I am not a big crier, but I have been known to shed a few tears especially when I am feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost. However, in the days leading up to our missionary's departure, I found myself tearing up over the smallest things.
I shed tears at Men's Warehouse when the sales clerk kept calling our son "Elder" and when our son came out of the dressing room wearing his suit and white shirt. The man who stood before me was not a child, but my spiritual equal prepared to do the will of his Heavenly Father. The poignant realization that his childhood was over was as painful as the realization that I was finished raising him felt right.
I cried during instruction in the Jordan River LDS Temple when the matrons kept referring to me as "the missionary's mom." Having never been a missionary's mom before, the title was startling and deeply satisfying. I must say that for me being "the missionary's mom" is right up there with being an "elect lady". I realized that this was the moment we had been moving towards from the time he was born and that we had reached this place with the help of a loving Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
I sobbed when we realized while packing that we had purchased 8 long sleeve shirts and 2 short sleeve shirts instead of 2 long sleeve and 8 short sleeve. The stress of the week's preparation activities finally caught up with me when I realized our mistake. By the time I had cried myself out, I was emotionally exhausted. So when we dropped our missionary off at the MTC later that day, after making an emergency stop for additional shirts, I was ready for him to be gone. There were no tears left to be shed. Not the most touching moment, to be sure, but I learned a lesson. I wish I'd known that the week prior to his departure was going to be so stressful, wish I'd known all the things about sending a missionary off that I've learned since, and I wish that I'd known what a cathartic moment it is to watch your missionary walk off, head held high, anxious to be engaged in the Lord's work. If I'd known how happy that would make me, I might have shed a few more tears.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Report from the Mission Field
After two months in the mission field, Elder Zaitzeff reports that:
The most surprising and hardest thing about being a missionary is "working with the ward members, we are looking for support that we are not getting a lot of."
The easiest thing is "I do not think anything is easy" about being a missionary.
The best thing is "talking to people, teaching and feeling the spirit."
On companionships: "Having a companion is not like having a roommate or a brother - I have to be with them all the time that gives a companionship a very different feel."
The most surprising and hardest thing about being a missionary is "working with the ward members, we are looking for support that we are not getting a lot of."
The easiest thing is "I do not think anything is easy" about being a missionary.
The best thing is "talking to people, teaching and feeling the spirit."
On companionships: "Having a companion is not like having a roommate or a brother - I have to be with them all the time that gives a companionship a very different feel."
More reports to come as they develop.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Backpack or Shoulder Bags: Which is best for an LDS Missionary
Basically the choice between a backpack and a shoulder bag will be determined by the mission president of your missionary's mission. Our missionary was informed in his booklet of general instructions that shoulder bags were considered more professional and strongly encouraged in his mission in SoCal.
Shoulder bags were extremely hard to find. We finally had success at the Missionary Mall in Provo, but they are not cheap. They run about $80, but with added bells and whistles, can run over $100. Later our missionary also found them at the MTC bookstore.
Backpacks are, of course, easier to find, but they need to be black or dark blue with no visible logos or insignias. Finding those, I think, would be harder.
Known as tracting bags, these bags are designed to carry the essentials for daily missionary work like missionary planners, pamphlets, pass-along cards, cameras, keys, etc. Some have room for rain gear and water bottles.
A tracting bag would make a nice birthday gift for a 19 year-old future missionary.
Shoulder bags were extremely hard to find. We finally had success at the Missionary Mall in Provo, but they are not cheap. They run about $80, but with added bells and whistles, can run over $100. Later our missionary also found them at the MTC bookstore.
Backpacks are, of course, easier to find, but they need to be black or dark blue with no visible logos or insignias. Finding those, I think, would be harder.
Known as tracting bags, these bags are designed to carry the essentials for daily missionary work like missionary planners, pamphlets, pass-along cards, cameras, keys, etc. Some have room for rain gear and water bottles.
A tracting bag would make a nice birthday gift for a 19 year-old future missionary.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Avoiding the Power Suit
In my blog The What To Wear List for an LDS Missionary, I listed the church's preferred suit colors for missionaries. They are black, dark blue, dark green, dark gray and dark brown. (Notice the dark and conservative theme.)
I recommend that you avoid buying a black suit, even though they may be considered the standard uniform for missionaries. Here's why: according to research in the field of color psychology, black is a power color.
"Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless...Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula [and Darth Vader], often wear black."
Black is not a welcoming, approachable color. It is a dominating presence in a room. For example, when our missionary was set apart, his stake presidency met with us during the middle of the day. One of the counselors had come from his office where he is a top executive. He was wearing a black suit, and as we proceeded with the setting apart, he was physically dominating the meeting. I can still remember how severe he looked, though he was a very pleasant person.
Now you might say that a dominant presence or a sense of authority would be a good thing, but I think that one of the hardest obstacles to overcome on a mission is just getting people to talk to you, the whole first impression. A missionary in a black suit is a lot more threatening, than say a missionary in a dark blue suit because blue is a more easy, approachable color.
"The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms...Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms."
A lot of the general authorities wear blue at General Conference.
Green is a calm, refreshing color, and brown is manly, earthy and reliable. Since there are other, better alternatives, I recommend avoiding black, if possible. It probably won't have much bearing on your missionary's success while on their mission, but why not give them an added advantage, even if it is only psychological.
I love dark gray as an alternate to black myself, and our missionary looked so grown up in his dark blue and dark gray suits. I cried when he came out of the dressing room.
I recommend that you avoid buying a black suit, even though they may be considered the standard uniform for missionaries. Here's why: according to research in the field of color psychology, black is a power color.
"Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless...Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula [and Darth Vader], often wear black."
Black is not a welcoming, approachable color. It is a dominating presence in a room. For example, when our missionary was set apart, his stake presidency met with us during the middle of the day. One of the counselors had come from his office where he is a top executive. He was wearing a black suit, and as we proceeded with the setting apart, he was physically dominating the meeting. I can still remember how severe he looked, though he was a very pleasant person.
Now you might say that a dominant presence or a sense of authority would be a good thing, but I think that one of the hardest obstacles to overcome on a mission is just getting people to talk to you, the whole first impression. A missionary in a black suit is a lot more threatening, than say a missionary in a dark blue suit because blue is a more easy, approachable color.
"The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms...Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms."
A lot of the general authorities wear blue at General Conference.
Green is a calm, refreshing color, and brown is manly, earthy and reliable. Since there are other, better alternatives, I recommend avoiding black, if possible. It probably won't have much bearing on your missionary's success while on their mission, but why not give them an added advantage, even if it is only psychological.
I love dark gray as an alternate to black myself, and our missionary looked so grown up in his dark blue and dark gray suits. I cried when he came out of the dressing room.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Number One Reason to Go On A Mission
In 3 Nephi 27:13, Jesus Christ describes the purpose of his life's mission to the Nephites in these words:
"Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me." (The Book of Mormon)
His purpose is to do the "will of the Father," and as we draw closer to Christ as our Savior, the purpose of our lives should also be to do the will of the Father.
In her blog, Finding the Only Reason that Will Sustain Us, author Becky Thomas remembers the advice she received from her father about the best and only reason to go on a mission when he said, "You need to go for one reason only, to serve your Heavenly Father."
There are a lot of hardships and challenges in serving an LDS mission from deciding to go in the first place to finding joy in the call to living in unfamiliar, and sometimes harsh, circumstances to finding success in sharing the message.
Very few reasons besides doing the will of the Father will sustain a missionary through those kinds of trials, but imagine the power in the missionary who when asked why they sacrifice and serve answers back, "I came to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."
"Behold I have given unto you my gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me." (The Book of Mormon)
His purpose is to do the "will of the Father," and as we draw closer to Christ as our Savior, the purpose of our lives should also be to do the will of the Father.
In her blog, Finding the Only Reason that Will Sustain Us, author Becky Thomas remembers the advice she received from her father about the best and only reason to go on a mission when he said, "You need to go for one reason only, to serve your Heavenly Father."
There are a lot of hardships and challenges in serving an LDS mission from deciding to go in the first place to finding joy in the call to living in unfamiliar, and sometimes harsh, circumstances to finding success in sharing the message.
Very few reasons besides doing the will of the Father will sustain a missionary through those kinds of trials, but imagine the power in the missionary who when asked why they sacrifice and serve answers back, "I came to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me."
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The All Important LDS Missionary Plaque
Different units have different traditions regarding missionary plaques. Some wards and branches pay for and provide the plaque; some do not, leaving it to the family.
After some searching and a few recommendations, we settled on GoLDS plaques. GoLDSPlaques.com is an LDS family-owned and operated business that specializes in LDS missionary plaques and other products common in the “Mormon” community. They have a significant web presence, can answer any of your questions and take your orders online
They offer a wide range of options to commemorate your missionary's service. We just picked the standard finish with brass because that is traditional for our ward.
The tricky part has been getting a picture of our missionary to the ward clerk and getting it mounted. Wish I had professional pictures taken of our missionary before he entered the MTC. Nothing fancy, just something with his suit on...
After some searching and a few recommendations, we settled on GoLDS plaques. GoLDSPlaques.com is an LDS family-owned and operated business that specializes in LDS missionary plaques and other products common in the “Mormon” community. They have a significant web presence, can answer any of your questions and take your orders online
They offer a wide range of options to commemorate your missionary's service. We just picked the standard finish with brass because that is traditional for our ward.
The tricky part has been getting a picture of our missionary to the ward clerk and getting it mounted. Wish I had professional pictures taken of our missionary before he entered the MTC. Nothing fancy, just something with his suit on...
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The Birthday Box for an LDS Missionary
Our missionary turned 20 today!
Because our missionary is stateside, we were able to send him gifts through the US Postal Service. Since he has not been out very long, his wish list was relatively short. He had only asked for church music on CD and new ties. (It seems that you can not have enough ties, especially if you have to wear one every day.)
At Deseret Book.com, we were able to find a variety of appropriate music including Come Thou Font of Every Blessing by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and The Best of Jenny Baker. We also found two tie options that we liked: a Nephi necktie with pin and one with an Ammon necktie with pin. With shipping, the cost for one CD and the both ties was about $50.
And because we could not help ourselves, we also sent him a box with a cake mix, frosting, an aluminum pan, balloons, candles and a card with family pictures tucked in the envelope. Call it a party in a box.
In his weekly email, he told us that his mission president had called him this morning and sung "Happy Birthday" to him over the phone. Can I just say that his president rocks! (Wish I could have done that...)
Because our missionary is stateside, we were able to send him gifts through the US Postal Service. Since he has not been out very long, his wish list was relatively short. He had only asked for church music on CD and new ties. (It seems that you can not have enough ties, especially if you have to wear one every day.)
At Deseret Book.com, we were able to find a variety of appropriate music including Come Thou Font of Every Blessing by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and The Best of Jenny Baker. We also found two tie options that we liked: a Nephi necktie with pin and one with an Ammon necktie with pin. With shipping, the cost for one CD and the both ties was about $50.
And because we could not help ourselves, we also sent him a box with a cake mix, frosting, an aluminum pan, balloons, candles and a card with family pictures tucked in the envelope. Call it a party in a box.
In his weekly email, he told us that his mission president had called him this morning and sung "Happy Birthday" to him over the phone. Can I just say that his president rocks! (Wish I could have done that...)
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