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

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