The Love Surprise Mailbox Company

Recently I was the recipient of a "surprise and delight" activity that I am eager to share with you all because I want to spread the idea -- and because I want to showcase the writing efforts of a young friend of mine. Below you will find a report about the "Love Surprise Mailbox Company" from 11-year-old Ashley Wilda. I stayed with her family a few weeks ago and discovered my surprise in the morning. Over breakfast, I asked Ashley if she would write a guest post for my blog. Her report was waiting for me when I returned later that night. I think we have a budding journalist here, eager to meet her deadlines! Feel free to leave feedback for Ashley...

The Love Surprise Mailbox Company

   A little red mailbox has been a source of excitement and attention in the Wilda family household many times.   On several occasions, whoops and hollers were the result of this mailbox's arrival.  This "mailbox company" had a fun start, and this is how it began.

   When I was much younger, I decided to bless my mom by placing a box, bag, or package of some sort, with a small blessing in it (such as a note, or even a chocolate kiss) outside her bedroom door.  Hoping she wouldn't know who sent it to her, I decided to create a new company and dubbed it "The Love Surprise Package Company".  Of course, when my mom saw my childish handwriting, she knew at once who it was from.  She decided that she would have a package company also, and I received fun travel mugs following my little blessing.  My mom insisted that she did not know who the packages were from, when I found those gifts outside my door!!  I decided that there were two companies, one was mine, and the other was mom's.  We had so much fun sending little packages back and forth.

   A couple years afterwards, my mom bought a little red mailbox from a card store, and declared the start of the Love Surprise Mailbox Company.  Her slogan is, "Where the blessing goes, nobody knows!"  I have been encouraged by notes from my mom, and received many thoughtful gifts.  My mom's gifts are the best; she gives us new clothes, flip flops, notes, journals, and all sorts of stuff!  Our family has experienced much fun and laughter because of this mailbox.

  The mailbox has been used in other places besides the Wildas' house.  When my family and I went on our vacation to the beach in North Carolina with a couple of friends, we brought the mailbox with us.  I made some coasters, and gave them to someone with the mailbox.  Then my sister, Abby, my brother, Alex, and I were delighted when the mailbox was returned with something fun for each of us.  God has used this mailbox to bless many people.

   We have had several hilarious incidents that have come along with the mailbox and its presents.  My sister Abby, who is 6 years old, gives out little trinkets such as clips, which I really have no use for.  I have to remember, it is the thought that counts!  I have found that even though the blessing may be small, it always puts a smile on someone's face when they find a red mailbox with its flag up outside their door.  

   Another funny memory happened one day when my brother Alex (age 8) was overjoyed to find three enormous lollipops in the mailbox.  Now, we had just received Valentine candy, and my mom had some leftover; so she put them in a bowl.  Apparently, Abby had taken them from the bowl and given them to my brother!  When my mom found out, she had to explain to my sister that she shouldn't give away things that are not hers.  Instead, Alex received a small piece of Abby's own candy.  A true sacrifice!  This company has helped us all to grow in generosity with others.

   If you liked this idea, please feel free to use it!  You can do what my family and I have done, or you can change it however you like.  I hope that this idea can be used to bless and cheer others, like it has done, and will continue to do, in our family.

   So, that is the story of the Love Surprise Mailbox Company!

   By Ashley Wilda, age 11  :-)

Comments

[Doreen T.]

Ashley, what a wonderful idea and beautifully written post! Thank you for sharing the idea with us and sharing God's love with each other.

[Rachel]

How fun!! What a wonderful way to show love to your family. That is a cute little mailbox, and a wonderful name for the company!

[Kelli]

Ashley,

What a great idea! I don't have children, but I love the idea of doing this for my roommates!

Thanks for the post. It's great.

Kelli

[Elizabeth]

This morning, I received an unexpected gift from a friend. He had traveled out of the country, and when he returned, he sent me an e-mail saying that he picked up a little something for me while he was gone. I'm expecting a post card or the like. Instead, in my department mail box I found a particular kind of candy that I can't find in the US except in specialty shops, none of which are near by. I didn't even remember telling this person how much I like it. I was of course, happy with the present, and I'll savor the candy little bits a the time for quite a while, but what warmed me most was that he remembered such a silly, insignificant thing. This blessing from a friend made my day. We would all do well to remember to practice the little things. Ashley's reminder is timely.

[KS]

This was so cute. Thank you, Ashley (and Carolyn)!

[abigail]

Dear Ashley,

What a fabulous idea! I love the Love Surprise Mailbox Company.

I also wanted to compliment you on your writing. I teach writing to college freshmen and have read a lot of writing/papers. I can hardly believe that this post was written by an eleven year old. Well done!

Keep up the good work (writing and blessing others).

Abigail

[Kirsty]

Hi Ashley,
This is such a great idea! I would love to start something like this. Like Kelli who commented above, I don't have any kids, but it would be great to start with my roomate. Giving little notes or small gifts can be such a blessing, especially if someone has had a difficult day, or it can just start the day off on a right note.
Thanks Ashley!
Kirsty

[Lenae]

Hi, Ashley,

What a fantastic idea. You are an amazing communicator and very creative girl. Keep using your gifts to bless others in Jesus' name!

Lenae

[Rebekah]

What a well written post! I could never of written something so well at the age of 11!

[Olivia]

Great idea Ashley! You also did a fantastic job writing, you seem very mature for your age. Keep up the good work and maybe in a few years we'll all be reading your writings on your own blog. :) God bless!

[Ginger]

I am going to go buy a mailbox today. My 3 year old will flip and my 48 year old will too. (hubby).

What a delightful idea.

[Carol]

I love this idea for my family but I am also going to start this in our church with our Womens Group tonight. I just got my mailbox in mail and tonight I plan on starting the idea with one woman and then she can ask the Lord who he would want her to bless and then leave it in the church at the front table with the flag up and the persons name on the outside with dry erase. I totally love this idea. Thank you and God Bless

[Missy W.]

Thank you Ashley! This is so beautiful. You have encouraged us to use our God-given creativity to show love and be a blessing - what you and your family are doing is pure worship. I so often forget that kindness isn't just some random act for a stranger but should also be intentional blessings within our own family and those who we interact with every day. You have encouraged me so much - thank you!

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)