Care Packages and My Week

On Sunday our church had Shalom Sunday. I was part of a team that packed and sent out packages to our soldiers. We were so blessed with donations and excited helpers that we were able to mail out 13 packages. There were many prayers and commitments to continue to pray for each soldier that got a package too. We sent them to family members of church members and neighbors and friends.

If you are mailing a package to a deployed soldier they have different needs than one that is stateside. I thought I'd share a bit in case you want to mail a soldier a package. Christmas is coming!

Of course, letters and pictures. If kids are drawing pictures remind them that they should draw pictures of what they have been doing at home. Soldiers don't need pictures of war, they see that everyday.

Use many Ziploc bags as they reuse them and can put them to good use. Plus it's good to keep the smells of the hygiene items secure.

Shelly's son Jed has been deployed so she had great ideas. As she reminded us, soldiers don't always get enough to eat; after all they are at war. I know Sam misses many meals and he is stateside for now.

Deployed soldiers:

*baby wipes- it's dusty over there.

*mouse traps and fly strips- enough said.

*hygiene items-solids and they like Axe products to mask smells.

*drink mixes, zip fizz energy drink, crystal lite etc.- sometimes their water doesn't taste good.

*Starbucks Via- add it to bad coffee to amp it up.

*beef jerky, protein bars, trail mix, nuts.

*homemade cookies usually arrive in crumbs but they tell me they don't care, it tastes like home.

*books and current magazines- don't worry about their reading tastes, it's trading stock.

Stateside soldiers:

*homemade cookies and bars- wrapped two by two for controlled sharing.

*gift cards.

*candy, beef jerky, favorite snacks.

*drink mixes-they are required to stay hydrated and sometimes the water isn't great.

*Via for the coffee.

*Treats for their spouse and children. We put together a package for a soldier, his wife and six boys! That Mama is a saint :) We packed a box for a family with a new baby too. See below for the dinner idea we sent.

College students:

If you're mailing a package to a college student, they love the homemade cookies and bars. I send emergenC, gift cards, microwave popcorn, snacks, etc. A meal in a bag is great too. For chicken and rice soup, I send Groentesoep mix, cream of chicken soup, 1 cup rice and a can of chicken. Dump it all in a crock pot or soup pot, add water and cook. Danny loves to get this soup. He needs a package this weekend as he's been super busy and had a bad cold. I think I'll send the afghan that Great Grandma made for him. It was in his room and it's going to be winter soon in Michigan.

*EDITED TO ADD: A great site for ideas and restrictions for packages to military personnel.

Meanwhile this week...

*My Dad was in the hospital being treated for a blood clot. He got to go home last night and is sooo happy to be home. He is 76 and it was his first hospital stay. He was hoping to never need to stay but fortunately the doctor realized he had a blood clot. He happened to go with my Mom to her appointment and since they share a doctor and he asked about Dad and it was discovered. That was a God thing!

*I've been crazy busy at the museum, getting ready for the Open House which is October 13, getting ready for Christmas, getting a new VISA system and more.

*Today is the BiG Fall Costco trip. Hubby has a day off so he is going with me. Very happy about that this morning!

* Meanwhile the laundry was piling up at home. Sigh---I hate it when that happens.

Have a great weekend! I have an exciting day on Monday with lots of prep this weekend. Fun, fun, fun! Oh, and I have to get my Fall decorating done...