There is a lot that goes in to getting ready for a mission. Shopping, appointments, going through the temple, trying to see everyone at least one more time... And on top of that I'm trying to work, and there are things I'm helping my parents with so that I can get out the door. It's all very stressful and exhausting, and on top of all of it I'm trying to adjust to being back at home with my family.
College brought a lot of freedoms that I had wanted for years. I got to set my own curfew (or lack thereof), go wherever I wanted whenever I wanted, make my own food, and do everything on my own time. That's been the hardest adjustment in coming back home, operating on someone else's schedule.
 However, the Lord has been preparing me to serve for a long time, and every time something happens I can see how it will help me get ready for my adventure in Italy. For example, the next 18 months of my life I will be on the Lord's time, and I have to put aside all the things I want to do (see my sister graduate, meet my first neice/nephew, be there for my brother turning 14 and going to stake dances, help my parents celebrate their 25th anniversary, dating, school, spending time with the people I love) so that I can do what God needs me to. It's hard to recognize the eventual blessings that are going to come from this sacrifice, but I have to have faith that they will.
So here's to challenges and trials, and hoping that I have the strength to do whatever I have to to get out the door and start serving the Lord as a missionary. 
xx ciao