mt_mck7 Posted May 28, 2017 Report Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) I'm currently writing to a missionary who's been out in the field for about 10 months now, and I've run out of words of encouragement to say. I always keep the e-mails positive and uplifting and I always try to end it with a recent spiritual experience if I can. I'm also in a group e-mail, and I receive his mission updates every so often, so I leave a comment or say something about that and leave encouraging things with that, but I always end up saying the same words of encouragement at the end which are "stay safe and keep up the good work." At first it would end with "Hope all is well," and then I changed it to stay safe. In e-mails and letters before I've expressed how I'm really glad he's chosen to go on a mission, and I want to say other encouraging words along those lines, but I don't want to wear it out or say it too much. What other words of encouragement could I use? I'm thinking about writing in my next letter something like this: I don't want to say this too much because I feel like it'd lose it's meaning. Just remember this with this letter and all the letters I have written and all the letters I've yet to write. (and then I'd put in that I'm seriously proud of him for serving a mission and I'm really happy he's serving a mission and wants to serve a mission) but I don't want to seem too romantic with it. Does it seem romantic? Edited May 29, 2017 by mt_mck7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 28, 2017 Report Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Just writing, and letting a missionary know you are thinking of him, is encouraging! I know from my personal experience that I used to just want to hear about normal life back at home. Being a missionary, it is easy to lose perspective sometimes, and I used to love phone calls and letters that talked about normal life because they helped me see the "bigger picture" and have some perspective. Perhaps this isn't good advice for everyone, but I never felt homesick or distracted after Christmas phone calls - I liked to hear that life was going on back at home, and that life would be awaiting me after the conclusion of my mission. Such letters were a means of de-stressing from the demands of missionary work. (That said, keep it lighthearted and don't talk about drama - drama can be distracting, especially if it is romantic drama! I have seen that happen repeatedly on my mission). You could always ask the missionary if they want to hear about normal life, or keep the letters strictly spiritual. But yeah, I think just communicating with the guy is going to, in and of itself, make a major impact, no matter what you say. Just keep doing what you are doing! Edited May 28, 2017 by DoctorLemon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday21 Posted May 28, 2017 Report Share Posted May 28, 2017 How about an envelope stuffed full of confetti? Very popular! I would send silly notes. Penguin jokes! Cheer him up! mt_mck7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my two cents Posted May 28, 2017 Report Share Posted May 28, 2017 "praying for you" "you are awesome" "so proud of you" if he's in a foreign speaking mission - just say these (and what you have been) in that language (use google) mt_mck7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 28, 2017 Report Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) Send him beef stew! You would be surprised at how hard it can be to find beef stew in some countries. A box full of canned beef stew can be a major morale boost. It always was for me! Edited May 28, 2017 by DoctorLemon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday21 Posted May 28, 2017 Report Share Posted May 28, 2017 (edited) And KD. Gotta have KD! (Kraft Dinner, mac and cheese) And peanut butter! Edited May 28, 2017 by Sunday21 mt_mck7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my two cents Posted May 29, 2017 Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 @mt_mck7 - You could also do scripture quotes and/or hymn lyrics: "be strong and of a good courage" "let your light so shine" "hold to the rod" "scatter sunshine" "count your many blessings" etc, etc, etc mordorbund and mt_mck7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightSG Posted May 29, 2017 Report Share Posted May 29, 2017 If he's from your ward, some photos of ward/stake activities might be a good connection to home. Maybe pass around a card at each activity for folks to sign and send it with the photos. Really, even if he's not from there, they'd likely be appreciated. mt_mck7 and Sunday21 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.