We Love Missionaries and We Love Easter Care Packages!!!

It is always fun to send our Kiddos a Care Package – but it is Super Fun to send a Box Full of LOVE! Our theme for this box was ‘Some Bunny Loves You!’

HE LIVES!
All glory to His name!
my Savior, still the same.
Oh, Sweet
the JOY this sentence gives;
“I know that
my Redeemer LIVES!”

If you would like to send your own Easter Care Package to your Missionary – check out this kit we put together to help you do just that!

Your 37-Page Kit will include the following:

✔ 1-Introduction Letter with easy to follow instructions to help you put together the Perfect Care Package.
✔ 4- Large (11.5X8.5″) Adjustable Stickers to decorate your 4 box flaps of your shipping package. Just peel and stick! (These stickers are designed to fit a USPS Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box and large UPS boxes. The stickers can also be easily trimmed to fit a USPS Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box as well as some Medium and Small UPS boxes or use your own box.) * Please note the kit does not include the actual box,
✔ 1-Box Introduction Letter to be placed in your Box right before you tape it up. This unique design lets your Missionary know the theme of your care package and that something special has been created just for them!
✔ 1-Page of Unique Envelope Designs that you can adhere to the front of your Letter to your Missionary and their Companion! This page is also printed on sticker paper – so you just need to cut them out and adhere to any envelope of your choice. It’s that easy!
✔ 1-Custom Missionary Letter for you to include with your personal Letter to your Missionary.
✔ 18-Pages to help you put together your ‘Last Week of Christ’ folder with corresponding bookmarks.
✔ 11-Pages with over 40 Custom Tags that Can Be Used Throughout Your Box as Desired.

Hop Hop! It’s always so fun to see the pictures our Missionaries send home of them opening up their crazy boxes decorated in whatever the ‘Theme’ of the box is. Most of the boxes we mailed were 12X12X8 or 12X12X5 which meant the flap size was just under 12X6 – so you can simply cut one piece of 12X12 scrapbook paper in half to cover each box flap. (The boxes are Free from the US Post Office) For the ‘Some Bunny Loves You’ box flaps we used one piece of chevron design Sugar Coated Cardstock from the Doodlebug Design Company in Tangerine color and one in Swimming Pool color. We printed the MBM printables onto photo paper, cut them out, and adhered it all to the box with Glue Dots for durability in shipping.

Just Hopping By! An Object Lesson Box could be sent at any time of year but we thought it would be fun for Easter to send a whole box full of things that our Missionaries could use in their daily lessons. We kept most of them really simple so that they could be modified to fit any situation and used in multiple countries throughout the world.

Dear Missionary,
When the gentle Spring
in bright array
Shall greet you gladly
on this Easter Day
Remember we are Wishing Too
All Bright Happy Things for You!
With Much Love From Your Missionary Mommas

Bunny Mail! One thing we always included in all of our Missionary Box Mom Boxes was a personalized letter to each Missionary from each Mother. Inside our letters we included our testimonies, the reason we chose that particular item to include in the box, along with uplifting messages filled with love. A lot of the items won’t make much sense as to why you are including them in the box unless you explain how it specifically applies to your Missionary and to Missionary Work. Many times over we have received thank you letters from our Missionaries – but the things they thanked us all for the most was the letters we included. It’s just a little piece of ‘Home’ in a box!
So don’t forget to write!

Hippity Hoppity! As we decided on each ‘Missionary Box Theme’, which we based around a scripture or missionary teaching idea, we would then brainstorm fun ideas that could be included in our box. Depending on the size of the box you are sending – you could include or delete any of the items – or come up with a few of your own. We tried to make sure that most of our items could be used to enhance missionary discussions, to be given away, to decorate their missionary apartments and left for future missionaries when they moved on, or simply eaten and enjoyed. But of course there were always a few that were just for fun!

1. Dish Soap and Pepper – Armor of God Object Lesson.
Supplies: Dish Soap, Pepper, bowl of water or large glass of water

Pretend like the glass of water is the world. Have the class give examples of sin in the world (smoking, swearing, not telling the truth, etc.) As they are giving examples, shake pepper into the glass of water. Talk about the advice given by prophets to be in the world but not of the world. Take your index finger and put it in the water. Let the class see that it is VERY hard not to become “of the world” (the pepper will stick to your finger) Then wipe off your finger and talk about the armour of God. Tell the class how it can protect you from the world if you put on the “whole armour of God” (D&C 27:15; Eph 6:11) Explain to the class that the sandwich bag is the armour of God. Discuss things we can do to put on the whole armour. Rub your finger in the bag with the dish soap (also a bar of soap will work but not as good) Then place your “protected” finger in the glass. (all of the pepper is repelled from your finger and none sticks to it when you pull it out)

2. Easter Egg Coloring Kit – Alma 5:22-29

Add Alma Chapter 5 Scriptures to an Easter Egg Coloring Kit.  (The Printable for this is included in the MBM kit)

Alma Chapter 5
22 And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you?
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?

28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly: for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.

29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared, and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come, for such an one is not found guiltless.

3. The Last Week of Christ – a week of Bookmarks and a Weekly reference study narrative to help you draw closer to our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ. (This is included in the MBM Care Package Kit).

4. Paper Cup Apostasy Lesson (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit)

Supplies Needed: 35 Small Paper or Plastic Cups, Typed or Written names of the apostles when Jesus Christ was here upon the earth (i.e. Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James, Thaddeus, Simon, & Judas Iscariot, pictures of the Latter-Day prophets (You can either cut out pictures from your Conference Ensign or you can print pictures from www.lds.org.)

Show the picture of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well and read John 4:13-14. Tie the cups into the analogy by saying that the cups represent the “living water” that Jesus gave us when he set up His church on earth.

The idea of this Object Lesson is to create a ‘tower’ to give an investigator a good visual idea of the apostasy and the need for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Stack the cups as you tell about each layer.

The bottom layer of the pyramid (first layer) has 12 cups. Paste or tape the names of the 12 original apostles to the cup (1 name per glass). On the opposite side of the glass, glue the names or pictures of the current 12 apostles.

For the next layer (second layer) we used 10 cups. Label them with important principles upon which the gospel was founded and which Christ and these apostles taught us about during their ministries. (Sacrament, Revelation, Priesthood, Repentance, Atonement). There are so many different ones – so you can choose what you want to use.

The next layer had 9 cups (Baptism, Gift of Holy Ghost, Endowment, Temple Marriage, etc.). These were ordinances that are necessary and essential to return to live with our Heavenly Father.

The next layer had 3 cups for the 3-fold mission of the church (redeem the dead, proclaim the gospel, endure to the end). The final and last layer has just 1 cup. It represents our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is at the head of this church.

Analogy: Once the “tower” is complete, tell the story of the apostasy, and how the apostles were killed off one by one, and were not replaced and that as each apostle died, less authority existed upon the earth. If you pull one bottom cup out slowly, only a few of the cups will fall from the upper layers, the entire pyramid does not collapse immediately. The gospel was changed slowly throughout time, until all of the apostles were killed. More and more upper cups fall as you pull the apostle base layer out. One by one take away one of the apostles. There was no way the church could remain on the earth without the apostles and the authority they held to perform and run the church. Teachings that were not true were added to the gospel during the apostasy and teachings that were true were taken away. After a certain point, your “tower” or “gospel upon the earth” fell without the apostles and Jesus Christ leading the church. Therefore, during the Apostasy the Priesthood and it’s authority left the earth.

Tell how important Joseph Smith was and his role in the Restoration. Talk about how our church is organized, and I put the apostle layer down again, with the current apostles showing. Then we build up the principles, ordinances, 3-fold mission, Christ at the top. We see that our church has the same organization that existed in Christ’s church.
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5. Spiritual Metamorphosis Object Lesson – (The Printable for this lesson is Included in the MBM kit)

Supplies: Include Ascent photo by David Linn from the Church History Museum, a toy caterpillar and butterfly, and copy of the poem A Spiritual Metamorphosis by Renee Jacks.

Before we know the gospel of Jesus Christ our view on life is as limited as a caterpillar. In the picture, Ascent by David Linn, it shows how dark and confusing this can be. As we make that change and learn the gospel truths step-by-step our view becomes higher ad brighter. When we have made the change from caterpillar to butterfly we can then help others to climb higher.

METAMORPHOSIS IN SCRIPTURE
The Greek word metamorphose is used 4 times in the New Testament.
Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

A Spiritual Metamorphosis
The caterpillar walks the earth
With fettered feet
So very vulnerable to life’s
Every peril
Then he sequesters himself for
A miracle of change,
And soon emerges a creature of
Beauty and freedom
No longer at the mercy of the earth
But rather, a master of flight over it.

Is the practice of faith,
The human metamorphosis
That allows one to cast off
The mortal man,
And frees him from the shackles
Of a fickle world,
That allows him to soar
With the Gods, a master,
No longer subject to every whim
And doctrine of man,
But instead
Able to see from a loftier vantage point,
An ever widening view?
Renee Jacks

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6. A candle lose nothing by lighting another – (Printable included in the MBM Kit)

Supplies need – 4 thick white candles

Scriptures:

Mosiah 2:17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of our God.

Mosiah 2:19 And behold also; if I , whom ye call your king, who has spent his days in your service, and yet has been in the service of God, do merit any thanks from you , O how you ought to thank your heavenly King!

This is a simple and easy, yet thought provoking object lesson. It can also be applied in many different ways. Start by lighting one of the candles, ask for a volunteer and give them a candle. Then light the other candle from the candle already lit. What did they observe? Did the candle lose any of it’s momentum from sharing its flame. No, in fact it shines brighter. Hence, “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” I have used this in my lessons about service and how it is the person doing the serving who, by sharing their flame, burns brighter and gets the most out of the experience. Also enabling the person they are serving to light the way for others. It can also be compared to the light within us that gospel brings and sharing that light with others through missionary work and being a disciple of Christ. It could also be compared to priesthood blessings, the sacrifices made by our Savior or our Pioneer ancestors, being a good example or any other subject where giving, sharing, or service is involved.
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Helping Others Win
A few years ago at the Seattle Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash. At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish and win.
All, that is, except one boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry. They slowed down and looked back. They all turned around and went back. Every one of them! One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”
All nine linked arms and walked across the finish line together.
Everyone in the stadium stood, and the cheering went on for several minutes. People who were there are still telling the story. Why? Because deep down we know this one thing: What matters in this life is more than winning for ourselves. What truly matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.

One Good Turn
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his bag and ran to the bog.
There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

“I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.” “No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.

“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked. “Yes,” the farmer replied proudly. “I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.”
And that he did. Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son, who was saved from the bog, was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time? …. Penicillin.

7. Rubik’s Cube – Apostasy and Restoration of the Gospel object lesson. (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit.)
Supplies: 1 Rubik’s Cube Puzzle

Begin with the Rubik’s cube puzzle solved. As you talk about the apostasy turn the Rubik’s cube until all of the colors are mixed, illustrating the point that parts of the gospel that were lost or confused. While you talk about the importance of each part of the gospel and the church return the cube to the completed state representing the restoration of the gospel.

8. Static Electricity as a metaphor for Christ’s work of Salvation Object Lesson. (Salt, Pepper, Nail, and Cloth).  (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit.)
Take it Away

Description
This Object Lesson for children and youth uses static electricity as a metaphor for Christ’s work of Salvation in the lives of Believers. Christ not only takes our sins upon himself, but also wants us to cast all our burdens upon him.

Resources
Salt, Pepper, and a nail + cloth. (See note below for variations)

NOTE: This object lesson uses static electricity and can be greatly affected by the humidity and temperature. Depending on how dry the air is, you may be able to rub a key or spoon on your clothing, rub a glass rod with silk, use a comb on your hair, or rub a piece of rubber like an inflated balloon on your hair. Each of these creates a static charge under the right conditions. HINT: Don’t use clothing or cloths that have been treated with a fabric softener as these help prevent the buildup of static electricity.

What to do
1. Pour a small mound of pure white salt representing a pure life into the center of a dark colored plate.
2. Sprinkle a dash of salt on top of the salt, representing sin.
3. Get a large iron nail and rub it with a piece of cloth to create static electricity.
4. When you place the statically charged object near the pepper. When you do this the pepper will be attracted to it and can be lifted away.
5. Practice this a couple of times. If you put too much pepper there may not be enough static charge to attract all the pepper.

Take It to the Next Level
The significance of using a nail is obvious. Christ’s nail scarred sacrifice lifted away our sin and attached it to himself (1 Peter 2:24). Christ is also the key to eternal life. Our sin was taken off us and placed on Him that we might become pure and blameless before God.
Another option is to have the pepper represent hurts, bad habits, hurtful words or other things in our lives that we want God to remove. I Peter 5:7 
…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Cast your burden on the Lord Psalms 55:2

9. The Testimony Glove (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit.)
“Personal Testimony is the foundation of our faith.” – M. Russell Ballard.
Have you ever worn gloves? Some gloves protect your hands when you work. Other gloves keep your hands warm. Another kind is worn when playing a sport. In this activity you can make your own “testimony glove” to help you remember five parts of your testimony.
A testimony is a spiritual witness of the gospel’s truthfulness given to us by the Holy Ghost. There are essential parts to a testimony. If you have a desire to believe those things, your belief can grow into a knowledge that they are true.

What are they?
1. Heavenly Father lives and He loves me.
2. Jesus Christ is Heavenly Father’s Son, and my Savior and my Redeemer.
3. Joseph Smith is the prophet called to restore the True Church of Jesus Christ, and to translate the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ is the Savior’s true church on the earth today and its teachings will lead me to the Temple.
5. We have a living prophet who receives continuous revelation from God.

The White Glove represents the Holy Ghost. He will tell you if what I am saying is true.

Baptism Bag
BAPTISM BAGS
Congratulations on your Baptism. It’s your Special Day!
This Baptism bag is to help you understand how important your baptism is.

The WHITE BAG is to remind you of how PURE AND CLEAN you are now that you have been baptized.

The WASHCLOTH is to remind you that you have been washed free of all your sins.

The WATER will remind you that you were baptized by IMMERSION, just like Jesus was. After your baptism you received a special GIFT, the gift of the HOLY GHOST.

The little MOUTH is to help you remember that the Holy Ghost will SPEAK to you in a still small voice.

The SOAP is to remind you that you must have clean thoughts and actions to feel the Holy Ghost.

The EAR in the bag will remind you to always LISTEN to the Holy Ghost so that you can always choose the right.

The Holy Ghost will COMFORT you like a warm BLANKET. The Holy Ghost will comfort you and give you strength when you choose the right and have to stand alone.

The RULER will help you remember that the Holy Ghost is a TEACHER. The Holy Ghost will help you understand and know the truth as you study the scriptures and learn.

The Holy Ghost will LIGHT YOUR WAY like a CANDLE and help you walk along righteous paths.

The HEART shows how much Jesus loves you. He wants you to show your LOVE for Him by obeying the commandments. Always stay close to Him and you will be truly happy.”
I include a laminated card with what each item represents so they can remember.

This Baptism bag is to help the children understand how important their baptism is.
Put the items in a bag or small box (shared by Jennifer Lefftler)
Congratulations on your baptism day! This Baptism bag will help remind you that being baptized is one of the most important things you can do in your life.
The white bag is a symbol of how pure and clean you are now that you have been baptized. Let it remind you that dirt can stain the bag just as sin can stain your soul. Always remember that repentance can keep you pure and clean and should always be your goal.

The picture of Jesus and John the Baptist will remind you that Jesus was baptized when He lived on earth because He wanted to obey Heavenly Father’s commandments and set an example for each of us to follow. He knew that everyone must be baptized to be able to live in the Celestial kingdom.

The sacrament cup: When we are baptized we make a promise to Heavenly Father and He in turn makes a promise to us. This is called a covenant. When you partake of the Sacrament you will be renewing your baptismal covenant. The chart will help you remember what these promises are.

Small gift box: After you were baptized you received one of God’s greatest gifts, the Gift of the Holy Ghost. You received this by the laying on of hands by an Elder of the Church. As you open the small gift representing the Holy Ghost you will discover the many ways the Holy Ghost can help you in your life if you live worthy.

The heart stands for the great love our Heavenly Father has for you and His desire that you return to live with Him. It also stands for the love you show Him by obeying His commandments.

Candle: As you gain a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and live worthy so Heavenly Father’s spirit can be with you, you will feel the peace and joy the gospel brings and have the light of the Holy Ghost. Let the candle represent this light which will lead you back to the presence of your Heavenly Father.

COVENANT (make a card with this written on it)
I Promise:
I will follow Jesus
I will always remember him
I will keep his commandments
Heavenly Father Promises:
He will forgive me
He will give me the help of the Holy Ghost
He will give me eternal life
These are the word strips that go in the “Gift of the Holy Ghost” box:
Gives us our Testimony
Warns us of danger or evil
Comforts us (Galatians 5:22)
Inspires us (Luke 12:12)
Teaches us (John 14:26)
Helps us remember things (John 14:26)
Helps us understand things (D&C 6:15)
Helps us know and choose the right (D&C 11:12)
Guides us in important decisions (2 Nephi 32:5)
Helps us recognize truth (Moroni 10:5)
Helps us understand and communicate with each other (Alma 12:3)
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10. Easter Egg Crucifixion and the Resurrection journey (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit.)
12 Plastic Easter Eggs.
During this Easter Season, may you grow closer to our Savior. Follow in his footsteps on the road in his last days leading up to his Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Start your journey by opening an egg each day. Start with egg #1 on _______ and continue with one each day, until Easter morning.
Enjoy your journey
and time with Jesus Christ.

You can buy plastic Easter eggs at the Dollar Tree Store then use a Sharpie Marker to number them from 1 to 12. You will then fill them up in order with: 1-three dimes, 2-A small cracker or piece of bread. 3-A sacrament cup. 4-A length of twine. 5-A piece of soap. 6-A swatch of purple cloth. 7-a nail. 8-Two toothpicks (to represent casting lots). 9-A bag of crushed rocks and potting soil. 10-Strips of white cloth. 11-Spices tied in a small piece of cloth. 12-Leave this one empty. You will also put the following scriptures in the corresponding eggs. 1-Matthew 26:14-16. 2-Matthew 26:26-28. 3-Mathew 26: 36-37, 39, 42, 44. 4-Matthew 27:1-2. 5-Matthew 27:22-24. 6-Mark 15:16-19. 7-Luke 23:26-27, 33. 8-Luke 23:34. 9-Matthew 27:50-51, 54. 10-Luke 23:50-53, Matthew 27:60. 11-Mark 16:1-4. 12-Mark 16:5-6.

11. Plan of Salvation Object Lesson  (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit.)
Materials Needed: 3 different colors of thread.
Take a small piece of one color of thread and tie it with a small knot to the second color of thread. With another small knot then tie the second color of thread to the third color of string. The third color of string should be the longest. The second color of string should be the shortest.

knot knot
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Premortal Life Life on Earth The Eternities

Then take the single piece of string and drape it all around the room. Ask your investigators to see if they notice anything about the string. (They may say that there are 3 colors or 3 parts to the string. They might say the second colored part of the string is the shortest and the third colored part is the longest.) Then have a discussion on Eternal Life.

Eternal life is the phrase used in scripture to define the quality of life that our Eternal Father lives. The Lord declared, “This is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Immortality is to live forever as a resurrected being. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, everyone will receive this gift. Eternal life, or exaltation, is to live in God’s presence and to continue as families (see D&C 131:1–4). Like immortality, this gift is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, to inherit eternal life requires our “obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel” (Articles of Faith 1:3).

Scriptural Reference:

John 3:16 That God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in Him shall have eternal life.
John 17:3
2 Nephi 9:39
Moroni 7:41
D&C 14:7; 17:3

Print: General Conference October 2013 Like a Broken Vessel by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

12. Two bendable bunny figures. ‘Conform’ (The Printable for this lesson is included in the MBM kit.)
The essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ entails a fundamental and permanent change to our very nature made possible through the Savior’s Atonement. True conversion brings a change to one’s beliefs, heart, and life to accept and ‘Conform’ to the will of God and includes a conscious commitment to become a Disciple of Christ.

Other Gift Ideas: 
Homemade Pillowcase –
Lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep. Alma 37:37

Come Unto Christ scripture pencils – Deseret Book
Come Unto Christ journal and pen – Deseret Book

‘As long as you can see the temple you’re never lost’ magnets.

Plastic Picture Frame from the Dollar Tree Store with quote ‘Come Unto Christ and be perfected in Him’

‘Bunny Tails’ cotton candy.