What Are Returned Missionaries Like?

Advice from Elder M. Russell Ballard

"To those of you who have already served, please remember that you were released from your missions but not from the Church. You spent two years as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. We expect you to always look and act like one of His disciples. Look the part. Act the part.
Don't follow worldly trends and fashions. You are better than that.
If you have slipped, then do what is necessary to regain your spiritual balance.
The rules for happiness and success after your mission are pretty much the same as they were during your mission: pray hard, work hard, and be obedient.
Get busy now and find your eternal companion to enjoy life with.
Serve the Lord together, and raise up the next great generation. (October 2002, General Conference)

As a checklist of sorts to the departing missionaries of the West Indies, the following encouragements are given:

1. Draw close to the Savior through heartfelt prayer morning and night and other moments.
2. Feast upon the words of Christ by consistently studying the scriptures every day. Follow the counsel of living prophets. Attend an institute class.
3. Be an example in Church activity. Be part of the STP (Same Ten People) group. Honor the Sabbath. Stay in a white shirt the entire day. Attend meetings. Obey the Word of Wisdom, pay tithes and offerings. Support your leaders. Keep the commandments.
4. Serve cheerfully and gratefully in every calling you receive.
5. Enjoy the sweet, sacred spirit that comes from frequent temple attendance.
6. Dress and groom in a way that reflects your lifelong commitment to share the gospel with others.
7. Be loving, thoughtful, helpful tolerant and appreciative to your family as you seek to deepen eternal relationships.
8. Date and court in a way that lest you and your partner's draw closer to standards of temple marriage.
9. Carefully select practical and worthwhile goals and in an organized way work to reach them.
10. Apply yourself prayerfully and diligently to selecting and pursuing academic and vocational goals.
11. Share the gospel and testimony with those who are not members or who are less active.
12. Keep a personal journal.
13. Improve community by thoughtful and participative service.
14. Remember you entire life is a mission. Each phase can be richly rewarding - magnify your talents. Take advantage of opportunities.

Do this because it is right, satisfying and because we are obedient. (President Kimball thoughts reflected in October 1977 Conference Report).

Activity:

Justin, Jeremy, John and Jason: - why not have a discussion with your spouse about how you as a returned missionary are doing in each of these categories? (Jamie, you could just review this on your own?)