Just a friendly reminder to take advantage of upcoming holidays to encourage your child.

In other words, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and there are many ways you can bring your child a little joy. Before I launch into a list of crafty things you could do with your kids or own your own, let me say this to those of you who are overwhelmed by these creative suggestions:

If time is an issue, just send a card. Or a letter. Write a small note. Yes, letter writing can help you build a relationship with your sponsored child, but I like to think of it more as a ministry of encouragement. Even a short note communicates that you think of them, that you care. Short and consistent is better than long and infrequent.

If you do want to send something, here are some handmade (and store-bought) ideas:

A quick google search provided lots of ideas for simple handmade cards with fun themes. You can make a peekaboo picture card, a sweet little fish (guppy love) card made out of three paper hearts, very cute Valentine finger puppets, or a paper hug.  

Other ideas include a string of hearts, where you can spell out the child’s name, and write encouraging words on the back of each heart. Or you can extend your hand -- literally -- in a card.

Another neat idea is to send valentine cards for their friends, too. Just as we used to when we were younger,  buy a set of those small colorful cards in a box. Send several with your letter so your child can encourage their friends, too. Just be sure you’re sending the right message – many store-bought card packs use puns or plays-on-words that might get lost in translation, so watch for those.

You also might be tempted to go a traditional route and buy flowers and candy -- or in this case with our space limitations, send a packet of seeds or some candy. DON'T DO IT. Valentine’s Day candy is cute and available in abundance (especially those ubiquitous candy hearts), but it does not travel well. Most candies melt in transit – and if they don’t melt, they get crushed into tiny bits that work their way out of envelopes onto other children’s letters.

You can't send real flowers (try to fit that into a #10 envelope) but you can't send seeds, either. Seeds are a no-no across international lines, and we will not send them with your card.

One other caution: musical cards are quite popular now, but we can’t send them without removing the tiny battery pack and ruining the card itself. If you want to send a fancy card, find one that doesn’t sing when you open it!

Of course, don’t forget that all of this must fit into a #10 envelope. It takes some creativity, but you can do it. And just remember, the more you follow these rules, the faster your letter or card gets through processing to begin its trip overseas.