In this beautiful and deeply honest episode of Called Sister, Sarah sits down with returned missionary Makenna Waters to talk about what missions are really like for women.

From battling perfectionism… to finding emotional safe havens during difficult moments… to learning self-compassion after coming home, this episode is filled with wisdom every sister missionary needs to hear.

Makenna shares powerful experiences serving in New York, connecting with people experiencing homelessness, and discovering that authenticity—not perfection—is what truly changes lives.

✨ This episode covers:

• Mission perfectionism & pressure
• Emotional healing after missions
• The importance of safe people and safe places
• Therapy, faith & self-compassion
• Why God needs YOU—not a performance
• Beautiful mission stories from New York
  

If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t enough, this episode will remind you that God called you for a reason.

💛 Your personality, heart, and story are part of your divine purpose.

00:00 Welcome + “If You Need a Soul Hug…”

00:58 Meet Makenna Waters

01:30 Why she almost didn’t serve a mission

02:15 Spiritual experience during General Conference

03:30 The importance of safe havens on missions

05:00 “The mission isn’t about being a robot”

06:30 Perfectionism in sister missionaries

08:00 Learning self-compassion after the mission

09:30 Writing, prayer & changing negative self-talk

10:45 Therapy, healing & reconnecting with yourself

12:00 The oxygen mask analogy for missionaries

13:30 Why serving yourself matters too

14:30 Favorite mission memories in New York

15:00 Serving meals to the homeless with Jim Waters

17:00 “It shattered my view of the world”

18:00 Seeing homeless people differently

20:00 Advice for future sister missionaries

20:45 “They need YOU as your whole self”

21:45 “You’re not everybody’s cup of tea”

22:30 Why authenticity matters in missionary work

23:00 Beautiful lifelong mission connections

24:00 Final thoughts + encouragement

Quotes:

“The mission isn’t about being a robot. You’re human too.”

“Having a safe haven on my mission changed everything.”

“You don’t have to be perfect to be a powerful missionary.”

“Be gentle with yourself.”

“You need connection and community too.”

“The Lord doesn’t need a fake version of you.”

“They need YOU as your whole self.”

“Your personality is part of your calling.”

“It makes you a better missionary when you stop running on empty.”

“Not everyone’s going to like you… but there are people who love tea.”

“I could be really mean to myself on the mission.”

“Ask Heavenly Father to help you see yourself the way He sees you.”

“We lose ourselves trying to become someone else.”

“You can serve others and still take care of yourself.”

“Your gifts, quirks, and personality are divine.”

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