For my Relief Society calling in church I am the second counselor in the presidency, over the Additional meetings. We had a great meeting a couple of weeks ago with the theme, "Mission Possible". We wanted to focus on the missionaries serving from our ward and support them. For weeks before the event we had sisters volunteering to bring items for the various missionaries from our ward to put in care packages to be sent to them all over the world. Each Mother of a missionary made a list of things that their missionary would love to receive. We had such a great response from the sisters and received so many things for the packages. We dressed up in detective garb each Sunday to give our announcements. We even had a cute invitation we handed out to each sister that had been placed in a small manila envelope labeled "Mission Possible".
The evening started off with a dinner. We had sisters bring various dishes from either the place where their missionary is serving, where they themselves served, or just whatever they felt like bringing! An amazing selection of foods were brought. I made coconut rice and an avocado corn salad in honor of my son who is serving in Brasil. I got both recipes from the Internet and they were yummy!
I loved the cute little napkins that were folded to look like white shirts. We added the ties made from Fruit Stripe gum.
The tie banner added a lot to the decor. This table was set up with a bag for each missionary from our ward to collect the items for their care boxes and a paper with the name of each missionary on top was set out for the sisters to write messages to each one.
We invited the Elders serving in our ward to join us for dinner and leave a short message with us. They thought this idea sounded awesome and they said they wished that their home wards would do something like this for them! Secretly we had the ladies write short letters to these Elder's mothers that we will be sending to let them know how much we appreciate their son's service in our area.
On each table we had the plaques displayed that belong to each missionary from our ward. We also had some paper and pens so that the sisters could write a short message to them.
After the dinner we had the mother's of missionaries serving from our ward read a letter from their missionaries. It was touching and fun to hear of each missionaries' experiences. The spirit of missionary work was definitely felt that evening as our thoughts turned to our full-time missionaries.
We will be sending this picture along with the letters written for the mother's of the Elders serving in our ward. As a missionary mom I know that they will love it!
Good grief,,, that activity was all out! Every detail was thought of. Cute cute cute
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful event for all those who have family on missions. I know the mother's love it. And I'm glad that it is your calling now to be creative and I can just sit and remember the things we used to put in order.
ReplyDeletethis is soo cleaver and so appreciated by mothers with children in the mission field. You do a good job with your themes.
ReplyDeleteI thought my first comment did not make it, so I wrote another one. LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat did you collect for the care packages? I'd love a list. heidi@thebartles.com
ReplyDeleteLove this idea! The tie banner is very fun!
ReplyDeleteI would love a list of what you put in each package as well. This is a great activity!
ReplyDeleteShelley,
DeleteWe had each mission mom create a list that was specific to their missionary of the things they would like. Favorite candy, treats, snacks, socks, chapstick, hand warmers, makeup, tights, peanut butter (We have seven elders in Brazil and they all requested that!) , deodorants and soaps, etc. We wanted to send the missionaries stuff that they would be thrilled to receive.
Thank you! This is a great idea! Looks like you have a lot of missionaries in your Ward.
DeleteLove the idea...who paid the shipping for seven packages to Brazil???
ReplyDeleteWe asked for monetary donations as well as the items for the care packages to help cover the postage. We were very blessed and received enough donations to cover all of our international missionaries.
DeleteWhat did the invitations look like please post a picture thanks great idea
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing idea! I love it! We are using your idea this week at our RS activity and I am so excited! Having been a missionary, getting letters and packages from home is the best! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very touching story! I am glad to know there are still people in the world that give so much of themselves to comfort others in their time of need while doing the work of the Lord and serving others!
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrific idea! Please post pic of invitation and the cute little white napkins that look like white shirts. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks! There is a picture of the shirt napkins if you scroll down the post a bit. I don't have a copy of the invite....I delegated and someone else did that. Sorry!
DeleteThanks for the reply. Is there a tutorial for the napkin white shirts?
DeleteGreat idea Sheila! I'm in charge of a missionary table for our Relief Society meeting this week. Found your great idea on Pinterest and laughed when I saw that you posted it. Hope all is well in your world. Missionaries are the best : )
ReplyDeleteWow Tracy! So good to see your comment. I can't believe you found my post on Pinterest. Life on our end is great....Dallin comes home from Brazil in 10 days. We are beyond excited. Landon has been out for 8 months now. Life just has a way of moving along! Say hello to Matt!
DeleteI clicked on a link to your site from pinterest, not knowing where I was going to end up! I recognized the faces in the pictures. I am glad I found your blog. Super cute idea and glad I can follow you now!
ReplyDeleteTricia