Package #8

Jordan did make a request this time.

For a loaf of homemade bread!

Light Honey Whole Wheat bread is simply is favorite bread and I'm sure he was anxious for this package to arrive.

He told us that he was gifted a left over jar of Nutella and wanted some thin pretzel sticks to dip into the Nutella.  He loves thin pretzel sticks.  I think they remind him of his Grandma Franchina, who always had them on hand to nibble on while watching t.v.

I wanted to send him some butter, but wasn't sure how it would fare...sometimes he gets the package the same day it's delivered, sometimes he gets it the next morning.

Then I thought, "why not make honey butter?"  Surely the sweetness of honey will preserve the butter for at least a couple of days, right?

Thank goodness for those little plastic dessert bowls from Chick Fil A ~ I knew they would come in handy some day!

Package #7

Christmas is only thirteen days away and we had a great time shopping for little gifts to wrap up for Jordan's tree.

We found several crisp dollar bills for him to fold in origami shapes, to put on his tree and/or give to his companions as gifts.

We know he loves York Peppermint patties and Toblerone.  We found a couple of chocolate covered Santa marshmallows and even found one that was a snowflake shape.

Jordan requested pictures to add to his photo album.  We made sure he got one of his nephew, Oliver.

Jordan loves any kind of ball ~ and we found a purple rubber bouncy ball at the Dollar store for him to play with.

A dry erase board to practice Korean, a sticky tumbler toy, Christmas cards, candy canes, and a kitty puzzle that we found at the dollar store. Oh, of course, he needs a lint roller, although he is not around kitties that much....

We even found him a purple survival bracelet, which I'm sure he'll find a use for...

No Christmas package is complete unless there are some Soft Sugar Cookies to decorate!

I made a kit of round sugar cookies, a tub of butter cream frosting, sprinkles, plates, napkins and a few knives for a cookie decorating party.

Nothing like sending a little Christmas to brighten up Jordan's day!

Package #6

Jordan didn't make any requests for specific items to be mailed, so it was up to us to figure out what to send him.

I wanted to bring a little bit of Christmas to his dorm room and thought that a Christmas tree would be a great idea.  I found a lot of small table top trees, but they were quite expensive.  At Shopko, near the Post Mart in Orem, I found a three foot pre-lit tree for only $12.  All Christmas ornaments were 40% off.  I knew then and there, that would be the perfect tree for Jordan.

Purple is Jordan's color.  I found a glittery purple star and tried to find some unbreakable ornaments that would complement the tree.  Instead, I found some jingle bells which worked perfectly!  The tree "skirt" is actually a day pack with a Samsonite logo that I got through a swag bag at a blogger event.

My plan is to purchase several small items for Jordan to open one per day for his "12 days of Christmas." I hope he enjoys it!

I was so excited to put this package together!  We included a hand written letter and some left over birthday cake to eat.

I know he won't be able to take this tree with him (thank goodness for free MTC delivery to Post Mart!) and I won't be able to ship it to Korea for next Christmas.  But we'll put it in a special place in our home next year, that's for sure!

Package #5

There were a couple of requests from Jordan for this package.  First, he wanted his 5x5 Rubik's cube and some instructions on how to solve the last step or "parity errors" as he called it. 

Next, he wanted his Plan of Salvation kit, and he knew exactly where it was in his room.  It was so easy to find!

He then asked for a Korean flag.  We have a small desk top flag that we used at his farewell, but he wanted a larger one to display.  I believe this is a 3'x5' flag, much larger than he wanted, but it was the only size available.

Funny story, looking for the flag at Colonial Flag in Sandy....  I found the section of international flags near the back of the store, all neatly alphabetized.  Found the "K" section and began searching...

Kazakhastan, Kenya, Kirabati, Kuwait, Kygrhyzstan... but no Korean flag.

I enlisted the help of a store clerk, who also looked in the "K" section with no luck, and went to the back room to find the flag.

I called Brad and asked him what to do.

"Did you look under "S?"

Duh.

South Korea.

Got it!

I found the poor clerk rumaging through the back of the store, insisting that she could not find it.  When I told her it was under "S" for South Korea, she had the same "Duh" moment!

For Jordan's treat of the week, I included some Muddy Buddies, a family favorite that I was sure he'd enjoy.

Package #4

It's getting harder and harder to figure out what to send Jordan when he doesn't request anything!

Brad wanted to make him his favorite breakfast food:  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake.

We found a container at the Dollar store and put 2/3 of the cake inside.

I threw in some clean extra dress socks that I found in Jordan's wash, so I hope he can use those!

Jordan mentioned that there is always food to share, so why not make it a party?

Extra plates, napkins, forks and a knife will complete the package.

Dad wrote a letter, which is always nice to have.

Enjoy!

Package #3

Jordan did not request anything this time, but today, we sent him a package anyway.

Grandpa Franchina wanted to send Jordan a scarf that he had purchased many years ago while visiting Russia.  He wrote a letter to Jordan, describing the events surrounding the story behind the scarf.

I think all three of these ties came from Grandpa Franchina.  A co-worker of his made the camouflage tie. A neighbor of ours told us that her missionary son needed some "ugly ties" to wear on Ugly Tie day at the MTC, so who knows?  Maybe Jordan will find a use for the Army tie.

The conference issue came out last week and I thought it would be a good idea to include it in the package.  I'm not sure if he will have time to read it, but I hope he does ~ there are always inspiring and uplifting talks from our leaders every time we have conference.

Thanksgiving is only a few days away, and you have to have homemade rolls!

I brushed melted butter on the rolls and sent a small bottle of cinnamon honey.

Another package, ready to go!

Items Needed: Package #2

In Jordan's first email, there were several items that he needed.

First, his brown bathrobe.  He rarely wears it and he didn't think he would need it.

Next, he needed a copy of his Missionary Call and his Patriarchal Blessing.  His mission call is signed by the prophet Thomas S. Monson.

A Patriarchal blessing is given to any worthy member of the church who desires one.  It is given to the individual through a priesthood member called to be a Patriarch, through the laying on of hands, the Holy Ghost and the priesthood power.

It is an individualized, direct blessing from our Heavenly Father.  The blessing is audio recorded and transcribed for the individual.  These blessings often contain words of advice, encouragement, sometimes caution, and love from our Heavenly Father, who knew us before we came to earth.

Jordan told us the MTC would be able to shrink down his patriarchal blessing to fit inside his scriptures and laminate it for durability.

Elders in the MTC cannot listen to any music, not even instrumental or Mormon Tabernacle Choir music (what a bummer!).  Jordan requested a pitch pipe, the circular device you see in the red box.  It will help him with a starting pitch to sing hymns and other songs while at the MTC.

He requested a Mission Belt, available at Mr. Mac's.  It has an unique ratchet system that allows him to to use the belt without punching in extra holes.  Hmmmmm .... I'm not sure if he is planning on gaining or losing weight .... he's at the perfect size!

The back side of the "Mission Belt"

He also requested a couple of pictures.  He needs extra passport sized photos to take to the Mission Home (in Korea) and other family photos.

Jordan ordered some ties on EBay and they arrived while he was at the MTC.  They were all around $3 or less and came from China.  He's expecting that he will find more ties in Korea! 

No package is complete unless it has goodies in it.  Dad made some Peanut Butter Cookies and I made Teresa's Brownies in a disposable tin.  I normally don't frost my brownies, but decided to sprinkle some Ande's Mint Bits on top.  Let them sit for a couple of minutes, spread and cool ...

Added some styrofoam peanuts and this package was ready to go.

I am excited for Jordan to receive our weekly packages!  Mailing packages while he is at the MTC is the best thing to do.  Once in Korea, he will have access to almost everything he needs ... except for mom's cooking.  According to my friend whose son served in Korea, mailing FROM Korea is cheap; mailing TO Korea is expensive.

Cookies and Milk

We found a place in Orem, Post Mart, that will deliver packages to the MTC same day if you bring them to Post Mart by 3 PM, Monday-Friday.  Packages will need to be dropped off by 10 AM on Saturdays. The cost is only $2!

There is same-day MTC delivery available in our area, but we need to get the package ready by 11 AM, they have weight limits and it costs about $9.  So we choose to spend $4 in gas round-trip, + $2 for the package delivery.

Since we did not know what Jordan needed, we decided to mail him some Chocolate Chip cookies, Snickerdoodle cookies and a water bottle.

A hand written letter is always nice, isn't it?

Brad is a cookie/milk/dunker, and wanted Jordan to have some milk, so I packaged some Morning Moo dry milk into a plastic baggie with instructions.

I also put some marshmallows in the cookies to keep them from breaking and extra baggies to he could share cookies with his friends.

Close, tape, and label.  This package is ready to go!

For more information on Post Mart's same day MTC delivery, click HERE.  They also have a FREE reverse delivery service for missionaries at the MTC that need to send items for pick up at their store.