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)

 

 



Socks

According to the missionary packet which you receive with your mission call, you are to label everything...so we did...except for Matt's dark socks...you know, the Gold Toe ones that you can buy at Costco and Sam's in bulk so they're cheaper much less expensive.  Yeah, we didn't label those.  It's not like a black laundry Sharpie is going to show up, right?  Well, it appears that a lot of missionaries take the Gold Toe socks on their mission...and when you combine efforts when doing laundry to cut down on expense, it just might mean that slowly...they start to disappear. 

 

Well that's what happened.  Within a transfer or two, poor Matt was down to less than a week's worth of socks.  Off I go to Sam's to pick up more socks with my brain spinning to figure out a way to mark his dark socks so he can quickly sort said socks from his companions...then it hit me...the Red Sox!  The Red Sox are Matt's favorite baseball team and at the time of the sock dilemma were on their way to the World Series.  Yes, I know that was in 2013 and now it's 2015...I'm a bit behind in posting.

 

 

So here's how we quickly marked Matt's socks.  Using the zig-zag stitch on my sewing machine I quickly zigged a half inch zag using red thread in the top of each sock.  Quick.  Easy.  Effective.  I mean, what are the odds that any other Elder in the Seattle Mission is going to have red zig-zag stitching in the tops of all his socks?  Oh...wait...until now.  Dang.  That's ok.  Not THAT many people read my blog.  Stitch away!

Mini Sewing Kit

When Mason and Matt went on their missions they received a rather LONG list of items to bring, one of which was a sewing kit...for obvious reasons.  While at Mr. Mac and Men's Wearhouse (among other places) trying to check off all the items on our list, we had the dickens of a time trying to find an acceptable sewing kit for these two guys.  Most of them were just too big.  Not really too big as in large.  Just too big as in, "Mom, I'm never going to use all that stuff! Who needs a million colors of thread?"  So we decided to make our own.

 

I picked up a small plastic box from Office Depot or Office Max or whatever they're going as this week, for .50 cents.  It measures 3" (w) x 2.5" (d) x 2" (h).  It's the same size that we used to make his mini first aid kit for his back pack (click here for that post).  It holds all the essentials:

 

You may already have all of these items in your home:

safety pins (various sizes)

needles

pins

white thread (small spool)

black thread  (small spool)

Therm-o-web hem tape*

 

you will also need some small jewelry bags

(see photo above - they measure 2"x3" and are reclosable and available at craft stores)

 

*Therm-o-web hem tape (or any other brand) will be an invaluable help to your missionary if a hem comes out of their suit or skirt.  All they have to do is lay the tape inside the hem fold, and press.  The heat from the iron will fuse the hem in place without them having to take a lot of time to sew in a proper hem and worry about how large their stitches are.

 



Some helpful tips and tricks:

- Thread your safety pins (various sizes) onto another safety pin.

- Weave your needles into a piece of paper or fabric, then put them into a small jewelry baggie.

- Put a few pins into a jewelry baggie.

- Cut out the instructions for the hem tape and wrap a long piece of the hem tape around the folded instructions and place inside a jewelry baggie (see photo below)

- Send only the colors of thread that your missionary will need i.e. don't send brown thread unless they actually have a brown suit.

- No need to send scissors as they will already have a pair in their snazzy Office Supply Kit that you made for them...you made one didn't you?



 

 

There you have it.  Simple.

 



Office Supply Kit

When I served my mission I took along a 4"x6" recipe box with me filled with office supplies.  I like office supplies. I like knowing where to find a paperclip or a pair of scissors or have a mini stapler on hand when I need it.  My mini office came in very handy for me and my companions.  I put one together for each of my boys and my oldest even took his to college when he came home.  I still have mine and though I don't use it as often (I've got the bigger stuff in my desk) I still like having my mini office around just in case I need it.  Sometimes I take it with me to the Genealogy Library...

I purchased a handy plastic container with a snap on lid just like the one that I used for Matt's First Aid kit and filled it with just the essentials:

scissors (small pair)
small stapler w/ extra staples

post it notes

glue stick

tape

White Out

paper clips

push pins or thumb tacs

small magnets

rubber bands

Super Glue (small tube)

First Aid Kit

On the list of items that missionaries are to bring with them is:  First Aid Kit.  There are a LOT of first aid kits out there don'cha know! (said in my very best Minnesotan accent...my husband served his mission there)  They all contain LOTS of stuff and LOTS of stuff that missionary's probably would end up bringing back home with them.  Our first missionary took one of those.  For our second missionary, I decided to put one together myself.  All you have to keep in mind is this:  What might my child need at the spur of the moment when he can't just run to the medicine cabinet or drug store.  Probably not a triangular bandage or a mouth guard.  Maybe, but probably not.

I picked up a sturdy plastic box from the office supply store for less than $5.  I liked how it had plastic 'bits' on the bottom part of the box that snapped over the lid keeping everything securely in place.  I was worried that if it was just a snap on lid that it might just snap off during transit.  Not a good thing.  Everything needs to be neat and tidy.  THAT is a good thing.  It was about 6"W x 4"D x 3.5"H...Just make sure that your tallest item will stand up.  It will probably take up less room standing up then laying down...at least I do.

There are a plethora of first aid items that the "List" says to bring with them.  I won't list them here because they are different for each mission.  Refer to your list and use your own discretion when deciding what size to purchase and what brand to bring with you.  For example: Ibuprofen is Ibuprofen even if it is the store brand however all cough syrups are not created equal.  Use what you already know works for your child.  Don't send the industrial size Tylenol from Costco if you don't remember the last time your child even took Tylenol.  Small is better.  You can always send more or they can pick up more in the mission field.  No need to include a box full of band-aids...wrap an elastic around the outside of the band-aids and discard the box, do the same with disinfectant wipes, etc.  Only include the box if there is pertinent medical instructions that are only listed on the outside of the box.

Click here for ideas for a mini First Aid kit for your missionary's back pack.

Mini First Aid Kit

While putting together a First Aid kit for Matt to take with him on his mission, I put together a mini one for him to keep in his back pack or shoulder bag.  Odds are that if he's going to get hurt it will probably be while he's out and about.  If he's going to get sick (besides indigestion or a headache, that is) it will probably be while he's at home and sleeping.  That gave me a pretty good idea of what I needed to include in the mini kit.

I used the same style of container that I used for his regular First Aid kit...just smaller.  I found it at the office supply store for less than $1.  It measured about 3.5"W x 2.5"D x 2"H.  I love the clip that comes up the sides to hold the lid in place, should keep things together at the bottom of his bag where they can be found easily if needed.

Make sure to include a few band-aids (the fabric kind will stay on longer), some alcohol or disinfectant wipes, some moleskin already cut to size (for the occasional blister that may arise on their feet), some aspirin or Ibuprofen for pain and something to settle their stomach. I used some small bags that I have around for making jewelry.  They can be found at the craft store where you can buy them by the box or ask for them at the bead counter and purchase them by the piece.  Make sure to label each bag clearly.

Click here to view the DIY First Aid Kit.

Letter Writing Kit

I remember pdays being absolutely CRAMMED with too much to do and too little time to do it in: laundry, writing letters home, internet cafe (or library or family history center wherever free WiFi exists), chores, grocery shopping, etc. and occasionally activities with other missionaries in our District and if you aren't lucky enough to have a car (even if you are lucky you probably wouldn't choose to use your limited amount of miles doing personal things) everything is slowed down by the fact that you have to walk there, bike there or rely on public transit.  On my mission I put together a letter writing kit that was easy to throw into my bag and have everything that I needed at hand, that way I could use the time that I had while traveling on the bus or waiting on laundry to write letters home.  Here's what I put together for Matt before he left for Seattle:

I purchased a clear plastic re-closeable envelope from an office supply store. There were a lot of styles and colors to choose from.  Pick the one that will work the best for your missionary - just make sure that it is somewhat expandable and will easily fit a writing pad.  Not too bulky or they'll never take it with them and not so small that it won't hold letter writing essentials.

Letter Writing Kit Essentials:

a pad of lined writing paper

#10 envelopes

 (that's the business size envelope)

stamps

(regular, postcard and international)

pens* or pencils

(w/ sharpener or extra led)

pre-printed return address labels
address book
(click here and here for an easy address book idea)

*Note:  Pens are a preferred writing implement because they are more archival.  Pencil tends to fade over time...this is assuming that you are going to keep their letters for family history.

You don't need to add every envelope that comes in a box.  Just include a few and send the rest with them in their suitcase.  I suggest sending post card stamps (see here for a post regarding missionary post cards).  Sometimes a post card reply is sufficient for your missionary's response to someone's letter and it is certainly quicker to write and cheaper to send; also include regular stamps and a few international stamps if they have friends and family serving or living abroad.  It can be somewhat difficult for a missionary to obtain additional stamps if they don't have a post office in their area so I occasionally include a sheet of stamps in the snail mail that I send or include some in a package.

Print out some return address labels for them.*  Don't include the entire package, just a few printed sheets.  You can send them more when they need them.  Use the mission home address as their return address NOT their apartment address.  This will insure that the address labels won't go to waste when they get transferred AND insure that they actually continue to receive their mail if they do.  The mission home will forward all mail to your missionary either through the postal system (if they are serving stateside) or their Zone Leaders will pick it up weekly (most missions) from the mission home and deliver it to them at their weekly District meetings.

*Note:  Use the code located on the front cover of the packet of labels for a template.
Save this to your hard drive so you can print out when you need 
to replenish your missionary's supply.

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)

 

 

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.