You want to send your missionary a good letter, but the week at home has been pretty ordinary. You went to work, made dinner, and did the usual things. It may not feel like much to write about.

That is still a good place to start. A letter to a missionary can include a little news from home, a response to their last update, and a reminder that you love them. You do not need a big event to have something worth sending.

Start With Their Last Letter

Read the last update again and choose something to respond to. Maybe they mentioned a new companion, a meal they tried, or something they were learning.

Tell them what caught your attention. Saying you enjoyed the story about practicing an introduction feels more personal than reminding them, in general, to work hard. It shows that you read what they sent.

If they described a difficult week, you can acknowledge that too. You do not need to have a solution before saying you are glad they told you.

Tell Them Something From Home

Choose a couple of updates and add a detail or two. The little things help the letter sound like your family.

You might write that everyone came over for dinner. You could also mention that you forgot the bread and ended up making toast while everybody waited. That gives them a much better picture of the evening.

News about the garden, the dog, or a sibling's project can all fit. Share other people's information thoughtfully, especially if the letter is going to a group. Private family matters may need a separate conversation.

Ask a Question They Can Answer Easily

It can be hard to respond to a request to explain everything about the mission. Try one or two smaller questions:

  • What food have you enjoyed lately?
  • What feels more familiar than it did last month?
  • Is there a little moment from this week you want us to remember?
  • What would you like to hear about from home?

You do not need to send all four. It is surprisingly easy to turn a friendly letter into a questionnaire.

Let them know a short reply is welcome. They may have something else they would rather share, and that can be a good conversation too.

Encourage the Person Writing Back

Every mission and every missionary will have different experiences. Try to keep the letter focused on your person instead of comparing their updates with a sibling's or a friend's.

You can tell them you appreciate their effort, enjoy hearing the ordinary details, and love them even when the week has been difficult.

Be careful about promising that everything will be easier next week. You can offer support without knowing how the next week will go.

An Example Letter From Home

Here is a made-up example you can change to fit your own family:

Hi Sam,

I enjoyed reading about your first week with your new companion. The story about figuring out dinner together made me smile. What have you liked cooking lately?

We picked the last tomatoes this weekend. There were just enough for sandwiches, although Dad thinks we should plant twice as many next year. The dog watched the whole operation from the shade.

You mentioned that some days still feel unfamiliar. Thank you for telling us. We love you, and you do not need to make every update sound cheerful for our sake.

I am glad you are noticing small changes in what you can do. No need for a long reply. We are happy to hear whatever part of the week you want to share.

Love you, Mom

That letter has a response to the last update, a little news, one question, and some encouragement. Your version can be shorter, funnier, or more like the way you usually talk. It should sound like you.

Keep a Copy if You Want to Remember Both Sides

Your letters can be part of the family record too. Save copies alongside the updates you receive, and ask before sharing or printing private exchanges.

Letters Home helps you organize mission letters and photos into a collection. You can add other writing manually when it belongs in that collection; it does not have to be limited to the weekly update.

See how Letters Home works, or start with our guide to saving mission emails and photos. When you come back to read them later, it can be nice to remember what was happening at home as well.