Life is hectic at the MTC, especially if your evenings are filled with foreign language study. Some senior missionaries have to leave at awkward times to catch international flights and some are able to catch up on laundry before they head out. My suggestion is that you make a mental note and collaborate with your companion regarding a time to do laundry as close to the day you're leaving as possible. Sometimes your packed clothing has to last you longer than you wish it would.
There are two schools of thought about how to pack your luggage for the flight to you mission country, and some of the decisions should be made based on where you are assigned. Some countries arbitrarily place luggage embargoes and missionaries find themselves with only one suitcase and it's the one with everything NOT needed for the first week in the mission field. The embargoed luggage gets sent via a local courier, usually within a few days. So, if you know one suitcase has all the most critical clothing in it, plus your hair dryer, etc., you can let them send the other suitcase to you in a week. Pharmaceuticals should ALWAYS be in your carry-on or handbag.
The other way to pack is to evenly distribute clothing, shoes, underwear, etc. between the two bags so if you are left with only one bag for a while you can match shoes, socks, clothing despite the frustration. This is my preferred packing method. I then pack my cosmetics, hair dryer, and needed items in my carry-on bag so I can manage with that bag alone if needed. Having had my bags disappear for a day or two, I always carry a full set of extra clothing in my carry-on bag so that I can at least have one change of clothing if my bags go AWOL. Senior LDS missionaries, like Boy Scouts, should always be prepared.
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