While serving on a mission, I remember the fast paced lunches. Lunch was often the only time of the day you could do one of the following: catch a quick power nap, shoot some hoops, write in your journal, fight with your companion (just joking), or day dream about your mighty return home. Because these activities become so important to your daily routine most missionaries attempt to make and eat a very quick lunch so they have the remained of their hour for more important things.

The meal of choice for me was chicken Top Ramen. Now eating it day in and day out could become a little bit boring, and not to mention, redundant. About six months into my mission I received a gift one day containing a book titled “The Ultimate Missionary Cook Book.” This book contained dozens of methods to eat Top Ramen that would make my life much better each and every day while serving the Lord. Not only was my lunch quick and cheap, but it was different.

The missionary cook book also offers many other cheap and fast recipes including recipes with rice, soups, and many other mouth watering ideas.

When serving a mission…one thing is for sure, you are going to receive a lot of stale cookies in the mail. This was a fact for me and most of the friends I have that served as well. I remember in one area our entire freezer was filled with cookies from home that were baked with love. While you appreciate the thought, you often don’t get to enjoy the cookies as they are often melted, or frozen and have been tossed to and fro by the USPS, and have spent days in the back of a smelly truck. Upon arrival, we would gratefully taste one cookie and then off to the freezer they went to spend the remainder of their days. Often, that meant years since most elders had no clue what it meant to clean out the freezer.

Now I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but I much rather preferred a gift that didn’t go stale. For example, one of my all time favorite gifts I ever received on my mission was a little missionary joke book. This book was filled with hand-drawn cartoons that made fun of the missionary life-style. One cartoon discussed the many unique ways you could eat top ramen; another would poke fun at the many unique ties you may own as a missionary. This book made me laugh over and over as the many cartoon hit home. I remember reading this joke book over and over and also laughing with my companions as they read it as well.

I guess, what I’m saying is if you are going to send a missionary a care package instead of including some cookies…try this joke book as I’m sure they will love it!