StudioDaydreams

I'm going to the temple in TWO DAYS. I am really, really excited. I got my clothing from the distribution service and tried on the dress. And it's too big! The arms and such are way too big. I look like I have wings. Okay, it isn't that bad. But the top part is too big. I can manage, and you can't tell too much unless you look. And it doesn't bother me too much other than my vanity, and I need to get over that anyway. :) But I was kinda wanting to keep the dress I got my endowments in. Is it okay to get it tailored by a local seamstress (after I get my endowments), even if she doesn't know what the dress is? I live in a pretty low-Mormon population area. :) I just need the arms to fit a bit smaller. Would that be allowed? I don't want to make the dress unauthorized or anything. I'm not wanting to change the design or anything; I'm just a strange size as I have smaller arms than most dresses are built for. I know that saying the arms are too big sounds like a small gripe, but it'll need to either be tailored or exchanged for a smaller size. I could live with either option, but I'd really rather have it tailored. Anyone know any official standpoints on that?

Hey, I'm starting to get ready to serve a 18-month mission next year! I'm just a little confused on some of the timing stuff. From what I understand, you put down an availability date that is the earliest you are available, and you can report to the MTC any time after that. Here's the thing... I turn 19 in November next year and I've already applied to BYU-I and BYU. (Hoping to go to BYU-I.) Anyways, the semester ends on December 14th, 2013. I would like to leave on December 14th, before Christmas. It'd just be easier for my family that way. I want to leave as soon as I can, but I think a semester of college would be nice so I could take some foreign languages. Also, there's a guy. Before you judge, it's not like I'm trying to get back on the same day so we can get married the day after or something. He and I are pretty good friends and it would be nice if we could see each other's homecoming talks. It's unlikely, I know, but it'd be even more unlikely if I left in January. He would leave around his birthday, in the middle of June. December 14th would be right on the button 6 months after. I'll serve whether I go in December or not, and it isn't that big a deal, but we are pretty close friends and it would mean a lot. Regardless of what happens, though, it's the Lord's timing not mine. :) Basically, I just want to know *how close together the availability and reporting dates are *if there's a pattern to reporting dates (all missionaires report on Fridays or something) *how close to Christmas they have missionaries report to the MTC *when I should turn in my papers/what's the timeline for me if I want to leave Dec 2013. Please and thank you! Sorry I can't be concise!