missionaries in Mesa, they made it clear journaling is have their journals from their missions. a challenge but less difficult if you’re flexible. Elder My father recently reunited with some of his old Kimball Christopher Peterman explained that he missionary companions and fellows after 40 years keeps notes on his phone during the day of things he and he went right back to his journals to refresh his wants to write down in his journal. His companion, memory of his time in Spain. While we’re encourElder Kyson Bean, finds it hard to write by hand. aged to keep a journal or a diary in our daily lives, Instead, he uses Google Docs, which helps him write the mission journal is a special challenge. The time more consistently and allows we serve is a unique one, him to share what he’s writin an exciting stage of life, ten with family and friends. full of new experiences. The content of your Here’s a bit of advice to journal should shift and help your journal stand up change with your needs to the challenge. too. Consider the difference While preparation is between the Large Plates and the theme of this column, the Small Plates in the Book elaborate plans for how, of Mormon. Nephi explains when and what you will a need to preserve spiriwrite every single day and the tools you’ll use to do tual guidance and events as well as the historical events it—stickers, colored pens, Photo by Gospel Media Library around rulers, politics and maybe a leather-bound \Developing good journaling habits in the Church’s wars. In the same way, your journal—usually fall youth program will make record keeping on the misthrough. That doesn’t mean sion easier and less daunting. journaling can shift depend-
ing on what you want to have access to later. Elder Peterman, at 23 months out, said he saw an ideal mission journal as a record of tender mercies, coincidences, answered prayers and promptings. The emotions of those moments are a powerful tool for future times when our testimonies or those of others need some strength. Finally, your mission is about those whom you serve. Your journal is to remember them as well. Recording full names, addresses, phone numbers or other contact information for when you return home will cement these relationships. Notes (where appropriate) from people you care about in areas before you leave them can be powerful mementos. Keeping a journal will serve you in the moment as well as in the future.
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