Companions

Some tips on how to get along with companions! Those of you who have had roommates will have an advantage in this area.

- You will probably have at least one companion you will not get along with very well. You will also probably have at least one companion you become best friends with.
- You may have heard this before, but if you are mad at or not getting along with a companion, serve him/her. A good time to serve them is while they're in the shower. You can make their bed, make them breakfast, do their dishes, leave them notes of encouragement, etc. When my husband got mad at his companions, he would shine their shoes while they were sleeping. One of his companions had mighty shiny shoes, all the time...
- It always worked better for me to share food with my companion. It just made more sense. We would shop together and then split the cost at the end. Then we would usually cook and eat together. I did have a couple of companions who didn't want to share food. I felt like it was a lot harder and I wasted more food that way.
- It worked pretty well for me to split chores with my companions. For example, I had one companion who loved to cook and was really good at it, so she cooked and I did the dishes.
- Remember that your companion is human and they will make mistakes! They are on a mission for the same reason you are. They love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and are probably just trying their best. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love them so try to love them too!
- Everyone was raised differently and will do things differently. Don't throw a fit just because your companion is making rice wrong! It's okay! This may seem silly, but you will probably find yourself getting upset over the smallest things. Try to be understanding and know that sometimes different is good.
- You will learn something from each companion. Even if you don't know what that is until after you've returned home.
- If something bothers you, talk to your companion in a manner that does not drive the spirit away.
- The main character of "The Best Two Years" is a good example of a good missionary doing his best with a not-so-good missionary. He did not nag or chide his senior companion for his lack of enthusiasm, or his poor following of the rules. He was patient and made sure they worked every day. My husband's hardest companion was super concerned about following rules, to the point of driving the spirit away (kind of like the Pharisees), but some of his best companions were fairly relaxed. I'm not saying it is okay to break rules, but sometimes companionship unity is more important than minor infractions of rules. Learn to discern when an issue is worth discussing as a companionship and when perhaps the issue is not really an issue. Just like you wouldn't remodel a bedroom because of a nail in the wall, don't risk the peace of the companionship for what might be a minor issue... even if it may be annoying.
- Enjoy your time with your companion! You have someone to joke with, confide in, ponder with, explore gospel topics with, and generally bounce ideas with - all day long.