Our oldest son had just left to serve on his mission in Mississippi. I was so happy to finally have our son on a mission. My friends forgot to tell me how much I would miss him…  There I was in the dairy section of Safeway, crying my eyes out thinking about my missionary in the MTC. Right there next to the milk I came up with an idea and off to the fabric store I went.  I made him a simple but beautiful missionary quilt - 8 inch squares, and only two fabrics. One was a printed pattern the other a coordinating solid fabric. It was a simple patchwork quilt. In the solid squares I embroidered things like - “Called to Serve; ” Elder Jensen; ” We love you”;  Mississippi Jackson Mission” … things like that.  As he left the MTC it was waiting for him when he arrived at the new mission home in Jackson. He said it was like a big hug from home all the nights on his mission. That was exactly the feelings we were hoping he would have.

Being a little older and wiser my second missionary quilt was done six months before our second son was called. I tucked it into his suitcase as we left for the airport to take him to the MTC in Provo. He said it was a wonderful surprise as he unpacked his suitcase and found it.  Both our sons came home with their quilts.   Both quilt and missionary - a little ragged, a little dusty, and a little worn-out. These two quilts today symbolize to our sons the honor, endurance and memory of a hard but joyful mission.

Our third son turns 18 next week. He also will have a lovely quilt when he leaves. It will also be made with love and when he wraps himself in it at night - our family will be wrapping our arms around him too.

Happy Quilting, Kathleen