I've had so many people give me advice on serving a mission! I loved all of it so I thought I would share. :)
Love the people! It's easier to connect with people and easier to teach them if you feel that love for them. Regardless of where they are in life.
Love your companion! Sometimes you don't always get the best companion and they might be hard to work with but if you love them, working with them will be much easier.
Write in your journal everyday! I am horrible at writing in my journal but if I write in it everyday regardless of how tired I am or how little I might have to say at the end of 18 months I will love it! I can go back to any day of my mission and relive it!
Be 100% obedient! Following the rules is very important on a mission. It helps ensure that you have the right spirit with you when you teach, and just like it says in D&C 42:14 "if ye have not the spirit ye shall not teach" How important it is to have the spirit with you always! You never know who is waiting to hear the truth!
"Forget yourself and go to work!" Missions are hard and every mission has its own challenges so it can be easy to focus on all of the things that go wrong, and that can turn a person inward and worrying only about themselves. That's not what missions are for. Missions are about helping other people. Spencer W Kimball said it best when he said, "The more we concern ourselves with others there is less time to be concerned with ourselves."
Always be the companion that uplifts not the companion that needs uplifting! I love this! When my old roommate told me this I wanted to make this my new motto not just for my mission but for life! It's hard to be around people who always complain and that have a constant need for cheering up. It can be emotionally draining. I wouldn't want to do that to anyone! Sure things won't turn out perfect all the time but why let that affect my mood and my companion. Always say uplifting and encouraging things to other people. Seeing the glass as half full can really change your day around!
Write to your family! Not only do I struggle with journal writing I also have a hard time with letter writing. When my brother was out on his mission I think I wrote him 5 times....maybe. I do not like writing. I like talking :) If I could always record myself talking......but writing to my family weekly will be important not only for me but for them. I am sure they might begin to worry if I stopped writing. They might think I got kidnapped or something :)
