Getting ready to send your child( yes I said child, because as all mothers know, no matter how old they are they will always be your child!) off for one and half to two years can be a very daunting thought and it can get very overwhelming.
The church has made it a little easier by sending the “great book of information”. FOLLOW WHAT IT SAYS! I am always amazed that there are some that questioned what it says, like their child is the first missionary the church has ever sent!
I have mentioned this in one of my earlier posts, I think it is good repeat. I read and reread the book to make sure I didn’t miss anything and it really was so funny, or not, that I would find something new I hadn’t noticed in the the last 20 times I read it, ok maybe not 20, but many times I had read it before. It really did help me to make lists and be able to check them off.
I knew that a mission itself was expensive, but really didn’t know how much it was going to cost to just get ready to go on a mission! All the “little” odds and ends really add up and quickly! Everyone knows that the clothing part of a mission can cost a lot, but how about all the other things, such as luggage, toiletries, stamps, paper to write letters, ( yes people still do that, you might have to teach you missionary how to write an actual letter). Depending on where they will be serving, you may have to get a lot of things that they wont be able to get where they will be, and sending can be very expensive!
Here are some suggestions that I found to be really helpful. Go to the thrift stores and get what you can there. Of course there are somethings you want to buy new, just make sure what you get is in really good shape. This could save you a lot of money. Start buying the odds and ends a little at a time, even before they get their call. There are somethings that every missionary will need no matter where they serve. If they need shots, go to your local health department, that can really save some money! They can even suggest where you can get some shots for free!
It can become overwhelming, but if you take a breath and get organized, it can be a wonderful time to spend with your missionary. Time that will go by too quickly!