Our Letter for Her - August 11, 2014

Motra Bezas hadn't mentioned yet in her letters or email home about being concerned about learning the language. But both my husband and I served missions in other countries and know the rigors of learning a foreign language in two months before flying out to serve. That experience shaped this letter I sent to Sister Bezas.

Dear Motra Bezas,

I am delighted to be sending you your first official package from the home. The other, previous cookie package was sent through DearElder.com. That was because I wanted you to get a package, but I've been stymied because I wanted to send you the PERFECT package. I wanted it to be full of goodies and trinkets and love and things and cool stuff and.... well, you get the picture. I finally realized my perfectionism was getting in the way of sending you ANYthing. And so now you're getting a real package from home. It's not homemade cookies like I'd wanted to send you. It doesn't have homemade pastries like I wanted to send you. But I realized my desire for a PERFECT package kept me from sending ANY package.

And so....(Yep, here comes the metaphor. You know me too well :). Remember why—throughout your whole mission—remember it took me two weeks to actually put together a package from home for you. I was too concerned with having it be flawless. And as a result, nothing happened. It will be like that for you in your mission experience, once you get into the mission field. If you are too concerned about being flawless, you will be kept from doing good and great and valuable things. Instead, just do SOMETHING. That way you're actually getting the "spiritual packages" delivered to people.

Who cares if your language isn't perfect? The people desperate to hear about Jesus Christ don't. Instead, for years—if you just share your testimonies and love any way you can—for years they will talk about the sweet American sister who gave them the opportunity of eternal life. They will love you. They will venerate your willingness to leave your own streets of America and your willingness to walk with them in theirs. They will feel such reverence for your sacrifice. They won't care whether your "package" is perfect. They will care for you and about the Savior because you were simply willing to give them ANY package at all of a message of the restoration of the fullness of the gospel!

So in summary, you finally HAVE received a package (this letter being included in it) simply because I got over my concern of wanting it to appear and be perfect. Instead, I finally realized it's better to give SOMEthing than nothing at all. I finally realized that YOU didn't care if the package were perfect. You would appreciate anything I sent.

Those you teach will be the same.

I love you. Do not worry about how your language is coming. Do not worry if you are enough. Do not worry about your skills. God has your back. God has the abilities. Your Father in Heaven will fill you as you need any kind of resource. He gives the perfect packages in perfect timing. We simply show up and do our best... and it is enough! The Savior fills in the rest.

So you go too. Simply prepare your sweet simple "packages" of love for your people in Albania. It will be enough...like the fact that you finally got a package from home because I finally got over my desire to be perfectionistic in putting it together.

So, you can now sink your teeth into some yummy cookies, a muffin, and enjoy the rest. Because now you finally got a package from home that was wrapped and taped and assembled in love...even if not in perfection.

I love you, Motra Bezas. Your whole family loves you! Your ancestors love you. And the families that will meet you love you, or at least will once they meet you. Language cannot convey love as well as a simple smile and a kind gesture...and you've got those down completely!

Now go to, and make a great day. Because you have everything you need to be sufficient for the Lord! 

You rock, Motra Bezas!

Love, Mom