Oh boy! We finally have a topic where I can leave my nuclear weaponry packed up under my bed. How lovely to have a Christmasy respite from contention!

However, I did get one great reverence suggestion — and I'm going to be adding that in at the bottom of today's letters. It was just too good to pass up.

Meanwhile, get out a pencil and paper, or start a document on your computer screen. If you have missionaries serving in the field, you are sure to get great Christmas suggestions from today's column. Here we go!

As a missionary currently serving in Turkey, with a daughter serving in Florida, I found this to be an interesting subject. 

I can suggest one thing for a missionary no matter where they are serving.  That would be a calendar that you make using family photos.  In my case I make one every year using photos I have taken of the places we have seen during the course of the year, but I have a good friend who does family photos and that is wonderful for memories of friends and family.  Calendars are fairly cheap to mail and easy to package.  They also do not suffer from breakage.

On the subject of things to send a missionary serving overseas, I have other ideas.  I should say we are on our second mission.  We first served in Argentina and now in Turkey (no young missionaries in Turkey).  Try to find out what the missionaries miss most.  On both of these missions things like peanut butter, maple syrup or marshmallows were much in demand by all of the American missionaries (even us old folks).  It might be something like their favorite brand of toothpaste.  It is impossible to tell what might be missed most, but all missionaries serving overseas find something that is just not available wherever they are.  It is strange, but they would never crave some of these things if they were at home, but when they can't get, it the craving grows.

Another thing to consider is the cost of mailing and the accuracy of delivery.  We find it works much better if whatever is being mailed is fairly lightweight.  Sending small packages throughout the year is much better than just one large one at Christmas.  Generally, a package that weighs four pounds, or less, has a better chance of getting through customs without being opened or charged extra fees.

I am anxious to see what other readers come up with for ideas on this interesting subject.  I am sure it is a problem we have all faced at one time or another.

Sister Jackie Richardson
Izmir, Turkey

Your letter was definitely not a turkey, Sister Jackie. And I can attest to the popularity of those personalized calendars. Last year Clark made a calendar for me, and each month had a different picture from one of our travels. (I'm currently looking at a picture of a jack-o-lantern display from a cruise ship where we spent last Halloween.) I was so excited to see the beautiful pictures in such a permanent format that I told him I wanted seven of these calendars — so I could use each calendar every seven years, over and over again. Then I realized that the very next calendar has a leap year in it. Bummer.

But I've spent many wonderful moments looking at those pictures and remembering happy times we shared. I can only imagine how much a missionary would treasure a whole calendar featuring pictures of people he loved.

Our old friend Liz deForest has a great idea for homemade gifts from the Primary:

We had a ward that used permanent markers to outline the Primary kids' hands on pillowcases and sent them.  It was really sweet.  We got one too because we were out of the country for a year and we still have it.

They can receive our old Halloween candy to do as they please with — give it away, eat some, give it to Primary, and so on.

I like to give away nice greeting cards because they can be enjoyed, then sent away.  Some years I have made them myself.

There is some very nice LDS instrumental hymn music that can lend variety to their listening and is appropriate in all missions.

I always love getting socks and I bet missionaries would really appreciate nice quality socks. They must go through quite a few and get sore feet.  Wicking socks can really help.  Some have special cushioning.  My family are all getting socks for Christmas.

How about asking the missionaries what they want?  Sometimes a specific mission will have special needs we can meet.  Sometimes a companion might need something.  In our family, we often ask each other what we would like to receive.  I don't mind giving up surprise to get people what they want and need.

Liz

Good to “see” you again, Liz. Thanks to you, there are now two Meridian columns today that mention recycling Halloween candy. (See the weight loss column for a great suggestion.)

I like the idea about the pillowcases. If you use fabric paint in assorted colors, you can make some colorful keepsakes. Make sure to put the name of the child whose hand it is next to the handprint. That way when you're sixty years old and one of those Primary kids is the bishop, you can pull out the keepsake and show him the homemade work of art.

Here's a suggestion for a gift that can be given any time of the year, and that doesn't cost any more than a stamp:

Well, I just asked my son what he liked getting for Christmas.  He went to Texas and has been home for four months.  He said “food” immediately.  Even if the homemade cookies got to him in pieces, he ate them.  Next were socks and then pants.  But he did say that he would take a letter any day over a package.  So brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, friends, and ward members, write to those missionaries.

Nan in Idaho

Thanks for a great suggestion, Nan. I would imagine there will be lots of letters written today, thanks to your reminder. It takes time to write a letter, and giving your time is a good way to show your love.

Here's a whimsical idea I'd never seen before:

Last year I received the suggestion from a former missionary mom and ordered a large inflatable Christmas tree from Oriental Trading online and sent it to my son in Arizona.  He loved it, and it was inexpensive enough that he can give it away.  I also sent (within the same shipping charge) little toys that he could give away to children.  He works with Spanish-speaking people and loved giving away the little toys — and the kids loved them also. 

Christine Taylor
Salt Lake City, Utah

What a great idea, Christine! I think the inflatable Christmas trees could also be given to shut-ins or widows or anyone who doesn't want to bother with or can't deal with the mess from a real Christmas tree. It's a humorous way to bring a little cheer to what could be a lonely holiday season.

Here's an idea for a homemade gift for a tall missionary:

I sent my son who is serving in the Colorado Denver North Mission a fleece blanket for his first Christmas in the mission field.  He is tall, 6' 3”, so I made it myself using 2 ½ yards of material so it was long enough for him.  That was really the only Christmas present that year that he commented on, saying that it was great for extra warmth on his bed.  Of course, it is rather cold in Denver in December — unlike some areas of the country, where the last thing they need is a warm blanket.

Sherry Evans
Idaho Falls, Idaho

Sherry, that's a great idea! As someone who always has feet that are sticking out from the blanket, I can see how a tall person would really appreciate a blanket that would keep him warm from top to bottom. Thanks for writing!

On a more serious note, here's a letter that ends with a proposal to help other missionaries — not just your own:

Having just had three missionaries out at the same time,  I had a few ideas.   

For those in hot climates, Coolmax is the word — shirts, and socks especially.  Too bad garments are not made of this fabric yet.  Coolmax wicks away sweat, so they feel wonderful.  Travel Smith carries white short-sleeved shirts and dark socks in Coolmax, as well as lots of women's clothes.  Land's End has some too.   Sometimes the sports clothing lines, like Columbia, carry a few things as well.  

Another great item is a wireless weather station.  These are great because, the missionaries have no TV or radio to hear the weather.  This gives them a quick update and they can plan and dress accordingly.  Some also have alarm clocks with them. La Crosse has some in the 60-dollar range.  Cabellas carries them.   

Don't forget the missionary's companion.  They very often do not have the things they need — even shoes and pants.   Tell your missionary to let you know what his companion needs.  I found out one of my son's comps actually had holes in the bottom of his one pair of shoes that way.  Most do not have a family supporting them and sending letters to them or things they need.

The easiest thing is to put a little money in the missionary's account, because they are used to buying things locally and anything extra is costly to ship. 

Letters and cards with words of thanks and encouragement are needed.   Send letters from each family member to the companions of your missionary. Doing this really helps their relationship.

If you are sending a missionary off to a training center out of this country, send some small gifts for their teachers.  They get really close after two months, and most are returned missionaries with young families, working for not a  lot.    Anything is nice; CTR rings are loved.  They also appreciate watches, gospel pictures for their homes, cameras, and so on — or something they can give to their wives.   CTR is the same in Portuguese.   So they work well if they are going to Brazil.   All my daughter's companions wanted one.  They only have the little Primary rings. If you can, send a supply of sizes.

Small-sized scriptures also make a nice present.

Let your missionaries know they can leave most all their stuff behind for other native missionaries to use.  My daughter left all her clothes for them.  We still get pictures two years later with members and missionaries wearing them.    It is better to send missionaries with more than they need when they go, than to ship it later.  And anything they don't need or use, will surely be used by another missionary who has very little.

Another thing I have found out is it takes about 800 dollars to get a missionary ready to go in South America.  Many do not get to go because of this.  They just don't have the opportunities for work like we do.  If you know of a situation like this, you can set up an account with HSBC bank.  You can put the money in and they can get it out with the ATM card you send them.  A small amount must be left in at all times, like 10 dollars, to cover the exchange rates. 

Just think — a young man who goes on a mission is then eligible for the perpetual education fund when he gets home.  For 800 dollars (this amount gets dentist work, clothes, and incidentals), you can change a life forever, and then his future family. There are many young people turned away by stake presidents every month, for the lack of 800 dollars.  Once they are ready to go, the church helps pay for their expenses as a missionary.   There are branches of HSBC in California, and in the cities in Brazil.  HSBC is around the world.   After I opened up the account, I sent the card to the person with the pin in an email.  This has worked well for the past two years for me without a hitch.  

(It also costs 150 dollars a month for a person to go to college for four years in Brazil — a total of  7000 dollars for a college education , for someone who is stuck in poverty supporting a family.  It can change everything.)

I think the Lord would bless us here in the USA more if we would reach out and help our brothers and sisters with a lifeline. It has been a truly spiritual experience to make a sacrifice. Your missionary can help you find someone who is worthy and would better his life if given a chance. 

Through prayer, miracles take place!   If each stake in the USA helped a stake in a poor country get their missionaries ready physically to go, they could go.  They are ready spiritually.  I can not imagine how it must sadden a stake president's heart to turn a worthy young man away, for lack of about 800 dollars, but that amount is insurmountable to many people.  I do not know how to set up a humanitarian project for this issue, but maybe someone does.  Why do we not see this big problem?

Nevada

Thanks for some compassionate and inspired ideas, Nevada. I hope someone takes your suggestion for creating a stakewide humanitarian project and runs with it. In fact, I hope a lot of people do.

Here's another letter that focuses on gifts the missionaries can give away;

We served in the Illinois Chicago South Mission and some parents sent extra gifts for those that might not
have had much of a Christmas without their help. Some of the things they sent were gloves, scarves, hand warmers, foot warmers, hats, packets of hot chocolate, candy, stationery, postage stamps, and gift cards for fast food chains. Hope these ideas help.

Eileen Johnson
Pioneer, California

Thanks for writing, Eileen. I would imagine a missionary's job description gives him a lot of opportunity to run into people on the street that may desperately need some warm clothing or food. What a great idea, to give missionaries a way to help others. That's truly a way to keep a missionary warm all winter!

Here's a letter that advocates creative gift-giving:

Christmas gift-giving can be meaningful and fun if done with a bit of thought and a lot of creativity.

When shopping for anyone, but in particular for a missionary, first realize that not everyone is the same.  For one missionary, a waffle maker may be a wonderful gift that will get lots of use, while another missionary would only use it for resale purposes.  Which of those is your missionary?  When in doubt about a bulky item, ask!

Given the costs of shipping and handling, including customs charges, sometimes it makes more financial sense to send money rather than presents.  However, a cheque/check in a card can feel pretty sterile to a missionary far from home.

So how do you balance emotional needs and practicality?

If shipping costs are prohibitive and your missionary could purchase the same items locally, create a Christmas gifts booklet with pictures of the intended gifts accompanied by a cheque/check or money order to buy the gifts.  If you send it early enough, your missionary can have the shopping done by Christmas Day. 

Home baking is usually a real hit with both missionaries and their companions!

Send a personalized calendar including pictures of the family back home.

If your missionary doesn't need the cash now, start a “when-you-get-home education fund” bank account and send monthly printouts of the balance of the account.

Provide a personalized “Advent Calendar” with small gifts for each day of December from the first to the 25 th .  The gifts might include candy, hi-lighters or coloured pencils, notes from family members, and other small items.

A Reader from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Thanks for your great ideas, Edmonton! I love the idea of getting a personal catalog, along with the money to pay for the items pictured therein. That gift would work for any loved one who lives far away from home.

Here's a gentle reminder not to overdo the gift-giving:

I hardly ever write in, but do have some comments on what to send missionaries for Christmas.  Small, useable items work best for gifts.  Whatever you send they will have to pack around, leave in their current apartment or get rid of without telling you!  

If you have a favorite family tradition that would be appropriate for them, send it.  We always open pj's on Christmas Eve.  Your missionary could probably use some new pj's, particularly if they are fun! 

Stickers and cards are always welcome. 

If you can make and send their favorite goodies, they are great too!  However, I remember my missionary daughter sending pictures of three Christmas stockings full of candy, plus additional goodies families sent for their child's companions.  Our sisters here have given away candy sent from home because it was sooooo overdone.  Also, check if you are sending out of the States, even paying extra money may not get it there quickly enough!  I got notice from a missionary thanking me for my food gift, but stating that he was unable to eat it due to the "interesting colors and fuzzy outside."

Copies of the Book of Mormon with personal testimonies and pictures are always welcome. 

Extra inspirational church CD's can always be sent, to be lent or given to investigators and can make a big difference.  EFY music is great and a nice change of pace, if allowed.  Copies on CD of the new songs for the 2008 Primary Program would be welcome to give to children of investigator families. 

Your missionaries' favorite toiletry items are great, too!  Even if they can get a favorite item locally, lotion, a favorite, more expensive deodorant, a higher priced shampoo, bath and shower gels can sometimes become luxury items for missionaries strapped for cash because they wanted to take care of a current investigator.  

Let's be honest, some of our missionaries don't sing very well.  You can get church hymns on CD for small amount at ldscatalog.com. That would be a welcome addition to personal study or Sunday time.

Calling cards for that all-important call might be nice, if they are in an area where members can't afford much long distance. 

Twelve days of Christmas can be fun if you can come up with small things to send for each day.  A new journal, writing paper, colored pencils or pens, stamps, packages of life savers candy, your own special brand of "we're so proud of you" letter could come at just the right time. 

Ask your missionary what he/she wants.  It's fun to send a small tree and ornaments, but often they end up in the trash after Christmas and the missionary feels guilty.  A small, inexpensive strand of lights, some tinsel or garland that could stay up far into the new year might be more welcome. 

Church books are usually welcome.  Sometimes, they would like a particular book, but can't afford it. 

I understand the old Scripture Scout stories are now available on CD's.  (Check on the websites listed below.) I heard a great story the other day about them being given to a totally inactive 20-ish member of a family.  Friends heard them being played through the walls and asked to hear and enjoy also.  You never know what will help! 

CTR or Return with Honor rings or jewelry are always appropriate.  LDS-themed card games are available at many websites whether or not you live in a heavily populated area.  Try www.missionaryemporium.com , www.deseretbook.com , www.seagullbook.com , www.latterdayharvest.com for more ideas. 

Ask, ask, ask !  Don't be afraid to ask — most will tell you what they might like, particularly if you have some ideas to begin with. 

Hopefully, some of these ideas will help spark your imagination.  Happy shopping and creating!  Merry Christmas!

Kathy Westwood
Bettendorf, Iowa

Thanks for writing, Kathy. You have a whole bunch of good suggestions. And now, people, you have the word: Less is more. You can show your love and still exercise a little restraint.

Here's a whole series of suggestions from one intrepid reader:

A few ideas for missionary Christmas packages:

• 4x6 (or similar)  stamped postcards (you can add the missionary's name on your printer in the “from” space, and a ward roster w/ addresses!
• Gift cards for Wal-Mart/Target, CVS, local grocery stores, and other places that sell groceries, paper products, toothpaste, deodorant, and other essentials. You can't go wrong!
• Pre-addressed, stamped cards for birthdays/anniversaries/etc for your missionary to send
• Thank you cards/or post cards, stamped , for thank you cards to local families for meals and other services
• Hideous ties for the Ugly Tie contest
• Extras of all the hygiene/food/stamps/stationary/phone calling cards, and other stuff to share with other missionaries who don't get “care packages”
• Copies of the BOM —.whatever you can afford!  Missionaries need your help!
• Care packages with all the hotel samples of soap/shampoo/lotion you have acquired on your travels
• Subscription to the Church News or similar publication, depending on the location

As the mom of a returned missionary from Portugal, sometimes the best thing you can send is a Visa gift card (purchase it locally at your bank/credit union) and send it. These are usable in any country around the world.  These are not as personal as I'd like, but definitely practical!

Grandma Joney from Orlando

Thanks, Joney. I like your practical suggestions. I especially like your suggestion to send extra incidentals so your missionary can share with others. And who wouldn't like to receive a gift card from a department store!

Read on for another gift card suggestion:

With missionaries on tight budgets, it's fun to send them gift cards to places like Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Subway, and other fast-food establishments.  I use GoogleEarth to find what restaurants are local to where they are serving.  Last Christmas, we took a box from Pizza Hut and cut out a pizza shape from the cardboard and taped the card to that and wrapped the pizza shape, took napkins from  Subway and wrapped the card and put the McD's card in a Fries box.  The fast gift cards only have to be $5 each to "supplement" a missionary's food budget.

Renee in Oregon

Thanks for your suggestion, Renee — along with those great ideas for creative gift-wrap. When you're thinking of gift cards in the five-dollar range, you may want to consider that the missionary has an ever-present companion who will be eating where he eats.

While we lived in California, we'd have the missionaries over for Christmas Eve dinner.  We always gave them a stocking or Santa hat filled with local fast food and grocery store gift certificates, stamps, quality pens, gift certificate for dry cleaning, and so on.  Of course, we'd also include some candy.  They always seemed so excited, especially for the fast food!  You need to make sure that the stores and restaurants are within their districts/boundaries.

I imagine that these same items would work for missionaries serving anywhere within the U.S.  Many missionaries need new white shirts while they are still out.

It depends on what foreign countries your missionaries are in (we had five serve foreign missions) as to what you can send them.  Some of our boys couldn't get deodorant where they served.  Some needed mosquito spray, new ties and white shirts.  I used to send Jell-O and Kool-Aid packets — the sugar-free kind because they were smaller and lighter to mail.  I also sent new journal pages, pens, envelopes and U.S. stamps.

I hope this helps Arlene and others.

Shannon Bird
Washington, Utah

I like what you said about customizing packages to the locale where people are serving, Shannon. There are some places where the water isn't unhealthy, but where it tastes like rotten eggs — or worse. I would imagine drink mixes would be extremely welcome in those situations. And people living in an equatorial climate may be very glad to get deodorant or mosquito spray. Thanks for some practical suggestions!

Here's another letter with an emphasis on the practical:

Here is a list of things that could appeal to your missionaries:

Malynda Carter
Rochester, Minnesota

As someone who just wrote a cookbook for missionaries, I was excited to see your suggestion about basic cookbooks, Malynda! But I was even more excited with your wonderfully creative suggestion to send the recipe and ingredients for a meal that is already a personal favorite of the missionary. That would be a great idea for birthdays as well as for Christmas. Thanks for writing!

I was just getting a package ready to send off to my missionary this week.  I had the same dilemma.  However, he is serving in Italy and so I was looking for things that would be meaningful and not cost an arm and a leg to send!  I came up with the idea that I started last year for our family, only on a somewhat smaller scale. 

We had the 24 days of Christmas.  Each day starting on Dec. 1st, we opened a slip of paper with a scripture on it. The scripture would correspond with a surprise for the day. The fun part was reading and discussing the scripture and deciding what was in the box for that day.  After everyone made their guesses, we would open up a box, (I had purchased graduating boxes and had them all stacked up), and see what was inside.  The kids loved it!  They could not wait to see what that day's surprise would be.  And it was nice to incorporate a little scripture time into each night! 

Some examples we used are:

• a candle with the scripture D&C 14:9,
• some chapstick with the scripture 1 Nephi 17:46,
• a Christmas music CD with the scripture D&C 25:12. 

Use your imagination, because the possibilities are endless.  For our missionary, we will just wrap each gift up and he can open one every day.  It is like an advent calendar.  Involve the whole family.  We had fun shopping for him and wrapping the gifts during a family home evening.

Carol Burton from Denver, Colorado 

What a neat idea, Carol! Progressive gifts are a whole lot of fun, and a family could have a great time devoting a Family Home Evening (or several of them!) scouring the scriptures to come up with appropriate gifts to send.

Speaking of using the scriptures for gift inspiration, here is a letter in a similar vein:

I found this in my files that I have used with our older sons who have served and will be using again this year as our youngest son is currently serving.  I am also sending a similar package to our son-in-law who is in the military and is serving in Afghanistan.  I have used some for our college students when they needed a “pick-me-up” from home, and even at bridal showers. 

Leviticus 13:40 —  “And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald, yet is he clean.”  (bottle of shampoo, bar of soap)

Job 34:31 —  “I will not offend any more.”  (package of breath mints, mouthwash, or deodorant)

Genesis 7:13-14 — “In the selfsame day entered Noah...into the ark; They and every beast after his kind…” (box of animal crackers)

Psalms 34:8 — “O taste and see that the Lord is good:  blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”  (any type of candy or chocolate)

Psalms 147:3 —  “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”  (box of bandages)

Proverbs 16:16 — “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”  (gold candy coins)

Proverbs 25:25 —  “As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”  (stationery, pens, stamps, postcards)

Luke 9:56 — “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.”  (Lifesavers)

2 Corinthians 13:12 — “Greet one another with an holy kiss.”  (chocolate kisses)

Revelation 21:4 — “…and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.”  (Tylenol)

1 Nephi 17:46 — “…yea, and ye know that by his word, he can cause the rough places to be made smooth…”  (lotion)

2 Nephi 15:20  — “Wo unto them that call evil good, and good evil, that put darkness for light, and light for darkness, that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”  (Sweet-Tart)

2 Nephi 33:3 —  “…mine eyes water my pillow by night…”  (Kleenex or eye drops)

Alma 5:21 — “…for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain…”  (small, sample size laundry detergent from Laundromat)

Alma 32:28 — “…Now, we will compare the word unto a seed.  Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart…” (sunflower seeds)

3 Nephi 14:20 — “Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them.”  (Runts candies or fruit roll-ups)

3 Nephi 18:24 — “Therefore, hold up your light that it may shine unto the world.  Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up — that ye have seen me do…”  (mini flashlight)

3 Nephi 23:6 — “…I would that ye should write…”  (pen)

D&C 76:24 — “That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created.”  (Milky Way candy bar)

Genesis 27:11 —  “…my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man..”  (comb or razor)

Ecclesiastes 3:1 & 4 — “To everything there is a season…A time to weep, and a time to laugh…”  (Laffy taffy or Snickers bar)

2 Nephi 4:4 —  “…and inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.”  (small pair of scissors)

D&C 65:2 —  “…the gospel shall roll forth unto the ends of the earth…”  (Tootsie roll or Rolos)

D&C 90:18 — “Set in order your houses; keep slothfulness and uncleanness far.”  (pot scrubber, SOS pads, and so on)

Ether 12:27 — “…for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”  (bottle of vitamins)

Psalms 22:26 — “The meek shall eat and be satisfied…”  (favorite homemade cookies)

Psalms 23:4 — “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”   (candy cane)

Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  (heart-shaped candies)

Proverbs 24:13-14 — “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; as the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste.”  (small container of honey or Bit o Honey candy)

Isaiah 9:6 — “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  (small nativity scene)

Amos 3:7 — “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”  (subscription to the Ensign )

Malachi 4:6 —  “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”  (family pictures/pedigree chart)

Matthew 19:24 —  “And again, I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.“ (package of needles or sewing kit)

Matthew 25:13 —  “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”  (watch or calendar)

Acts 19:12 — “So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”  (handkerchief)

1 Corinthians 11:15 —  “But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her..” (shampoo)

Ephesians 5:20 —  “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (thank you notes)

1 John 2:14 —  “…I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.”  (letter from Dad)

3 John 1:4 —  “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”  (Almond Joy bar)

John 13:34 — “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  (heart-shaped candies)

Revelation 3:16 — “So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”  (Red Hots candies)

Luke 2:10 — “…Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy…”  (letter from family members)

1 Nephi 17:12 — “…for he said I will make thy food become sweet, that ye cook it not…”  (instant pudding)

2 Nephi 2:25 —  “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”  (Almond Joy bar)

2 Nephi 28:21 — “And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security…”  (candy ring that looks like a pacifier)

Alma 37:35 — “O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.”  (Smarties candies)

D&C 136:28 — “If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.”  (Symphony candy bar)

D&C 25:12 — “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.”  (CDs of Church hymns or Mormon Tabernacle Choir; be sure to check with Mission President because sometimes the missionaries are limited as to what they can listen to, even if it's performed by the Tab Choir)

D&C 42:41— “And let all things be done in cleanliness before me.”  (bar of soap)

D&C 89:12 — “Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless, they are to be used sparingly.”  (beef jerky)

Amos 4:6 — “And I have also given you cleanness of teeth…”  (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss)

Matthew 4:19 — “…I will make you fishers of men.” (Swedish fish, gummy worms)

A postscript on that last one is that one year I found a tackle box filled with chocolate fishing lures.  We hosted 15 missionaries (there was a threesome) that year for Christmas Day brunch. They had no place to go until dinnertime (there were still three sets of missionaries without dinner appointments on Christmas), so we had them over for dinner and to visit with our non-member neighbor.  I missed our son who was serving a mission, but our home was filled with joy as we had invited His ambassadors to share our day with us.

As you can see, the list can be endless as there are literally thousands of scripture passages to choose from — you just need to be creative.  You can go outside the “box” and wrap up a container of nuts with a note that says, “We're ‘nuts' about you,” and so on.

Penny Lee
Provo, Utah

Penny, you have no idea how many people are going to cut and paste that list of yours into their own idea files in order to use them as SMODs (Spiritual MOtivation Devices) for Sunday lessons. In fact, I'm going to do that very thing myself! Thanks on behalf of all of us!

***

Now, friends and neighbors, here is the promised reverence solution. This is something that just might work in your ward — and it's so simple that all of us should have thought of it!

I wonder if a quick solution to reverence challenges in sacrament meeting might be attempted by a sign up sheet circulated in Relief Society, Primary & Young Women.  I envision a sheet divided into two sides: the first side for anyone who would welcome assistance with their kids in sacrament meeting, the other side would be sign ups for anyone who would be glad to assist.

After circulating this for a couple of weeks, the lists could be copied and distributed to all who signed up.  That way if someone wanted help they have a list at their fingertips of who to ask.  If someone has already volunteered to help, they can keep an eye out for the ones who are struggling — and then help out when needed, without waiting for a formal request.

It just seems to me that perhaps the biggest problem with reverence is communication and compassion.  Making the bishop act as a sort of referee seems a poor use of his time when we could do more to help our gospel family ourselves.

Just a thought...

Lynne from California

Lynne, what an inspired idea! Your suggestion goes beyond the “letter of the law” and on to the spirit of it. Well done!

Okay, people, that's it for this week. If you have any missionary gift ideas that have not already been presented , send ‘em along to circleofsisters@meridianmagazine.com . Put something in the subject line that will let me know your letter isn't spam. And when you write, be sure to include your full name, city and state or province. (If you'd rather be semi-anonymous, sign your name as “A Reader from Michigan” or “Sandy from Timbuktu.” The important thing is that we hear from you.)

Until next time — Kathy

“We make a living by what we get;
we make a life by what we give.”

Sir Winston Churchill