Brock Booher shows returning Mormon missionaries how to return home and apply mission habits to life in his book "Return and Continue with Honor: A Guide for Returning Missionaries" (Cedar Fort, $6.99).
Booher suggests several activities to help return missionaries continue with honor in the 65-page book. Booher's suggestions include the following:
'Rest, relate, reflect'
Recover during the first week home by getting some much-needed rest, he writes. Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints work hard and deserve a good rest. Booher suggests resting in line with gospel principles by retiring early and arising early.
He suggests returned missionaries should spend time with family members and build those relationships that were put on hold. They should also focus on serving family members with genuine concern, he adds.
Remember and reflect on the lessons of the mission, Booher writes. He added to write them down. Also, he suggests to go through journals and expand on valuable experiences, then share them with family and friends.
'Goals, gains, get busy'
The first month at home can be tough, but it helps to have something to focus on, so "set some new goals," Booher writes. Goal-setting is an important part of mission life, and even more important afterward. Spend time thinking about the future and outline desired things to accomplish.
Booher also encourages returning missionaries to apply the same principles learned during the mission to postmission life: self-discipline, accountability, routine and righteous habits.
Missionary days are busy and full of assignments and service. Keep this business going at home by "being anxiously engaged in a good cause" (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27). Booher writers to consider worthwhile activities, service, work and education.
'Adjust socially, advance intellectually, apply spiritually'
During the first year at home, work on social skills, including dating skills, Booher writes. Strive for meaningful conversations, attend church activities and have patience with self and others.
Spend some time on educational things, he said, such as reading good books, going back to school or entering a career training program. Learning need never end.
Time as a missionary should help propel continued spiritual growth, Booher writes. The best way to put this into action is to use the study skills gained as a missionary and apply those skills every day. Make time daily to keep spiritual growth moving forward, he encourages.
Booher structures the book like a workbook and includes steps for the first week, the first month and the first year with an explanation of each point, then at least one activity and space for notes.
Booher grew up in Kentucky and served a mission to Uruguay before graduating from Brigham Young University. He and his wife, Britt, are the parents of six children.
Christine Sedlacek earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of Utah. She has been writing professionally since 2008. Her articles have appeared in the Deseret News print and online, KSL.com, and other Internet sites.