“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
{Proverbs 25:11}

Sometimes, in a burst of inspiration, you come up with an idea that’s too wonderful to keep to yourself.

For almost a year, I’ve been saving something special for (in)courage: a beautiful way to encourage your children or friends who are working for a summer internship or volunteering with a short-term missions trip.

The idea originated last summer after my daughter had accepted an internship in the Philippines. Working with the Center for Community Transformation, hers was a three-month assignment. It’s not forever, but when you have to travel almost 24 hours to get to your kid, days feel the equivalent of eternity and each mile is always just out of reach.

Though this was a gem of an assignment and her eagerness and excitement uncontainable, I knew there would be a point (and probably several) where homesickness would seep in. And even with today’s wondrous blessing of the internet, her location would make email and Skype unreliable and unpredictable.

Even snail mail could be a challenge. Since her time was divided between Manila and a small village, a typical week-plus delivery could turn into several. Plus, even a small package was expensive. Still…

Words would be my ministry.

We know words matter — as evidenced by John’s powerful declaration in his gospel:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” {John 1:1}

I’ll never be able adequately to wrap my mind around all this means, but I know our gracious God lavished us with Himself by His Word, through His Word, and as the Word. As image bearers of our great God, words should matter to His people.

To some of us, words speak a dominant love language. I’m a Words of Affirmation girl, and I know words also speak love to my daughter — herself, a voracious reader and incredible writer. I wanted to send her mail and lots of it.

Thankfully one of her professors came to my rescue: he offered to take a care package to her when making a trip there to visit family and check on his interns.

I wish I had thought of this idea before she left home, though, which is exactly why I’m sharing with you now!

In addition to a few comfort items and gifts to share with her hosts, I wrote 10 letters for her to read, numbering each envelope in the order I wanted them read; not just letter-letters, but a stack of fun, encouragement, and love.

If you have a loved one traveling abroad or gone for weeks (maybe even an extended camp session?), I hope you’ll take my list of ideas below as seed for thought and come up with your own love notes that suit your personality and relationship.

1. A love letter and introduction to the remaining stack of mail. This was full of general questions, encouragement, Scripture, and love, but it also explained the other nine letters. I encouraged my daughter to save them for when she needed a “hug” from her mama, to read them all at one time would likely diminish the impact of each one (kind of like gorging on a feast rather than eating a right-sized meal).

2.  You is . . . Originating from a quote by Aibileen Clark, a character from the book (and movie) The Help, this was a fun, little exercise that allowed me to tell my daughter who I see her to be. Yes, I started with “You is kind, you is smart, you is important,” but I kept going, calling out the beautiful qualities I want Rachel to know I see in her.

3. Name acrostic. Using her first, middle, and last name, I created an acrostic poem, once again describing character and qualities  that described her.

4. A story. Using a “Once upon a time” format, I wrote a little story that interwove Rachel’s superpowers. Things like “being kind to strangers” and “serving others” trumps flight or X-ray vision in my book.

5. A card. Every letter doesn’t have to be an original work from you. There are plenty of cards out there that seem to depict exactly what your heart wants to say.

6. Haiku. These little 5/7/5-syllable poems are dynamite in small packages to me. I love ’em. Rather than making this a light, frivolous exercise, I wrote a little more seriously, wanting her to gain a sense for my love and affections. I’m sure it was unexpected.

7. Kind Words art print. Before she left, Rachel had seen a bunch of the DaySpring art prints I had — her favorite, not including the two her Mama wrote, was the one featuring Proverbs 16:24. Again, you don’t have to write an eloquent or long letter every time. Sometimes an artistic visual is sufficient.

8. Baby memories. This was a stroll down memory lane, sharing with her some of my favorite memories of her when she was little. I don’t think our children ever tire of hearing the story of themselves.

9. Tiny card. A beautiful 2″ square card; this was a simple reminder of how special she is. Sometimes you don’t need a lot of words to express a lovely, important thought.

10. A “last” letter. In this one, because she was giving her time and talents to work with street dwellers, I used Isaiah 52:7 as a springboard:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness.” 

I also included a letter to the other student who was interning and living with her. It really didn’t matter that we had never been introduced; I hated the thought of Rachel being the only one receiving mail (I actually received a thank you note in return).

And when my baby girl received her care package? You would’ve thought I had sent her silver or gold. And I guess, in one sense, I did.

Do you have a child or have special friends living, working, or volunteering for an extended time this summer? Does this resonate with you?

What other ideas do you have to add to my list? I’d love to know . . . for next time!

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