I decided to blog about putting in your papers (application for a mission) because while I was working on them there were no personal accounts online. I suppose there were a few Elders talking about their feelings, but nothing about the details of actually doing the paperwork. And nothing from sister missionaries. So here it is folks; my whole experience and tips I've learned along the way.
1. You can put your mission papers in 120 days before your availability date. For me this was the end of January because I was hoping to report at the end of May.
2. The papers are done all online now. You're bishop should have a code to use the missionary application website. Once he's in he can enter your name into the missionary application website. Then he'll give you the link and you enter your church user name and password.
3. The categories concern a self-evaluation of your health, a list of health questions your doctor must go over with you, a list of immunizations you need to get, questions about your financial situation which will determine whether or not your ward will help with mission costs, you and your immediate family's general and church history and a photo of yourself.
4. Start as soon as possible. Seriously, I can't stress that enough. People gave me the same advice a lot before I started, but then I was confused because some people told me they finished their papers and received their call all in 6 weeks. My plan was to be safe and start in September and turn them in at the end of January. I so glad I gave myself the time.
Once I actually got to the point of getting on the application website it took three weeks to finish my papers (Christmas break). However, my bishop had never done papers online before and didn't have code from the Stake President to get onto the website. It took two months before I finally was able to look at the papers.
And then there were unsuspected issues we found once we started. For example, we found out I had never had my Hep A and B shots which are series of shots taken over 6 months. We thought that meant I couldn't turn my papers in until after the vaccinations were done which would be after my availability date! Luckily we found out that it isn't the case. And, my mom and I just found out today that you can ask for a "sped up" immunization which only takes one month all together.
I also had to go to the dentist for what I thought was only a check-up to find that I needed four teeth filled! Luckily we had the money and he some open appointments, but otherwise we would have been in trouble.
Then you have to finish with an interview with your Bishop and Stake President. That may take awhile because they're busy people. I hoped to turn in my papers by the end of January, but because I had to wait for the interviews I didn't put in them in until the middle of February.
5. Rumors. There are a lot of them. One is that if you mention that you've stayed for any extended length of time then you won't be sent there. Since I had done a study abroad in Paris before I was worried about my chances. At the same time though we didn't want to not say anything and lie to the church. So we tried to slip it in there without being noticed.
Today I know that it's not true. The Lord will send you where you need to go no matter what.
Well, that's all I can remember about the process for now. I hope you this was informative.
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