Important Papers Packet



When you have a child go on a mission, one of the things they request them to do is have some important papers on hand when they arrive at the mission home.  For my other boys I just put these papers into the binder they were to take that had their pedigree chart and family history stories, etc.  For Connor I picked up one of these plastic packets with a snap closure from the office supply store.  It was $1 and worked perfectly.  I used my label maker (absolutely LOVE my label maker!) and put his name on it.  The papers that you send with your missionary are kept at the mission home for the duration of their mission and will be returned to them when they finish their mission.  Because I knew they would be kept safe, I also sent a copy of the cards he keeps in his wallet (front and back), his drivers license (front and back), and the information part of his passport.  Now if his wallet or passport is ever lost or stolen he just needs to get the papers from the mission office to be able to quickly cancel and reorder anything that needs to be replaced.  I also kept a copy at home in Connor's mission binder.

 

Do NOT send original documents...

 unless requested by the mission home. 

Send only photo copies. 

If the mission home requests an original,

keep a photo copy at home for your own records.

 

Papers to consider including:

Birth Certificate

Social Security card

Passport

Drivers License (front and back)

Driving record

Immunization record

Prescription record

Insurance card

Important contact information (parents, bishop, etc.)

credit/debit/bank cards (front and back)

bank contact information

HIPA release form

(permission for you to receive medical information)

Power of Attorney

(permission for you to handle affairs for your missionary while they are away)

 

 



Consecrated Oil Vial

Matt mentioned that he would like a new Consecrated Oil Vial for his birthday.  We bought him one as soon as he was ordained an Elder but somehow the top and the bottom became...separated?  All that was hanging from his shoulder bag one day was the top and the key chain fob.  My husband doesn't like how he can never tell how much is left in his vial so I thought I should probably start looking around to see what's out there.  Well, there's lots out there!  Here's the one that I like:

I like how it's classic i.e. pretty.  I especially like that it has an internal glass reservoir; which will solve Jeff's problem of never knowing how much oil is left AND it also has a rubber O-ring seal to prevent leakage along with a key chain.  It even comes with a small bottle of extra-virgin olive oil.  Make sure to consecrate it!

"My Favorite Things" printable

You would think that after being someone's mother for ump-teen years that I would be able to remember what some of their favorite things are, right?  Yeah.  NOT!!  Let's blame it on the fact that I have seven kids, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.  Or...we could blame it on the fact that I'm now 50 (which has actually been a pretty fun thing to blame things on).  It's probably not either of those things though.  I think I'm just forgetful.

 

I have a rolodex on my desk with all my address, etc.  I have a card for each of the missionaries that I write to with their information on the front and their favorites listed on the back.  While that works pretty well, it's not very aesthetically pleasing AND requires that I fill it out myself.  I whipped up this little cutie last night.  Hope you like!

 

(click here to download the free 8.5 x 11 printable)

 

 

Mission Countdown Blocks

One day soon after Matt left I received this photo on my phone...

 

 

...with the caption, "Project of the week."

 

Isn't it amazing?!  I love it!  This cute project was made by one of Matt's dear friends and when she sent the photo I asked if she would make me one too  AND would she take photos and do a guest post on my blog.  She said, "YES!!"  So here it is...

 

 Thanks, Miranda!

 

 

Items needed

 4 square blocks

(any size will work; we used 3"x 3" blocks)

base block - cut to fit 3 blocks

(a 2x4, cut to 9 inches worked perfectly for the 3" blocks)

patterned paper - up to six different patterns

(double-sided paper works great)

paint

Mod Podge

(I used a matte finish)

vinyl numbers*

(make sure that the 'six' and the 'nine' are interchangeable with whichever font is used)

vinyl 'saying' for the base*

 

*paper die cuts could also be used and Mod Podged onto the blocks

 

 

Paint the base and all 4 blocks a solid color.

 

 

Cut the patterned paper into 24 squares just smaller than the blocks.

(2.75" squares for 3" blocks)

 

 

*Mod Podge the paper squares to each side of the block.  Use a couple of coats to make sure the paper won't peel off.  Also coat the base with Mod Podge to seal it.

 *Best way to Mod Podge - check out this video by Addicted2Decorating

 

 

Apply the vinyl numbers to the blocks and the saying to the base.

Use the chart above to figure out which numbers to put on which block.

If you're making blocks for a Sister missionary, a quote can be used on one side of the 4th block because they aren't out as many days as the Elders.

 

 

Thanks Miranda!

 

And just to help you keep on track...

check out the free 'Days Left' widget that you can download to your smart phone.

That little tidbit of helpful information also came from Miranda.

Matt has some really great friends...

 

 

Address Cards

I remember when I first arrived in Hong Kong for my mission the FIRST...ok, maybe not the absolute first, but one of the first things that they had us do was order business cards.  What?!  Why?  Well, it seems that the Chinese really like business cards and it's customary to hand one to a person when you're introducing yourself.  It really is a great way to start up a conversation (IF you can actually get them to open the door to receive said business card).  Think about it...if someone hands you a card what is the first thing you do?  You take it and look at it, right?  Gives you another 10-20 seconds to get your intro out of your mouth and maybe, just maybe they will be interested now that they've given you a chance to say what you're there for.  Brilliant, right?  The card had the name of the church, our name, and the mission home's address and phone number. What idea will they come up with next?  Did you know that one of the ways that the gospel was spread in Yugoslavia prior to the iron curtain falling, was through yoga classes?  That little factoid is from my dad.  Thanks, Dad!

 

When Mason left on his mission I typed his MTC address and the mission home address in Ohio onto quarter sheets of paper and had them available for family and friends to take with them.  When Matt left...I got smart.  I copied my friend Brenda's fine example and made business cards with his new addresses and photo.  I did NOT include his email address.   (see * at the end of this post)

 

 

I already had a package of business cards that you can print out on your home computer.  They are already perforated and you just run the sheet through your regular printer then fold them and they break apart.  A template number is listed on the outside of the business card package.  Use your computer and this template number to make your cards.  Just design one and then cut and paste everything onto the other cards.  I used Microsoft Publisher to make my cards because I wanted to be able to shift elements around but you could use Word and make them like an address label.  (click here for instructions on how to make labels using Microsoft Word.) 

 



 

For an easy way to collect contact information from your family and friends, have a notebook available for them to record their information for you.  Put a stack of your missionary's address cards nearby for them to take.  You can also use this information to make a quick and easy address book for your missionary.

 

I think this might actually have been easier than the quarter sheets of paper!

 

*Mason, our first missionary son, informed us that he really didn't prefer for his family and friends to email him.  While I and usually his dad, did send weekly emails we really tried to encourage others to just write letters for the following reasons: 

 

1. Missionaries really, REALLY love to get mail!

 

2. Missionaries only have a limited amount of time on Pday to access their email account.  If they spend most of that time just reading their emails, when will they write me the long email that I've been craving?  Priorities!  Am I right?

 

3. Usually missionaries don't have access to a printer, or don't have the change necessary for the printer if they are at the library so they can't actually print out the emails.  Mason said, "A letter I can read and re-read."  Little more difficult when the computer that you have access to is across town at the library or internet café.



 

 

Address Book...part 2

For a quick and easy way to collect contact information from your missionary's friends, have paper or a notebook available at your missionary's open house or farewell for them to use to record their contact information.  Prior to your missionary leaving for the mission field, transfer the information onto white address labels and put them in their address book.  This also gives you a guest list of who came to your soirée.

 

 

*click here for an address book idea that's quick and easy

Address Book

Use address labels to make an address book for your missionary. It's easier to put together, easier for them to read, and you can include much more information on each label than you ever would be able to by writing it all in by hand.

 

I purchased a 3.5 x 5 inch address book from Walmart (less than $5) along with some white address labels. Make sure your labels are about the size of the space provided in your address book. Do NOT buy clear labels. There are lines provided in the address book for you to use when entering information. If you use clear labels it will be very hard to read your information when you add it to your book.

 

On the outside of the label package, a template number should be listed (see photo on right). Use your computer and the template number to make your labels. See the * at the end of this post for information on making labels for the PC using Word. By changing the font style and size I was able to fit a plethora on information on each label: name, address, phone (land line and cell), email and birthday. Don't worry about placing them in the book in alphabetical order. Usually address books group letters together, for example A-C might be on the same six or eight pages. Just start with the A's and when you need a B just skip a few pages and start your B's and so on.

 

Have paper or a notebook available at your missionary's open house or farewell for friends to write their contact information (see Address Book...part 2). Prior to your missionary leaving for the mission field, transfer the information onto address labels and put them in their book. Lots of information. Easy to read.

 

 * Instructions for making labels: On my computer (PC) I just open a Word document, click on 'mailings', click on 'labels', click on the label shape in the right hand bottom box and 'label options' will open, change the 'label vendor' to whatever brand of label you chose to purchase, scroll down the 'product number' list to find the template that you need (the template number will be listed on the outer packaging), click 'ok', click on 'new document'. This will open up an entire sheet of blank address labels. If you didn't click on 'new document' and just typed an address in the field provided, you would get an entire sheet of labels with the same exact information. Clicking on 'new document' allows you to enter the information on each individual label. Highlight the entire sheet of labels and change the font to something narrow like 'Ariel Narrow' which will allow you to fit more information on each label. Change the font size to be something small but readable.

Missionary "Trainer" Survival Kit

Trainer /ˈtrānər/ n  1. To cause to grow  2. To form by instruction, discipline, or drill  3. To make or become prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill  4. One who trains especially one who coaches  5. An unofficial term used by missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that applies to a missionary's first companion.  May also be referred to as their 'mission mom/dad'.

syn. discipline, school, educate, instruct

I love the MTC Survival Kits that are found on Pinterest and other places on the internet and I was really looking forward to sending one to Matt while he was there but didn't get to.  (Insert sad face here)  While I was ever-so grateful that Matt would be serving stateside I was sad to find out that he would only be in the MTC for twelve days.  Not much time so I decided to forego the 'fun' MTC Survival kit, send him a 'spiritual' Greenie package when he arrived in the field and come up with a FUN Survival Kit for his first companion.*  Don't worry.  Matt and his District received many packages but they didn't contain anything that they would have to lug around the world with them i.e.. homemade goodies.

 

*Note: There are two links at the bottom of this post. 

One directs you to the printables if you are sending this package TO your

missionary's trainer and the other directs you to the printables

if your missionary IS the trainer.

 

The template is designed to print on both sides of the same piece of white cardstock.  You may need to experiment with your printer to figure out which way to turn the paper for the second side...or take it to the copy shop and make them figure it out so you don't waste a ton of ink.  I've listed the contents of the package below:  the first line is the item that will be placed in the cellophane bag, the second is the text on the outside of the gift card and the third (and sometimes fourth line) is the text from the inside of the card. 

 

 

Here's a helpful hint:  Leave the 'item' tag (see arrow on the upper right of the above photo) attached to the gift card until you are ready to attach to the cellophane bag otherwise you have to strain your brain to try to remember which item went with which card.  Learn from my experience.  I make mistakes so you don't have to!

 

Here we go...

 

CHOCOLATE

For those days that are just downright...

...discouraging.   Sometimes chocolate really does solve everything.

 

PEN / SMALL JOURNAL

Sometimes you just need a therapist!

Yup.  Sometimes that what it takes but when that's not an option, write in your journal.

 

WORRY OR SQUISHY BALLS

So...therapy isn't an option...journaling isn't working

...maybe try worry balls?  Give these babies a squeeze to work out your frustrations.

 

HERSHEY HUG CANDY

Need a hug?

This is the best we can do from this far away. 

Just know that we love you for training our missionary.

 

INNERSOLES

"All missionaries, younger and older,...

...serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people." Elder Russell M. Nelson

Wear out your 'soles'!

 

SMALL TOY

(like a yo-yo, paddle ball, etc)

Serving God is the greatest adventure...

...in the WORLD.

HAVE FUN!!

 

SLEEP MASK / MELATONIN

(FYI:  Melatonin is your sleep hormone that kicks in at night to help you fall asleep. 
You can buy supplements in the vitamin section of your grocery store or at a health food store.)

Everything always looks better after...

...a good night's sleep.  Get plenty of rest.

 

MINTS

You were 'mint' to be companions.

IT'S TRUE!  We've been praying for you for a long time now...still are.

 

FLASHLIGHT / HEADLAMP / NIGHT LIGHT

"Train up a 'greenie' in the way he should go: and when he is a trainer,

he will not depart from it." ...or something like that.  Teach.  Walk the walk.  Be a light.

 

JERKY / NUTS / DRIED FRUIT

D & C 89:10-12

All those things your mom taught you...eat right.

Man cannot live on Big Mac's and Krispie Kreme's alone

 no matter what your companion says.

 

ICE BREAKERS BREATH MINTS

"All you need is LOVE"

"LOVE is all you need!" Do you love your companion? Break the ice...

get to know one another.  Become friends!

 

ANTACID / ASPIRIN / LIP BALM / SMALL KLEENEX / THROAT LOSENGES

(I put all of them in one bag)

+ - first aid symbol

Headache?  Indigestion? Sore Throat? We've got you covered!

All the extra stress of training a missionary can take it's toll on your health. Stay healthy!

 



 

This package was so much fun to put together and I hope his companion will be thrilled with it. I placed each item into a cellophane bag  then attached the gift tag to the bag with several pieces of fine jute that I had laying around then trimmed the ends to make them even.  (Is my OCD showing?)

 

Everything will fit really well inside a medium Flat Rate box (from the Post Office).  Line the box with tissue - I chose one sheet each of red, yellow and blue.  Place all items inside the box.  Write a letter to your missionary's trainer (or write it on the back of the printable).  This is important and will mean a lot to them.  Make it heartfelt.  If your missionary IS the trainer make sure that you click the appropriate link below.  Place the letter on top of the kit then cover with the tissue paper and top with the 'Missionary Trainer Survival Kit' printable.  All done!

 

Click here for the link if you are sending this TO your child's trainer.

 

Click here for the link if your child IS the trainer.





"Greenie" Scripture Care Package

I'm back! ... but my boy is gone.  Bittersweet, isn't it?  Matt oops! Elder Brown arrived in Seattle last week.  He is in a new area with no investigators and he's loving every minute of it. 

Greenie /gree-nee/ n :  An unofficial term used by missionaries of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

to describe the status of 'new' missionaries to the mission field.

Just like when my first served his mission - when I'm feeling sad I entertain myself by thinking up packages to brighten my missionary's day.  I wanted to send him a "Greenie" package.  There are a lot of ideas out there on the internet. I mean a LOT!  If you want to send your missionary a fun and quirky "Greenie" package just Google it and give your creativity a jump start.  For this package though, I opted for "spiritual."

I don't normally send very many "spiritual" packages.  Most of the time I try to just send fun things.  I figure they get LOTS of "spiritual" out there.  BUT...new missionaries are on a spiritual high.  They are just getting into the field and just starting to understand the work and the effort it takes.  I wanted Matt to remember some of the counsel that has been given to us through the scriptures and feel buoyed up by it.  I wanted him to remember that he is not alone in this great work. 

 



I tried to think back to my mission days and the things that I could have used some help with, then I found a scripture on that topic and then something to go with it.  The color scheme was already a given...GREEN!!... and I wanted to keep the style simple so as to not detract from the scripture so I just printed the scriptures on white cardstock, cut them out and then tied them together with cute stripy string.  Easy.  At the bottom of the package I put the framed scripture.  I plan on sending new scriptures or quotes occasionally and Matt can just change out the old for the new.  Easy.

Click here for the link to the scripture cards.

Here's a helpful hint:  Leave the 'item' tag attached to the scripture until you are ready to tie the two together otherwise you have to strain your brain to try to remember which clever item went with what awesome scripture.  Learn from my experience. 

I make mistakes so you don't have to!



THROAT LOSENGES
"And thou shalt declare glad tidings, yea, publish it upon the mountains, and upon every high place, and among every people that thou shalt be permitted to see."
Doctrine & Covenants 19:29

THE STORY:  I have never talked so much EVER!  At the end of the day my voice just hurt...

BEEF JERKEY / DRIED FRUITS / NUTS

"And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man - Every herb [and] every fruit in the season thereof...yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving..."

Doctrine & Covenants 89:10-12

THE STORY: You HAVE to stay healthy.  It didn't take long for me to learn that I had to stay healthy
if I was going to give my all to the work.  You can't give what you don't have.  Eat right, exercise,
 stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.  It's all in the scriptures AND the white handbook.

KLEENEX / HANDKERCHIEF / ASPIRIN
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and their shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."
Revelation 21:4

THE STORY:  I don't want to make you too sad or concerned for your missionary
and I know that everyone is different but...let's just say that I cried myself to sleep
my entire first month in the MTC.  My companions and I went through
lots and LOTS of Kleenex.  Don't worry.  It humbles you and makes
your prayers amazing.

TUMS / ANTACID
"Be strong and be of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:
for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest."
Joshua 1:9

THE STORY:  Before my mission I was really pretty shy around people I didn't know.
I didn't like to do things that were out of my comfort zone.  As you can imagine...
nothing about a mission is IN anyone's comfort zone.  It's all a little freaky at first.
Knowing that God is on your side and that you are 'about His work' makes all the difference.
The antacid will also help if they are in a foreign land eating foreign foods.

MOLESKIN / BANDAIDS
"Therefore, gird up thy loins for the work.  Let thy feet be shod also, for thou art chosen,
and thy path lieth among the mountains, and among many nations."
Doctrine & Covenants 112:7

THE STORY:  Yup.  We walked, and walked, and walked. 
My feet have never been the same.  'Nuf said.

GRANOLA BAR / PROTEIN BAR
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31

THE STORY:  Pretty much says it all.  Great scripture, huh?

SLEEP MASK / MELATONIN
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

THE STORY:  Wow.  That's a great scripture as well.  Sleep.  There is nothing so bad that
it doesn't look better in the morning after a good night's sleep.
(FYI:  Melatonin is your sleep hormone that kicks in at night to help you fall asleep. 
You can buy supplements in the vitamin section of your grocery store or at a health food store.)

LOTION / FOOT CREAM
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,
that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation;
that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
Isaiah 52:7

THE STORY:  Remember what I said about my feet?  Yup.  If your missionary has a problem with
dry, cracked heels (Why does this seem to effect sister missionaries only?)  get a foot cream that is high in Urea.
You can find it on the internet.  Mine is a prescription strength with 40% Urea.  It's wonderful.
If I was stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing this might even beat out the kiddos...
especially if they are being feisty that day.

JOURNAL / STATIONERY / PENS
"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are,
and the things which shall be."
Revelation 1:19

THE STORY:  My journal was my therapist.  I wrote every single day. I needed lots of therapy.

HAND SANITIZER / SOAP
"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,
nor sworn deceitfully, He shall receive the blessing from the Lord,
and righteousness from the God of his salvation."
Psalms 24:4-5

THE STORY:  I like the small bottles that can hang on your backpack/purse.  Handy.
You can find cutsie ones for the sister missionary or just plain, old, functional ones for the guys.
You never know when you're going to need it but you sure are grateful that you have it when you do!

FLASHLIGHT / HEADLAMP / NIGHT LIGHT
"The path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
Proverbs 4:18

THE STORY:  I sent Matt a headlamp.  He already had to have a flashlight. 
 It was on the list of 'things to bring' -  he's on a bike so I got a pretty good one.
A night light would be pretty good as well for when they have to get up during the
night in those unfamiliar apartments.  Might save them from stubbing a toe.
Gotta' save those FEET!

CANDY
"...to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet."
Proverbs 27:7

THE STORY:  Yeah, this one needs NO explanation.  What missionary doesn't love candy?

DR SHOLE'S INSOLES
"For this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life."
Doctrine & Covenants 19:32

THE STORY:  Here's to the feet and to their everlasting comfort!
Man, if your feet hurt there ain't nothin' right with the world.

CHOCOLATE / GOODIES
"He hath filled the hungry with good things..."
Luke 1:53

THE STORY:  I so sent chocolate.  There is nothing that chocolate can't cure.
It's like a Band-Aid.

BLEMISH CREAM / SPOT REMOVER
"That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
Ephesians 5:27

THE STORY:  I sent a Tide Stick spot remover pen.  Should help with those accidental spills
that might happen...as long as they remember to carry it in their backpack.

CHAPSTICK / LIP BALM / LIP GLOSS
"And thou must open thy mouth at all times,
 declaring my gospel with the sound of rejoicing."
Doctrine & Covenants 28:16

THE STORY:  Pretty self-explanatory.  Make sure that your lip balm has a high SPF.
There's nothing worse than sunburned lips.  Can you say, "Instant Botox?"

BREATH MINTS
"And speak freely to all; yea, preach, exhort, declare the truth, even with a loud voice,
with a sound of rejoicing, crying - Hosanna, hosanna,
blessed be the name of the Lord God!"
Doctrine & Covenants 19:37

THE STORY:  Pretty self-explanatory as well.  Always grateful that you have them when you
need them and wish you had them when you don't.  If someone offers you a breath mint...
you should never say, "No, thank you."  Seriously.

MUSIC CD
"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."
Doctrine & Covenants 25:12

THE STORY:  There is nothing that brings the spirit faster than music.  Check with your mission to see
what their rules are concerning music.  We could only listen to instrumental or 'church' music on P-days.
Mason could listen the same but any day of the week.  Some don't allow music at all.
If you can send music, you can't go wrong with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir or most anything
that Deseret Book has to offer (except for maybe some of the 'rocked out' Primary CD's that are out there. 
Totally cool, but probably not missionary appropriate.  Matt loves Country music so I sent
The Work by the Nashville Tribute Band.  It was Mason's favorite.

COMPASS / GPS
"And from thence, whosoever I will shall go forth among all nations, and it shall be told them what they shall do; for I have a great work laid up in store, for Israel shall be saved, and I will lead them withersoever I will, and no power shall stay my hand."
Doctrine & Covenants 38:33

THE STORY:  GPS.  Probably not too long before this is on the 'need to bring' list. 
Mason was in Ohio on a bike and he had to have one.
Matt is in Seattle and his first email from the field said, "...I have to go buy a GPS..."

STAMPS / ENVELOPES
"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."
Proverbs 25:25

THE STORY:  It doesn't take a missionary long to learn that you have to write letters to get letters.

MONEY / GIFT CARD
"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or,
Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly father knoweth
that ye have need of these things."
Matthew 6:27-32

THE STORY:  It's always fun to get a little surprise and to remember that the Lord is aware
of their needs and will take care of His servants.

EARPLUGS / CALLOUS CREAM
"Let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare,
and also for the welfare of those who are around you."
Alma 34:27

THE STORY:  Ok.  This one definitely has a story behind it.  When I was in the MTC...
I had a really hard time.  Chinese is HARD!...and I thought I could do it myself, and wasn't really
relying on the Lord like I should...and He was trying to teach me something...sorry, that's a story for another day.
Let's just say that I prayed a LOT.  I started to do this 'thing' where I would plug my ears with my thumbs then put my
hands over my eyes but on my forehead - kinda' like you're shading your eyes from the sun.  Hard to explain and even harder to picture from that lame explanation I'm sure.  I did it to block out distractions.  My prayers were better and more focused if I couldn't hear or see anything else going on around me and there was ALWAYS stuff going on around me.  Anyhow, the habit stuck and  that is still how I pray.  There are times when my kids walk into the bedroom at night when I'm saying my prayers so they've seen me plugging my ears and doing the hand thing.  Well, that was a long story just to say that I sent earplugs and my son will get it but yours probably won't.  Now you know the rest of the story. 
You could just send callous cream for their knees.  Yup, you better hope they get callouses there.

 So, there you have it.  Your box will be pretty full with what I've listed but I'd love to hear any ideas that you come up with...along with the 'story' behind it.  Everyone loves a good 'story.'  Marcie, one of my mission companions said that I should send Romans 16:16 "Greet one another with an holy kiss..." and attach it to some Hershey Kisses.  Funny!  Yeah,  I didn't send that one.  Way funny though.  Wow, I hope that every missionary comes home with at least one best friend like I did.  Whatever would my life be like without Marcie.  Love that girl.  Story for another day...

Line your box with green tissue paper.  Place some padding on the bottom i.e. shredded paper or something similar to protect the glass in your frame then just pile it all in and top with a letter.  Neatly fold your tissue paper over the contents and then place the Pièce de résistance ...

May we ALL stay green...

Click here for the "Green Grows" printable.







"You guessed it!" - bag tag printable

Can you believe that THREE people guessed where Matt would serve?  His little brother Connor, and two others that weren't able to come over for the 'Grand Opening.'  (You can read about Matt's 'Grand Opening' here.)

 

I had a gift bag of candy already put together for anyone winning at our house and thought I'd share what I sent in the mail to the other winners - one of which had just entered the MTC. 

 

Hey there

SMARTIE...

You guessed it,

Congratulations!

 

Purchase a bag of Smartie candies - very inexpensive and just about every store carries them - and put in a cellophane bag.  Attach the bag tag and tie with a ribbon.  I was mailing mine so I lined a small Flat Rate Box with colored tissue, folded the tissue over and put the gift card on top (after jotting a few lines on the back of course 'cause who doesn't like a letter?).  Good to go.  Easy.  Inexpensive.  Fast.  My kind'a package.

 

I've made a few color choices for you...

click on your color choice to download.

 

YELLOW

GREEN

PINK

BLUE



Where in the World?

I whipped* these up for Matt's "Grand Opening" of his mission call and thought I'd share.  When people came to our home we just had them jot down their guess for where Matt would get called to serve.  Some of his friends posted their guess on Facebook or texted him and we entered their guess for them.  You can click here to make copies for your own "Grand Opening" celebration. NOTE: For some strange reason, known only to God himself...occasionally the link doesn't load correctly.  If this happens to you, I apologize from the depths of my heart. Please email me at shalanb@comcast.net and I will send it in an attachment right to your inbox. Don't worry...I check my inbox frequently.  I'm a bit of a fanatic about that.  I've tried to reload and repost to Box all to no avail...sigh...

So did we have a winner?  Yes!  Actually we had three winners...Connorton, Matt's brother was the only one present.  The other's had their prizes mailed to them.  Pretty amazing evening!

*Disclaimer:  I shouldn't actually say "I whipped these up"...my daughter Rebekah helped me create them on Photoshop and this is my first Photoshop project ever and it took a good portion of the morning.  The credit goes to Bek...she was very patient with me.  Thanks Bek!

HD Slideshows via ProShow Gold

A couple of weeks ago my friend Jackie and I were discussing our sons upcoming Eagle Scout Court of Honor and she mentioned that it might be nice to do a slideshow of the boys.  Cringe.  Hmmm...do I have very many Scout photos?  Who do I bother to get more?  I don't even know how to make a slideshow...that means I'll have to call Janice - but she has a MAC...what would I have to do to change it to work on my PC?  Or I could bother Eric - but he's bishop now.  If I don't have time, he certainly doesn't have time...Those are the thoughts that are whizzing around in my head while outwardly I say, "That would be AWESOME!"  Which indeed it would be...if I can wrap my brain around it.  I do hate to bother other people.  Of course Janice says, "Yes!"  That's the kind of person she is.  We need to get out photos to her as soon as possible because she is busy the end of the week.  Of course the Court of Honor is the following Sunday.  I am a last minute kind of girl, in case you haven't noticed.

Skipping my Sunday nap, (which is the one and only perk to the 9 a.m. meeting schedule) I head into the office to go through photos and scan in those that I do have.  Jeff mentions, "You should call Eric he has tons of Scout photos."  Eric was the Scout Master and Jeff was his Assistant.  "I can't call Eric.  He's way too busy."  So I scan and search while Jeff takes a nap.  Fast forward and his nap is over..."You should really call Eric."  So I call Eric and apologize before even asking him for what I know will take him forever to do...and he says, "No problem!  My MAC has face recognition.  I'll just click on a photo of him then go eat dinner.  Should be done running when I'm finished eating."  Wait?!  What?!  There's such a thing?  Wonders of modern technology!  It's a miracle...but wait, there's more...

An hour later, Eric calls and tells me he's got a disk ready for me.  I explain about the slideshow and he says, "I'll do it for you."  "You absolutly will NOT!"  Then he makes a confession, and this is the part that this very long post is really all about, (I'm very long winded at times)  "I have this really amazing software.  It will make your slideshow in about 10 minutes.  I spend more time picking out the music than it takes to actually put together the slideshow."   Hmmm...Instantly Janice has her free time back and I get to learn something that I've always wanted to learn.

Proshow Gold (Photodex)*, the ultimate HD slideshow tool and my new favorite computer program.  Easy, peasy.  Seriously.  This program will easily combine as many photos, videos and songs as you want.  The wizard will help with automatic show creation and instant effects or, create it all on your own.  No matter how you choose to create your show, ProShow Gold also offers tons of built-in tools that let you edit your show content to perfection.  You can also use ProShow Gold to publish your show to 40+ formats for sharing online, on TV, DVD, Blu-ray, Facebook and YouTube.  There's even a button that you click if you want the program to sinc the song to your slideshow.  Brilliant!  Program is downloadable or for an extra $10 you can download it AND they'll send you a hardcopy.  On the downside...Eric was right.  It does take longer to pick the perfect music than the slideshow will take you to put together.  Here's a hint:  Piano Guys.*  Trust me.  If only learning Photoshop were this easy...

 

 

* Note:  I have not received any funds toward promoting ProShow Gold or Piano Guys.

I just really, really like them and thought you might too.

The Call...It's HERE!!

Our Missionary Wall

At our home we have a wall, not just any wall, it's our Missionary Wall...sometimes irreverently referred to as "The Shrine" by my other children yet to pin their photos.  I should explain.  We have a lot of returned missionaries in our family and many, MANY neices and nephews who are growing up much too quickly.  Mason would be the first missionary grandchild on my side of the family to serve a mission and I wanted to show where he was serving and where others had served before him.

 

We purchased a very large map at a local school supply store (Utah Idaho Supply).  I bought the laminated version because I wanted to protect it as I didn't plan on putting glass over it.  I also picked up some gold map pins while there to used for marking where the missionaries had/were serving.  I just used a heavy embroidery floss in a coordinating color to span from the pin to their photo.  I took the map to my local frame shop (FrameWorks of Utah) and we sketched out what I invisioned. 

 

First I needed to figure out how much mat I wanted showing between the map and the frame itself.   I figured that most people have a wallet size photo and so allowed enough room to mount the photo as well as a name/place tag under that. I contacted all of my family members (on both sides of the family) who had served missions and requested a photo.  They can just email one to you and you can print it out.  If they send you an original please be very careful with it and return it promptly.  I only contacted our direct line i.e. Grandparents, parents, aunts/uncles and cousins.  If I did our extended family...well, that would just be too many missionaries!  I do have a few that I haven't received photos from yet...I just printed out a tag anyhow and someday I'm sure they'll come across a photo.  Everything is just mounted onto the mat (which has a slick surface) with photomounts so they are easy to reposition and move around when I need to squeeze another missionary in - so their strings don't cross over each other 'cause I'm really anal and that would just drive me bonkers!  When everyone came over for Mason's 'Grand Opening' of his mission call, I had the cards with photos and places ready and those that were there got to attatch their own photos and strings.  Then Mason opened his call, and attached his photo and pinned his mission, and I cried.  It was a pretty amazing evening and the cousins look forward to their chance to be on the Missionary Wall.

 

Here's a cost saving hint:  Try to find a composite frame i.e. one not made out of wood.  Mine looks beautiful, I think.  It's actually a plastic composite and is very light and very inexpensive.  You could also go to a thrift store and purchase a picture in a frame; take the picture out, spray paint the frame any color you desire, take the frame to the frame shop and they will mount your map and mat for you.  Even better!

 

As usual with my hairbrained ideas, what started out as something simple morphed into something bigger but in this case better because we all actually really love what it morphed into.  My son Connor, came up with the brilliant idea to mark the temples.  I loved it!  I went back to the school supply store and purchased more pins:  White = temples in opperation, Brown = temples under construction, and Yellow = temples announced.  We had an amazing evening one night pinning all of the temple pins.  My daughter, Rebekah had the list of current temples and she would read them out while the younger kids found the location and pinned it with the appropriate color pin.   After finishing we stood back and were amazed at how the world is literally dotted all over with temples.  One of the kids said, "Look at all of the places in the world where there are wars and contention.  Look how far away they are from a temple.  The temple really does bring peace."  Out of the mouths of babes...One of our favorite parts of General Conference is when they announce the dedicated and new temples. We stand ready at our map to change colors and insert new pins.

 

 

Now, my cute little Matthew has opened his call and guess what? He got to attach his photo and pin his mission and I cried again.  What an amazing adventure he's about to begin!

Grasshopper Cupcakes

I wanted to have some kind of treat for those coming over to the house for Matt's 'Grand Opening' of his mission call so I came up with these yummy Grasshopper Cupcakes.  I've never made the 'fancy' kind of cupcakes before but I wanted to come up with something that would not only taste great but look amazing as well...and, well...Matt has a pretty serious sweet tooth.  While browsing at Orson Gygi's in Salt Lake City with my dear friend and former mission companion Marcie, I noticed a box of Andie's Mints.  My imagination was sparked!  I purchased a box of disposable pastry bags and the proper tip for the look that I wanted to achieve. Devil's Food cupcake with chocolate ganache (pronounced guh-nahsh), mint buttercream frosting topped with an Andie's Mint...oh my!  They actually turned out to be very easy and now I'm kinda' hooked on the whole cupcake thing and thinking up other concoctions and combinations and trying to figure out just how I can send them through the mail without them arriving smooshed and not so pretty.  I'll give it some serious thought and let you know when I've got it all figured out.  Any ideas?

 

 

Grasshopper Cupcake Shopping List

 

Devil's Food or Chocolate cake mix

eggs

oil

water

(guess you don't actually have to shop for that!)

cupcake baking cups

 

semi-sweet baking chocolate

(not chocolate chips)

whipping cream

vanilla

powdered sugar

 

butter

milk

mint flavoring

green food coloring

 

Andie's Mints

(unwrapped)

 

 

Follow directions on the packaged cake mix.  When making the cupcakes, don't fill the baking cups as full as you normally would.  Maybe only 2/3's full or less.  I haven't made cupcakes in quite some time and forgot this essential step.  Consequently, I had to make a lot more and my cupcakes don't look as pretty because you can see the actual cake rising above the wrapper.  I had to make quite a few (about 70...remember all those nieces and nephews that I occasionally mention?) so remembering this little step would have saved me some precious time and money.  Live and learn, right?  While your cupcakes are cooling, make the chocolate Ganache.

 

Note:  Sorry I forgot to take photos...whatever was I thinking?

 

Chocolate Ganache

8 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate

(not chocolate chips)

1 cup whipping cream

2 tsp vanilla

powdered sugar, to taste



 

Break up the chocolate into a saucepan, add the cream, and stir over moderate heat until the chocolate has melted and the cream is almost at a simmer.  Stir quite vigorously (I use a wire whisk) until the chocolate and cream have melded together into a smooth brown mass.  Stir in the vanilla and powdered sugar to taste.  Turn the chocolate into a mixing bowl; set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and whisk several minutes until the ganache has firmed to spreading consistency.  May be made ahead, but don't bother to beat it over the ice; reheat to decongeal to proper consistency before using and then beat over ice if necessary.  This should look like a thick, dark chocolate frosting.

 

Note:  Ganache is French (gah-nahsh) and is a rich mixture of chocolate and cream

generally used for a frosting or filling.

 



 

When cupcakes have cooled completely, frost them with a layer of the chocolate ganache.  This doesn't have to be piped on.  Just frost using a butter knife or a small offset spatula.  Doesn't have to be fancy.  You will be covering it up with the Buttercream Frosting.  (see above - definately not fancy)

 

Buttercream Frosting

1 cup butter

3 Tbs. milk

4 cups powdered sugar

flavoring to taste

green food coloring

 

Cream butter.  Add milk and powdered sugar one cup at a time.  Continue to add sugar until desired consistency.  Make it a little thicker than you normally would as you will be adding flavoring and coloring and that will thin it down somewhat.  You also want it to hold a really nice, stiff peak when piping onto the cupcakes.

 



 

Make the Buttercream frosting and...just a warning, you will need LOTS!  One batch frosted almost a dozen cupcakes.  It's on there pretty thick so if you just want to frost them like you usually do you could get by with one batch of frosting easy.  On the other hand...they sure are fancy and a LOT faster to frost using the decorator tip and disposable bag shown above.  If you're using the disposable bags you will need to purchase at least the 16 inch size.  I got the 18 inch.  That way each bag will hold an entire batch of Buttercream frosting and still allow room to twist the top and apply pressure without having the frosting squish out the top of the bag.  Yeah, that would not be good.  When it's time to refill your bag, just fold the top down again and refill as before; unfold the top, twist and squeeze frosting into your tip and you're good to go.

 

I used the largest open star tip that Gygi's had - Ateco #826 (they were out of the Wilton but you can click on the link to see what it looks like and find one comparable to use).  You will NOT need a coupler for the extra large tip that I used.  Just slide your tip inside your disposable pastry bag and note where the end needs to be clipped off.  Take out the tip, cut the bag and reinsert tip and slide down until it's snug at the bottom.  Fold down the top of the bag and holding with one hand, load your frosting inside.  Unfold the top portion of the bag, twist and apply pressure until the frosting fills the decorative tip. 

 

 

Figure #1:

Start at the outside edge of your cupcake

 

Figure #2:

Continue around the entire circumference

 

Figure #3:

When you are back at the beginning keep applying pressure and do a smaller circle on the inside

 

Figure #4:

Top with an Andie's Mint

 

 

 

Hmmm...I wonder what I would have made

 had Marcie and her daughter not taken that cake decorating class?