How to Best Support Your Missionary in Their Service with Lindy & Jen from My Missionary Box - Episode # 180

Helping of Happiness

Yesterday, my son began his two year missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he will be inviting and teaching people how to come closer to Jesus Christ. I though it was only fitting that today we are talking about how to help support our missionaries while they are away.

On our podcast today, we have guests: Lindy Shock and Jen Wright fromMy Missionary Box. Lindy served as as missionary, and Jen has had 3 of her children serve missions.They are going to teach us a bit about how to prepare our children for missions, be a support to them while they are out, what items you may need to gather or prepare before they leave, give some suggestions for how to support during home MTC (missionary training center), give gift ideas for missionaries, as well as share ideas for how siblings of missionaries can best stay connected during the time apart.

My Missionary Boxhas amazing resources for families and loved ones supporting the loved ones back home. For missionaries they provide tools, inspiration, and ideas to help study and teach while on a mission. They also have tips for helping your local missionaries with tips and products that help missionaries teach and build relationships.

First off - what are missionaries and what do they do??

Missionaries are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who leave their homes for 18 months-2 years to serve others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. The single men are 18-25 and single women are 19-39. Married couples or adults in their retired years can also serve a mission.

During their time as young missionaries, they consecrate their lives to God. They have one day per week called “preparation day” (or P-day) where they can call their family back home, email family land friends, run errands & grocery shop, and do some more relaxed activities with other missionaries.

Missionaries are all volunteers and pay their own way ($400/month). You will usually see them in pairs. They have a companion with them at all times to keep them safe and focused.

What do Missionaries do?

Teaching missionaries help you feel closer to God by showing you how to pray & receive answers to prayers, teach about Jesus Christ, guide you to understand scriptures, support you through your personal challenges, encourage faith, repentance & baptism, and introduce you to a community of others striving to build their faith.

Service missionaries live at home, and give personalized service to others in many different ways such as serving locally in clinics, non profits, community outreach centers, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints temples. They help with, family history, provide help to refugees, homeless and at food banks. Sometimes they also have companions for study.

How to best prepare for a Spiritually, mentally, & Physically for a mission:

Have a scripture study routine - try to make this happen at least 6 months to a year before you leave (online resources for scripture study)

Take a mission prep class

Attend the temple often (More about the temple here)

Get the tools you need to navigate your mental health

Learn to work hard - yardwork, being on your feet for long periods of time, being in good physical shape to be able to walk or bike a lot each day

Practice being away from home for short periods of time such as a church campout, FSY (For the Strength of Youth) camp, flying to see grandparents or cousins, going on an HXP humanitarian trip

How to clean their home and space

Learning how to cook, menu plan, and grocery shop - (Check out our resources HERE you can also grab our cookbook here- delicious and tasty recipes that are easy to make!)

How to budget (two podcast resources for you: 5 Money Lessons All Kids Need to Know and Family Finances Refresher)

Practice using public transportation

Learning to drive

Making phone calls

Talking to adults