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

Who's Counting?

 

 

Are you looking for a way to remember your missionary and think of them each day that they serve? Do you want to track their progress?  Do you want to keep track of their companions and areas?  Do you want to involve your children in a fun way? 

If so, then a personalized missionary Countdown Map is the perfect thing for your family!  With Countdown Maps, it’s easy to follow your missionary from the time they enter the MTC until they start their journey home. Your family will love marking each transfer and keeping track of companionship changes. It is a great way for parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents and friends to feel more connected and involved with your missionary. When completed it becomes a great memento for the rest of their life.

Each CountDown Map is personalized with your missionaries name, photo and favorite scripture along with a flag and map of country or state where they are serving. The map is in the shape of the state or country where they are called and is divided into the number of days your missionary will serve.











How did Countdown Maps come to be?  When my first son went on his mission to the Dominican Republic, we wanted to find a way to think of him each day and we also wanted to keep all of his

younger brothers and sister involved as well.  I had seen other countdown charts, but wanted something more personal. So I created an image in the shape of the Dominican Republic and divided it into 730 boxes – one for each day while he was gone.  We posted this on the wall near the kitchen table and every day after morning prayer we would mark of the day.  In fact, the person who said the prayer got to mark for that day.  We had so much fun marking it off and noting his areas and companions that we wanted to also do it for our other children.  We also had requests from other people to make one for them when their missionaries left, and that is where this idea was born. 

 

 

We founded the company in 2012 and have seen an increasing desire from other people who are also looking for a fun way to remember and track their missionary along the way.  The maps we sell today are much more professional and personalized.  Each map has not only the grid, but a map key to help you know where you should be (in case you get off). It also has their name, picture, mission, flags, and a favorite scripture or quote. We create them for Elders, Sisters, and couples.

 

Currently we have two sons serving missions – one in Montana and one in Texas.  We have their maps proudly displayed on our kitchen wall and we mark the days as we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.

You can find our maps sold in the Missionary Momma Mall: missionarymommamall.com
For more information, check out our website: www.countdownmaps.com

 

 

Simply Kiki's - Whimsical Custom Jewelry

 

We are so excited to welcome

Simply Kiki's, owned by Missionary Momma Krista Morgan,

to the Missionary Momma Mall! 

She hand makes the cutest necklaces, bracelets and key chains.  The possibilities are endless!  She can customize any of her pieces with a photo, flag, map, hand written message, artwork, whatever you can imagine!  The best part - they are so affordable!  (Prices start at only $5.95!!!)

For those of us with a little less imagination, she has put her own creativity to work and come up with some really great designs.  There are 15 different CTR designs, and 15 different "I am  Child of God" images.  Click on over to the MMMall to see all the lovely choices!

After years of providing daycare in her home,  in 2014 Krista decided to embark on a new adventure.  With her youngest now in school (and oldest on a mission), she wanted a business she could run from her home that was flexible, and FUN!!

Of her new venture, Krista had this to say, "The thought of creating special gifts for others was appealing, kind of like a birthday and Christmas everyday!  Life is always full of so much, well, LIFE!  I wanted to create jewelry that could capture all of that. With these pendants it's limitless, fun pictures that fit each unique personality, inspirational quotes, images to celebrate a holiday, cheer on your team, honor your missionary and so much more.  Being on a tight budget it was important to me to offer a durable, great quality item that would fit in all budgets.  The pricing of these allows you to have a special one created or collect many to wear on all sorts of different occasions."

 

 Krista is a RM and a MM! She said, "My missionary is our oldest, of 7 kids.  She's currently serving in Starkville Mississippi within the Alabama Birmingham mission.  Her service is almost complete and will be home on March 5th of this year! (WooHoo, I can actually say...THIS YEAR!) I served in the Paraguay Asuncion Mission and my husband served in the California San Diego mission.  We feel so blessed that our amazing daughter made the decision to sacrifice 18 months in service of others."

The above photo is of Krista (aka Hermana Fish) when she was serving in the Paraguay Asuncion Mission back in the day.  The bottom photo is of her with her family today.

Krista has a real passion for what she does and it shows!  She said, "One of the funnest things about making these pendants is getting a glimpse inside other peoples lives, their celebrations, their sorrows, and their loves, hobbies and quirkiness.  I love seeing where people's missionaries are serving, the pictures their cute little ones have drawn and images of the amazing miissionaries their moms are wearing close to their hearts..  They've also been used on wedding bouquets, (a picture of a missing loved one or pictures honoring their own parents love and devotion). A recent one I made was for a new mom, it had a baby footprint in the color of the November birthstone along with her precious little one's name.  Another great use is for business logos.  Our Orthodontist has had some made as gifts for the moms and teens that come get braces on.  My sister is a manager of a trampoline park and she loves wearing her custom made pendant with their logo, another great way to advertise a business."

Click Here to See all the Fun Stuff from Simply Kiki's!