Foreign countries have a different DVD format that the US does, so bringing DVDs is a waste of space unless you also bring a US DVD player. If you plan to rent DVDs from a store, buy your player after you arrive on your mission. Frequently, your apartment will already have a local DVD player that a previous senior couple purchased and left.
It is embarrassing when missionary couples argue or criticize each other in public. Practice now treating your “companion” with respect and courtesy. Members will look to you as an example of healthy Latter-day Saint marriages.
Set up two bank accounts before you leave for your mission, and get bank cards for each of them. In the account that you plan to use for everyday expenses, keep a smaller amount of money. Put the card for the second account in a safe place and keep most of your money in that account.
Start now resolving and stabilizing any health problems you may have. All senior missionaries have health problem, but the better you control your health, the easier your mission will be.
Your mission application provides many opportunities to add comments to a specific area of inquiry. Add extra information freely. The more the missionary committee knows about your situation, the better they can inform the general authority who will assign your mission call.
If you want to serve your mission in a foreign country, apply for a passport as soon as you can. Passports last many years, so applying early won’t cause you any trouble and will save you the stress of waiting for a delayed passport.
If you have a family emergency while you are on your mission, you can request a short leave of absence to return home. You will, however, need to pay for the transportation costs you incur. Family emergiencies do not include family reunions or vacations to Disneyland, though.
Being together all day, every day can put stress on your marriage. Before you leave on your mission, practice doing projects together, such as gardening, cooking, or studying, and discuss what you learn from your experiences.
It is often very difficult and expensive to get books written in English in a foreign country. Before you leave for your mission, set up an online library account with your local library. Test the account before you leave to make sure you can check out online books, and then make sure to bring your library card with you on your mission.
Clothing requirements vary from mission to mission. The general clothing guidelines that you receive with your original mission information packet are just that—general. Your mission will send you more specific clothing instructions that will meet the needs of your mission climate and culture.
