God is My Guide Compass

By Bruce Goodmansen

 Once my first book became a national best seller shortly after graduating from BYU, I became hooked on the entrepreneur lifestyle.  Since its publication, I have built a number of companies and have create a plethora of products that have been introduced into stores nationwide.  Then came the day when I was heavily embezzled and lost almost everything—at that moment I don’t think my heart could have sunk to a deeper depth—in fact, I did not wish to live. 

Eventually hope healed my painful wounds, and then the thought came to mind to create a unique compass that would serve as a constant reminder of just who will always be my best guide in life—especially when I am lost.  So at the position of north, upon the compass face, the word, GOD, was added, for He, indeed, is our finest guide in life and our True North.  The scripture, Joshua 1:9 was engraved in brass on the backside as a reminder that the Lord is with us in all our daily travels.

The God is My Guide Compass was produced as a gift of faith just over a year ago, and since then our company has sold nearly 5,000 throughout the country.  We have received emails from missionary moms who wanted to thank us for the inspiration the compass has become in the daily life of their missionary.  Grandparents have written us to say that the compass is now traditionally given to every grandchild on the day of their baptism.   And people of every faith have posted gracious reviews to express the joy it has brought to them or to a loved one.

Life can be terribly overwhelming, but as the prophet Joshua said: “Be strong and courageous!  For the Lord thy God is with thee wherever you go.”  We hope the compass will remind you of this constant blessing throughout your life.

A TIE THAT MEANS SOMETHING

Statesman Ties was an idea that was two years in the making. While serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ukraine, Kiev Mission, I often found myself searching for new or unique neckties to wear. I searched high and low and would typically find cool ties at local bazaars in the city or at other markets.
On my last day in the Ukraine, Kiev Mission, some the very thoughtful members of one of the local congregations sent me home with gifts. One gift was a necktie with the same colors as the Ukraine flag.
That is when I realized that not only did I love the people of the Ukraine, but I also appreciated my time there…so much so that I was grateful to have a tie that would always remind me of my time there…a tie that means something.
It is with that in mind that I created Statesman Ties. We use the tagline “A Tie That Means Something,” because our custom neckties are more than just a fashion statement. It is a statement of pride and a unique way for people to be reminded of a country or area they’ve served in as an LDS Missionary, or just a country that they are fond of and like to visit.
Almost seven years after I came up with the idea, my wife and launched Statesman Ties in 2006. For the last 10+ years, we have been growing slowly and consistently. We are grateful for those who have supported us along the way and we’re looking forward to more growth in the future.

We have unique custom country ties and state-themed ties for anyone and everyone.

Thanks for taking this journey with Statesman Ties!

Some of our most popular ties are featured on the MissionaryMommaMall.com.  The full selection is available on our website - Statesmanties.com

CTR Vital - For Healthy Missionaries

https://missionarymommamall.com/products/ctr-vital-capsules-for-health-and-digestion

You Have Been Called

by Guest Blogger Josh Roemer
of YouHaveBeenCalled.com

I come from a family of missionaries. My father is Swiss (more on that later) and served his mission from Switzerland, to Las Vegas, Nevada. While on his mission he had the great fortune of meeting my mother in one of the last areas he served in. They were then married in the St. George Temple a number of months after my father completed his mission. I mention this story to show just how much missions mean to me and my family. If it weren’t for missions, my family as I know it would not have been possible.

My mother is no stranger to having missionaries out in the field. With three returned missionaries and one who just put his papers in this last weekend, my family has had at least one member of the family out on a mission for the past seven years. One night during my brother’s mission to Albania, I found myself sitting with my father in his living room brainstorming ideas on how to better keep track of the time missionaries are away serving the Lord. My father being Swiss, started a Swiss Watch company a little after he started his family, so we tried to keep to ideas that would be able to utilize the unique resources he had access to. That was the night the idea of a personalized missionary countdown clock was born.

(Watch how you create your own here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_bJ8S3UOb0)

We created something for families who are anticipating the return of their loved one and want a constant reminder of not only the time left before they are reunited, but what they are doing. The clocks are personalized to you and 100% unique to your missionary. They aren’t generic and no two will ever be the same (unless of course you happen to order an extra for another family member). Whether you want to use a professional picture taken before your son or daughter left, or a picture of them serving in the field, the choice is absolutely yours. Add their favorite scripture, quote, the mission they are serving in, and their name, it is all up to you.

(Create your own clock here! https://www.youhavebeencalled.com/product/missionary-clock/)

While the clocks are fantastic and something that many families have enjoyed, it isn’t the only thing we were able to think up to create for missionaries. While serving my mission in Tokyo, Japan, I noticed that most missionaries went through multiple watches. Japan is a very humid place in the summer, and we spent the majority of our days on bikes. This meant that most watches didn’t last long. In fact, one of my companions went through three watches in the two transfers I was with him. While they were $5-$10 watches, multiple transactions add up quickly (this is something we discussed frequently and still joke about even now).  Lucky for me my father owned a watch company and was able to provide me with a watch that could survive a mission. It also happens to be the watch I still wear to this day, 6 years later.

(See all of our watches here! https://www.youhavebeencalled.com/product-category/watches/)

This is something I wanted all missionaries to have access to. A highly functional, affordable watch. Most watches today are focused on looks and not much more.  The main purpose of our watches is to function as you expect them to, while at the same time being something that will match the clean dress standards missionaries are met with. They will survive the rain, sleet, and snow. It rains a lot in Japan, but not as much as other missions in the world and with these watches being water resistant up to 300ft, you won’t have to worry about getting them wet. They are also built to take a beating, with a K1 hardened mineral crystal face (fancy words for “good luck scratching it”) you won’t have to worry about babying the watch either. Missionaries work hard, I have never worked harder than the two years I was on my mission. Their shoes will wear to the point of falling apart (literally). Their clothes will get stained and torn while out contacting or scrambling to make it to their next appointment on time. These watches will work as hard as the missionary that wears them and will be something that can be relied on.

 

Of course we realize that no product is perfect and while these watches are close, they are no exception. If a watch happens to take on water, or stop working, it will be replaced free of charge. Simply send it in to us and we will happily fix (depending on the damage) or send you a new one.  

This is something that is very special to me and I am incredibly happy that I have the opportunity to offer these types of things to missionaries, as well as their families!

Josh Roemer

www.youhavebeencalled.com

Railtek Belts Rock!

Elders everywhere are asking for this belt!  This is the one they are all talking about, that adjusts easily with your growing or shrinking waist while serving a mission.  There are NO HOLES in this belt and it looks great even after you make the necessary adjustments for and expanding or contracting midsection! 

By popular demand these innovative, sturdy, and fashionable belts are now available on the Missionary Momma Mal!! 

Click Here

to get yours now!

Here is the story of Railtek Belts as told by the owner and founder, Justin:

The Story

Railtek Belts started off as most companies do…someone runs across an unfamiliar concept and likes it so much that they want everybody else to enjoy it too. That is exactly how we started. My name is Justin and this is my story.

During 2005-2007, I lived overseas in an East European country while serving as a representative for my church. We were out and about nearly every day talking to people, so dressing up and looking presentable was a must. As time went by, I realized that there wasn’t much variation in my fashion. Ties, belts, watches and shoes seemed as if they were the only option to express some sense of style. One day as I was browsing through an outdoor market, I ran across an interesting belt. But was it a belt? There were no holes so how did it keep your pants up? Investigating further, I discovered the most intriguing buckle system that worked with a rail on the back of the belt. I had never seen this before! It only took a few seconds until I was sold and moments later I was the proud owner of this new-way to hold up my britches. Over the course of the next week, I realized that not only was this new belt very stylish but it may just be the solution to my fluctuating weight! I was no longer restricted to the daunting gap between holes of traditional belts; I could adjust 1/4 of an inch at a time in either direction…Amazing!

As my time in Eastern Europe came to a close, I purchased a couple of belts to bring back with me. From then until the fall of 2012, I wore those belts almost every day. Many times I thought, “How cool would it be to sell this. People would love them!” Well, this thought got the best of me and I started to develop a business plan to introduce the American people to my favorite belt. What would I call it? Railtek Belts.

I encourage anyone who reads this to try a Railtek Belt. It has been a favorite belt for me and it will certainly be a favorite belt for you.

Sincerely,
Justin H

RailtekBelts.com

Tract bag and WHITE bag Arrive

December 10, 2015 by Zion Bags 

Zion Bags is extremely proud to introduce two brand new products that will be a great addition for every missionary either leaving on a mission or currently in the mission field. The Tract bag also is a great product designed for just about everyone and great for the LDS lifestyle, for church, work or school.

Introducing the new Tract bag…

We heard you! Since introducing our line of full sized missionary bags a year ago Zion Bags has had requests to use our unique skill sets and design approach to create a smaller, leaner bag.
Introducing the Tract bag, a unisex sling messenger bag that is the perfect everyday pack for everyone but was designed specifically with tracting and missionary work in mind for those situations where a full sized bag isn’t necessary or convenient. It’s built with the same rugged construction, durable materials and attention to detail that have established Zion Bags as the leader in missionary bags.
And there has been no compromise on features in the Tract bag! The Tract bag sports a stylish, fashion forward look with its classic grey herringbone 600D exterior and sleek, ergonomic vertical profile. Shatter resistant Duraflex surface mounted buckles and durable YKK zippers and are appointed throughout this bag.
Whether worn over the shoulder employing its soft shoulder strap and comfortable shoulder pad, cinched up tight to your back with its cushioned, breathable back panel or carried to meetings with its padded top handle the Tract will make you look and feel comfortable and professional in any situation and setting.
And when the environment calls for it there is even a custom fitted, detachable rain cover which stows in a dedicated pocket so you are always ready to protect your materials and technology.
The Tract has all the pockets and features you need inside and out. Internally there are padded, fleece lined pockets for an iPad and cell phone, an organization panel for writing implements and accessories and an extra-large compartment for bulky items. Externally the Tract has quick access panels and pockets for materials, a planner, books and even a mesh water bottle pocket. Reflective piping, a bicycle light loop and detachable key fob are included to help provide additional levels of safety.
The Tract Bag is ideally suited for international travel and missions, particularly in Latin America, Asia and Africa, because of its subtle styling and light carry but is equally qualified to serve the domestic and European missionary with its portability and convenience.
In short, the Tract is the perfect bag designed for you!
Tract On!

Introducing the new WHITE bag…

What’s in a name? When it’s the WHITE bag the name says it all! It’s the perfect name for the perfectly simple product!
Ask any returned or actively serving missionary what they use (or used) to carry their baptismal whites in and, when they’ve served their purpose and are wet, what they carry them back to their apartment in and they will all tell you the same thing…in a plastic grocery, or worse, in a trash bag. Not the most appropriate conveyance for articles used in a sacred ordinance!
Well, Zion Bags took a look at this problem and, being totally dedicated as a company to providing “solutions that serve” missionaries and the LDS lifestyle, we began the process and created our newest, most innovative product yet.
We are proud to introduce the WHITE bag!
The WHITE bag, as the name would suggest, is a special purpose bag made entirely of white materials including a pure white poly exterior and coated interior so as to be waterproof and not leak when wet items are placed inside. There is also an additional, totally separate, zippered pocket on the front panel.
The WHITE bag is a sack bag with a drawstring top with its cinch cords doubling as shoulder straps allowing the bag to be worn on the back. Once emptied the bag can be pulled inside/out allowing it to air dry.
The name WHITE bag also speaks to the intended contents and purpose of the bag and is intentionally understated in its simple design and aesthetic so as not to stand out in a sacred setting. We have included several subtle gold tone accents to serve as a reminder that this bag is special.
While the initial purpose of the WHITE bag is for missionaries, it is equally suited for use by youth participating in temple baptisms and as a temple bag for adults. Also makes a great gift for new converts as they begin their journey in the church that will point them back to the temple many times throughout their lives.
The WHITE bag…..a simply perfect solution!
Visit our website for more details and pricing information.
Zion Bags

Glasses for Peru: By Small and Simple Means, Great Things are Brought to Pass

by Guest Blogger - MM Shannon Avery

I remember the day clearly…
My oldest son had been serving in South America for almost fourteen months, and his brother
was really struggling in his absence. They were best buddies, confidants, partners in crime :) I’d
been praying and wondering what it would take for my younger son to snap out of his gloomy
place.

Then one day a missionary name tag arrived in a dirty, crumbled envelope from Peru. That name
tag, and the letter that came with it, changed everything.

My elder told his brother about the joy he’d found serving the Lord and the people of Peru. He
explained that his name tag had gotten too worn out and he’d received a replacement, but he
couldn’t bring himself to get rid of it because it symbolized the love, sweat, and tears that he was
so grateful to have been able to experience. He said his name tag represented what was most
important to him in the whole world – the Lord, His gospel, and eternal families.

The day my elder’s name tag arrived in the mail was a turning point for my younger son. It was
simple, but it changed things for him in a powerful way. That tag and what it meant was
motivating and inspiring. Most of all, it was a little reminder of his brother that he could look at
every day, confirming for him that their time apart was worth it!

(Fast forward about 8 weeks… : )
As Christmastime came around a few months later, I was trying to come up with a meaningful,
inexpensive gift for our family members who'd supported our missionaries during the year. Some
of them contributed to our missionaries’ mission funds. Others wrote encouraging letters and
emails. I really wanted something unique that would represent this special time in our family,
and that would let them know how much their love and support meant to our missionaries and to
us.

Remembering how much my elder’s name tag had meant to him personally, and what it had done
for my son at home, I decided to design a name tag that could be hung on a Christmas tree, given
as a gift, and kept in a special place in the home of any family with a missionary.

As you can probably imagine, the name tag gift was a hit! Our missionaries' grandparents, aunts,
and uncles loved them! My friends with missionaries asked me to make name tag ornaments for
their families too. Now, here we are at the second Christmas season since creating the missionary
name tag ornaments, and I have people I’ve never met contacting me to ask if there’s any way I
can make them for their families! I even had a grandma ask if I would make one for each of her
returned missionary grandchildren so she could have a "missionary tree."

With how much people have enjoyed the ornaments, I decided I would offer them on a website
dedicated exclusively to missionary families. And I'd also offer other products, advice, and
information that I've found helpful along the way. So that's how the idea of
MissionaryExchanges.com was born :)

Now, here's my very favorite part of all this, and the reason why I didn't give up when I realized
how much work it was going to be, haha! All of the profits from Missionary Exchanges will go
directly toward missionary work. Every penny. That is my promise.

So, the first thing we are doing is a project we are calling "Glasses for Peru." Let me tell you
about it.

My son Jake (the one who sent his name tag home in the mail) was telling us about how excited
people were when the missionaries would give them FREE scriptures :) But many times when
the missionaries would return to teach them, they would not have read their new scriptures....not
because they could not read, but because they could not see the words on the pages! Jake
explains that the number of people who need glasses in Peru is staggering. As a family, we
talked about how much we would like to help them out, but we just didn't know where to begin
(you can see, this is a recurring theme with us...great ideas with no idea how to make them
happen, haha!).

But then, a few weeks later, Jake was talking to a man in the temple about how we wanted to
figure out a way to offer free eye exams, glasses, and scriptures to needy people in Peru, and the
man told him that he's done that before! He told Jake the kind of machine we'd need to figure out
the strength of the glasses people needed, and he told Jake where to get the glasses in bulk for a
good price.

Jake is working with the stake presidents he met in his mission to figure out places to do the free
eye exams. And because missionaries have a requirement for service hours, we will work with
the mission president to involve the missionaries in helping with the distribution of glasses and
scriptures to those who need them. Win-Win for everyone!

Our first trip to Peru is scheduled for the middle of January, after their summer vacation and
before it starts to get cold there. I'll post updates on our progress as we work out the details.

So there you have it! MissionaryExchanges.com is my labor of love. We only have a couple of
products and blog posts right now, but we’ll grow! I welcome you all to visit the site and take a
look around. We also have a Facebook page and a pretty lame Pinterest account, LOL! Please
“Like” and “Share” if you feel inclined. The more people who know about us and like our
products, the more people we can give the gift of vision. Thanks so much!
Merry Christmas, you wonderful missionary mommas! Your sacrifice is so precious ♥

Site: www.MissionaryExchanges.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/missionaryexchanges
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/missionaryexch

Thank you so much for your support!  The first batch is in the mail!!