What to send SISTERS?

Our first WHAT TO SEND section was great for Elders but I know how much we needed one ESPECIALLY FOR SISTERS!

1. Nail Accessories: Anything from polish to a file, to a little manicure kit. 

2. Make-up Bag: A cute new make-up bag that they could use for travel or to store basics in, you could even fill it with deodorant, perfume, razors, shaving cream, etc. 

3. Lotion: Bath and Body Works was big when I was growing up and we loved getting a new scent for Christmas or a Birthday. Soap, shampoo, body wash, body butter, anything scenty! Or have you tried the Mary Kay Satin Hands, heavenly! A special treat they may fall in love with, and lets face it every girl needs a little pampering :)

4. Hand Sanitizer: Bath and Body Works sells really scenty ones which I totally love to store in my purse.

5. Hair Accessories: Bows, clips, headbands, ribbon, turban scarf, hair ties in all sorts of colors and thin little rubber bands are nice too if they are really into hair. You could even send along a little hairstyle book for new things they should try. Or make your own with cute ones you see online that you think they will like. And what if you surprised them with some leave in conditioner, dry shampoo, or curling gel; any of these products may make their morning routine a little faster on the crazy days. You could also send her a new brush, try this WET BRUSH! I am in love with it!

6. Jewelry: You can go out and splurge on your missionary or make something even more special. Check out our post HERE on some great DIY jewelry ideas. 

7. Make-up: Whether it is a simple new chap-stick or a vibrant new color for their eyes. A little change in their morning routine with something a little different and new will sure to brighten their spirits. Make-up Wipes are a great little stuffer too, they make washing up all the easier, especially after a long day. 

8. Cold Weather Accessories: Gloves, scarves, hats, warm wool socks, ear muffs, etc. 

9. Tissues: The individually packaged kind are great. Especially since they come in all the fun patterns and they are easy to store in a purse or backpack. Sisters can always use tissues, I think they tend to use them a little more often then the Elders and it is nice to have them on hand. 

10. Toothbrush / toothpaste / floss picks / mouthwash / white strips: Anything dental is sure to be something they prob are not exactly splurging on, so if you get them all the nice stuff they are sure to appreciate and take the extra effort to brighten their smile. 

11. Medicine: The little travel tubes of Tylenol, Excedrin, or the beloved Midol are sure to come in handy ;)

12. Fluffy Slippers

13. A Frame: Let's face it our Sister's out there are more than likely willing to put a little extra time in to make their transitioning apt feel like home. And a framed photo of family may just be that extra special touch that motivates them all the harder. I also love these cute printables, for all the different seasons/holidays for them to switch out and bring a little extra deco to their home away from home. 

14. Notepad and pen: Whether it is glitter or princesses sometimes a fun little notepad is a great child calmer, "Can you draw me a picture?" Or let special members or investigators right down a message in it before you leave the area, as a momento to look back on in years to come. An address book is also great to store contact info in for those that they hope to catch in touch with. 

15. A Belt: Lets be honest belts are in. And whether it is a big chunky one or a bright colored skinny one, it may add a little spice to your Sister's revolving wardrobe. I am in love with the skinny belts from Forever 21, they may not be supreme quality but you can't beat the inexpensive price along with the trendy styles. 

DIY Jewelry

Looking for a new gift idea to put in your Sister Missionary's package?
I have been noticing a whole lot of DIY Jewelry posts via Pinterest and I can't help but think how fun it would be to make a special piece of Jewelry for your Sister Missionary.
Whether it's for a birthday or holiday your missionary is sure to treasure this piece of home made by you.
You could also send her all the supplies and a little DIY pamphlet for her to make her own, if she is more into this kind of thing then you are.
Now just imagine these wrapped in a little tissue paper tucked in a cute little craft box tied with a ribbon, and you have the perfect gift for your favorite Sister Missionary, which she can't help but adore.

Gold Tube Bracelets

Chain Collar Necklace

Painted Filigree Earrings

Button Rings

Initial Stamped Necklace

Hoop Earring Redo

 Rhinestone Redo Necklace

Vintage Earrings DIY

Fishtail Braid Bracelet

Woven Statement Necklace

Countdown

We all know that when our missionary leaves we are ready to begin the countdown. Nothing is better than having a record, and being able to mark off those days till their return. 

From my experience with my brother, the first year is truly the hardest! Something about counting down rather then counting up seems to put more of a positive spin on it and makes the time go by just a tad faster. My Mom feels the same way even though when everyone would tell her that the first time around it didn't give her much comfort.

My brother currently serving, (brother #2), just hit his YEAR MARK! HOORAY!

In honor of that here are some countdowns for you to check out: 

My sister bought this special one with stickers to use, here.

Custom Missionary Countdown

Missionary Countdown (Elder) Digital Print

I love these illustrated calendars, for Elders or Sisters. Sometimes it is easier to countdown months rather then days. Especially for little siblings. (Or impatient and lazy sisters like me! Can you tell I want one :)
Monthly Calendars

How sweet is this countdown for those of you who are doing the long two year waiting game ...
found on Etsy Personalized missionary girlfriend/boyfriend countdown chart

For some FREE PRINTABLES Check out OUR Post HERE

Missionary Bike Countdown

This is the first of a few Missionary Countdowns that I am making. Notice there are Elder and Sister versions.
Enjoy these FREE Printables. To give to your missionary or keep for yourself as a helpful way to mark down the days, before you see them :)

To print click on the PDF download below each image.

 

 

PDF DOWNLOAD

 

 



PDF DOWNLOAD

Sister Prints

Enjoy a few FREE printables I made for you, to delight your Sister with.
Let me know what you think!

Whether dressed up in a frame; or prints you surprise her with in a package creation, she will enjoy them all. What fun to have an interchangeable piece of inspirational art hanging from her walls.

Click on the link underneath the printable to download the PDF or Print.

 

Forget Yourself. PDF Download

 

Keep Calm Serve On. PDF Download

 

 

Called to Serve. PDF Download

 

 

Prayer. PDF Download

 

 

If your interested in more FREE Printables, become a follower!

Or if you are interested in different colors of the print leave a comment and I will update this post with the new version!

 

 *If you have ideas to share, as always send us them in the Contact Tab at the top of the screen!



Prepping for Sisters

Article found at Tips for Sister Missionaries:

Especially for sisters-- prepping

Some of the best suggestions given while preparing to serve include: 

1)   Wear your mission clothes for at least 1 month to check out the fit, especially shoes. Some missionaries get into the field and then find out how uncomfortable they are walking in cute shoes all day. Be more practical and be comfortable. Tired, achy feet slow down the work.

2)   Start taking vitamins and probiotics a month or two prior to leaving home. There is a lot of strange and wonderful food in this world and just because it is edible does not mean you will feel great afterwards.

3)   Sisters have personal hygiene needs monthly. Try to determine what kinds of supplies you will need during your mission and the availability in the area you will serve. Stateside, you will have a Walmart around every corner. Foreign areas may have low quality, if any supplies. Be prepared to take 18 months worth of supplies like my friend did for Japan. 

4)   First aid kit and medications. Get some instruction if you have never dealt with allergies, a cold, flu or stomach upset by yourself. Buy a thermometer at the dollar store and put it in. A few bandaids and ointments go a long way towards comforting blisters, foot fungus, bug bites and heat rash. Familiarize yourself with these and test them to make sure you don’t have allergy to any.

http://missionarymedicine.com/shop/

This website will help you be familiar with the kinds of region- and illness-specific medical information so that missionaries and their families can find all the health information necessary at the click of a button.

Tips for Sisters

7 TIPS FOR SISTER MISSIONARIES

BY Melissa Dymock, For the Deseret News

{Melissa Dymock is the author of "Sisters: A Modern Girl’s Guide to Serving a Mission".}

The time between when a young woman decides to go on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the day she enters the Missionary Training Center is filled with much to do. It can be difficult to determine what is necessary versus what can slide. Here are some things prospective sister missionaries should consider doing (as many wish they’d done) before entering the MTC.

1. It’s time to go shopping. If you’re leaving for a mission in the summer or spring, you might have a difficult time finding proper clothing for the full 18 months. A salesperson laughed at one sister when she asked the clerk where the long skirts were in June. You need to purchase a basic year-round wardrobe since you might not have access to clothing stores once out on the mission.

Pay attention to materials sent from the LDS Church's Missionary Department or mission president and his wife (or contact your mission president’s wife, if possible) about what to wear, as some standards can change from mission to mission. For instance, in one mission the sisters wore skirts just below the knee, but in another most of the sisters were on bikes and ankle-length skirts were easier to wrap around a bike bar.

Weather can also factor into what you need. Those nice business jackets and fitted skirts don’t come out often if you’re in the jungles of South America, but will be necessary if you’re at a visitor's center. For wherever you go, make sure you get a decent pair of comfortable dress walking shoes.

2. Buy church-approved music you like. Those two Especially for Youth CDs you got for your 14th birthday are going to grind on you after 18 months of nothing but. Do pay attention to music that has been approved for missionaries in your mission.

3. Research your mission. Talk to those who have gone there, read the information sent to you about your mission, contact your mission president (if possible) and learn about the local customs. A mission experience varies drastically from one mission to another and even from mission president to president.

4. Start an exercise routine. A Mormon mission is physically taxing and the more fit you are now, the easier the transition will be. Many sisters (and elders) spend the first few months of their mission in pain because they’re sore from going from Internet surfer to constant biker or walker.

5. Step up studying of your scriptures and other doctrine. A mission can be very spiritually fulfilling, but there needs to a very strong foundation for it. Every day people are going to be challenging your beliefs. You need to be strengthening your testimony because in the mission field it’s going to get torn down. Many skip this important step because they think that in a few months they will be studying nonstop so it doesn’t matter. But your testimony will come under fire, and if you’re not prepared it will be much like not exercising, you will be spiritually sore for a while.

6. Develop an after-your-mission plan so you don’t wallow when you come home. If you’re in school, talk to your professors and administrators to determine what you’ll need to do to get re-enrolled. (While on their missions, some sisters received special permission to go online and register for the semester after they came home.) Talk to your employer about your work options. Will you have a job when you get home?

If you’re going to be seeking employment or enrollment in different place, get the necessary recommendations and references in order before you leave, since a year and a half can make it more difficult for people to remember you.

7. Before you leave, do some of the things you love that you won’t be able to for the next 18 months. Maybe you love to travel, so take a weekend getaway before your mission. Or maybe you'd rather spend an evening reading your favorite book one last time before you leave. I went white-water rafting the weekend before I went into the MTC. My only warning is to keep it within reason, so it's not too difficult to walk away from and not something that will bring about unneccesary injuries.

What to send?

Whether it is a Holiday or simple Boost the Spirits package, some of us may run into the WHAT TO SEND problem. 

Well I fell in love with this cute post on what to send your missionary . . .
Link HERE, from http://hollytherobinson.blogspot.com

Excerpt:

What to send:
1. Ties. OBVIOUSLY. let's just get that outta the way right now. I mean, sure they might have more ties than they do shoes, pants, and shirts combine, but um, like I care. They probably get sick of the same 30 ties, so go to Etsy RIGHT NOW, fork up the money, and buy a couple snazzy ties. Also, Maceys Grocery store has cheap cheap cheap ties, and they are PRETTY dang good looking. Also Savers has spazzy ones, and pfft. ANTIQUE STORES. why not? (this is not from any sort of missionary, this is my own mind, and no one can change it. I love ties)

2. Socks. My neighbor just got back from a mission, and his mom told me that he LOOOVED socks so much, she would just send some with every package. Who doesn't love a fresh new pair of socks? I think they probs have to be black. 

3. FOOOOOD. my dears. this is something you need to know for life. boys love food. well, PEOPLE love food. after you've put the big things in the package, fill the empty spaces with candy.
A few friends with international Buddhist excursion experiences say go with Ranch Dressing (who doesn't love a good dollop of ranch on anything?) and anything peanut butter. (do they lack in the PB department overseas?) WARNING: this is expensive. 
I'm about to send off a package to Pedro of nothing but Cereal. Missionaries don't wanna spend money on the pricey (good) cereal, so send em some Reeses Puffs for heavens sake!
But really. anything. Just fill that box to the top with grub. they will be SO HAPPY.

4. "TREAT YOURSELF" money. Missionaries are the most unselfish people you'll ever know, so send them some money TO BE SELFISH. attach a note to a nice little wad of cash (I'm talkin' like $10-20) that instructs them ONLY to spend this on junk food or something.

5. Go to town at the dollar section at Target. I'm sure missionaries won't hate you for sending something they have to pack, but it's a hassle. Bubbles, play-dough, fake mustaches, light-up ties, wonky, random little toys that they can throw away after a while. (and leave them a note that says "you can throw this away if you don't wanna pack it away with your next transfer.)

6. Wishbones. that's just darn cute. I mean, not common. but I think that was a brilliant moment of mine.

7. If you're OK spending a little bit more money, for Christmas last year I got my pals Moccasins! They LOVED them. When my neighbor Cole got home, we went to Target and we realized he was wearing the ones I had given him last year! everyone needs shoes they can slip on on P-days and to go check the mail so their tootsies don't freeze.

8. Things for Kids. Small things amuse them, it's true! Jessy went and got a bunch of those cheap green CTR rings to hand out to kids! BRILLIANT.  Pictures of Jesus, bookmarks, stickers, treats, anything they can give away! Kids will LOVE THEM.

9.  Notes from friends. Make a public announcement that you are sending so-and-so a package, and anyone who wants to add a letter or note can! There are always friends who love the guy or girl, but don't get around to writing that often, so collect some love and throw it in there!

10. If they are in a close-by state, cookies will occasionally work out! and Scotch-a-roos! (Of course I have it easy over here with Mr. Colorado.)

11. If they are in an area where the cold winds come 'a blowin, find a nice manly scarf or hat or mittens! Old Navy has decently-priced things like that for guys.

12. PICTURES. we love them, so they love them too!

13. Gift Cards. if they are state-side, Walmart gift cards are gold! You can also get fast-food gift cards! Brilliant. A missionary in my ward is in  New York, and he said it's cheaper to go out to eat, than to cook your own meal up in there.

14. I've just been informed pop tarts and wheat things are crucial in the food category.

15. Hot Chocolate too. that's me though. OH. Introduce them to the "Tim-Tam Slam"... look it up and it will change your life. 

16. Chap stick is someone EVERYONE needs. if you're really nice and want to make an impression *wink wink* you'll send Burts Bee's, because that stuff is miraculous.

17. (if you are going for an actual gift) Go to Paper Coterie dot com, and MAKE THEM A JOURNAL. seriously, brilliant and pretty cheap! If you want to personalize one, but don't want to do the work, know that I am a NERD for that stuff, and I'll do it for you! 

18. THIS JUST IN. A magnet with your face on it. bloody brilliant. 

19. Office supplies. Post-its, highlighters, notebooks, etc. They'll always need paper!

20. Mormon Ads! those little card things. RIGHT? Go to Deseret Book and pick up some little doo-dads, the scripture guy plastic figure things, stickers, all that good stuff.

21. A mixed CD. don't even diss. Mixed Tapes are sooo underrated! There are obviously standards on music, it needs to be church music or instrumental. two words: William Joseph. ALSO, since it's the holiday season, I plan on putting together a marvelous Christmas CD! The rules are no romanticness, I'm pretty sure.  

22. Cake/brownie mix. Even if the man is the opposite of domestic, those things are a piece of CAKE to make. (haha. heh.)

She also has a cute WHAT TO WRITE section, directly after this WHAT TO SEND section. 

Sister of a Sister

• I just had to share these ridiculously cute ideas, from my friend Shey.

  
  

  Postal Mail

   "Send our sister (who is serving currently) a one word letter for like 5 days in a row until it's complete. It could be longer than one word, but make it a continuation of a letter for the week or something."

  It could be an inspirational cute, an inside joke, a story, or a scripture. 

  Small Package Idea

  "Unique to her and her situation...she is serving in Kansas (you know, where the Wizard of Oz was done) and she has a charm bracelet so I told her she is there as the Mormon girl missionary form of Dorothy, Dorothy had to click her heels three times to get home but she is there teaching the 3 pillars of the Gospel that people need to know to get home. So I got her a ruby slippers charm!"

  This is a great idea for sister missionaries! A charm bracelet for Christmas that you can expand on for different holidays, seasons, or special events. 

  Themed Package

  "The first package I sent had random fun stuff in it, but I named each of them for Halloween...I put in a bracelet that was made out of metal & had leaves on it & said that it was petrified pumpkin leaves. Some Reese's & called them cremated peanuts, etc & labeled each item with a Halloween spin on it."

  This is an excellent idea for any season or holiday or even color. I am sure your will get an overload of themed package ideas on this blog :) 

  Wrapped Package

  "Before she left I gave her a gift that I wrapped to look like a shirt..

  

   And I also made her personalized stationary." Send a message to sheydoodles@gmail.com for more information on personalized stationary and to see her work check out 

  http://sheydoodles.blogspot.com/ 

  

  "I made her a pennant banner to decorate her room with and laminated it so that it would travel well. Also gave her a little stuffed Snow White doll (she loves snow white) to put on her bed. Atmosphere just is really big to me & her too..so I thought it would be fun to have those little things to make her room look happy."

  
  

  I love all these ideas they are simply fabulous. Cute, unique and so fun for our Sisters in the field. 

Paper Bouquet

Congratulations to all of you new Sister Missionaries that are preparing to serve now due to the age change. And congrats to all of those that were preparing earlier and for all of those that are already serving!

For a special Sister Missionary package. Give your Sister's apartment a little lift with a bouquet of flowers. A  paper bouquet that they can keep all year round! And they are simple and so utterly fun how could you not enjoy a package of flowers!

Here are a few ideas!

 Paper Flowers



Paper Flower Bouquet 


Crafted Bouquet from Martha Stewart

Coffee Filter Flowers